Echuca paddle steamers operator building a $6M luxury river cruise liner
Forget expensive river cruises through Europe, Victorians and tourists will soon be able to travel down the mighty Murray in style on a five-star paddle-steamer.
Mildura
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Forget expensive river cruises through Europe, a new luxury paddle-steamer will offer Victorians and tourists the chance to set sail in style down the mighty Murray River.
Murray River Paddlesteamers has spent more than $6m designing and constructing a luxury five-star river cruise liner to capitalise on a growing number of people hungry for luxury cruising opportunities.
Dubbed “The PS Australian Star” the new addition to Murray River Paddlesteamers fleet will is being built locally in Mildura.
Once construction is finished in 2025, the Star will host up to 38 guests on three, four, and seven-night tours along the Murray River.
While European cruises might give passengers to chance to explore palaces and castles, cruisers on the Star will get the chance to enjoy some local gems.
The three-night tour will take passengers down the Murray River, stopping at Perricoota Station, local riverside wineries and the Great Aussie Beer Shed & Heritage Farm Museum.
The four night cruise takes passengers from Torrumbarry the historic Perricoota Station, which was once home the largest fleet of paddle steamers in world.
You will also visit Restdown Winery learning about the local Aboriginal culture on wetlands guided walk with the owners before enjoying a delicious lunch.
The highlights of seven night cruise include, multiple unique sightseeing tours throughout the Murray River region, an owner-led guided tour of Restdown Winery and wetlands, the Great Aussie Beer Shed & Heritage Farm Museum on an unforgettable onshore tour.
The PS Australian Star will feature up to 19 ensuite cabins, a fine dining restaurant and function space, and a guest lounge with panoramic views, and bars across two levels.
Murray River Paddlesteamers Director Craig Burgess hopes that said this new addition will both expand their capacity and create a market for national bus tour networks to visit the Murray.
“Currently we are already something like 80 per cent booked up for the holidays this year, so this new steamer will allow us to take on even more customers,” he said.
“The cruises will hopefully be taken up by the major bus tour networks, they’ll start coming to visit the Murray at Echuca, the region currently does offer a product like this.
“Australians love cruising, and they love the Murray River. When she sails along the Murray for the first time in 2025, PS Australian Star will offer the ultimate in river cruising luxury, ushering in a new era for tourism in Australia.”
Additionally, the Murray River Paddle steamers will offer all-inclusive trips from Melbourne.
“The idea is that you might visit Melbourne and while you’re down book a trip on one of our river cruises, and we’ll book the train up for you.”
Minister for Tourism, Sport, and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said the project would help bring jobs and tourism back to Victoria.
“The PS Australian Star will provide jobs for Victorians during construction and encourage more visitors to come to the Murray River by offering a new world-class experience.”
While being constructed the paddle steamer will create 13 jobs locally in Mildura and 16 jobs when it beings cruising in early 2025.
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