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PS Australian Star - 4 Night Explorer Cruise

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Operated by Murray River Paddlesteamers
Tripcode: 0427-4NEAS
Overview
Destination:
Australia
Start:Echuca, Australia
Finish:Echuca, Australia
Duration:5 days
Type:Group tour (max 38)
Travel Period
November 2025 - August 2026

Embark on a captivating 4-night adventure aboard the PS Australian Star Explorer Cruise, a voyage designed to unlock the secrets of Australia's picturesque waterways. This immersive journey seamlessly blends luxury with exploration, promising an unforgettable experience.

Step into a world of refined elegance as you board the Australian Star. The Explorer Cruise introduces you to an extended itinerary, allowing for a deeper dive into the region's treasures. Indulge in the comfort of thoughtfully appointed cabins, each featuring ensuite facilities and ensuring a peaceful retreat after each day's exploration.

Throughout the 4-night voyage, savor a culinary odyssey with exquisite meals that showcase the diversity of local flavors. The itinerary is meticulously crafted to provide a perfect balance of relaxation and discovery. Engage in enriching on-shore excursions that unveil the hidden gems of the landscape, from cultural landmarks to breathtaking natural wonders.

Whether you're absorbing panoramic views from the deck, participating in immersive shore activities, or enjoying the camaraderie of fellow travelers, the PS Australian Star Explorer Cruise invites you to create lasting memories. Immerse yourself in the magic of Australia's waterways during this extended adventure, where each day unfolds a new chapter of exploration and wonder.

Inclusions

  • Complimentary return V/Line train fare from Melbourne 
  • Complimentary coach transfers to Toorumbarry to commence your cruise
  • Luxury air-conditioned cabin with private ensuite
  • All onboard meals including morning & afternoon tea
  • Onshore tours
  • Chef prepared Regionally-inspired meals
  • Selected wine & beer with dinner service
  • Espresso coffee, tea, soft drink & bottled water
    WIFI throughout the boat
Standard inclusions
  • Complimentary return V/Line train fare from Melbourne 
  • Complimentary coach transfers to Toorumbarry to commence your cruise
  • Luxury air-conditioned cabin with private ensuite
  • All onboard meals including morning & afternoon tea
  • Onshore tours
  • Chef prepared Regionally-inspired meals
  • Selected wine & beer with dinner service
  • Espresso coffee, tea, soft drink & bottled water
    WIFI throughout the boat
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Itinerary
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Day 1

As you depart Torrumbarry upstream, enjoy an afternoon Devonshire tea, take in the sights and sounds of the river, and get to know your fellow cruisers. There’s ample time to chat with the skipper in the wheelhouse to learn about PS Australian Star, and her river history or simply relax in your private cabin.

When the sun begins to set, this marks the start of ‘Happy Hour’. Enjoy a drink in the saloon before a chef-prepared welcome dinner. Listen to the river birds’ evening chorus and watch for kangaroos, wombats, and many species of birds as the stars begin to appear.

Tonight, we moor at Norris Bend where your crew will have a riverside campfire (weather-dependent) ready for you to enjoy after dinner.

Day 2

After a hearty breakfast, Australian Star cruises to the famous Perricoota Station, the property first settled by James Maiden in 1843, and famous for starring in the TV mini series “All the River Run” where our famous PS Emmylou was renamed PS Providence.

Here you will depart to Restdown Winery, producers of fine organic wines and Hereford beef. Join the property’s owners for a guided tour along a 1.4km wetlands walking trail, highlighting items of great Aboriginal significance before a gourmet lunch of local produce and wine tastings. Arriving back at Perricoota Station the skipper will invite you to walk along the historical buildings and immaculate gardens of Perricoota Station before happy hour.

Tonight enjoy a fabulous dinner aboard overlooking the famous Perricoota Station mansion. Tonight, after dinner it’s Movie Night with a special presentation of “Riverboats Remembered”, a fabulous historical presentation featuring archival footage of the paddle steamers and communities of the Murray River from the early 1900s through to the mid1970s. 

Day 3

For early risers and keen photographers, the morning mist and wildlife around Perricoota is a sight to behold. After breakfast, Emmylou gracefully steams onwards upstream for a full day of cruising towards our riverside mooring, Layfield Lane mooring.

Today enjoy lunch on the deck or in the saloon with plenty of time to relax with a good book or just take in the river views. Tonight, enjoy a grand dinner on the riverbank – our signature Australian BBQ (weather dependent), lit up by candles on the tables and stars in the sky.

After dinner enjoy casual conversation around the campfire (weather dependent) with live entertainment before retiring for the evening.

Day 4

Start your day with a satisfying breakfast to fuel up for an exciting half-day adventure on both land and water. Your guided Henry Hopwood Town Tour tour will take you through the charming town of Echuca, uncovering hidden historical gems like Hopwood’s Punt and the pontoon bridge. This bridge, the brainchild of Echuca’s founder Henry Hopwood, marks the initial river crossing in the area.

Next, prepare to be enchanted by our 110-year-old PS Canberra featuring a red gum timber hull built in 1912 at Goolwa South Australia. Enjoy morning tea aboard. Before returning to Australian Star for lunch when your river cruise adventure continues upstream cruising past the imposing Port of Echuca Wharf once home to over 100 paddlesteamers in its heyday. T

his evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner cruising upriver of Echuca .

Day 5

This morning before breakfast early risers can enjoy a riverside stroll before we reluctantly say farewell.

Coach transfer to Echuca Car Parking, Train Station, and CBD Hotels 

Departure dates

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Duration

Travellers

Operator
Murray River Paddlesteamers

In 1996, Murray River Paddlesteamers began their first cruises along the Murray River and has since expanded to include the PS PS Emmylou, updated with 8 luxury cabins with ensuites in 2018, and the hundred year old PS Canberra. After twelve months of restoration during 2002-2003, Paddle Steamer Canberra is to date, the only known vessel along the Murray River to have been converted back to steam. In March 2015 the business was purchased by brother’s Craig & Rohan Burgess together with local identity & Skipper Neil Hutchinson. The business continues to grow and expand on strong foundations which was acknowledged in July 2016 with the business winning Gold at the Regional Tourism Awards and Silver in the prestigious VTIC, Victorian Tourism Awards again in 2018.. We are dedicated to making your cruise along the Murray river memorable offering a wide range of cruising options across three traditional Paddlesteamers. Each vessel is unique and shows the dedication we have in providing an experience for our guests with all cruises short or long offering live historical commentary from the skipper. From a 1 hour cruise, lunch or dinner experience or a luxurious overnight boutique inland river cruise aboard PS Emmylou, we have something for everyone to enjoy. We are proud to continue the tradition of river cruising along Australia’s greatest waterway with our trademark level of country hospitality aboard pour authentic paddlesteamers. We hope you can join us to connect you with Australia’s inland history, geography, culture and cuisine. The Murray offers a unique destination to discover one of Australia’s beautiful regions; the riverside towns, the wildlife, and of course, a cruise on an old paddle steamer.

Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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4 nights
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