Highlights:
-Join the owner for an insightful tour of Restdown Winery and its picturesque wetlands, capped off with a delectable lunch featuring locally sourced produce. Indulge in table wine tastings to enhance the experience.
-Traverse Perricoota Station’s enchanting gardens alongside your knowledgeable skipper, soaking in the allure of the famed filming location for the iconic Australian television series, All the Rivers Run.
-Delve into Echuca`s historical sites on a narrated coach tour, gaining insights into the captivating stories that shaped the area.
-Savor a one-of-a-kind riverside BBQ dining experience under the stars, accompanied by live entertainment and the warmth of a crackling campfire.
-Cruise aboard the venerable 110-year-old PS Canberra, sipping on traditional morning tea as you enjoy the timeless surroundings.
-Experience all-day cruising with a historical commentary that will transport you back in time and immerse you in the rich cultural heritage of the Murray River region
Explorer Cruise cruise package includes:
– 4 night cruise aboard the PS Australian Star in a luxury air-conditioned cabin with private ensuite from Torrumbarry to Echuca
– All onboard meals including morning & afternoon tea
– Onshore tours
– Regionally-inspired meals prepared by onboard chef
– Complimentary selected wine & beer with dinner service
– Espresso coffee, tea, soft drink & bottled water
– Complimentary WIFI throughout the boat
– Complimentary return V/Line train fare from Melbourne to Echuca
– Complimentary coach transfers from the Echuca Car Park or train Station to PS Australian Star at the beginning and end of your cruise
______________________
Discounts: The fares shown here are full brochure fares. There may be special offers from time to time, so please contact us for the current best deal.
Solo Traveller – 75% surcharge. Please contact us for availability.
Optional extras: The following items can be added to your cruise fare as per the charges listed below.
1. 1 Night Pre OR Post Cruise Hotel Stay – Mercure Hotel Echuca – $195.00 per room per night
Extend your experience in Echuca with a Pre or Post Cruise Stay at the Mercure Port of Echuca Hotel. This exclusive rate will see you staying in a Deluxe King Room featuring a king bed, plasma TV, exquisite bathroom, pay-TV, and wireless internet access. This beautiful Hotel is within easy walking distance of the Port of Echuca and High Street shops.
2. 4 Night Secure Car Parking – $100.00 ($25.00 per vehicle per night)
4 Night Cruise Parking a secure undercover car parking facility is located just minutes from the departure point offering peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is protected from the elements.
________________
Day to Day Itinerary:
Day 1. Norris Bend: As PS Australian Star departs Torrumbarry, have the opportunity to indulge in an afternoon Devonshire tea while taking in the scenic views and getting to know your fellow cruisers. You can chat with the skipper in the wheelhouse and learn about the river history or unwind in your private cabin or the saloon during “Happy Hour” as the sun sets. In the evening, the crew will set up a riverside campfire (subject to weather) for you to enjoy after a welcome dinner at Norris Bend, prepared by the chef. You can also look out for kangaroos, wombats, and birds while taking in the evening chorus of the river birds and the emerging stars.
Day 2. Perricoota Station: After a hearty breakfast before cruising to the famous Perricoota Station. You`ll have the chance to board our coach for a visit to Restdown winery with the property`s owners, walk along a 1.4km wetlands trail with significant Aboriginal items, and enjoy a gourmet lunch of local produce and wine tastings. You can then explore the historical buildings and immaculate gardens of Perricoota Station before having dinner on PS Australian Star`s deck overlooking the mansion. The night will conclude with a fascinating documentary featuring archival footage of the paddlesteamers and communities of the Murray River.
Day 3. Layfield Lane: For early risers and avid photographers, the morning mist and wildlife around Perricoota is a spectacle to behold. You`ll then spend the whole day cruising upstream towards Layfield Lane, enjoying lunch on the deck or in the saloon. In the evening, you can experience a grand dinner on the riverbank with the signature Australian BBQ, followed by live entertainment and casual conversation around the campfire (weather dependent).
Day 4. Town Tour & Echuca: Begin your day with a hearty breakfast to prepare for an exhilarating half-day expedition encompassing both land and water. Embark on our unique guided Henry Hopwood Town Tour, a captivating journey through the quaint town of Echuca, where you`ll unearth hidden historical treasures such as Hopwood`s Punt and the pontoon bridge. This bridge, conceptualized by Echuca`s founder, Henry Hopwood, stands as the original river crossing point in the region. Prepare to be captivated by the 110-year-old PS Canberra, boasting a red gum timber hull constructed in 1912 at Goolwa, South Australia. Indulge in morning tea aboard this vessel before returning to PS Australian Star for lunch, your river cruise adventure continues upstream, passing by the impressive Port of Echuca Wharf, which was once bustling with over 100 paddle steamers during its prime.
Day 5. Echuca: This morning before breakfast early risers can enjoy a riverside stroll before we reluctantly say farewell.
Special Conditions
Special Validity Dates
Cruise Itinerary
| Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jan 2026 | Echuca, Victoria, Australia |
Transfer to Torrumbarry Weir | |
| 12 Jan 2026 | Torrumbarry Weir, VIC, Australia |
Embark | 4:00 PM |
| 12 Jan 2026 | Norris Bend, Murray River |
||
| 13 Jan 2026 | Perricoota Station, Murray River |
||
| 14 Jan 2026 | Murray River, Australia |
||
| 15 Jan 2026 | Echuca, Victoria, Australia |
||
| 16 Jan 2026 | Echuca, Victoria, Australia |
9:30 AM |
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
4 Night Cruise sailing from Torrumbarry Weir to Echuca aboard Australian Star.
Day 1 – Norris bend
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 – Onshore Tour & perricoota Station
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 – All Day Cruising & Layfield Lane
For early risers and keen photographers, the morning mist and wildlife around Perricoota is a sight to behold. After breakfast, Australian Star 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 – Town Tour & Echuca
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.
This evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner cruising upriver of Echuca .
Day 5 – Echuca
Before breakfast, early risers can enjoy a wander along the riverbank before we say farewell. Coach transfer to Echuca Car Parking, Train Station, and Echuca CBD Hotels
Embark on a journey into a new era of river cruising with the PS Australian Star—a vessel that not only bears a name steeped in heritage and pride but also represents the pinnacle of luxury on the iconic Murray River.
Scheduled for a grand launch in June 2025, the PS Australian Star will redefine river cruising, offering year-round, all-inclusive, overnight experiences with 3, 4, and 7-night itineraries along the majestic Murray River, commencing from the charming town of Echuca in Victoria. Seamlessly taking over the reins of the beloved PS Emmylou, the Australian Star will assume the helm of the existing cruise itineraries, promising a voyage that seamlessly blends tradition with opulence.
As you step onto the decks of the PS Australian Star, you enter a realm where every detail tells a tale of the river’s rich heritage and the golden age of paddle steamers. The vessel itself is a masterpiece, a floating testament to the artistry and engineering that defined an era. Immerse yourself in the symphony of steam from the authentic 1907 wood-fired steam engine and the rhythmic churning of the paddlewheel as we embark on a leisurely voyage along the winding waters of the Murray River.
Named in honour of Australia’s celestial Southern Cross, the Australian Star invites you to explore its opulent interiors, where each cabin and lounge exudes an air of refinement. From the Hopwood Lounge & Bar, celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of Echuca’s founder, to the Randell Dining Room, paying homage to the pioneering journey of William Randell, every space aboard is a chapter in a captivating narrative that unfolds with every river bend.
Boasting 19 plush and modern staterooms, each opening to a deck and featuring an ensuite, air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, luxury linen, and a TV entertainment system, the Australian Star ensures a luxurious retreat for every traveler. Moreover, its ever-changing river views provide a constant reminder of the beauty that surrounds.
As the PS Australian Star prepares to grace the waters, it beckons you to join a voyage where tradition meets modernity, and luxury becomes an art form. Welcome aboard the PS Australian Star, where history and luxury converge for an unforgettable riverine experience.
Ship Profile & Stats
- Length: 35 m
- Maiden Voyage: 2025
- Passenger Capacity (dbl): 38
- Crew Nationality: Australian
- Officer Nationality: Australian
- Dining Staff Nationality: Australian
- Ship Registration: Australia
Step aboard our iconic paddlesteamers, now including the exquisite PS Australian Star available from June 2025, for an elegant journey back in time along the winding Murray River. Bask in breathtaking views of landscapes and wildlife on a multi-day 3, 4 or 7 night voyage – each promises an unforgettable experience.
Our dedicated crew is poised to cater to your desires, whether it’s a leisurely river trip or a special event. As pioneers of Echuca’s river cruising, we take pride in sharing the river’s stories and preserving its rich heritage. Join us for an adventure through history, guided by passionate storytellers, leaving you with cherished memories.
Select the Deck to view detail.
Select the Cabin to view detail.
1 King Owners Suite with private balcony. Immerse yourself in the serenity of the surroundings and captivating river views, all enjoyed from the opulence of your private accommodation. The King Suite boasting a private veranda. Entertainment is at your fingertips with a TV system in each room. Ensure a comfortable journey with individually controlled air-conditioning in every room, and stay seamlessly connected with complimentary WIFI available throughout the boat, including all rooms.
1 Queen Owners Suite with private balcony. Immerse yourself in the serenity of the surroundings and captivating river views, all enjoyed from the opulence of your private accommodation. The Queen Suite boasting a private veranda. Entertainment is at your fingertips with a TV system in each room. Ensure a comfortable journey with individually controlled air-conditioning in every room, and stay seamlessly connected with complimentary WIFI available throughout the boat, including all rooms.
Immerse yourself in the serenity of the surroundings and captivating river views, all enjoyed from the opulence of your private accommodation. Spacious Queen Staterooms, where the queen bed can be transformed into two single beds. All queen cabins have private ensuites. Entertainment is at your fingertips with a TV system in each room. Ensure a comfortable journey with individually controlled air-conditioning in every room, and stay seamlessly connected with complimentary WIFI available throughout the boat, including all rooms.
Immerse yourself in the serenity of the surroundings and captivating river views, all enjoyed from the opulence of your private accommodation. Spacious Queen Staterooms, where the queen bed can be transformed into two single beds. All queen cabins have private ensuites. Entertainment is at your fingertips with a TV system in each room. Ensure a comfortable journey with individually controlled air-conditioning in every room, and stay seamlessly connected with complimentary WIFI available throughout the boat, including all rooms.
* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.
Unless otherwise expressly noted, all materials, including images, illustrations, designs, icons, and photographs appearing anywhere on this website are protected by worldwide copyright laws and treaty provisions. The copyright on such materials is held by the original creator of the materials. None of the materials may be copied, reproduced, displayed, modified, published, uploaded, posted, transmitted or distributed in whole or in part in any form or by any means other than as provided by Cruise Factory and Cruise Traveller to its clients, or with the prior written permission of Cruise Factory and Cruise Traveller. All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved. Any unauthorised use of the materials appearing on this website may violate copyright, trademark and other applicable laws and could result in criminal or civil penalties.