The inaugural cruise of Australia’s first five-star overnight riverboat, PS Australian Star, will offer three to seven nights on the Murray River after its launch on 20 February.
Former Echuca tourism leader and respected regional tourism industry expert, Kathryn Mackenzie OAM, will serve as godmother. The official christening of Murray River Paddlesteamers’ $11 million river vessel will take place, using local wine, on 20 February at historic Perricoota Station on the Murray River near Echuca.
PS Australian Star’s first commercial cruise launches from Echuca on 23 February 2026, offering a seven-night sailing from APT Luxury Travel which has chartered close to half of the riverboat’s sailings for 2026 and 2027.
Replicating and celebrating the graceful charm of paddlesteamers which graced the Murray River in the 19th century, the industry-changing, 38-guest PS Australian Star, will fuse heritage and contemporary elegance as the first five-star river vessel in Australia, the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere and the only wood-fired, five-star, accommodated paddlesteamer in the world.
The striking 220-ton riverboat boasts a deluxe lounge offering sweeping river vistas, a gourmet restaurant, expansive outdoor relaxation areas, a passenger lift to all decks and 19 sleek staterooms, all opening to a deck and offering an ensuite, air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, luxury linen and ever-changing river views. The modern-day paddlesteamer also sports a modern, energy-efficient, hybrid diesel/steam propulsion system featuring a 1907 wood-fired steam engine, adding a touch of nostalgia and authenticity to the journey.
“This beautiful new vessel will change the face of Echuca,” PS Australian Star godmother and awardee of the Medal of the Order of Australia Kathryn Mackenzie said.
“The luxurious PS Australian Star will make Echuca an international cruise destination. Europe has luxury river cruises and now we do on the Murray,” she said. “We had a vision for this exact product years ago and I’m thrilled and overwhelmed to be appointed as godmother to PS Australian Star.”
Murray River Paddlesteamers director Craig Burgess said Mackenzie is widely respected for her longstanding contribution to Australian regional communities, heritage and public service. Burgess said her appointment as godmother reflects the strong connection between PS Australian Star, the Murray River and the communities that have shaped Australia’s riverboat history.
Mackenzie has also played an important personal role in the journey behind PS Australian Star. Burgess has worked closely with her for more than 10 years, during which time she has been a strong supporter and mentor from the project’s earliest beginnings.
“I have known Kathryn for more than ten years, and she has supported this project from its very earliest days,” Burgess said. “She has guided me through the travel industry with generosity and insight and over that time has become a valued friend. I cannot think of a more deserving person to be godmother of PS Australian Star.
“PS Australian Star represents a new era of luxury river travel in Australia, combining traditional paddlesteamer elegance with contemporary comfort, fine dining and immersive regional experiences.
“Australians love cruising and they love the Murray River. It’s an icon. But there has been a clear demand for a world-class, five-star experience that matches the standards of Europe’s great waterways. PS Australian Star will deliver exactly that. She will usher in a new era of luxury river cruising and reimagine what’s possible on the Murray.
“We’ve seen incredibly strong demand for PS Australian Star, with heavy bookings for 2026, and 2027 already filling fast, confirming the appetite for premium overnight cruising. We’re also extremely grateful to the Victorian Government for supporting our vision to elevate Australian river cruising by providing $2.25 million in funding through its Regional Tourism Investment Fund.”
Following the christening PS Australian Star commences a program of multi-night cruises along the Murray River, showcasing iconic destinations including Perricoota Station, Echuca, and the surrounding riverlands.
“PS Australian Star, set to be the largest paddlesteamer in the southern hemisphere, will deliver an incredibly unique tourism experience, offering visitors the chance to enjoy luxury accommodation on the iconic Murray River while driving economic growth for Echuca and the wider region,” Victorian minister for tourism, sport, and major events Steve Dimopoulos said.
“Every passenger who steps aboard PS Australian Star will represent additional spending in local shops, restaurants and accommodation, backing local operators and creating a ripple effect across the community.”
Earlybird savings
Book a seven-night cruise aboard PS Australia Star sailing between January 1 and August 31, 2027, and receive:
- A $100 saving per person
- Free hotel stay for two guests before or after your cruise at either the Mercure Port of Echuca or The Savoy Melbourne opposite Southern Cross Station where trains depart for Echuca
- Go into a draw to win $1000 off your total stateroom fare – drawn March 1, 2026
Fares for a seven-night cruise in 2027 are available from $6,450 per person, twin-share, including the $100 saving.
Fares include return rail transfers from Melbourne to Echuca, onboard meals, daily shore excursions and experiences, cruise transfers, Wi-Fi, gratuities, selected beers and wines with dinner and soft drink, bottled water and tea/coffee throughout the cruise.
