- The much-awaited and new Australian Star will launch in February.
- APT Luxury Travel will offer a saving of $600 per couple if bookings are made before 31 January 2026.
- The offer is for a seven-night, round-trip cruise on the Murray River, which includes return transport from Melbourne to Echuca.
Murray River Paddlesteamers will debut the much-awaited, new Australian Star next month.
APT Luxury Travel, which has chartered almost half of the $11 million riverboat’s sailings in 2026 and 2027, is now offering a saving of $600 per couple for bookings made by January 31.
APT’s offer is for a seven-night round-trip cruise package from Melbourne with savings of $300 per person, if booked before 31 January. The package includes a round-trip coach transport from Melbourne to Echuca where the riverboat is berthed. All meals, beverages are included plus guided tours of Murray Gums Estate vineyard, lantern tour of Echuca and a gourmet barbeque on a riverbank.
The five-star Australian Star, which can accommodate 38 guests, is the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere and is the only wood-fired, paddlesteamer in the world.
Built to replicate an authentic, 19th century paddlesteamer with modern-day luxuries, Australian Star will have a lounge with sweeping river views, a restaurant, multiple outdoor relaxation areas and 19 sleek staterooms. The riverboat will also feature a 1907 wood-fired steam engine to add a touch of nostalgia and authenticity to the voyage.
The Australian Star will sail year-round cruises of up to seven nights on the Murray River from the historic Victorian river port of Echuca.
The Australian Star is powered by an original 1907 wood-fired steam engine and designed around 19 ensuite staterooms, with contemporary touches such as Starlink Wi-Fi, regionally inspired dining, accessible cabins and lift access between decks.
For Echuca and the wider Murray region, that combination matters: it positions the river not only as a nostalgic day-trip destination, but as a premium, multi-night experience that encourages visitors to stay longer, spend more locally, and travel in the quieter shoulder seasons.
The practical impact will be felt well beyond the wharf. Murray River Paddlesteamers says demand is already strong, and the project has supported local employment – 13 jobs during construction and a further 16 ongoing roles once cruising begins. That flow-on supports accommodation providers, hospitality venues, tour operators, wineries, artists and cultural experiences that form the “onshore” part of a luxury river itinerary.
Just as importantly, the launch is landing alongside public investment aimed at making river towns more visitor-ready. The Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund has been linked to enabling new cruise infrastructure and product development on the Murray, helping de-risk private investment and accelerate delivery. And on the ground in Echuca, Campaspe Shire Council’s riverfront redevelopment work has focused on improving accessibility and the visual amenity of the riverbank—exactly the kind of “welcome mat” infrastructure that turns a cruise arrival into a great first impression.
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