- APT Travel Group has bought a majority stake in Murray River Paddlesteamers.
- The three wood-fired vessels will join the brand’s portfolio.
- Five-star paddlesteamer Australian Star will begin operating later this year.
APT Travel Group has treated themselves to an early centenary birthday present, with the purchase of a majority stake in Murray River Paddlesteamers. With the addition of three wood-fired vessels to its portfolio, the purchase is an early addition to the company before the Centenary celebrations officially kick off in 2027.
The Echuca-based Murray River Paddlesteamers offers one of Australia’s most distinctive inland waterway experiences and joins APT’s portfolio that already spans river cruising, ocean voyages and land touring.
Technically considered a Victorian operator, the Murray Paddlesteamers runs three vessels from Echuca, namely the century-old PS Canberra, restored to steam in 2003; PS Emmylou, billed as the world’s only wood-fired paddlesteamer offering overnight cruises; and PS Australian Star, described as Australia’s first five-star paddlesteamer, which will begin operating later this year.
APT will continue to maintain Murray’s Director Craig Burgess at the helm, with both companies expressing the desire to see the venture as a long term play to grow river cruising for the region in general, while also preserving the heritage of the paddlesteamer vessels and the Murray area. APT CEO David Cox has also expressed plans to launch a second riverboat on the Murray in addition to the paddlesteamers, according to recent announcements.
The APT Portfolio
The APT Travel Group was founded in 1927, and over the past 100 years, has built a portfolio that includes APT, Travelmarvel, Botanica World Discoveries, Captain’s Choice and Antarctica Flights, alongside the luxury Kimberley lodge operations. The addition of the paddlesteamers brings a new form of travel to the portfolio and further establishes APT’s domestic positioning. The timing coincides with the celebrations of APT’s centenary birthday as it approaches its 100th year in 2027.
APT Travel Group CEO David Cox said the acquisition was a natural fit for the company approaching its centenary. “Looking to the future with a nod to the past, investing in Australian local tourism and giving our guests access to experiences that are truly one of a kind,” he said.
“The Murray River is woven into this country’s history, and for us to now be custodians of vessels that keep that history alive is something we’re very proud of.
“After nearly a hundred years of delivering exceptional experiences to travellers around the world, we can’t wait to bring more of that same standard to our own backyard.”
That centenary milestone is also being marked with a once-only 100-day world tour from Melbourne in 2027, priced from AU$100,000 per person.
The Paddlesteamers
PS Canberra
Century-old PS Canberra, was restored to steam in 2003. Built in 1912, PS Canberra is one of the oldest operating paddlesteamers on the Murray River and a major heritage attraction in Echuca. Originally constructed as a fishing steamer in South Australia, the vessel later worked as a tourist boat in Mildura and Renmark before being extensively restored. In 2003, after a nine-month rebuild, the boat was returned to steam power using a 1923 wood-fired Marshall steam engine.
Today, PS Canberra mainly operates one-hour sightseeing cruises from Echuca. The experience is deliberately heritage-focused: polished timber interiors, open viewing decks, captain’s commentary, and the distinctive sound and smell of a working steam engine. Families often book it because children are sometimes allowed to help “steer” the vessel under supervision and receive a mock skipper’s certificate.
The appeal of PS Canberra is authenticity rather than luxury. It is essentially a living museum piece still operating on the river more than a century after launch. Cruise enthusiasts and history lovers often choose it for short heritage experiences rather than overnight travel
PS Emmylou
PS Emmylou is the Murray River’s best-known boutique overnight paddlesteamer and is widely marketed as the world’s only wood-fired paddlesteamer offering scheduled accommodated cruises. Named after singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris, the vessel was launched in the early 1980s and was designed in classic 19th-century riverboat style.
The vessel underwent a major luxury refurbishment in 2018, transforming it into a boutique inland river cruiser with ensuite cabins, premium suites, contemporary dining, and a more upscale onboard atmosphere. Cruises typically range from two to seven nights and focus heavily on immersive Murray River experiences: riverside campfires, winery visits, Indigenous cultural experiences, wetlands excursions, barbecue dinners, and regional produce.
Emmylou’s atmosphere is slower and more intimate than mainstream ocean cruising. With a small guest count, passengers tend to interact closely with crew and fellow travellers. The drawcard is the sensory experience of traditional steam travel — wood smoke, paddlewheel rhythm, red gum forests, and quiet river scenery — combined with boutique hotel-style accommodation.
The vessel has effectively become the flagship luxury experience for Murray River heritage cruising over the past decade and helped revive broader interest in Australian inland cruising.
PS Australian Star
PS Australian Star represents the next evolution of Murray River cruising and is being promoted as Australia’s first five-star overnight paddlesteamer. Scheduled to launch in 2026, the vessel is intended to dramatically elevate the standard of inland cruising in Australia.
The ship is significant for several reasons: She will be the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere, combining heritage aesthetics with modern luxury hotel standards. She uses a restored 1907 wood-fired steam engine and is designed specifically for multi-night premium river cruising.
Australian Star will carry just 38 guests across 19 staterooms, making it intentionally boutique. Cabins reportedly include private ensuites, climate control, luxury linen, deck access, and premium fittings. Public spaces include the Hopwood Lounge & Bar and the Randell Dining Room, both named after key figures in Murray River history.
Cruises are expected to operate year-round from Echuca, with 3-, 4- and 7-night itineraries. APT has already chartered a significant number of departures, indicating strong luxury market demand.
The broader significance of Australian Star is that it signals the Murray River evolving from a heritage niche into a genuine luxury cruise destination, somewhat paralleling the boutique river cruise model seen in Europe — but with Australian landscapes, Indigenous history, and outback river culture as the focus.
Significance of the Murray River
The Murray holds a place in Australia’s cultural and commercial history.
At its trading peak, the Port of Echuca hosted more than 240 river vessels, making it the largest inland port in the country.
Today its paddlesteamers draw both domestic and international visitors, giving the trade a heritage product that sits within reach of Melbourne for short breaks and add-on touring.
Burgess said the partnership marked a new chapter for the business. “For more than two decades, Murray River Paddlesteamers has been dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of the Murray River,” he stated.
“The APT Travel Group provides the resources, expertise and long-term vision to secure that legacy for future generations.
“APT shares our commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences and investing in Australian tourism. Together, we will continue to grow river cruising on the Murray while maintaining the authenticity and heritage that make these vessels so special.”
