- In 1996 Murray River Paddlesteamers began plying the mighty river.
- Today, there are plans for a fleet of luxury wood-burning steam-powered ships.
- APT is already backing the plan, the dream of a former banker and local.
- You can be aboard the first sailings by entering a competition to win a $12,000 cruise.
For Craig Burgess, co-owner of Murray River Paddlesteamers, the Murray isn’t just a waterway; it’s a living, breathing connection to Australia’s past and a canvas for his ambitious vision of its future.
Burgess dreams of a day when the Murray will host a fleet of paddle steamers, journeying not just between small river towns but all the way to Adelaide. “Imagine four paddle steamers cruising together, rekindling the golden age of riverboats,” he says with palpable excitement.
Craig and Rohan Burgess, together with local identity and skipper Neil Hutchinson, bought the business 10 years ago.
A decade before, Murray River Paddlesteamers began their first cruises along the Murray River, expanding to include the PS Emmylou, updated with 8 cabins with ensuites in 2018, and the hundred-year-old PS Canberra.
Today, after Covid and many delays, Craig Burgess at last believes his dream of creating river cruising for Australia is about to come true.
A Vision of Revival
Burgess’s dream stems from a deep love of the river’s storied past. During the 19th century, the Murray was Australia’s lifeblood, with paddle steamers carrying goods, people, and news between towns. Today, it’s a hub for tourism, but Burgess believes it can be much more.
“The Murray River has all the ingredients to become a top-tier cruise destination,” he explains. “We’ve got stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and a rich cultural tapestry that includes Indigenous heritage and early settler history. What’s missing is the infrastructure and vision to make it happen on a grander scale.”
His ultimate goal? A network of paddle steamers offering multi-day cruises that extend beyond regional stops to Adelaide, South Australia’s capital. “It’s ambitious, but I believe it’s entirely possible. It would be a game-changer for the river, the communities along it, and Australian tourism as a whole,” he says.
The Charm of Paddle Steamers
Why paddle steamers? For Burgess, they’re more than just vessels; they’re icons of Australian heritage. “There’s a nostalgia attached to them,” he says. “When people step aboard a paddle steamer, they’re transported to another era. It’s not just a cruise; it’s a journey back in time.”
Murray River Paddlesteamers operates a fleet of lovingly restored vessels, including the PS Emmylou, which offers overnight cruises. Burgess says the response to these experiences has been overwhelmingly positive.
“People love the authenticity of it. The sound of the paddle wheels, the smell of the wood-fired boilers — it’s an immersive experience you won’t get on a modern cruise ship.”
He’s convinced that scaling up the paddle steamer experience to include larger fleets and longer itineraries could draw both domestic and international visitors. “There’s a huge market for experiential travel right now, and the Murray is perfectly positioned to tap into that,” he says.
A culinary experience
Burgess has spoken to local chefs and says the culinary experience will be contemporary Australian cuisine with a focus on elevated comfort dining.
The menus highlight classic and modern flavors, crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Key characteristics of the dining experience include:
Decadent Desserts: The dessert selections feature indulgent, nostalgic classics like bread and butter pudding and golden syrup dumplings, balanced by lighter options like house-made vanilla bean ice cream and orange sorbet, providing a satisfying end to the meal.
Sophisticated Flavor Pairings: Each dish features thoughtful combinations like truffle-infused arancini, red wine demi-glaze, and bourbon-infused pork terrine. These elements add depth and complexity to familiar ingredients.
Seasonal and Local Influence: Ingredients like red gum smoked mussels, Moulamein mushrooms, and Warragul greens suggest an emphasis on local, seasonal produce, reflecting a farm-to-table ethos.
Comfort with Elegance: While dishes like slow-cooked lamb shank and bread and butter pudding nod to hearty, traditional comfort food, they are elevated with refined presentation and rich, gourmet touches like artichoke cream or miso citrus reduction.
Variety and Choice: The menus cater to diverse tastes, offering vegetarian-friendly options such as vegetable pot pie and pumpkin, cauliflower, and parsnip pot pie alongside meat and seafood-focused mains like grilled barramundi and duck breast roulade. This ensures broad appeal to a wide range of diners.
Challenges and Opportunities
Turning the Murray River into a premier cruise destination isn’t without its hurdles. Burgess points to infrastructure as a major challenge. “We need more docking facilities, better-maintained wharves, and upgraded riverbanks,” he says. “Without that, it’s hard to scale up operations.”
Then there are environmental concerns. The Murray’s health has been a contentious issue, with droughts, irrigation demands, and climate change putting strain on the river. Burgess is acutely aware of the need to balance tourism with conservation.
“Sustainability has to be at the heart of everything we do,” he says. “We can’t afford to exploit the river. That’s why we use eco-friendly practices, like minimizing fuel consumption and supporting local conservation efforts.”
Burgess believes that a thriving cruise industry could actually benefit the river’s ecosystem. “Tourism brings awareness and funding. If people experience the beauty of the Murray firsthand, they’re more likely to advocate for its protection,” he explains.
A Cultural and Economic Boost
Beyond its environmental impact, Burgess sees river cruising as a way to revitalize communities along the Murray. “Many of these towns were built around the river, but they’ve struggled to adapt to modern times,” he says. “Cruising can bring in tourism dollars, create jobs, and inject new life into these regions.”
He envisions cruises that highlight local culture, from Indigenous storytelling to wine tastings at regional vineyards. “The Murray isn’t just a river; it’s a cultural corridor,” he says. “We want to showcase everything it has to offer.”
Burgess is particularly passionate about collaborating with Indigenous communities. “Their connection to the river goes back tens of thousands of years. Incorporating their stories and perspectives isn’t just important; it’s essential,” he says.
The Path Forward
While the vision of four paddle steamers cruising to Adelaide remains a long-term goal, Burgess is already laying the groundwork. His company is expanding its fleet and working closely with local councils and tourism bodies to improve infrastructure. “It’s about building momentum,” he says. “We’re taking small steps now so that the big vision can become a reality.”
He’s working with APT, the Australian travel giant, and his new ship has already been chartered by APT for its first year. APT’s Travelmarvel brand has chartered the Emmylou. He also exploring partnerships with international travel companies to promote the Murray River abroad. “We want the world to see what we have here,” he says. “There’s nothing else like it.”
A Personal Connection
For Burgess, the Murray River is more than a business opportunity; it’s a lifelong passion. Growing up near its banks, he spent countless hours exploring its twists and turns. “It’s always been a part of me,” he says. “Now, I’m lucky enough to share it with others.”
That personal connection drives his commitment to the river’s future. “This isn’t just about tourism or profit. It’s about preserving something truly special for generations to come,” he says.
The Dream Takes Shape
Burgess reflects on the journey ahead. “It’s not going to happen overnight,” he admits. “But every step we take brings us closer to that vision of four paddle steamers gliding down the Murray, connecting people and places in a way that only this river can.”
How you can win a cruise on the PS Australian Star
You can be on one of the first journeys of the new PS Australian Star.
