The Murray River Paddlesteamers company announced for the first time the launch date and other details of the new, luxurious $6.75 million vessel, which will offer year-round, all-inclusive, overnight cruises on the Murray River from Echuca in Victoria. Construction has begun on Australia’s first five-star river ship, PS Australian Star.
The 38-guest ship PS Australian Star, which will be constructed in Mildura utilising Australian components and manpower, is already being built on the site. Murray River Paddlesteamers has stated that the smaller, older, 16-passenger PS Emmylou, which now conducts overnight excursions on the Murray, will be replaced by the PS (Paddlesteamer) Australian Star, which will start operations from Echuca in April 2025.
Stretching 35m, the deluxe PS Australian Star, the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere and the only wood-fired, five-star accommodated paddlesteamer in the world, will be Australia’s first five-star river cruise experience.
It will be possible for passengers to combine two trips on the PS Australian Star to make a longer seven-night cruise. The ship will offer cruises lasting three and four nights. All-inclusive prices, which will be made public in July, will include rail transfers from Melbourne, daily shore excursions, a shoreside campfire meal, and beer and wine with dinner. This spring, reservations for Australian Star will go on sale.
The Regional Tourism Investment Fund of the Victorian Government has provided $2.25 million to assist the unusual vessel, which is expected to draw upscale, high-yield tourists from all around Australia and the rest of the globe.
The three-deck PS Australian Star will be 60% bigger than PS Emmylou and feature more modern amenities like the panoramic Hopwood Lounge, numerous outdoor relaxation areas, the company’s first elevator for easy access to all levels, and the Cadell Restaurant that offers a different fine-dining menu every day that emphasises local, seasonal produce.
Additionally, PS Australian Star will have 19 sleek, contemporary staterooms with deck access, river views, ensuite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, plush bedding, TV entertainment systems, seating areas, and desks. There will be two suite-style cabins, one with a Queen bed and the other with a King bed, that are roomy and have their own outside decks. A first for Murray River Paddlesteamers, all other staterooms will have queen beds that may be divided into twin beds in 16 of the cabins. Additionally, two of the cabins will be accessible to visitors with physical limitations.
The ship will be powered by a retro, restored 1907 Richard Garrett & Sons wood-fired steam engine and will have a contemporary, energy-efficient hybrid diesel/steam propulsion system.
PS Australian Star, according to Murray River Paddlesteamers Director Craig Burgess, will change overnight river cruising in Australia and bring Victoria new high-yield domestic and foreign tourists as well as profitable tour group business.
“PS Australian Star will offer the ultimate in river cruising luxury when she sails along the Murray for the first time in 2025, ushering in an exciting new era for tourism in Australia,” Mr. Burgess added. Australians enjoy boating and appreciate the Murray River, but many yearn for amenities and comforts seen on European rivers. She has already generated a lot of interest, and we anticipate strong demand when we begin selling tickets this spring, ” he added. “The support of the Victorian Government has been pivotal in this project, bringing the construction of this wonderful new ship forward by several years.”
* Murray River Paddlesteamers will provide travel agencies a 10% commission along with bonuses for making additional reservations.
Source: traveldailynews