The NEW PS Australian Star
There's a new paddle steamer in town! Meet the PS Australian Star: A New Era of Luxury on the Murray River
There are few ways to experience Australia that feel quite as timeless as travelling the Murray River by paddle steamer. Now, that much loved tradition has been reimagined for a new generation with the arrival of the PS Australian Star, Australia’s first five star overnight river vessel and the largest paddle steamer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Launching in 2026, this extraordinary new vessel brings together the romance of the golden age of river travel with the comfort, elegance and service of a luxury hotel. With just 38 guests across 19 beautifully appointed staterooms and suites, the experience is intimate, unhurried and wonderfully exclusive.
Where heritage meets five-star luxury
From the moment you step aboard, the PS Australian Star tells a story.
At her heart is an authentic 1907 wood-fired steam engine, refurbished and brought back to life to power this remarkable new vessel. As the great paddlewheels turn and gentle clouds of steam rise above the Murray, you are transported to another era. Yet, with every modern luxury at your fingertips.
It is this contrast that makes the Australian Star so special: historic engineering, timeless scenery and the romance of slow travel, combined with contemporary design and five-star comfort.
The vessel itself is purpose built for overnight cruising, with 19 ensuite staterooms and suites, each offering air-conditioning, luxury linen, direct deck access and ever-changing views of the river.
Life aboard the Australian Star
Life on board is all about slowing down and savouring the journey.
Settle into the Hopwood Lounge & Bar, named in honour of Echuca's founder, Henry Hopwood and watch the Murray landscape unfold through panoramic views. When it is time to dine, the elegant Randell Dining Room pays tribute to river pioneer William Randell and provides the setting for beautifully presented, regionally inspired cuisine.
There is no need to rush from one attraction to the next. Instead, your days are measured by the gentle rhythm of the paddlewheel, the changing light across the river and the landscapes that drift quietly past.
This is luxury in its most effortless form.
The Murray River from a whole new perspective
The Murray is one of Australia's great natural treasures, winding through landscapes of towering river red gums, wetlands, wildlife and historic riverside communities.
Travelling by paddle steamer allows you to experience this remarkable waterway at a wonderfully relaxed pace. From the deck, the landscape becomes the destination — and every bend in the river reveals something new.
The PS Australian Star also opens the door to experiences beyond the vessel, with itineraries featuring opportunities to explore the surrounding Murray region and discover its history, food, wine and remarkable natural environment.
A vessel with a story to tell
The name Australian Star was inspired by Australia's Southern Cross, a fitting tribute for a vessel designed to showcase the country's iconic inland river.
The paddle steamer tradition is deeply woven into the story of the Murray. From the 1850s onwards, paddle steamers played a vital role transporting people and goods along the river, helping shape the communities and industries that grew along its banks.
The Australian Star honours that heritage without attempting to recreate the past. Instead, she celebrates it, bringing the character and romance of the paddle steamer era into an entirely new chapter of Australian travel.
Why the PS Australian Star is unlike any other cruise
The PS Australian Star is not simply a new way to cruise the Murray. It represents a completely new level of luxury travel in regional Australia.
She is the only wood-fired, five-star accommodated paddle steamer in the world, offering an experience that is both distinctly Australian and genuinely unique.
With all-inclusive 3-, 4- and 7-night journeys departing from Echuca, guests can immerse themselves in the river without the distractions of everyday life.
And perhaps that is the greatest luxury of all: time.
Time to watch the river drift by. Time to linger over lunch. Time to enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets over the gum trees. It is important to note, that this vessel navigates the Victorian part of the Murray River, not the Mannum area.
Your invitation to slow down
The PS Australian Star is a celebration of everything that makes the Murray River special: its history, its landscapes, its communities and its enduring connection to the Australian spirit.
It is heritage brought beautifully into the present. It is five-star luxury with an unmistakably Australian soul. It is an invitation to discover the Murray not from the shore, but from the heart of the river itself.
Step aboard the PS Australian Star and experience the Murray River as never before — where the romance of the paddle steamer meets a new era of luxury.
Why not make Easter 2027 truly unforgettable?
Join us for six extraordinary days from 24–29 March 2027, beginning with Melbourne’s gardens, history and famous Queen Victoria Market before travelling to Echuca to board the magnificent PS Australian Star for three nights of five-star cruising along the mighty Murray River. From a candlelit riverside BBQ and campfire entertainment to wine tasting at St Anne’s Winery, historic Perricoota Station and dinner beneath the stars, this is an Easter escape filled with luxury, history, great food and unforgettable moments, all travelling together with the care and expertise of the Villa team.
Come aboard and experience this remarkable new chapter in Australian river travel with us.
View the full Easter on the PS Australian Star tour
Please contact our friendly travel team with any travel queries or for more information:
📞 Call 08 9754 2026
✉️ Email
travel@villa.com.au
