PS Australian Star will debut on the Murray River in February 2026 with regional tourism industry leader Kathryn Mackenzie OAM named as godmother of Australia’s first, luxury overnight river ship and the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere.
The official christening of the $11 million paddlesteamer will take place at the historic Perricoota Station near Echuca on the Murray River on 20 February 2026, using local wine instead of the traditional champagne.
The Murray River Paddlesteamers vessel will then set sail on her inaugural passenger cruise – a seven-night APT sailing – on 23 February 2026.
APT Luxury Travel has chartered almost half of the 5-star riverboat’s 2026-27 departures, offering a choice of 19 staterooms with ensuites for 38 guests that all open to a deck, blending heritage and modern amenities.
As the world’s only wood-fired, 5-star paddlesteamer with accommodations, PS Australian Star recalls the tradition of 19th-century Murray River vessels with contemporary inclusions, such as a deluxe lounge, free Wi-Fi and luxury linen.
The riverboat is powered by a modern, energy-efficient, hybrid diesel/steam propulsion system alongside a 1907 wood-fired steam engine.
As former Echuca Moama Tourism CEO, Mackenzie said she was excited and privileged to be named the Australian Star’s godmother.
“The luxurious PS Australian Star will make Echuca an international cruise destination. Europe has luxury river cruises, and now we do on the Murray,” she said.
“We had a vision for this exact product years ago, and I’m thrilled and overwhelmed to be appointed as godmother to PS Australian Star.”
Murray River Paddlesteamers Director Craig Burgess said PS Australian Star’s launch is a watershed moment for Australian river cruising with strong demand for 2025 and bookings filling fast for 2027.
“PS Australian Star represents a new era of luxury river travel in Australia, combining traditional paddlesteamer elegance with contemporary comfort, fine dining and immersive regional experiences,” he said.
“Australians love cruising and they love the Murray River. It’s an icon. But there has been a clear demand for a world-class, 5-star experience that matches the standards of Europe’s great waterways.
“PS Australian Star will deliver exactly that. She will usher in a new era of luxury river cruising and reimagine what’s possible on the Murray,” he said.
For the launch, Murray River Paddlesteamers has earlybird savings for 2027 sailings on bookings made by 28 February 2026, including AUD$100 off per person, a free pre- or post-cruise hotel stay for two in Echuca or Melbourne.
Murray River Paddlesteamers offer 10 per cent commission for travel advisors.
For more information, visit murrayriverpaddlesteamers.com.au
