A ministerial team visits the vessel in Mildura. Picture: supplied
Construction of Australia’s first five-star vintage paddlesteamer, the Australian Star, is starting to pick up steam.
Victorian Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos recently visited Mildura, where the vessel is being built, to inspect progress.
The State Government has spent $2.25 million to help build the vessel, owned by local company Murray River Paddlesteamers.
Mr Dimopoulos says he is “so excited to see this iconic local tourism project coming to life”.
Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney says the $6.75m paddlesteamer will deliver another unique tourism experience in regional Victoria.
Later this year, a refurbished 1907 wood-fired steam engine will be installed and the main deck built.
Murray River Paddlesteamers Director Craig Burgess says the authentic 1907 wood-fired steam engine will combine the old and the new.
The paddlesteamer will operate from Echuca and carry 38 people per trip on the Murray. It will feature 19 ensuite cabins, fine dining restaurant, function space, a guest lounge with panoramic views and bars across two levels.
The vessel also will include accessible cabins, with elevator access to all levels.
A drawing of what the new paddlesteamer will look like.
Construction work created 13 local jobs and will create another 16 ongoing jobs when cruises begin.
Burgess says the company has been buoyed by National Geographic decision to include the Murray River on its new ‘Best of the World’ travel experiences list.
“The Murray is an Australian icon rich in culture, nature and history and we’re delighted the river and our overnight paddlesteamers have been voted as world-class experiences for 2025,” he says.
“Our new, five-star vessel, Australian Star, will revolutionise overnight river cruising in Australia when she begins cruises next year, drawing new high-yield domestic and international visitors and lucrative tour group business to the Murray region.”
The company currently runs a paddlesteamer cruise of three to seven nights from Echuca aboard the 16-guest PS Emmylou.
The Australia Star is set to join the fleet in June 2025.
