Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne to Torrumbarry
You'll be picked up in Melbourne and taken by coach to Torrumbarry on the Murray River, where the PS Australian Star paddlesteamer is waiting. After you get settled and meet the other travelers, the ship heads upstream. Spend your time relaxing on your private verandah or in the lounges while you sail toward Norris Bend. Later in the evening, there's a riverside campfire and a welcome dinner prepared by the chef right there in the bush before you head to your cabin for the night.
- Meals
- Dinner (Chef-prepared welcome dinner at riverside campfire in bush surrounds)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (PS Australian Star)
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Melbourne to Torrumbarry
- Boarding PS Australian Star paddlesteamer
- Riverside campfire and chef-prepared welcome dinner
Optional Activities
- Dining at The Mill Echuca - a historic restaurant in an 1881 five-storey building that once housed Echuca's flour mill, blending industrial charm with modern design
Landmarks PS Australian Star Murray River - Day 2
Perricoota Station and Murray Gums Estate
Start with breakfast on the ship, then cruise to Perricoota Station where you'll hop on a coach heading to Murray Gums Estate. The property owners take you around the grounds on a guided walk, pointing out significant Indigenous heritage sites. You'll have a gourmet lunch and try some local wines. After returning to Perricoota Station, tour the historic buildings and gardens, then get back to the paddlesteamer for dinner on deck. The evening wraps up with a documentary about the old paddle steamers and the communities along the Murray River.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board PS Australian Star), Lunch (Gourmet lunch with wine tasting at Murray Gums Estate featuring local produce), Dinner (Dinner on the deck of PS Australian Star)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (PS Australian Star)
Included Activities
- Cruise to Perricoota Station
- Guided walking tour at Murray Gums Estate with property owners
- Gourmet lunch and wine tasting at Murray Gums Estate
- Tour of Perricoota Station historic buildings and gardens
- Dinner on the deck of PS Australian Star
- Documentary screening on paddle steamers and Murray River communities
Landmarks Perricoota Station Murray Gums Estate - Day 3
Murray River Cruising and Layfield Lane
After the morning mist lifts, you'll spend the whole day cruising from Perricoota toward Layfield Lane, taking in the wildlife-rich scenery from the ship's viewing points. You can grab lunch however you like - on the outdoor deck soaking up the sun or inside in Randell's Dining Room. By evening, there's an Australian BBQ right on the riverbank followed by live entertainment and time hanging around the campfire, assuming the weather cooperates.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board PS Australian Star), Lunch (Lunch in onboard space of your choice - outdoor deck or Randell's Dining Room), Dinner (Australian BBQ on the riverbank)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (PS Australian Star)
Included Activities
- Full day cruise on PS Australian Star
- Australian BBQ dinner on the riverbank
- Live entertainment
- Campfire gathering
Optional Activities
- Onboard wine tasting experience with a partnering winery as the ship cruises along the Murray
Landmarks Perricoota Layfield Lane - Day 4
Echuca Town Tour and Historic Sites
Following breakfast on board, you'll head into Echuca for a half-day exploring the town. The Henry Hopwood Town Tour shows you key spots including Hopwood's Punt and the pontoon bridge that used to be the original crossing over the Murray River. You'll hop aboard the PS Canberra, built back in 1912, for morning tea, then have some free time to wander around Echuca on your own. Return to the PS Australian Star for lunch before sailing upstream again and passing the historic Echuca Wharf.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board PS Australian Star), Other (Morning tea aboard PS Canberra), Lunch (Lunch on PS Australian Star)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (PS Australian Star)
Included Activities
- Henry Hopwood Town Tour of Echuca
- Visit to Hopwood's Punt
- Visit to pontoon bridge
- Morning tea aboard PS Canberra
- Free time to explore Echuca
- Lunch on PS Australian Star
- Cruise past Echuca Wharf
Optional Activities
- Guided lantern tour - one-hour journey discovering Echuca's dark secrets and ghost stories associated with Echuca Wharf and surrounding area
Landmarks Hopwood's Punt Pontoon Bridge PS Canberra Echuca Wharf - Day 5
Torrumbarry to Melbourne
If you're an early riser, you can take a walk along the river before breakfast. After eating, you'll leave the PS Australian Star for the last time and board a coach back to Melbourne, where your trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board PS Australian Star)
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Torrumbarry to Melbourne
Optional Activities
- Riverside stroll before breakfast
