Kathryn Mackenzie, will serve as godmother of PS Australian Star.
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Murray River Paddlesteamers has announced February 23 as the date of the inaugural cruise for PS Australian Star.
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Former Echuca tourism leader and respected regional tourism industry expert Kathryn Mackenzie will serve as godmother of the PS Australian Star.
The official christening of the $11 million river vessel will take place using local wine on February 20 at the historic Perricoota Station on the Murray River near Echuca.
Ms Mackenzie, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2021 for her pivotal contribution to tourism in regional Victoria, said she was excited and privileged to be Australian Star's godmother.
“This beautiful new vessel will change the face of Echuca,” Ms Mackenzie said.
“The luxurious PS Australian Star will make Echuca an international cruise destination.
The PS Australian Star on its home trip to Echuca. The boat will be christened next month.
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“Europe has luxury river cruises and now we do on the Murray.
“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 Ms Mackenzie was widely respected for her long-standing contribution to Australian regional communities, heritage and public service.
“I have known Kathryn for more than 10 years, and she has supported this project from its very earliest days,” he said.
“She has guided me through the travel industry with generosity and insight, and over that time has become a valued friend.”
Workers watched on as the PS Australian Star took to the river late last year.
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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.
“Australians love cruising and they love the Murray River,” Mr Burgess said.
“But there has been a clear demand for a world-class, five-star experience that matches the standards of Europe's great waterways.
“We've seen incredibly strong demand for PS Australian Star, with heavy bookings for 2026, and 2027 already filling fast, confirming the appetite for premium overnight cruising.”
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