Announcement: Murray River Paddlesteamers managing director Rohan Burgess, Murray Regional Tourism interim chief executive officer Will Flamsteed, Victorian Industry Tourism Council manager Kathryn Mackenzie, Murray Regional Tourism chair Wendy Greiner, Campaspe Port Enterprise executive general manager Mark Francis, Labor Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp and Victorian Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos at Wednesday’s announcement of the $2.25 million commitment for a five-star paddlesteamer to operate in Echuca from late 2024.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Echuca will be home to the country’s first five-star river cruise experience.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Victorian Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos visited the border on Wednesday to announce the state government’s $2.25 million commitment for a new paddlesteamer project.
The $6.75 million state-of-the-art paddlesteamer, coined the PS Australian Star, will offer guests a unique stay, with 20 ensuite cabins, a fine dining restaurant and function space, along with a lounge and bars across two levels.
Murray River Paddlesteamers managing director Rohan Burgess said the funding would result in a significant boost for tourism in the Echuca Moama region.
“We are grateful for the (state) government’s trust and investment in our new vessel, and we are very excited to expand our operation and offer this new experience on the Murray River soon,” Mr Burgess said.
“Australians love cruising, and they love the Murray River, but they want comfort and facilities akin to those on European rivers.
“Demand for overnight cruises on the Murray is at record levels, so as a hero visitor drawcard, PS Australian Star will help tap that demand, boost the local economy, create new jobs and cater for the most discerning of visitors, attracting new domestic and international visitors to our region for the first time.”
The PS Australian Star will be built in Mildura and operate from Echuca.
It is expected to be cruising along the Murray River in late-2024.
The project is set to generate 13 jobs during the construction phase and a further 19 ongoing employment positions when the fitting out of the vessel is complete.
The PS Australian Star is expected to cater for up to 40 guests and offer visitors a luxury cruise along the Murray for up to seven nights, providing the opportunity to explore other riverside communities.
It will be the third vessel in the Murray River Paddlesteamers fleet, joining the PS Emmylou and PS Canberra.
Star on way: An artist impression of the new $6.75 million five-star paddlesteamer which will be known as the PS Australian Star.
Photo by
Robert Blackburn/Rob Blackburn
Mr Dimopoulos said this project was another example of the state government’s backing for the tourism industry, with the $2.25 million distributed by the Regional Tourism Investment Fund.
“Victoria’s river country is already a compelling destination to visitors from across the world, and this latest attraction will draw even more visitors, support the communities that call them home and create more jobs,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
Data to the year ending December 2019 illustrated the Campaspe Shire welcomed 1.2 million visitors, who spent approximately $326 million.
State government figures state the project is set to increase the average length of visitor stays on current cruises to 4.5 nights and boost the average guest spend to $1180 per night.
Murray Regional Tourism interim chief executive officer Will Flamsteed said the PS Australian Star would bolster an already outstanding offering for tourists in the Echuca Moama region.
“This development will further enhance the Murray River’s luxury cruise offerings and will encourage more overnight stays to this beautiful region,” Mr Flamsteed said.
Former Echuca Moama Tourism chief executive officer Kathryn Mackenzie, who is now working with the Victorian Industry Tourism Council, said the presence of the PS Australian Star would take tourism into a new genre.
“This puts us into an international market and for Echuca-Moama it is a gamechanger,” Ms Mackenzie said.
11°C