Five-star Australian Star paddle steamer launching from Echuca
“People love cruising. A lot of people don’t want to take long-haul flights anymore,” he said.
“They want to know what can be done in their own backyard, but they want to do it comfortably.”
An artist’s impression of the Australian Star.Credit: Murray River Paddle Steamers
Australian Star will have a restaurant, lounge and bar, a lift and 19 cabins with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning and Wi-Fi, and will offer three, four or seven-night cruises.
Cruise tickets cost between $890 and $1250 per passenger per night, excluding non-dinner beverages.
The route will run 80 kilometers along the Murray River between Echuca and Torrumbarry Weir and feature attractions including the historic Perricoota Station farm.
Included are coach trips to historic sites and the Murray Gums Estate winery at Echuca, the Great Aussie Beer Hut, silo art in Rochester and lunch at the Colbinabbin pub.
An artist’s impression of one of the cabins on the Australian Star.Credit: Murray River Paddle Steamers
But Rohan says guests on the brothers’ older, eight-cabin paddle steamer, Emmylou, often enjoy barbecuing under the stars on the riverbank; An activity that Australian Star will also offer.
“I talk to many guests and they say what they love most is this silence and slowing down, paddling along the river, the beauty of the scenery and the feeling of being away from cities,” Rohan said.
At the heart of the Australian Star is a 119-year-old, 13-tonne steam engine in the hull that will be powered by red gum.
Echuca skipper Neil Hutchinson, who runs Australian Star’s parent company Murray River Paddlesteamers (with the twins), spotted the engine on Facebook and bought it from a collector in Truro, South Australia.
Produced in England in 1907, the engine powered sawmills and agricultural machinery in Victoria.
The bulk of construction of the Australian Star in Mildura took 32 months, then in November it was shipped by ship from the Murray River to Echuca in 19 days, minus the top, so it could fit under bridges.
Rohan’s love of paddle steamers began 47 years ago, at the age of 12, when his father Paul worked for the Victorian government on regional development, including helping the then City of Echuca purchase and operate the 1910 PS Pevensey.
For a number of years Paul, Rohan and sometimes Craig volunteered in a group helping to restore Pevensey.
Rohan Burgess (left) helps repair the paddle steamer Pevensey as a child, among volunteers including Andrew Cook (right).
“I found it exciting,” says Rohan, who still wears his childhood hoodie and T-shirt calling himself the “PS Pevensey Crew.”
In 1983, Rohan watched with pride as Pevensey starred in the hit romantic miniseries under the name Philadelphia. All Rivers Are RunningThe movie starring Sigrid Thornton and John Waters.
Emmylou, Under the name Providence, he also appeared in the series, set during the heyday of the paddle steamer trade on the Murray in the 1890s.
Rohan Burgess in the t-shirt he wore when he was a boy volunteer helping to rehabilitate PS Pevensey.Credit: Simon Schluter
Rohan and Craig Burgess became bankers as adults.
But looking for a change in 2013, Rohan took a job as commercial manager for the Shire of Campaspe in Echuca; This included the management of PS Pevensey.
Vern Beasley, then owner of Murray River Paddlesteamers, which owned three paddle steamers, including the Emmylou, suggested Rohan buy the company.
In 2015, Rohan, Craig and Neil Hutchinson purchased the company.
They renovated Emmylou in 2018, removing bunk beds and shared facilities and installing eight cabins with en-suite bathrooms, which Craig said have been nearly out of reservations ever since.
But Emmylou was too small to accommodate a busload of tourists and thus the Australian Star project was born.
Tim Ford, Chairman of the Echuca Moama advocacy group Committee, said the launch of the Australian Star was “an exciting milestone for Echuca Moama and the wider Murray region”.
“With extended cruises and five-star facilities, it has the potential to attract high-value tourism, boost local businesses and create new opportunities for jobs and investment,” Ford said.
Now that Australian Star is nearing its launch, Rohan says: “It’s exciting. It’s a bit of a ‘pinch yourself’ thing at the moment. It’s been a bit of a dream.”
The paddle steamer Australian Star passes under a bridge at Swan Hill on its 19-day journey from Mildura to its current anchorage near Echuca.Credit: Murray River Paddle Steamers
Craig wants Murray to be seen as an international tourist drawcard, along with the Phillip Island penguins or the Twelve Apostles, and a local alternative to luxury sleeper cruises in Europe.
“What we’re trying to do is reimagine Murray in terms of what you can do,” he said. “It was a river you wouldn’t necessarily consider for a long river trip.
“It’s a great way to experience Australia,” he said. “If you want to see the heart of Australia, look from the river.”
Victorian Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the Australian Star “will deliver an incredibly unique tourism experience – offering visitors the chance to enjoy luxury accommodation on the iconic Murray River while stimulating economic growth for Echuca and the wider region.”
“Each passenger boarding the Australian Star will represent additional spending at local shops, restaurants and accommodation, supporting local operators and creating a ripple effect across the community,” Dimopoulos said.
