4 Night Murray River Explorer
4 night Explorer Cruise
- Weekly departures – Monday 4.00 pm
- Commence your river cruise from Melbourne with an optional return country train journey. Coach pick up/return included from Echuca station
- All Meals including Morning and Afternoon Tea
From $2,400 pp
Deposit $400 Per Person
Embark on a 4-night Murray River voyage aboard the PS Emmylou, the world’s sole wood-fired paddlesteamer offering overnight cruises. Setting sail from Torrumbarry, guests are whisked back to the golden age of paddle steamers. The vessel’s authentic wood-fired engines evoke nostalgia, complemented by its impeccable brass fittings and polished woodwork, offering a unique glimpse into history.
Throughout this journey, delve into the Murray River’s rich tapestry of history and wildlife. Guided tours to historic Perricoota Station and Echuca, once a bustling hub for paddlesteamers, offer insights into the region’s past. Additionally, visits to Restdown Winery for an Aboriginal culture exploration and riverside dining under the Southern constellations promise unforgettable experiences.
Onboard, indulge in delectable cuisine crafted by skilled chefs using locally sourced ingredients. Relax on the sun deck, sipping wine and admiring the river’s scenic beauty. Retire each night to well-appointed cabins, lulled to sleep by the gentle river sounds, ready to awaken to new adventures each morning. Discover the magic of the Murray River aboard the PS Emmylou—a blend of modern luxury and historic charm. Book your passage today for an unparalleled journey on the world’s only wood-fired paddlesteamer.
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Highlights
- Join the owner for an insightful tour of Restdwon Winery and its picturesque wetlands, capped off with a delectable lunch featuring locally sourced produce. Indulge in table wine tastings to enhance the experience.
- Traverse Perricoota Station’s enchanting gardens alongside your knowledgeable skipper, soaking in the allure of the famed filming location for the iconic Australian television series, All the Rivers Run.
- Delve into Echuca’s historical sites on a narrated coach tour, gaining insights into the captivating stories that shaped the area.
- Savor a one-of-a-kind riverside BBQ dining experience under the stars, accompanied by live entertainment and the warmth of a crackling campfire.
- Cruise aboard the venerable 110-year-old PS Canberra, sipping on traditional morning tea as you enjoy the timeless surroundings.
- Experience all-day cruising with a historical commentary that will transport you back in time and immerse you in the rich cultural heritage of the Murray River region.
Inclusions
- Complimentary coach transfers to/from Echuca Train Station if arriving by train.
- Complimentary coach transfers to Torrumbarry Weir to commence your cruise.
- Luxury air-conditioned cabin with private ensuite
- All meals including morning and afternoon tea
- Chef prepared Regionally-inspired meals
- Onshore Tours
- Selected wine & beer with dinner service
- Espresso coffee, tea, soft drink & bottled water
- WIFI throughout the boat
- $400 Deposit per person at the time of booking
- Final payment due 90 days from cruise departure
- Monday Weekly
- Cruise departs 4.00 pm Torrumbarry Weir – Cruise Ends 9.30 am Torrumbarry Weir
- Check in Location – Echuca Car Park 2.30pm
- Coach Transfer included – Echuca/Torrumbarry & Return
- Collection & Return to Echuca Train Station included
- Collection from Mecure Port of Echuca Hotel included
V/Line Country Trains depart from Southern Cross Station, Melbourne and also return here.
Departure time from Southern Cross Station is 11.06 am arriving 2.25 pm
Your train ticket booking reference and departure time will be sent to you 30 days prior to your cruise with us. After arriving at Southern Cross Train Station in Melbourne you can collect your boarding pass at any ticket window and then simply board your train. Please note departure times are subject to change so we only book departure 30 days from your cruise date.
Return departure time from Echuca Station is 11.15 am arriving at Southern Cross Station, Melbourne at 2.25 pm.
If you’ll be arriving in Echuca by train on the day of your river cruise, our welcoming team will be waiting for you at the Echuca Train Station. They will handle your check-in and transfer you to the PS Emmylou for boarding.
But, if you’ll be arriving by train on a different day and planning to stay in Echuca before your cruise, you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to your local hotel. Our preferred partner hotel is the Mercure Port of Echuca, and guests staying there can benefit from our complimentary collection service on the day of their cruise. Please make sure you’re ready for collection between 2.30 pm and 3.00 pm.
If you’re staying at a different hotel, you’ll have to make your way to our Car Parking Location for check-in.
Don’t forget to bring your Booking Confirmation and Photo ID when checking in.
Day 1 - Norris bend
After arriving by coach from Echuca you depart Torrumbarry upstream, enjoy an afternoon Devonshire tea, take in the sights and sounds of the river and get to know your fellow cruisers. There’s ample time to chat with the skipper in the wheelhouse to learn about PS Emmylou, her river history or simply relax in your private cabin.
When the sun begins to set, this marks the start of ‘Happy Hour’. Enjoy a drink in the saloon before a chefprepared welcome dinner. Listen to the river birds’ evening chorus and watch for kangaroos, wombats, and many species of birds as the stars begin to appear. Tonight, we moor at Norris Bend where your crew will have a riverside campfire (weather dependant) ready for you to enjoy after diner.
Day 2 - Onshore Tour & perricoota Station
After a hearty breakfast, Emmylou cruises to the famous Perricoota Station, the property first settled by James Maiden in 1843, and famous for starring in the TV mini series “All the River Run” where PS Emmylou was renamed PS Providence. Here you will depart to Restdown Winery, producers of fine organic wines and Hereford beef. Join the property’s owners for a guided tour along a 1.4km wetlands walking trail, highlighting items of great Aboriginal significance before a gourmet lunch of local produce and wine tastings.
Arriving back at Perricoota Station the skipper will invite you to walk along the historical buildings and immaculate gardens of Perricoota Station before happy hour. Tonight enjoy a fabulous dinner on the deck on Emmylou overlooking the famous Perricoota Station mansion. Tonight, after dinner it’s Movie Night with a special presentation of “Riverboats Remembered”, a fabulous historical presentation featuring archival footage of the paddle steamers and communities of the Murray River from the early 1900s through to the mid1970s.
Day 3 - All Day Cruising & Layfield Lane
For early risers and keen photographers, the morning mist and wildlife around Perricoota is a sight to behold. After breakfast, Emmylou gracefully steams onwards upstream for a full day of cruising towards our riverside mooring, Layfield Lane mooring.
Today enjoy lunch on the deck or in the saloon with plenty of time to relax with a good book or just take in the river views. Tonight, enjoy a grand dinner on the riverbank – our signature Australian BBQ (weather dependent), lit up by candles on the tables and stars in the sky. After dinner enjoy casual conversation around the campfire (weather dependent) with live entertainment before retiring for the evening.
Day 4 - Town Tour & Echuca
Start your day with a satisfying breakfast to fuel up for an exciting half-day adventure on both land and water. Your guided Henry Hopwood Town Tour tour will take you through the charming town of Echuca, uncovering hidden historical gems like Hopwood’s Punt and the pontoon bridge. This bridge, the brainchild of Echuca’s founder Henry Hopwood, marks the initial river crossing in the area.
Next, prepare to be enchanted by our 110 year old PS Canberra featuring a red gum timber hull built in 1912 at Goolwa South Australia. Enjoy morning tea aboard.
Before returning to Emmylou for lunch when your river cruise adventure continues upstream cruising past the imposing Port of Echuca Wharf once home to over 100 paddlesteamers in its heyday. This evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner cruising upriver of Echuca .
Day 5 - Echuca
Before breakfast, early risers can enjoy a wander along the riverbank before we say farewell. Coach transfer to Echuca Car Parking, Train Station, and Echuca CBD Hotels
