Cruisers itching to go on their first river journey can experience a six-night cruise on Australia’s only paddlesteamer, PS Emmylou on Victoria’s Murray River.

The unique Australian river cruise will depart from the historic Port Echuca, about 2.5 hours drive from Melbourne on 9 November this year.

PS Emmylou is the world’s only wood-fired cruising paddlesteamer with 21st century comforts. With eight cabins, catering for a maximum of 16 guests, passengers enjoy food and wine sourced from across the Heathcote and Perricoota wine regions.

“We have already sold three cabins on the six-night launch cruise in November,” said Craig Burgess, a director of Australian Paddlesteamers. “We have been inundated by requests from travel agents and cruise companies wanting to charter our paddlesteamer boats to cruise on the Murray. We are in talks with APT  who would like to charter PS Emmylou on two sailings in April and September.”

And Mr Burgess is offering a 10 per cent discount for readers of  River Cruise Passenger if they book a six-night itinerary and pay in full by 31 May 2020.

Use Promo Code ARR10 when booking online at https://psemmyloucruises.com/

“The cruise relives the notion of living on the river, allowing guests to experience both the Upper and Lower river from Echuca, with days spent listening to Kookaburras bursting into song or watching a flock of galahs playing in the distance.

“Evenings spent viewing the sunset through towering Red Gums and watching the rising moon will be the lasting memories of this special river cruise.

“As the sun sets, guests will be able to listen to the river birds evening chorus, watch for kangaroos, wombats, egrets and many other species of birds as the stars begin to appear while you enjoy your chef prepared multi-course dinner. Emmylou powerful floodlights then light the banks of the river as nocturnal wildlife begin to appear,” said the company.

PS Emmylou skipper Warren Hardyman

The cruise will have riverside campfires and three shore excursions including a tour of the 1860s Perricoota Station, the location for the filming of iconic movie All The Rivers Run, Lake Bogo Flying Boat Museum and Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement. They will also be taken on an escorted tour of Echuca, visit a local winery and small good producer.

The side wheel paddlesteamers first plied the Murray River in 1853. By 1873, there were 240 boats trading on the river. Today, only five wood-fired paddlesteamers remain with PS Emmylou the only remaining boat to offer overnight cruises. Driven by a restored 1906 steam engine, it has a top speed of 8 knots.

Mr Burgess said guests can save 20 per cent on selected cruises of one to four nights, if they book by 31 May 2020 for travel up to 30 June 2021. There will be six departures scheduled for the six-night itinerary departing on 9 November 2020, 15 February,  19 April, 10 May, 18 October and 15 November 2021.

Prices for a six-night itinerary start from $2940 per person up to $3450pp for the top Emmylou Queen suite.

For more information visit www.psemmyloucruises.com