Australians are being invited to support the flood affected border town of Echuca on the Murray River by visiting in 2023 or 2024 and joining an overnight cruise aboard the deluxe riverboat, PS Emmylou, the world’s only wood-fired paddlesteamer carrying overnight guests.
Until December 15, 2022, Murray River Paddlesteamers is offering savings of 15 per cent for couples, a halving of the solo passenger surcharge to 30 per cent and free wine, souvenirs and gift vouchers for bookings made on three, four and seven-night cruises in 2023 or 2024 aboard the enchanting PS Emmylou.
Murray River Paddlesteamers Director, Craig Burgess, said its new ‘Resilience Sale’ was designed to motivate more Australians to visit Echuca in 2023 and beyond in the wake of floods which affected the town recently. “Echuca and sister town across the river, Moama, have done it tough for the past three years through bushfires, the pandemic and now flooding, which has now receded, but our local tourism industry is resilient so we want to play our part in attracting visitors back to our beautiful region and the mighty Murray,” Mr Burgess said.
“Our lovely heritage town and meandering, gum-lined Murray are quickly returning to normal, ready to charm visitors again.”
In 2023/24, Murray River Paddlesteamers will offer three-night ‘Discovery’ cruises along the iconic Murray River one-way from Echuca to Torrumbarry Weir as well as four-night ‘Explorer’ cruises one-way back to Echuca, with guests also able to combine the different itineraries to create new seven-night ‘All the Rivers Run’ journeys round-trip from Torrumbarry Weir – the longest itinerary ever for Murray River Paddlesteamers.
This will be the first time one-way cruises have been offered, allowing guests a more immersive and varied experience, with complimentary coach transfers between Echuca and Torrumbarry Weir included in fares.
Carrying just 16 guests, powered by a restored 1906 steam engine and totally refurbished with deluxe cabins and ensuites, the boutique Emmylou paddlesteamer starred in the hit 1983 TV mini-series, ‘All the Rivers Run’, starring Sigrid Thornton, and is still one of the most recognisable and iconic paddlesteamers in Australia. The charm-filled riverboat offers authentic, all-inclusive journeys along the mighty Murray with stops to visit wineries, historic farm stations, indigenous sites, wildlife along tributaries and country towns.
Each luxury cabin has a private ensuite, is individually air-conditioned, has WIFI and opens directly onto the paddle steamer’s large timber deck. Guests enjoy gourmet meals on deck or in the charming saloon, riverside picnics, a memorable campfire dinner on the riverbank under the stars and the chance to join the crew in the wheelhouse and even try their hand at steering the boat alongside the skipper. At dusk, the rare, wood-fired paddlesteamer ties up at tranquil and remote moorings, allowing guests to experience the serenity and wildlife of the bush at night.
Including the 15 per cent discount, twin-share fares for cruises in 2023 or 2024 are available from $1402 per person for a three-night sailing, $1904 per person for a four-night cruise and $3383 for the new, longer seven-night journey.
A halving of the solo traveller surcharge from 60 to 30 per cent means solo fares are now available from $2145 for a three-night cruise, $2912 for a four-night sailing and $5174 for a seven-night journey.
* The special offers are available for bookings made by December 15, 2022, with guests who book by this date also receiving two bottles of local wine to take home, a complimentary Emmylou souvenir pack and a $50 to $150 gift voucher per couple to use on any Murray River Paddlesteamer product depending on the length of cruise.
Call Murray River Paddlesteamers on 03 5482 5244 or visit www.psemmyloucruises.com .
Fares include onboard meals, daily shore excursions, selected beers and wines with dinner and soft drink, bottled water and tea/coffee throughout the cruise and coach transfers between Echuca and Torrumbarry Weir.
The solo savings are via phone bookings only. Fares and offers are subject to availability and conditions apply.
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