Victoria · Attraction
Echuca Paddle Steamer Cruise
Steam power on the Murray
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Stepping aboard a genuine 19th-century paddle steamer on the Murray River is one of regional Victoria's most memorable experiences. The Port of Echuca operates the PS Pevensey and PS Adelaide on one-hour cruises from Echuca Wharf, offering unhurried views of red gum-lined banks, sandbars, and birdlife while an onboard commentary traces the history of Australia's great river trade.
The PS Adelaide, built in 1866, is the world's oldest operating wooden-hulled paddle steamer and still runs on its original steam engine. The PS Pevensey, made famous as the fictitious Philadelphia in the 1983 Australian television series All the Rivers Run, is equally beloved. Both vessels carry passengers at a gentle river pace, with a kiosk onboard for light refreshments.
Cruises depart from the Echuca Wharf on Murray Esplanade. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the Port of Echuca website and collected from the Discovery Centre before departure.
The one-hour format suits all ages and all seasons. In winter the river runs high and dark among the red gums, while spring and summer bring kingfishers, cormorants, and pelicans. Onboard commentary covers the wool and timber trades, the paddle steamer era, and the ecology of the Murray-Darling system.
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