Victoria’s Heritage, Autumn Gardens and a Murray River Cruise

We depart Melbourne at 8:30 am from the pre-tour hotel and drive towards the Macedon Ranges. Here we stop to explore one of the magnificent gardens in the area before continuing on to the town of Kyneton for time to explore historic Piper Street, with its vintage clothing stores, art galleries, milliners and garden nurseries.

This afternoon, continue north towards Torrumbarry Weir, where we board the PS Australian Star, our home for the next four nights. Settle into your private cabin before enjoying an afternoon Devonshire tea, taking in the sights and sounds of the river and getting to know your fellow cruisers.

There’s ample time to chat with the skipper in the wheelhouse to learn about the paddle-steamer, or simply relax in your private cabin. With the sun beginning to set, ‘Happy Hour’ is called. Enjoy a drink in the saloon before a Welcome Dinner prepared by the ship’s chef. Listen to the evening chorus of river birds and watch for kangaroos, wombats and many bird species as the stars begin to appear.

Tonight, we moor at Norris Bend, where your crew will have a riverside campfire ready for you to enjoy after dinner.

After breakfast, we cruise to the famous Perricoota Station, the property settled by James Maiden in 1843, and famous for its role in the TV mini-series All the Rivers Run. From here, we depart for Murray Gums Estate, a boutique producer of premium wines and award-winning olive oil. Meet the passionate owners, explore the estate and savour a gourmet lunch paired with estate-grown wine. Arriving back at Perricoota Station, we join the skipper for a walk past its historical buildings and through its immaculate gardens. Tonight, enjoy a fabulous dinner on the deck overlooking the famous Perricoota Station mansion. After dinner, it’s Movie Night, as we view a special presentation of Riverboats Remembered, which features archival footage of the paddle-steamers and communities of the Murray River, from the early 1900s through to the mid-1970s.

For early risers and keen photographers, the morning mist and wildlife around Perricoota is a sight to behold. After breakfast, our vessel gracefully steams onward upstream, for a full day of cruising to our Layfield Lane mooring. Enjoy lunch on the deck, or in the saloon, with plenty of time to relax with a good book or to just take in the river views. Tonight, enjoy a grand dinner on the riverbank – an Australian candlelit BBQ beneath the stars. After dinner, enjoy casual conversation around the campfire with live entertainment.

Today, explore the charming town of Echuca, uncovering hidden historical gems like Hopwood's Punt and the pontoon bridge. The bridge, the brainchild of Echuca's founder, Henry Hopwood, marks the initial river crossing in the area. Next, prepare to be further enchanted by the Murray River aboard the 110-year-old PS Canberra. You'll enjoy a morning tea while immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the river. While cruising, you'll have the opportunity to observe stunning landscapes up close and encounter a diverse array of wildlife. Additionally, you'll gain insights into the river's rich history, from its pre-European days to the early colonial era when riverboats were a common sight. Returning to the PS Australian Star for lunch, your river journey continues upstream, cruising past the Port of Echuca, which was home to more 100 paddle-steamers in its heyday.

This morning, we disembark the ship and take a short visit to Gargarro Botanic Garden to learn about this fascinating garden with a story to tell. We continue to the goldmining town of Maldon where there is time to explore and admire its charming shopfronts and buildings. The town was awarded 'most intact heritage streetscape' by the National Trust. After lunch, board the historic Victorian Goldfields Railway for an authentic heritage steam train journey to the goldmining town of Castlemaine. From here, we enjoy a delightful country drive to the charming town of Lancefield, within the Macedon Ranges. Check into our hotel before gathering for dinner.

This morning, delight in a special visit to a historic property not usually open to the public. Learn about the heritage of this working farm and its regenerative forestry initiatives during a guided tour. Afterwards we make our way to Mount Macedon, arriving at a private garden of historical significance for lunch and a guided tour.

This morning, we make our way across to Domaine Chandon in the Yarra Valley for a tasting and lunch. Continue to the scenic Dandenong Ranges where we enjoy the gorgeous colours of autumn, during a guided tour with the head gardener at Cloudehill Garden and Nursery. Return to Melbourne at around 5:30 pm, when your tour concludes at our post-tour hotel.