03/07/2026
🚢 Looking for something special to do during your stay in Barham-Koondrook?
From 6–12 July, the historic Paddle Steamer Melbourne will be offering scenic cruises from Koondrook Wharf, giving visitors the rare opportunity to experience a beautifully restored working steam vessel that’s over 100 years old.
🌊 Cruise the Murray River, learn about the region’s rich riverboat history, and enjoy a unique school holiday experience the whole family will love.
⏰ Daily departures: 11:00am & 2:00pm
🎟 Adults $35 | Children (5–16) $15 | Under 5 FREE
If you’re staying with us at Riverland Motel during this time, be sure to add a paddle steamer cruise to your itinerary. It’s the perfect way to experience one of the Murray’s most iconic attractions before enjoying everything else our beautiful region has to offer.
Book your cruise today and make your winter getaway even more memorable!
A piece of Murray River history is returning to Koondrook-Barham this week, with the historic paddle steamer Melbourne set to offer passenger cruises from Monday.
Owned by Echuca shipwright Adam Auditori, the vessel was purchased in July 2024 and has since undergone extensive restoration before returning to its home port of Echuca.
Favourable river conditions have allowed the Melbourne to return to Koondrook-Barham for a week of cruises during the Victorian and New South Wales school holidays.
Built at Koondrook in 1912, the paddle steamer entered service in 1914 as a Victorian Government snagging steamer, helping remove river snags and assist with the construction of bridges, weirs and locks along the Murray River.
Mr Auditori said recent inflows from the Campaspe and Goulburn rivers had made the visit possible.
"We're going to take advantage of the inflow of water from the Campaspe and Goulburn rivers to make our way down to Barham-Koondrook," he said.
"We'll run cruises there from Monday through until Sunday, then we'll review the water flows and work out whether we head home or see if we can make our way further downstream to Swan Hill."
Passengers will travel aboard the vessel powered by its original 1912, 25-horsepower steam engine, with commentary provided throughout the one-hour cruise.
Mr Auditori said bringing the steamer to different river communities had always been the plan.
"One of my ambitions when I purchased the boat was that, when the river allows, we move it around to different river ports for people to have a steamer in their hometown for a while," he said.
"I'm delighted that the river's come up to give us the opportunity."
He said the Melbourne offered visitors a rare chance to experience an original working steam vessel.
"When you ride on a steam train, you can't see the engine, but on the Melbourne you can basically reach out and touch it," he said.
"The Melbourne is the last one with an unaltered engine room. It hasn't been re-engined or had any alterations."
Cruises depart from Koondrook Wharf daily at 11am and 2pm from Monday, July 6, to Sunday, July 12.
Adult tickets are $35, children aged five to 16 are $15, and children under five travel free.
Book online: http://bit.ly/3QWNx3I
