Highlights of the Hunter Valley and Murray River

Welcome to Sydney. Settle in and enjoy some free time, before meeting your Tour Director and fellow travellers this evening at a welcome dinner.

Depart Sydney and travel north to Broken Bay Pearl Farm, located on the New South Wales Central Coast, for your Signature Experience. Afterwards, venture inland to the Hunter Valley, a premier wine-growing region, to check-in to your hotel, and where your second Signature Experience awaits before indulging in a sumptuous dinner.

Signature Experience - Oyster and Pearl Tour Embark on a scenic cruise along the Hawkesbury River, where you'll visit an oyster farm and gain insight into the art of farming pearl and rock oysters. Discover the qualities that make Australian pearls exceptionally rare and valuable, concluding your experience with an oyster-shucking demonstration and guided tasting, savouring the uniquely robust flavours of the local oysters.

Signature Experience - Curated Wine Tasting Savour a pre-dinner wine tasting at the award-winning Spicers Vineyards Estate, framed by Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines.

This morning, visit the Hunter Valley Gardens, completed over four years by a passionate team of over 40 landscape gardeners, architects and engineers. The gardens have become one of the most significant display gardens in the southern hemisphere. Eight kilometres of walking paths wind their way through 14 hectares of gardens, with 10 individually themed gardens showcasing styles from around the world.

Head to Esca Bimbadgen Cellar Door for a wine tasting, followed by a tantalising three-course lunch at the restaurant, perched above the winery with sweeping views of the vineyards and golf course. The remainder of the day is free enjoy at leisure.

Travel to Kiama, stopping in the beachside town of Terrigal on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Stroll the new coastal boardwalk, offering sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, followed by free time explore Terrigal town independently. Continue to Kiama, where there is time to relax before dinner.

Head to Kiama Blowhole Point to visit the historic lighthouse. Then, witness the drama of water shooting 30 metres into the air through the world's largest blowhole. Drive to Australia's capital city Canberra for a Signature Experience.

Signature Experience - Private Tour of Parliament House Step inside Parliament House on a private tour in Canberra. Explore grand chambers and behind-the-scenes spaces while learning about Australia's distinctive democracy, including its preferential voting system. Gain insight into the nation's political history, architecture, and daily parliamentary life.

Depart Canberra and travel to the riverside town of Toorumbarry, stopping at Brown Brothers Winery for a Signature Experience. Later, board the brand-new luxury paddlesteamer PS Australian Star and settle in to your cabin. Tonight, celebrate the start of your Murray River Cruise, enjoying your first meal on board.

Signature Experience - Lunch at Brown Brothers Restaurant Visit the acclaimed Brown Brothers Restaurant for a mouthwatering three-course lunch. The restaurant's ‘garden-to-plate' ethos is built around homegrown Australian produce and a minimal waste approach, focusing on sharing exceptional food made with seasonal ingredients grown onsite at the Kitchen Garden, alongside the best locally sourced produce our region has to offer.

Following breakfast on board, cruise to the iconic Perricoota Station then board a coach for a visit to Murray Gums Estate. Here you'll join the property's owners for a guided tour along a beautiful walking trail, learn about wine and olive making, and savour a gourmet lunch featuring the region's local produce.

After lunch, return to Perricoota Station to tour its historic buildings and pristine gardens before returning to your paddlesteamer for dinner. A documentary on the famous paddlesteamers and communities of the Murray River provides the perfect way to close out another sensational day on the river.

Enjoy full day of cruising today after the morning mist settles around wildlife-rich Perricoota. The pleasant and relaxing journey to Layfield Lane mooring reveals the beauty of the special environment, which can be admired in its full glory from the many panoramic viewing points of the PS Australian Star.

Enjoy lunch in the onboard space of your choice, whether you'd like to soak in the rays on the outdoor deck or relax in Randell's Dining Room. Tonight, delight in a delectable Australian BBQ on the riverbank followed by live entertainment and time to relax around the campfire (weather dependent).

Signature Experience - Onboard Wine Tasting As your ship cruises along the Murray, revel in a unique wine-tasting experience on board with a partnering winery. Savour the nuanced notes of exceptional wines against the scenic backdrop of the Murray, creating a perfect harmony of relaxation and indulgence.

Following another delicious onboard breakfast, depart your floating home for a half-day exploration of the fascinating town of Echuca. Embark on the Henry Hopwood Town Tour, discovering Echuca's icons including Hopwood's Punt and the pontoon bridge, which was the region's original Murray River crossing. Next is a brilliant cruise aboard the PS Canberra, which was constructed in 1912, before free time to further explore Echuca. Return to the PS Australian Star for lunch before setting sail upstream again, passing the historic port of Echuca Wharf.

Signature Experience - Guided Lantern Tour Journey back in time and discover Echuca's dark secrets of the past on a one-hour guided lantern tour. Echuca Wharf and its surrounding area have long been associated with ghost stories and unexplained happenings.

Spectacular silo art awaits on a half-day discovery today. Journey to Rochester and Colbinabbin to admire the vast, vibrant murals which adorn still-working grain silos and depict the region's enthralling heritage and magnificent wildlife. Delve further into the region's culture with an authentic pub lunch with the welcoming owners and locals of the Colbinabbin Hotel.

Soak in the serenity back on board this afternoon as the PS Australian Star swings back downstream. Marvel at the riverside scenery with a cup of tea or enjoy free flowing drinks in the Hopwood Lounge as you glide along the Murray.

Tonight, return to the riverbanks of Layfield Lane for another mouth-watering BBQ dinner and evening of entertainment and conversation by the campfire.

Following breakfast on board, return to land for a delightful visit to the Great Aussie Beer Shed & Heritage Farm Museum on the outskirts of Echuca, where you'll immerse yourself in the history of the region. Your journey continues with a wonderful wine tasting and lunch at St Anne's Vineyards' Echuca Cellar Door before reboarding for an afternoon tea service as you cruise in luxury towards Deep Creek Marina.

Signature Experience - St Anne's Winery Lunch and Tour Explore the intricate art of winemaking at St Anne's Winery in Echuca. Witness the meticulous process from vine to bottle, gaining insights into the cultivation of grapes, fermentation, and barrel aging. After the enlightening tour, indulge in a delectable lunch featuring exquisite grazing boards, perfectly paired with the winery's finest selections.

Continue downstream early this morning en route to the Torrumbarry Weir. Upon arrival, take a guided walk across the historic weir before visiting the Interpretive Centre to learn more about the incredible Murray-Darling Basin and the weir and lock system, which is over a century old.

Tonight, savour pre-dinner canapé s and drinks as the sun sets over the weir before indulging in your last dinner on board, hosted by your friendly Captain. Admire the dazzling star-studded skies and native wildlife as you bask in the beauty of the region for the final night of your adventure.

Enjoy a final breakfast on board PS Australian Star, before disembarking in Torrumbarry. Travel to Melbourne, your final stop on the journey. Tonight, celebrate APT's centenary at a special farewell dinner.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel where your tour comes to an end.