Australia

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AUSTRALIA

Australia is by a considerable margin the home of the largest number of side-wheel paddle driven ships in the world. There are estimated to be over 100 and maybe as many as 150 vessels which qualify in some way, whether original, converted to motor power, built new or built incorporating elements of earlier ships. Derelect remains of a number are likely to exist sunken alongside riverbanks. A large number remain in operation in Australia, many originally built in the 19th century and others built more recently incorporating machinery from earlier steamers. PS Cumberoona, for example, was built new in 1986 but inspired by a boat of the same name built 120 years earlier reflecting the recent trend to build in the old style. Murray Princess, based at Mannum is the largest paddler on the Murray, but a modern vessel, built in the style of a Mississippi sternwheeler and uses diesel engines. These ships are smaller than those in operation in Europe, many having originally been small freight carriers on inland waterways such as the Murray River.

Many of the vessels which are now passenger excursion vessels began life as working boats. On the Murray River they delivered produce from areas along the river to processing facilities, such as logs to sawmills (eg Alexander Arbuthnot). Others began life as dumb barges (eg Coonawarra) and were substantally rebuilt for their new purpose.

A considerable number of paddlers are in private ownership as leisure craft but also as house boats, often with their machinery having been removed. Boats are often small enough to be built privately and these can be classed as "hobby steamboats".

The majority of Australia's paddle steamers are on the Murray River : http://www.murrayriver.com.au/river-cruises/

This list is not comprehensive by any means and it is not regularly updated, but it highlights most of the larger passenger carrying ships in public service.

The steamer "Adelaide" of 1866 is the oldest of the remaining operational paddlers at Echuca, which has turned its port into a attractive tourist destination. "Emmylou" was built in 1982, but in the style of a turn-of-the-century vessel around machinery dating from 1906 and operates privately out of Echuca.

There are also a number of small paddle driven vessels built in recent years for private ownership, mostly in the style of 19th century Murray riverboats.

HISTORICAL BOATS REMAINING STEAM DRIVEN

Oscar W Goolwa M Oliver.jpg

Paddle Steamer Oscar W at Goolwa. Photo by kind courtesy of Malcolm Oliver


PS Adelaide, seen above at Echuca in 1986 by Chris Miles, was built in 1866 and is the oldest operational wooden-hulled paddle steamer operating in the world	PS Etona is another Echuca steamer originally dating from the 19th century which has survived to make the inland port one of the world's great paddle steamer locations.

VESSEL	BUILT	LOCATION	NOTES	WEBSITE	OTHER WEBSITES
Canberra	1912	Echuca	Converted to diesel in 1964 then back to steam in 2003 with a wood-fired boiler and engine dating from 1923. Operated by Murray River Paddle Steamers
Adelaide	1866	Echuca	Operated by the Port of Echuca
Success	1877	Echuca	Under restoration for service by the Port of Echuca
Alexander Arbuthnot	1923	Echuca	Operated by Echuca Paddlesteamers	Click
Pevensey	1910	Echuca	Operated by Echuca Paddlesteamers	Click
Etona	1898	Echuca
Melbourne	1912	Mildura	Operated by Mildura Paddlesteamers
Marion	1897	Mannum	Wood-fired and with overnight accommodation, she is available for cruises as well as being an exhibit at the museum. Owned by the Mannum Dock Museum of River History	Click
Industry	1910	Renmark	Length : 112 ft (33 m) - Breadth : 34.4 ft (10.4 m) Machinery : 2-cylinder, non condensing 30HP, by A Roberts of Bendigo with auxiliary steam turbine for electric lighting. Built for the South Australian government . Operated a variety of duties including snagging and transport of people and goods. Reboilered in 1933. Withdrawn from service in 1969 and donated to Renmark, where she arrived in 1971for conversion to a museum. Opened to the public in 1975. In 1990 she was slipped for a full survey and she was restored for passenger service, with her certificate being issued in 1995. She operates short excursions from her base adjacent to the town's visitor information centre at regular intervals throughout the year
Oscar W	1908	Goolwa	Built in Echuca by shipowner Charlie Wallin until sold in 1914 and then sold again in 1942 to owners at Goolwa and in 1943 to the government of South Australia. Retired in 1960, she went to a new private owner and used in the tourist trade at Mildura. New owners in 1964 started a restoration programme but this was never completed, so the boat was bought by the South Australia Tourist Commission in 1985 who finished the repairs and sailed her down to Goolwa in 1988 to be part of a heritage centre. Click to see engines (courtesy of M Oliver) Offers short cruises on selected days from Goolwa Wharf. Also available for private charter. Opereated entirely by volunteer crew	Click
Enterprise	1878	Canberra (Lake Burley Griffin)	Since 1984, owned by the National Museum of Australia and moved from the Murray River to her lake home at Canberra	Click
Ruby	1907	Wentworth NSW	Restored for service. Volunteer operated.	Click

Privately Owned vessels not normally open to the public for cruises

VESSEL	BUILT	LOCATION	NOTES	WEBSITE	OTHER WEBSITES
Billy Tea
Hero	1874	Echuca

MODERN BOATS BUILT WITH NEW STEAM MACHINERY

Vessels open to the public or planned to be open for public service after restoration

VESSEL	BUILT	LOCATION	NOTES	WEBSITE	OTHER WEBSITES

Curlip II	2008	Paynesville, VIC	At 62 ft long she is an approximate reproduction of a 48 ft long tow boat on Snowy River 1890-1919, built of timber by volunteers at Orbost (VIC). Offered 1 1/2 hour late morning and afternoon cruises (Wed to Sun at 11:30 and 2:30) and Saturday evening cruises as well as charter opprortunities on the Snowy River at Marlo. In 2016 it was announced that her hull had been compromised by Teredo worms. She has been moved to Paynesville and is under under new management. An appeal is now in place to assist in a rebuild before it is hoped that she will enter service on the Gippsland Lakes out of Paynesville.	Click

Privately Owned vessels not open to the public

Lance Martin

2009

Swan Reach, SA

15-metre long "Aluminium Paddle Steamer" built by Lance and Paul Otto

MODERN BOATS INCORPORATING HISTORICAL MACHINERY BUILT IN TRADITIONAL STYLE


Although modern, Emmylou is now one of the best known paddlers on the Murray River	These photos, taken in 1986, are shown courtesy of Chris Miles

Vessels open to the public or planned to be open for public service after restoration

VESSEL	BUILT	LOCATION	NOTES	WEBSITE	OTHER WEBSITES

Emmylou	1982	Echuca	Steam engine dates from 1906. Wood fired. Offers a range of 1,2 and 3 night cruises as well as day trips Operated by Murray River Paddle Steamers	Click
Cumberoona	1986	Yarrawonga, VIC	Two steam engines dated 1906 and 1908 power a paddler built at Albury to help celebrate Australia's bicentenary. Now owned privately at Yarrawonga she sails on the Murray River's Lake Mulwala In recent years a diesel-electric drive has been added as an economy measure resulting from the increased cost of wood for her boilers	Click
Decoy	1986	Perth	Length : 25.9 metres Passenger Capacity : 230 Incorporates elements of original "Decoy" built in 1878 by Henderson & Co (Renfrew, Scotland) and a twin-cylinder steam engine built in 1905 which was originally used in a sawmill. Originally owned by Chas Cox, the ship became well known for colliding with Canning Bridge in 2001. She was laid up in 2011 and offered for sale at $AUS 1.2 million In January 2015 it was announced that Mr Manus Higgins had purchased the vessel and was arranging a refurbishment for further service.Now (2015) offers live music cruises on (most) Fridays and Sundays	Click

Sales Specification for Decoy

The Paddle Steamer Decoy is a "Perth Icon" and has been operating for 25 years on the magnificent Swan River and has her own exclusive mooring in prestigious South Perth. Specialising in weddings and corporate functions the vessel is being sold fully operational as a going concern and has liquor and gaming licences.
She is a registered Australian ship No: 852383, which makes this vessel fully morgageable.
The Paddle Steamer Decoy is a genuine steam powered vessel that was built by Australian Ship Building Industries and is built to DNV survey 1A R5 Class D1, although currently operates on a 1E and licensed to carry 230 passengers. The vessel is powered by a 1905 Ransome Sims and Jefferies twin cylinder steam engine totally rebuilt in 1986 with a new oil fired burner and maxitherm boiler. She is the only sea going designed Paddle Steamer in Australia. The upper deck is constructed of solid Jarrah and Iron bark flooring. The vessel is also fitted out extensively with solid brass nautical memorabilia and has a unique 58 brass pipe calliope organ which can operate manually or automatically.
The vessel is being offered for sale due to retirement after 20 years and at a fraction of the replacement cost. (AUSD 1.2 m)

Privately Owned vessels not not normally open to the public for cruises

VESSEL	BUILT	LOCATION	NOTES	WEBSITE	OTHER WEBSITES

Perricoota	1999		Steam engine dates from 1909. Private boat
Barmah	1975	Echuca	Privately-owned. Historical steam engine
William Randell	1998	Goolwa	62 ft x 14/24 feet Ruston-Hornby steam engines date from 1923 OFFERED FOR SALE
Cato	2001	Goolwa	Replica of a former PS Cato built in 1835 and fitted with the steam engine of the original vessel. Ran aground on mudflats alongside Lake Albert on 30/10/16 when attending the celebrations for the relighting of the historic Port Malcolm lighthouse.
James Maiden	1987		Built at Echuca by Peter McLeod, 52 x 12 ft. Purchased by Mick Black and later moved her to a new base the Darling River although she has returned to the Murray on occasion.
Britannia	2003	Echuca	Built and owned by by Peter McLeod. Powered by a restored 12 hp marshall steam engine originally built in 1913. Auxiliary power supplied by a Chinese-built diesel

Private House Boats

Tarella : built 1897 : located near Mannum
Federal : built 1902 : located near Goolwa : open as a Bed and Breakfast accommodation
Decoy : built 1878 : located near Mannum (parts of this 1878 Scottish built vessel are incorporated in the new "Decoy" at Perth, see above)

DIESEL PADDLE VESSELS

HISTORICAL STEAM BOATS LATER CONVERTED TO DIESEL POWER

Avoca at Mildura 2 2011 M oliver.jpg

Above : Avoca seen at Mildura in 2011. Photo by kind courtesy of Malcolm Oliver

Coonawarra Houseboat at Mildura 2011 M Oliver.jpg

Above : Coonawarra, seen above at Mildura in 2011 by Malcolm Oliver

VESSEL	BUILT	CONV.	LOCATION	NOTES	WEBSITE	OTHER WEBSITES

Rothbury	1881		Mildura	Operated by Mildura Paddlesteamers
Coonawarra	1884		Mildura	Rebuilt in 1950 from the remains of the hull of the barge "JL Roberts"
Avoca	1877	1957	Mildura	Length : 111 ft 3 in, breadth : 21 ft 3 in Built at Milang for the transport of cargo, she was moved in 1891 to the St Vincent Gulf and concentrated on carrying wheat. She returned to the Murray and eventually became a tourist showboat before being purchased in 1957 by Eric Doecke and his son Gavin of Murray Bridge from the Collins family. The boat was converted from steam to diesel. The Doeckes sold Avoca in 1974 and she was moved to Mildura. Sold at aution on 11/4/12 to local restauranteur Simon Harrington for AUS$ 55k, having been owned by businessman and Mildura Brewery owner Stefano de Pieri. Sank at her moorings at Mildura on 25/4/14 after power cut shut off bilge pumps and she lies half-submerged. Dispute over ownership as sale transaction had not been completed at the time of the sinking. Successfully raised on 7th August 2014
Pyap	1896		Swan Hill	Steam engine temporarily re-used in modern-build vessel Mundoo. Offers cruises on the Murray from The Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement attraction.	Click
Mayflower	1884	1998	Mannum	Restored over 2014-16 by volunteers to her 1913 appearance (when it was a fishing boat at Renmark) after purchase by the Mannum Dock Museum. Served many owners at different ports on the Murray in a long and varied history and is now expected to offer passenger trips for the first ime in 40 years following re-introduction at the All Steamed Up Festival at Mannum Dock in November 2016 Owned by the Mannum Dock Museum of River History

.Privately Owned vessels not normally open to the public for cruises

VESSEL	BUILT	CONV.	LOCATION	NOTES	WEBSITE	OTHER WEBSITES

Akuna Amphibious	1875		Akuna Station
Iron Dry
Amphibious	1876		Echuca	Owned by Tim Mills since 1916 and moved to Echuca in 2019, she sank at her moorings in May 2020

MODERN BOATS WITH DIESEL POWER BUT ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH STEAM ENGINES

Mundoo	1987	Mildura	Intially fitted with steam engine dates from 1892 (ex-Pyap) Operated by Mildura Paddlesteamers	Click
William the Fourth	1987	Newcastle, NSW	Built as a close approximation of Australia's first coastal steamship built in the 1830s. 32.3 m long. Her engines were based on original side-lever engines. Out of service from 2001-06 with boiler problems, the Newcastle city council decided to scrap her. A new enthusiast-run organisation, William the Fourth Inc bought the ship and were able to renovate her and she returned to service in November 2018. New diesels were installed to power her, with the steam machinery remaining in place but not used. She runs harbour cruises in Newcastle and is available for charter	Click
Thomson Belle	1982	Longreach, QLD	A Murray-river styled paddle steamer built as Ginger Belle which first ran in association with a ginger factory on the Maroochy River. Later transported overland to the Thomson river and worked out of Longreach by tour operators Kinnon & Co, as Thomson Belle. Originally fitted with a steam engine but now has a Ford-Lees diesel unit. Now sailing with Outback Pioneers Cruises	Click
Cobba	2012	Thompson's Beach, Cobram Barooga, VIC	12 metres x 7.6 metres powered by a 110HP Perkins diesel with independent 15KW geared electic motors on each wheel. Built by Danny Dunn owner of Cobram Barooga Boat Hire Company to offer short cruises on the Murray River	Click

MODERN BOATS BUILT WITH DIESEL or PETROL ENGINES

Koookaburra River Queen 1

Built in 1987 by Millkraft Thompson Boatyards, she offers cruises on the Brisbane river at Brisbane (Queensland) alongside the mock-sternwheeler Kookaburra River Queen 2 under Captain Jim Kelly of Brisbane Cruises, who has owned the ships since November 2007.

* Full restaurant and in survey for 378 persons
* 2 restaurant decks; one observation deck, independent bars, buffet stations, toilets & dance floors
* New decks and motors
* Internal lift system for catering
* Construction: Sheathed timber over hardwood ribs and frames.
* Machinery: 2 x Scania 172 kw driving hydraulic pumps & 2 x Dunlight generators at 150 kw ( total of 2 engines)
* Length: 30.5m, Beam 11.02m, Draught 1.8m

Put up for auction which is scheduled to take place on 7th October 2012 to test the market to see whether a reserve price allowing sale of the excursion ship company will be met. if not, it is expected that the business will continue unchanged
http://www.kookaburrariverqueens.com/

Jandra

The only paddler offering regular scheduled trips on the Darling River is a replica of a traditional local design. Operated by Bourkeshire Council (in NSW) she undetakes one hour cruises from Kidman's Camp : http://www.bourke.nsw.gov.au/tourism/pv-jandra . She is based on the design of an 1894 paddle steamer which sailed between Bourke and Wentworth which transported wool bales on a towed barge from various stations along the Darling to the railhead at Bourke.

Golden City

Completed 2013. Diesel hydraulic drive with aluminium hull and has an overall length of 17.2 metres. Built as a near replica to replace original vessel dated 1885 destroyed by fire in 2006 when being restored by enthusiasts . She operates 35-minute circular cruises on Lake Wendouree, Ballarat, Victoria under control of the Golden City Paddle Steamer Museum Society who took ownership in 1987 when the ship was returned to Lake Wendouree after 21 years operating in Melbourne. The original vessel operated on lake Wendouree as part of the Gil family fleet before being sold to Messrs McRae and McArthur in 1946. Whilst in Melbourne she sailed for the Spooner family at the Caribbean Gardens, Scoresby. Originally a steamer, she spent most of her life petrol-driven

Website : http://www.goldencitypaddlesteamer.org.au/index.php

Murray River Queen ...... Currently only in static use

Built in 1973 at Narnu Bay on Hindmarsh Island by Keith Veenstra, she had been in service on the Murray until she was withdrawn in 1993 and fell into disrepair and became a static lodge for backpackers in Goolwa and then was laid up near Mannum. In 2004 she was bought business people at Waikerie and returned to service on dinner cruises and also four-night cruises to Loxton. Re-sold in 2012 she became a backpacker's hostel. Since 2016 she has been open as a static restaurant in Waikerie SA

Website

Nepean Belle

This old-style paddler was launched in 1982 and was run privately by the Wakeling family until sold to former crew member Chris and Carol Bennett in Octobr 2013. She cruises the Nepean River with a varied cruise programme through the Nepean Gorge and into the Blue Mountains National Park from Penrith. The cruises are well known for their culinary offerings, with set places for 120 diners - or 160 for cocktail functions.

Built in 1982 by De Havilland Marine, Homebush Bay, but loaded out to Penrith for assembly. Hull - catamaran in aluminium
Length : 18.2 m. Twin engined (Kubota diesels) with independent side paddle wheels. Service speed - 4 knots

Website : http://www.nepeanbelle.com.au/

The Hawkesbury Paddlewheeler

Operates on the Hawkesbury River from Windsor NSW

Built in 1976 by the Reynolds family at Roseville on Lane Cove River and originally named "Turrumburra".
Moved to Windsor in 1996 under Captain James Kelly and renamed "The Hawkesbury Paddlewheeler"
Now owned by Captain Ian Burns.

Website : http://www.paddlewheeler.com.au/
As at 4/2013 offered for sale : Sale Details

Statically preserved ;

Pride of the Murray

1977

Longreach, Thomson River, Queensland

Originally a dumb barge built in 1924, she lay sunken for many years until raised in 1973. First operated as a trafitionally-styled passenger vessel by Murray River Paddle Steamers out of Echuca, she was moved to Queensland in May 2022 to sail for Outback Pioneers cruises

Sank in the Thomson River in March 2023 and raised in September 2023 but examination of the hull revealed that it would be impractical to restore, so the owners are exploring a plan to use her as a static exhibit

Click

FORMER STEAM PADDLER HULL BEING RESTORED FOR FUTURE USE (no engines)

Canally

1907

Morgan, SA

28 m long. Converted from a barge in 1912 with the engine from a steam locomotive. She was primarily used to transport wool from Echuca up the Murrumbidgee River. She later traded between Berri and Morgan in South Australia. Had several changes of ownership and location, including the Ministry of Public Works of New South Wales. Converted to a barge in the 1940s.

Raised from riverbed in 1997 for restoration. Moved to Morgan , where she sailed until 1925, in 2011. In early November 2013 she mysteriously sank at her moorings but this is not expected to deter preservation efforts. She is owned by the Mid-Murray Council.

Click

SOME SMALLER (MOSTLY PRIVATE) BOATS - DIESEL or PETROL ENGINES
This list is not comprehensive

Mosquito : built 1995 : located at Mildura
Matilda : built 1997 : located at Mildura
Kulkyne : built 1998 : located at Mildura
Madame Jade : built 1991
Kingfisher : built 1989
Captain Proud : built 1977 : located at Murray Bridge
Proud Mary : built 1982 : located at Murray Bridge
Canally : built 1980
Miralie
Iraak
Bungunyah
Shay
Matthew James
Miralee
Shiralee
Ferguson
Settler
Maggie Mae
Evangeline
Tarney
Temeraire
Noonguu Nuumpii
Impulse
Flender Himmel : owned by Shawn Grear
Black Shag : built 1999
Tamara-Rae
Madam Jade
Struggler : built from the remains of the sunken PV Sundowner
Goolwa : built 1982 located at Goolwa
Tania Anne : owned by Colin Williams
Amelia Jane
Bungunyah

Begonia Princess : Lake Wendouree, Ballarat. Bought in 2011 by Anthony Kierce and restored for use after grounding in 2003 and impounding by Ballarat City Council in 2011.

Eliza-Ann : destroyed by fire whilst in operation on the Murray at Wellington in 2017 but bought by Clint & Elizabeth Frankel and under restoration at Waikerie SA (July 2020)

Gemma : lost at Echuca but understood (March 2017) to be under reconstruction

STATICALLY PRESERVED PADDLE STEAMERS : see here

Paddle Steamers displayed in museums etc but with no plan for any return to service

A number of hulks appear to remain alongside rivers

One is PS Tarella, owned by Shawn Grear, who is hoping to restore it

EXTERNAL WEBSITE LINKS

Port of Echuca - home of paddlers Adelaide, Pevensey, Alexander Arbuthnot, plus Emmylou
The Wharf Online : paddlers on the Murray
Murray River Website : Paddle Steamer Page : Links to all the paddlers from this site profiling everything to do with the river. http://www.murrayriver.com.au/paddleboats/
Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement, Victoria
Bay Steamers Maritime Museum : operators of screw steam tug Wattle and restoring steam tug Lyttleton II at Sydney

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Operational Paddle Steamer List