You’re cruising down the Murray, cold drink in hand, afternoon sun reflecting off the water – when a paddle steamer rounds the bend. Smoke puffing, paddles churning, whistle ready. It’s one of the great Murray moments. And how you handle the next 60 seconds isn’t just about confidence on the river, it’s about safety for you, your passengers, and everyone else on the water.

The good news? River etiquette isn’t complicated. A handful of simple rules (some unwritten, some not) will help you pass paddle steamers calmly, safely, and with complete confidence.

Quick Takeaways:

  • Slow right down before you’re anywhere near the paddle steamer – wake damage is real
  • Keep to the right side of the river when passing
  • Give them a wide berth, not a close flyby
  • Wave. It’s a Murray thing
  • The same rules apply to any moored or slower vessel on the river

Why Paddle Steamers Deserve Extra Respect

The Murray’s paddle steamers aren’t just tourist attractions – they’re living history. The P.S. Adelaide, still operating out of Echuca, was built in 1866, making her the oldest wooden-hulled paddle steamer still running anywhere in the world. The P.S. Canberra dates back to 1912. These aren’t fibreglass hulls that bounce back from a careless wake.

They’re also carrying passengers. Dozens of them, often with drinks in hand, leaning on railings, watching the river go by. A big wake from a passing houseboat doesn’t just rattle the timbers – it sends those drinks flying and, depending on the swell, can genuinely unsettle older passengers.

And if you’re hiring a houseboat in the Murray River, you’re part of that river community now. Act like it.

The No-Wake Rule (This One’s Actually Law)

Here’s where etiquette becomes regulation. Under NSW boating rules – which apply on the Murray River regardless of which bank you’re closest to – you’re required to slow to 4 knots within 30 metres of any vessel that could be adversely affected by your wash. Paddle steamers absolutely qualify.

What does 4 knots feel like? Barely moving. Think of it as the speed you’d walk a relaxed lap around an oval. It might feel slow when you’re used to cruising along, but it’s the right call.

The rule exists for good reason. Wash from a fast-passing vessel can swamp or capsize small craft, and cause damage to houseboats and potential injury to occupants. A wooden-hulled steamer from the 1800s doesn’t need to find out what happens when someone blasts past at full throttle.

The golden rule: start slowing down earlier than you think you need to. By the time you’re close enough to read the name on the hull, you should already be at no-wake speed.

Keep Right, Pass Wide

In rivers and channels on the Murray, vessels should stay to the right. This keeps traffic flowing predictably and reduces the chance of a head-on mess in a narrow bend.

When passing a paddle steamer, staying right also means giving them a comfortable amount of river to work with. These vessels aren’t built to dodge – they turn slowly, they stop slowly, and their skippers are running commentary for 40 passengers while keeping an eye on the river ahead. Don’t make their job harder than it needs to be.

If you’re hiring one of our houseboats, your induction briefing will cover the basics of navigation. Don’t forget to take notes – it’ll save you the embarrassment of being the boat everyone on the paddle steamer is watching with mild concern.

Wave Like You Mean It

This one’s not in any rulebook, but it might be the most important thing on this list.

On the Murray, you wave to other river users. It’s one of the genuinely lovely things about river life that no one really explains to first-timers.

Miss the wave, and you’re not breaking any law – but you’re missing the point of being out here.

A Few Other Things Worth Knowing

Paddle steamers aside, the broader etiquette on the Murray comes down to treating the river the way you’d want someone to treat yours.

Mooring spots

Don’t anchor so close to another houseboat that your music becomes their soundtrack. If you’re not sure where to tie up without stepping on toes, our guide on where to park your houseboat in Echuca covers the best spots near town.

Noise after dark

Sound carries over water in a way it simply doesn’t on land. Keep that in mind once the stars are out.

Wildlife

The Murray’s red gum banks are full of birds, turtles, and native animals doing their thing. Slow down near the banks, keep noise levels considered, and leave every mooring spot the way you found it.

Ready to Actually Be on the River?

The best way to learn river etiquette is to be out there. And the best way to be out there is on a boat that makes the whole trip worth it.

If you’re planning your first time on the water – or want a refresher before you head off – our houseboats for beginners guide covers everything from steering to mooring, written for people who’ve never done this before.

Wondering what else is on when you’re in the region? There’s a lot more to Echuca than the river. Our curated list of things to do in Echuca Moama will give you plenty of ideas for when you tie up for the day.

And when you’re ready to book, browse our fleet of luxury houseboats in Echuca Moama – built for the kind of holiday where the river does the work, and you do the relaxing.

The paddle steamers will be out there waiting. Just remember to slow down and wave.