Overview
After many very successful years of operation, we are delighted to be able to again offer this very special and unique tour to one of the most exciting and picturesque regions of Australia. The Murray River, at over 1600 miles long, is Australia’s largest river and has played a major role in the settlement and development of inland parts of Australia. Mark Twain compared it favourably with the mighty Mississippi when he visited in the 19th century and the river was once a bustling highway with many paddle steamers plying its length carrying produce and people to and from the settlements along its banks. Those days are long gone, but the river region is still a hive of activity and interest with lush farmland, orchards and vineyards contrasting with the red outback at their doorstep.The itinerary will show you the Murray region as we spend 7 nights cruising upstream. We discover the delights from Mannum to Morgan on board. Highlights of the cruise include a visit to well-known Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre, guided walks around historic towns, an Aussie barbecue beside the river; a visit to a wildlife shelter, sheep shearing demonstration and a guided walk through one of Australia’s most significant aboriginal archaeological sites at Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park.
Murray Princess Cruise – 7 nights With all the character and charm of yesteryear, the
Murray Princess is an authentic paddlewheeler
built to cruise the mighty Murray River. The southern
hemisphere’s largest inland paddlewheeler
is propelled by a stern wheel that you can view
through the double story lounge window. It’s a real taste of bygone days, with the elegance
and convenience you’d expect today. Add to this, the beauty and grandeur of
the Great Ocean Road between Adelaide
and Melbourne, the wonderful
wine growing region of South Australia,
close to the picturesque city of Adelaide
and the excitement and vitality (and
wonderful shopping) of Melbourne and
you have a great tour waiting for you.
Highlights Include:- Melbourne – city of parks and gardens
- Sovereign Hill Historic Village, Ballarat
- Echuca, with guided tour of the river port
- Mildura gateway to the Murray River
- 7 nights cruising the Murray River on the “Murray Princess”
- Adelaide, the wine capital of Australia
- Great Ocean Road between Adelaide and Melbourne
- “Spirit of Coorong” eco-cruise on Lake Alexandrina
- Naracoorte with visit to the World Heritage Fossil Cave
- Penola & St Mary McKillop Centre
- Overnight coastal stays in Portland & Torquay
Itinerary
Wednesday 05 March Auckland – Adelaide City and Seaside Glenelg (D)An early start this morning, as we make our way to the International Terminal and check in for our 8.20am flight to Adelaide. On arrival, we enjoy a morning tour of the city’s main attractions which will allow you to get your bearings. Our Coach Captain will share his local knowledge on things to see and do including the charm and character of the buildings and famous landmarks. There will be time for lunch (on own account) in Glenelg before we transfer to our hotel for a 2-night stay. Dinner is included this evening. Thursday 06 March Adelaide – Coorong Cruise – Adelaide (B, L)A leisurely start this morning before we travel to Goolwa to join the “Spirit of Coorong” for a 3.5 hour Coorong Experience cruise into the wilderness of Coorong National Park – where shallow lagoons and waterways are home to over 200 species of water birds. A delicious lunch is served on board as we cruise downstream from the port of Goolwa, along the historic wharf & towards the Goolwa Barrage. Travel through the lock chamber, down to sea level and spot a few lazy fur-seals lounging about. We then meander along the waterways of the Coorong, following the last kilometres of the mighty Murray River to the Murray Mouth and the opening to the Southern Ocean. At the conclusion of the cruise, we rejoin our coach for the journey back to Adelaide. Friday 07 March Adelaide – Barossa Valley – Naracoorte (B, L, D)Another great day today as we set off for the Adelaide Hills, through a patchwork of orchards and vineyards to the town of Hahndorf, one of the most popular towns in the area originally settled by German immigrants in 1839. The town retains much of its Germanic heritage and is home to some of the regions finest cellar doors. Then, we travel across to the world-famous Barossa Valley, the heartland of the Australian wine industry which retains much of its diverse European cultural heritage. Time for a lunch and some wine tasting before we continue on our journey to Naracoorte for our overnight stay. Saturday 08 March Naracoorte – Mt Gambier – Portland (B,D)This morning we visit the World Heritage Victoria Fossil Cave where we can see many beautiful calcite crystal decorations and the partially excavated fossil deposit. Then we travel on to Penola to visit the town and the Mary MacKillop Penola Centre and schoolhouse, where Saint Mary MacKillop founded the religious order, The Sisters of St Joseph in 1866. Time for lunch and then travel to Mt Gambier, famous for its Blue Lake which changes colour dramatically each year. We continue via the coastal town of Nelson to Portland where we spend the night. Sunday 09 March Portland – Warrnambool – Torquay (B,D)This morning, we continue on to Warrnambool where we visit Flagstaff Hill which is a recreated 19th century coastal port, built around the original lighthouse and fortifications. The Great Ocean Road starts from here and we travel to Port Campbell and continue on past some of the Great Ocean Road’s most famous and scenic coastal attractions: the rocky (but broken) platform of London Bridge, the Loch Ard Gorge, Gibsons Steps and the most celebrated attractions, the Twelve Apostles. We travel along the coastline from Apollo Bay, considered to be the most picturesque section of the Great Ocean Road, with the highway carved into sheer cliffs that drop away into the ocean and arrive at Torquay where we overnight. Home to world-famous Bells Beach and the birthplace of iconic surf brands, Torquay is the surfing capital of Australia. Monday 10 March Torquay – Melbourne (B,D)We depart Torquay late morning and continue our journey through to Melbourne, where we stay for 2 nights. The afternoon is free before we meet up for dinner this evening. Tuesday 11 March Melbourne (B)This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this exciting and vibrant city, a wonderful blend of elegant heritage, contemporary architecture, colourful city parklands and gardens, bustling commercial centres and shaded peaceful areas. We see the Yarra River, a busy city waterway, Captain Cook’s Cottage, Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy Gardens and Albert Park, home to the Australian Grand Prix. The afternoon is free for independent sightseeing or shopping – and of course Melbourne is famous for its shops. A free evening tonight for you to explore the wonderful cafes and restaurants this city is famous for. Wednesday 12 March Melbourne – Echuca (B, D)This morning we leave Melbourne behind us and head to the city of Ballarat, one of Victoria’s famous gold mining cities. We visit Sovereign Hill, a classic recreation of the past. We then proceed on to Echuca for the night. Thursday 13 March Echuca – Mildura (B, D)Echuca was once Australia’s largest inland port and the heart of “Rich River Country”. We enjoy a tour of the town to see the restored port and paddle steamers which will give us an idea of what life was once like in this bustling river town a century ago. We travel up the Murray Valley Highway through fertile country to Swan Hill, an historic town dating back to 1836 which became one of the region’s major inland river trading ports until the expansion of the railway. We continue to Mildura where we spend the night. Friday 14 March Commence “7-night Upper Marylands Cruise” (B, D)This morning we make the drive through to Mannum, to join our 7-night cruise. Mid-afternoon the Murray Princess departs historic Mannum, birthplace of the Murray River trade and communication, and heads upriver while we enjoy a Welcome Dinner. As we cruise under floodlight to our overnight mooring at Caurnamont, we may see nocturnal wildlife on the riverbank. Watch for kangaroos, hairy-nosed wombats, tortoises, egrets and many other species. Saturday 15 March Caurnamon – Sugar Shack (B, L, D)This morning, our discovery vessel awaits for a wildlife tour. Travelling in small, personalised groups, we explore the maze of the river, and the birdlife is amazing. Watch for darters, herons and egrets feeding along the river’s muddy edges. For those who choose to stay on-board, you may wish to partake in a game of bocce or compete in the fishing challenge before we cruise upriver past Walker Flat to Sugar Shack Conservation Park. In the afternoon, enjoy a special presentation on the bounty of food and wine produced in the Riverland. After dinner, enjoy being entertained by the on-board entertainer. Sunday 16 March Sugar Shack – Morgan (B, L, D)We continue cruising upriver this morning. Enjoy breakfast as we pass through one of 13 locks which maintain the flow and levels of the river’s water. This morning, enjoy some free time and in the afternoon join in the fun playing a few games of bingo. Late afternoon, the vessel is secured at Morgan and after dinner, we will be entertained by the talented crew. Monday 17 March Morgan – 329km Mark (B, L, D)Today we are transferred by coach to the Riverland town of Waikerie and Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre near Kingston On Murray. Enjoy some free time in Waikerie and at Banrock Station delight in cellar door wine tastings followed by a delicious lunch and DVD presentation. There will be time to take a stroll around the gardens and orchards enjoying the relaxing scenery.
Return by coach to Morgan where we will re-board the Murray Princess and continue our journey upriver and secure at the 329km mark of the Murray River. Tuesday 18 March 329km Mark – Donald Flat (B, L, D)After breakfast, we arrive at the picturesque Caudo Vineyard located at Hogwash Bend. Here we will enjoy cellar door tastings and explore the gardens and orchards.Enjoy a leisurely lunch as we cruise downriver back towards Morgan. Mid-afternoon we join a guided walk of the Morgan township and the Morgan Living History Museum. We depart Morgan late afternoon and secure at Donald Flat Lagoon for our overnight moorage. After dinner, we join in and fun and participate in the onboard “Murray River Cup”. Wednesday 19 March Donald Flat – Sunnydale (B, L, D)After breakfast, we cruise to picturesque Swan Reach. The town was first settled in the 1850s and was originally the largest of five sheep and cattle stations in the area and is now home to native flower and fruit growers. The original Swan Reach homestead is now the Swan Reach Hotel where you can enjoy an ale or cappuccino overlooking the Murray River. There is the opportunity to join a walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum (gold coin donation at entry).After lunch, we cruise downriver, taking in the tranquility as the landscape slides by. When we arrive at Sunnydale, it’s all ashore for the Woolshed Show as we recreate typical Australian woolshed history. Later we visit the Native Wildlife Shelter where some of South Australia’s most interesting native animals are cared for. And then of course, there is the great Aussie Barbecue – cooked and served in a bush setting on the banks of the mighty Murray River. Thursday 20 March Sunnydale – Younghusband (B, L, D)After an optional Sunnydale Bush Tucker Breakfast (additional cost), or a bush walk with the Captain, we slowly cruise downriver past magnificent cliffs scoured by the river over millions of years. We reach Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve, one of Australia’s most significant archaeological sites, for a step back in time – tens of thousands of years – for a guided boardwalk tour to view ancient rock carvings and to learn about aboriginal history in the area. We return to the vessel to cruise downriver to Younghusband. Along the way, adventure seekers can also take a scenic tender boat ride. Tonight, we join our fellow guests for a delicious final night dinner and enjoy the evening entertainment. Friday 21 March Younghusband – Mannum (B)We leave Younghusband and head back to Mannum. After breakfast we reluctantly say farewell as we arrive at the Mannum Wharf. We depart Mannum by coach and travel by coach the short distance back to Adelaide. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Saturday 22 March Adelaide (B,D)A free day today to relax and explore the city. We get together this evening for our final dinner together. Sunday 23 March Adelaide – Home (B)Time to say our farewells on the final day of our tour as we are transferred back to Adelaide Airport to connect with flights home.
