8 Day Tour | Murray River Cruise with Flights
Adelaide - Murray River
Including Return Domestic Economy Class Airfares
Spend 3 Nights in Adelaide with a Hahndorf and Winery Tour
Experience yesteryear on the charming paddle wheeler, The Murray Princess
Induldge in delicious food and beverages throughout your journey
From
$2,999
Typically $3,999
pp twin share inside cabin
Description
Don't miss out on this returning deal! This is a special departure date being 3rd of November 2023!
Explore the breathtaking Murraylands whilst cruising through ancient gorges and red gum forests, past towering and stone cliffs and historic ports, local vineyards and nature trails.
Enjoy the relaxing pace of the authentic Murray Princess paddlesteamer while enjoying plenty of onboard excursions, delicious dining and making new friends.
Itinerary Downloadable Itinerary
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8
Your Home City Adelaide
Arrive in Adelaide and catch a taxi to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.
Meals: None
Accommodation: The Terrace hotel or HotelMOTEL
Adelaide
Today is a free day to enjoy Adelaide at leisure.
Meals: None
Accommodation: The Terrace hotel or HotelMOTEL
Adelaide Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Adelaide
Your Adelaide sightseeing tour starts with hotel pickup by minicoach, which transports you comfortably around the city with your guide. Head toward the North Terrace along King William Street, and catch a glimpse of the governor’s house and other main landmarks. Admire a view of the River Torrens, and pass by the Adelaide Zoo, South Australian Museum and Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Return to the minicoach to drive down trendy, tree-lined Hutt Street, home to colonial-era stone buildings, popular eateries, boutiques and cafes. Then journey outside the city to the summit of Mt Lofty, where you’ll hop out for photo ops of Adelaide and Gulf St Vincent before continuing your tour to Hahndorf, about 15 minutes away. Listen to commentary from your guide about the history of this German settlement, the oldest remaining in Australia, while you enjoy the picturesque atmosphere. You have a bit of time to walk through town before returning to Adelaide, where you tour ends at Victoria Square.
Meals: None
Accommodation: The Terrace hotel or HotelMOTEL
Adelaide Mannum Murray River
Make your way to the township of Mannum. Mid-afternoon the PS Murray Princess departs historic Mannum, the birthplace of the Murray River trade and communication, and heads upriver while you enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
As we cruise under floodlight to our overnight mooring at Caurnamont, you may see nocturnal wildlife on the riverbank. Watch for kangaroos, hairy-nosed wombats, tortoises, egrets and many other species. Our on-board entertainer provides music for the night owls.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: PS Murray Princess
Murray River
Daybreak and it’s time for the keen photographers to be out to capture the special light and the morning movement of wildlife. Prolific birdlife includes pelicans, wrens and swans. Enjoy a leisurely morning and lunch cruising upriver to Blanchetown through one of 13 locks which maintain the flow and levels of water. This afternoon we moor opposite to the township of Blanchetown for our overnight anchorage. As the last rays of the sun fade, we visit Burk Salter Boutique Winery and enjoy wine tasting at the cellar door which is fitted out with beautiful red gum bars.
After dinner, join us for all the fun and excitement, and participate in our “Murray River Cup”.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: PS Murray Princess
Murray River
After breakfast we cruise downriver to picturesque Swan Reach. The town was first settled in the 1850s, 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 (additional cost). Join a walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum (gold coin donation at entry). Cruise downriver after lunch and take in the tranquillity 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.
After dinner, there are two optional onshore tours to choose from (additional cost). A Nocturnal Tour in a comfortable purpose-built cart where you may see kangaroos, wombats, foxes, bats and owls and the Dark Sky Night Tour where you will be taken to an internationally recognised Dark Sky Reserve to observe the stars of the Milky Way. Night viewing binoculars and a telescope with a digital control locator are available plus a tablet to locate and name what can be observed with the naked eye.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: PS Murray Princess
Murray River
After an optional early morning Bush Tucker Breakfast (additional cost) or a bush walk with the Captain, the vessel cruises slowly 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, join the Officers for complimentary pre-dinner drinks (sparkling wine and soft drinks) before a delicious dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: PS Murray Princess
Mannum Adelaide Your Home City
We leave Younghusband and head back to Mannum. After breakfast we reluctantly say farewell as we arrive at the Mannum Wharf. Make your way to the airport for your flight home or your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- Return economy class airfares from Melbourne or Sydney to Adelaide with baggage. Extra $250 from Brisbane, Perth or Hobart
- 3 nights at Terrace Hotel or HotelMOTEL in Adelaide pre cruise in a queen room
- Adelaide, Hahndorf and Winery Tour
- 4 nights MURRAY RIVER CRUISE on P.S. Murray Princess round trip from Adelaide. Inside cabin on ship, twin share
- All meals (buffet & a la carte)
- An exciting selection of onshore tours
- Guided nature walks & eco-excursions
- Onboard presentations
- Use of gym
- Captain’s Buffet Dinner and Dance
- Live entertainment
- 24 hour self-service tea & coffee bar
- Lift access from Randell Deck to Sturt Deck
- Complimentary return coach transfers from Adelaide, or return to the Adelaide Airport
- Car parking in Mannum (coach and car parking bookings essential)
- Complimentary Barossa Wine & Heritage tour
Onboard Cabins: The PS Murray Princess has 60 cabins and staterooms, each with private bathroom ensuite, electric blankets, soap, shampoo, hairdryers, towels, and daily servicing. Each cabin is approximately 12sq meters. Four of the outside cabins and their ensuite bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. Two cabins located on Randell Deck are opposite the lift for easy access to the dining and lounge decks.
Onboard Food and Drinks
Menu: Aboard the Murray Princess, you will enjoy a seasonal menu, including local fresh produce. Salmon, scotch fillet, chicken, quiche, lamb shanks - you'll have the option to enjoy them all in the Dining Room on the Stuary Deck. (Each meal is accompanied by coffee or tea).
Drinks: A wide variety of drinks, including wine, beer, cocktails, aperitifs, and soft drinks are available from the bar to purchase. There is a large range of wines from South Australian wineries, including Banrock Station, Burk Salter's Winery, and Yulumba. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails are also available for you to enjoy.
Exclusions
- Cruise fares do not include drinks, optional tours and services
- International Airfares
- Any Visas (if applicable)
- Travel Insurance
- Items of a personal nature, e.g. phone, gifts, souvenirs etc.
- Tipping
About Your Vessel:
The PS Murray Princess is a true inland paddle wheeler built for the Murray River, with the character and charm of yesteryear, and is the largest inland paddle wheeler in the southern hemisphere. Catering for just 120 passengers, she brings the unique advantages of small ship cruising to the remarkable setting of Australia’s outback.
Don't be fooled by most modern-day imitation paddle wheelers (where the paddle is often on the side and just for show). The PS Murray Princess is an authentic paddle wheeler, propelled by its massive stern wheel. The onboard atmosphere is relaxed and informal by style. The lounge features a majestic view of the paddlewheel in action through the two-story viewing window. Upper and lower lounge areas are accessed by the classic brass and mahogany-style spiral staircase.
The PS Murray Princess cruises between Mannum, Murray Bridge, and Salter's Station down the Murray River. The wetlands in this area provide essential breeding and feeding habitats for many species of waterbirds, fish, invertebrates, and plants, meaning that you'll see the wonderful wildlife in this outback setting.
The PS Murray Princess has 5 passenger decks; Sturt, Randell, Cadell, Chaffey (named after the Murray River's great pioneers), plus the Sun Deck.
Single Supplement: There is a single supplement available on checkout. Please ensure if you are upgrading to an Oceanview Cabin and are travelling as a SINGLE that you choose the 'Oceanview Cabin Single Traveller' option under ADD ON's for $3100.
Travel Insurance: We recommend Covermore travel insurance. To quote and book, please click HERE.
