Murray River Cruise: 7 Night Upper Murraylands

A late morning flight to Adelaide before we make our way to Mannum. Mid-afternoon the PS Murray Princess departs historic Mannum, 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.

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. This morning, your 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, join us in the Sturt Dining Room for a special presentation on the bounty of food and wine produced in the Riverland. Tonight, sit back and enjoy being entertained by our on-board entertainer.

Continue cruising upriver this morning as we enjoy breakfast and pass through one of 13 locks which maintain the flow and levels of water. This morning enjoy some free time and, in the afternoon, join in the fun playing a few games of bingo. Late afternoon we secure the vessel at Morgan and after dinner, join the ‘Morgan By Night’ historic walk of the township

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, then at Banrock Station you will 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 securing at the 326km mark of the Murray River.

After breakfast, we continue upriver to our turnaround point, picturesque Hogwash Bend. Enjoy a leisurely lunch as we cruise downriver towards Morgan. Join a guided walk of the township and the Morgan Living History Museum, before continuing to our mooring at Blanchetown. 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”.

After breakfast cruise to picturesque Swan Reach. The town was first settled in the 1850s. Originally the largest of five sheep and cattle stations in the area it 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. Join a walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum. Cruise downriver after lunch and take 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. An optional Nocturnal Tour (additional cost) in is available after dinner where you may see kangaroos, wombats, foxes, bats, and owls by powerful spotlights

After an optional 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, join your fellow passengers for a delicious final night dinner and enjoy the evening entertainment.

We head back to Mannum and after breakfast, we reluctantly say farewell as we arrive at the Mannum Wharf. An afternoon flight back to Sydney where the shuttles are waiting to take you home.