ITINERARY:

Day 1 – Friday: Arrive Adelaide
Arrive in Adelaide and make your own way to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring the “City of Churches” or the “Festival City” as it’s known.

Day 2 – Saturday: Adelaide
It’s a free day in Adelaide to explore the great city at your leisure.

Day 3 – Sunday: Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine & Sightseeing Tour
Your Adelaide sightseeing tour starts with hotel pickup by mini-coach, 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 mini-coach 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.

Day 4 – Monday: Board Murray Princess Cruise (Dinner)
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.

Day 5 – Tuesday: River Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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”.

Day 6 – Wednesday: River Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast, cruise downriver to picturesque Swan Reach. The town, first settled in the 1850’s, 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 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.
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.

Day 7 – Thursday: River Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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.

Day 8 – Friday: Disembark River Cruise, Depart Adelaide (Breakfast)
We leave Younghusband and head back to Mannum. After breakfast we reluctantly say farewell as we arrive at the Mannum Wharf. Travel by coach back to Adelaide CBD and catch a taxi to the airport for your departure flight. As the journey ends, the fond memories begin!

Please note: The day by day descriptions published are intended as an indicative guide only. Travel by nature is unpredictable. Weather patterns, river conditions, public holidays, travel restrictions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard.