CRUISE ITINERARY:

Day 1: Fly to Adelaide and overnight at the Mercure Grosvenor Adelaide Hotel

Day 2 Sunday (Supper)
Make your way to the Adelaide Bus Station for your coach transfer to Murray Bridge.
Your five night cruise departs from Murray Bridge just 1 hour from Adelaide, where you will be welcomed aboard by the friendly Proud Mary crew. Enjoy a buffet supper at approximately 8:00pm as you cruise this evening and the Proud Mary’s powerful floodlights illuminate the shore. It is a perfect opportunity to view the nocturnal animals of Australia in their natural habitat. Later the Proud Mary ties up for the night at Woodlane.

Day 3 Monday (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Your cruise continues upstream as you breakfast on a delicious buffet before a mid-morning Proud Mary arrival in picturesque Mannum, the birthplace of the river boat trade. Here you may board the waiting coach for an interesting tour of the Historic Mannum. Your guide will provide you with information. Lunch will be served aboard the Proud Mary as you cruise upstream to Walkers Flat. This evening is “Australiana Night” featuring typically Australian dishes. Followed by a guided Nocturnal Discover Tour, an insight into abundant wildlife including the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat.

Day 4 Tuesday (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast the Proud Mary cruises further upstream. In the afternoon arrive Swan Reach and board your waiting coach for a tour to Costa Brothers Almond Farm. Discover how this state of the art almond farm uses water-recycling technology to limit its direct impact on the river system and help secure the diverse ecosystem of the river. Also visit the Swan Reach Museum which is housed in the original school building that was built in 1917. Your cruise this evening takes you to Moorundie Creek, named after the Aboriginal tribe that lived there. The Proud Mary moors overnight on a beautiful beach amongst towering River Red Gums

Day 5 Wednesday (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
You will wake this morning in one of the most unspoilt and picturesque areas of the River Murray. You will be taken on an environmental discovery walk of Moorundie Creek, even today you will see evidence of an ancient Aboriginal civilisation – a huge canoe tree still stands. A highlight of your cruise is a guided cruise lead by an ecologist aboard a small boat through the lagoons and inlets of Big Bend. This evening there is a traditional Australian barbeque on shore followed by live Aussie entertainment around a blazing campfire.

Day 6 Thursday (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
This morning, the Proud Mary continues downstream through some of the most spectacular scenery on the entire River Murray system. We arrive at Ngaut Ngaut – a historical Aboriginal site.
Here with your Aboriginal tour guide you will discover carvings and paintings on cliff faces made 3,000 to 20,000 years ago. Late afternoon arrive in Mannum for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a formal Captain’s Dinner.

Day 7 Friday (Breakfast, Lunch)
Following breakfast the Proud Mary departs once more. Mid morning arrive Woodlane and board the waiting coach for a tour to the Reedy Creek Environment tour. You will be joined by your guide for a tour of this fascinating area. Discover this permanent watercourse from waterfalls, through swamps and wetlands. Reedy Creek and the waterfalls played a significant part in the lives of the ancient Nganguruku and Ngaralta Aboriginal Tribes. Today, lunch is a superb buffet prepared with fresh local produce. This afternoon there will be more spectacular scenery before the vessel ties up once more in Murray Bridge, the Captain and crew bid farewell to guests and new-found friends before disembarkation at 4.00pm.
From Murray Bridge return to Adelaide via coach transfers.
ADELAIDE 1 NIGHT Adelaide at the Mercure Grosvenor Adelaide Hotel (Superior Room Only)

Day 8 Saturday (Lunch)
Departs 6:45am (Day 1) from Adelaide Central Bus Station or selected Adelaide Hotels
Take a guided walk on the beach among a colony of rare and wild Australian sea lions with a National Parks Ranger at Seal Bay Conservation Park. Get up close and see these wild creatures frolic and laze about – a truly amazing and unforgettable experience.
Enjoy a delicious 2-course lunch at the Parndana Hotel before visiting the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park to feed some kangaroos and get up close to the Kangaroo Island Koalas while listening to the Keeper talk about the cuddly mammals. There is a photo opportunity to hold a Koala for an additional cost.
Spend the afternoon in the Flinders Chase National Park, which was devastated in the worst fire to ever hit the island in January 2020. You’ll see that the regeneration of the native bush occurs so quickly after the event and there will be many opportunities to take photos. As you travel through the park, keep an eye out for echidnas, wallabies, reptiles, and koalas.
See the rugged coastline from walks around Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. Remarkable Rocks provide great photographic opportunities, and the Admirals Arch boardwalk takes you down a rugged cliff face to reveal the spectacular rock archway, a natural nursery and safe haven for playful Long-nosed Fur Seals. There is also a possibility to see more kangaroos and wallabies on your way to your chosen overnight accommodation.
KANGAROO ISLAND 1 NIGHT Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Room with Breakfast

Day 9 Sunday (Breakfast, Lunch)
Start your morning with a hearty buffet breakfast before heading off on day 2 of your tour. Your local guide will introduce you to some of the island’s leading creators where you will taste some local Kangaroo Island produce and wildlife
See the amazing Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain. The “In-Flight” Birds of Prey display is the only one in South Australia and is said by many to be the most interactive display of its kind in Australia!
Next, travel to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery for a delicious 2-course lunch followed by a talk about their history and a guided tour of the oil distillery. You’ll then have free time to peruse their souvenir shop where you will find an assortment of Eucalyptus products and a great range of gifts. Then visit Clifford’s Honey Farm shop where you can see a working beehive and find out about the Ligurian honey bees. Here you’ll be able to taste different varieties of pure Kangaroo Island Ligurian honey and sample their honey beauty products.
In the afternoon, stop at Kangaroo Island Spirits for a structured tasting. Known as ‘KIS’, the company is Kangaroo Island’s only boutique distillery and their award-winning Gin, Vodka and Liqueurs (which you’ll get to try) are all produced on the premises.
Our final stop for the day is the new False Cape Wines cellar door, where you’ll enjoy taking in the views of idyllic bushland and vineyard surrounds. Here you’ll enjoy a tasting of their premium Kangaroo Island wines.
Your tours ends at the Penneshaw Hotel where you have ample time for dinner (own expense) before returning to the Penneshaw Ferry Terminal for your return ferry and coach transfer back to Adelaide.
Returns 10:40pm (Day 2) to Adelaide Central Bus Station or selected Adelaide Hotels
ADELAIDE 1 NIGHT Adelaide at the Mercure Grosvenor Adelaide Hotel (Superior Room Only)

Day 10: Check out of hotel and make your own way to the airport to fly home.

Please note: The day by day descriptions published are intended as an indicative guide only. Travel by nature is unpredictable. Weather patterns, ocean or 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.