25% OFF SALE! Outback Explorer Cruise on the Murray Princess

Special Travel at 60 savings on 12 August 2024 departure
  • history
    DURATION
    5 days, 4 nights
  • history
    DURATION DAYS
    5 days
  • history
    DURATION NIGHTS
    4 nights
  • calendar_month
    DEPARTS
    12 August 2024
  • calendar_month
    RETURNS
    16 August 2024
  • E​njoy the famous hospitality and warm family atmosphere aboard an iconic paddlewheeler
  • Includes wine tastings, wildlife encounters and an amazing itinerary of offshore tours
  • B​ook now for a special Travel at 60 fare on this August 2024 departure!

This Murray River itinerary is easily one of the most-loved Aussie adventures among our community of over-60 travellers.

Guests come back full of praise for the welcoming on-board atmosphere, the delicious dinners, and the crew who will go out of their way to make you feel like family.

This four-day northward journey will take you from the historic river port of Mannum to Blanchetown.

A​long the way you'll sample amazing food and wine, tour the pristine wilderness, encounter thriving wildlife (such as kangaroos and the 350 bird species that inhabit the riverlands), enjoy a good old Aussie BBQ by the river, and so much more.

Photos

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Your cruise at a glance

Inclusions/Exclusions

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  • All meals (table d’hote and a la carte menus)
  • An exciting selection of onshore tours
  • Guided nature walks & eco-excursions
  • Onboard presentations
  • Live entertainment

Cruise Highlights:

  • Depart historic Mannum
  • Cruise through Lock #1 at Blanchetown
  • Visit the cellar door at Burk Salter Boutique Winery
  • Take a walking tour of the Swan Reach township and visit the Swan Reach Museum (Gold coin donation at entry)
  • See the towering sandstone cliffs at the Big Bend
  • Watch the Sunnydale Woolshed Show & go to the Native Wildlife Shelter
  • Enjoy a riverside Aussie Barbecue
  • Go on a Nocturnal Tour in a comfortable purpose built cart where you may see kangaroos, wombats, foxes, bats and owls (optional - extra cost)
  • Enjoy a Bush Tucker Breakfast (optional - extra cost)
  • Explore the Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve archaeological sites with an expert local guide*
  • Delight in a scenic tender boat ride
  • Optional Barossa Wine and Heritage Tour at conclusion of cruise (optional - extra cost)

While on board, you'll enjoy...

  • Relaxing in one of the two lounges, with spectacular scenery views
  • Hanging out on the Sun Deck at the top of the vessel
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Delicious a la carte lunches
  • Dining each evening with fellow passengers
  • Onboard entertainment
Your fare excludes:
  • R​eturn coach transfers are available at an additional cost - $110 per person
  • T​ravel insurance
  • A​irfares to and from Adelaide
  • Onboard drinks, optional tours and services and any personal purchases aboard the Murray Princess.

Itinerary

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Monday

Mid-afternoon the 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.

Tuesday

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 teh river’s 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”.

Wednesday

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.

Optional tour: Sunnydale Nocturnal Tour. Additional cost and bookings can be made on board through your Guest Services Attendant.

Thursday

After an optional early morning Bush Tucker Breakfast* or 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 your fellow guests for a delicious final night dinner and enjoy the evening entertainment.

*Optional tour: Bush Tucker Breakfast. Additional cost and bookings can be made on board through your Guest Services Attendant.

Friday

We leave Younghusband and head back to Mannum. After breakfast we reluctantly say farewell as we arrive at theMannum Wharf.

Post-Cruise Optional tour: Barossa Wine and Heritage Tour. Pre-bookings are essential, additional cost.

This is a sample itinerary only and is subject to change dueto weather, water levels and other operational requirements.Murray Princess reserves the right to amend itinerariesand tours without notice.

Dates and Prices

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Book with Travel at 60 to save 25%, 4 Night Cruise - 12 August 2024 only

Twin share cabin prices:

  • Inside Cabin 2 x Single Beds Usually $1,749pp, NOW $1,311.75pp
  • Inside Cabin 1 x Double Bed Usually $1,869pp, NOW $1,401.75pp
  • Outside Cabin 2 x Single Beds Usually $2,349pp, NOW $1,761.75pp
  • Outside Cabin 1 x Double Bed Usually $2,469pp, NOW $1,851.75pp

Sole use cabin prices:

  • Inside Cabin 2 x Single Beds Usually $2,536, NOW $1,902pp
  • Inside Cabin 1 x Double Bed Usually $2,776, NOW $2,082pp
  • Outside Cabin 2 x Single Beds Usually $3,406, NOW $2,554.50pp
  • Outside Cabin 1 x Double Bed Usually $3,646, NOW $2,734.50pp

*All Fares are subject to availability at time of booking. A select number of cabins have been set aside for this special fare and once these cabins have been sold, prices revert to Standard Fares.

Accommodation

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The lounge features a majestic view of the paddlewheel in action through the two story vewing window.

The PS Murray Princess

The PS Murray Princess is a true inland paddle-wheeler built for the Murray River, with a character and charm of yesteryear. It 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 which is 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 along 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.

Outside Cabin:

Outside cabins are located on Randell and Cadell Decks and the majority of these cabins have twin bedding with limited double bedded cabins available. Each outside cabin opens onto the outside deck walkway with picture windows to view the passing scenery.

Inside Cabin:

Inside cabins are located on the lower Chaffey Deck and open onto a wide inside passageway. Inside cabins offer twin bedding with limited double bedded cabins available and have portholes facing the outside. Inside Cabins are accessed via stairs, there is no lift access to this deck.

FAQs

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Private car transfers are available from and to Adelaide CBD as well as return to the Adelaide Airport. Additional charges apply and pre-bookings are essential 

Adelaide Coach Transfers: Additional Cost & Bookings are essential. Adelaide coach transfers to Mannum on selected Mondays & Fridays at the following locations and times:

  • Adelaide Central Bus Station 85 Franklin Street, Adelaide Pick-up at 1.20pm
  • H​ilton Adelaide 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide Pick-up at 1.30pm
  • Majestic Roof Garden Hotel 55 Frome Street, Adelaide Pick-up at 1.35pm
  • C​rowne Plaza Adelaide 27 Frome Street, Adelaide Pick-up at 1.35pm
  • Stamford Plaza Adelaide 150 North Terrace, Adelaide Pick-up at 1.45pm
  • The Terrace Hotel Adelaide 208 South Terrace, Adelaide Pick-up at 2.00pm

The return arrival time to Adelaide on Monday and Friday is approximately 11am to 11:30am and an option to be transferred to Adelaide Airport is available – please note pre-bookings are essential.

C​ar Parking: Car Parking is available at an additional cost - $15 per vehicle, per day. Car parking is available at Mannum and is subject to availability, pre-bookings are essential. Please Note: We are unable to accommodate caravans or motorhomes in our parking facilities.

T&Cs

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