Murray River Fact Sheet

Murray River

Fact Sheet

Discover the hauntingly beautiful and dramatic South Australian outback, its unique flora and fauna, the rich legacy of old riverside ports and indigenous culture aboard the paddlewheeler Murray Princess.

Captain Cook Cruises offers a unique historic and nature-based adventure, past ancient red gum forests and mallee scrub, through towering gorges and ochre- coloured limestone cliffs. Along the way visit historic ports and lush vineyards as we navigate the Murray’s big river bends. Hike around a boardwalk trail or join a guided nature walk. Take a small boat safari, visit a riverside village and enjoy all the fun of a riverside barbeque. Sample some of the local produce at the cellar door, or take your camera and catch some memorable scenes of the abundant birdlife. Extend your cruise with an optional full day tour of Australia’s richest and best known wine making regions - the Barossa Valley.

Cruise Inclusions • All meals (buffet and a la carte) • An exciting selection of shore-side tours • Guided nature walks & eco-excursions • Onboard presentations • Use of spa & sauna • Captains Dinner & Cocktail Party • Live entertainment • 24 hour self-service tea & coffee bar • Complimentary scenic coach transfers from Adelaide or car- parking in Mannum. Fares exclude drinks, optional tours & services.

• 3, 4 & 7-Night cruises every week • Nature based adventure with expert local guides • Cruise Bonus Features aboard an authentic working paddlewheeler • 2 lounges with spectacular two-story windows • Choice of 3 accommodation levels • Visit historic ports & lush vineyards • Ancient gorges & big river bends • Australian crew with a wealth of local knowledge • Buffet and a la carte dining • Purpose built woolshed in a remote river setting • Fantastic value Solo Sailor fares for single travellers • Barossa Valley Tour (optional)

Facilities Spa, sauna, gym, sun deck, bar, two lounges, single-sitting dining saloon, speed boat, gift shop, library, video, DVD, lift (Randell, Cadell & Sturt Decks only), guest laundry, 24-hr tea/coffee facilities

Accommodation 60 cabins and staterooms each with private bathroom ensuite, air-conditioning, electric blankets, soaps, shampoo and towels; serviced daily. Each cabin is approximately 12 sq metres. Staterooms (6) open onto the outside deck and have a fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. All staterooms have a double bed. Outside Cabins (45) open onto the outside deck and have picture windows. Inside Cabins (9) open onto an inside passageway and have portholes facing the outside.

Dining Dining aboard Murray Princess includes delicious table d'hote menus, Captain's Dinner & buffet dining. Breakfasts are buffet.

Adelaide Coach Transfers & Mannum Car Parking: Complimentary coach transfers depart Adelaide Mon/Fri 1.30pm Central Bus Station (85 Franklin St), 1.45pm Stamford Plaza (150 North Terrace) and 2.00pm Mercure Grosvenor Hotel (125 North Terrace) and return Fri/Mon 12 noon-12.30pm. Complimentary car parking is also available at Mannum subject to availability – bookings essential.

3 Night – Wetlands Discovery Cruise: A short introduction to the beautiful and historic Murray River between Walkers Flat and Murray Bridge. Aboard the paddlewheeler PS Murray Princess, you will cruise through spectacular river lands and enjoy the great variety of flora and fauna. You will take a nature walk, a backwater wildlife tour by small vessel, visit the township of Murray Bridge, and learn about the food & wine of this famous region. Cruise departs Mannum Friday 4.30pm. Returns Mannum Monday 9.00am. Coach Transfer depart Adelaide Friday 1.30pm Central Bus Station (85 Franklin St), 1.45pm Stamford Plaza (150 North Terrace) & 2.00pm Mercure Grosvenor Hotel (125 North Terrace). Return Mon 12.00noon-12.30pm. Optional Post-cruise Barossa Valley tour returns Adelaide 5.30pm

4 Night – Outback Heritage Cruise: This cruise takes you north on the great Murray River from the historic riverport of Mannum to Blanchetown. Experience the magic and majesty of the spectacular scenery, from towering cliffs to expansive farmlands. Along the way you’ll see a great variety of Australian wildlife, including kangaroos and many of about 350 bird species that inhabit the riverlands. Highlights include a visit to a vineyard and wine-tasting at the cellar door, visit a typical Australian farm, woolshed & wildlife shelter, enjoy an Aussie barbecue beside the river and an aboriginal archaeological site. Cruise departs Mannum Monday 4.30pm. Returns Mannum Friday 9.00am. Coach Transfer depart Adelaide Monday 1.30pm Central Bus Station (85 Franklin St), 1.45pm Stamford Plaza (150 North Terrace) & 2.00pm Mercure Grosvenor Hotel (125 North Terrace). Return Fri 12.00noon-12.30pm. Optional Post-cruise Barossa Valley tour returns Adelaide 5.30pm.

7-Night – Murraylands & Wildlife Cruise including the Barossa Valley: Cruise 320kms of the breathtaking riverlands of South Australia along the Murray River between Blanchetown and Murray Bridge. On the grand paddlewheeler, PS Murray Princess, you will experience the great variety of sights and sounds of river life, the majesty of its ever-changing landscape, visit historic places and indigenous sites, enjoy a woolshed and station experience, and follow the region’s food and wine trail, including a visit to the famed Barossa Valley and its wineries. Cruise departs Mannum Mon & Fri 4.30pm. Returns Mannum Mon & Fri 9.00am. Coach Transfer departs Adelaide Mon/Fri 1.30pm Central Bus Station (85 Franklin St), 1.45pm Stamford Plaza (150 North Terrace) & 2.00pm Mercure Grosvenor Hotel (125 North Terrace). Return Mon/Fri 12.00-12.30pm.

* Sample itineraries subject to change due to weather, water levels and other operational requirements. Captain Cook Cruises reserves the right to amend itineraries and tours without notice. As at Jul14.

Murray River

7-Night – Murraylands & Wildlife Cruise including the Barossa Valley - Every Fri & Mon

Cruise departs Mannum Monday & Friday 4.30pm. Returns Mannum Mon & Fri 9.00am

Coach Transfers: Complimentary coach transfers depart Adelaide Mon/Fri 1.30pm Central Bus Station (85 Franklin St), 1.45pm Stamford Plaza (150 North Terrace) and 2.00pm Mercure Grosvenor Hotel (125 North Terrace) and return Fri/Mon 12 noon-12.30pm.

The following itinerary is based on a Friday departure. For Monday departures please reverse order of itinerary starting on Mon afternoon with the Barossa Valley Tour offered on Friday.

Friday: Mid-afternoon the PS Murray Princess departs historic Mannum, birthplace of the Murray River trade and communication, and heads downriver while you enjoy pre-dinner drinks and a Welcome Dinner. As we cruise under floodlight to our overnight mooring at Mundarra you may see nocturnal wildlife on the riverbank. Watch for grey kangaroos, hairy-nosed wombats, Murray longnecked tortoises, spoon-beaked egrets and many other species. Our onboard entertainer provides music for the night owls.

Saturday: In 1879 the first bridge to span the Murray River was built at Edwards Crossing, which quickly became the bustling township of Murray Bridge. After a hearty breakfast, join a guided tour of the town’s historic landmarks and local attractions. This afternoon we begin our journey upriver. Tonight we moor at Craignook, where after dinner you can enjoy being entertained by our talented crew.

Sunday: All ashore for the guided nature walk where your guide will share the secrets of the local flora and fauna. It’s a great way to get in a little exercise before Murray Princess departs for the big river gorges and 90 metre cliffs of the upper river. Mid morning join us in the Sturt Dining room for a special presentation on the bounty of food and wine produced in the riverlands. At the 205km mark we turn and head downriver to River View Lodge where your discovery vessel awaits for a backwater 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. The afternoon offers a choice of bocce or fishing challenges before joining the Captain and Officers for pre-dinner drinks and the Captain's Dinner and Dance.

Monday: After breakfast, PS Murray Princess arrives at Mannum where you will join our coach tour to the famous Barossa Valley, the beautiful ‘valley of the vine’ and source of about a quarter of Australia’s world-renowned wines. You’ll visit two premium wineries and enjoy lunch before returning to your ship at Mannum. Depart 4.30pm and moor overnight at Caurnamont.

Tuesday: Daybreak and time for the keen photographers to be out to capture the special light and the morning movement of wildlife. Prolific birdlife includes pelicans, blue wrens and black 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 near Salters Station for our overnight anchorage. As the last rays of the sun fade, we join a guided tour of Burk Salter’s vineyard on the banks of the river and enjoy wine tasting at his cellar door. Tonight enjoy all the fun and excitement of the Murray River Cup.

Wednesday: After breakfast we cruise down river to picturesque Swan Reach. The town was first settled in the 1850s and 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. Join the guided walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum – a must for every visitor. Cruise downriver after lunch and take in the tranquillity as the landscape slides by or enjoy a lifestyle and info-cruising presentation. We arrive at Sunnydale. 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 by tractor and cart is available after dinner.

Thursday: After breakfast the ship cruises slowly downstream 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 to view ancient rock carvings and to learn about aboriginal history in the area. We return to the ship to cruise downriver to Younghusband. Along the way, adventure seekers can also take a speed boat ride. Tonight the Captain and his officers host a spectacular Farewell Captain’s Buffet. Dress up and dance, if you wish.

Friday: We leave Younghusband & head home to Mannum. Reluctantly, we farewell at Mannum Wharf.

Murray River

4-Night – Outback Heritage Cruise – Every Monday

Cruise departs Mannum Monday 4.30pm. Returns Mannum Friday 9.00am

Coach Transfers Complimentary coach transfers depart Adelaide Mon 1.30pm Central Bus Station (85 Franklin St), 1.45pm Stamford Plaza (150 North Terrace) and 2.00pm Mercure Grosvenor Hotel (125 North Terrace) & return Fri 12 noon-12.30pm.

Monday: Mid-afternoon the PS Murray Princess departs historic Mannum, birthplace of the Murray River trade and communication, and heads upriver while you enjoy pre-dinner drinks and a Welcome Dinner. As we cruise under floodlight to our overnight mooring at Caurnamont you may see nocturnal wildlife on the riverbank. Watch for grey kangaroos, hair-nosed wombats, Murray longnecked tortoises, spoon-beaked egrets and many other species. Our onboard entertainer provides music for the night owls.

Wednesday: After breakfast cruise downriver to picturesque Swan Reach. The town was first settled in the 1850s and 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. Join the guided walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum – a must for every visitor. Cruise downriver after lunch and take in the tranquillity as the landscape slides. We arrive at Sunnydale. 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 by tractor and cart is available after dinner.

Friday: After breakfast, PS Murray Princess arrives at Mannum where we reluctantly say farewell.

Optional Barossa Valley Tour (additional cost) Discover Australia’s richest and best known wine making region – the Barossa Valley. Depart Mannum by coach. The tour includes two premium wineries, lunch and free time in Tanunda before returning directly to Adelaide approx 5.30pm.

Murray River

3-Night - Discovery Cruise - Every Friday

Cruise departs Mannum Friday 4.30pm. Returns Mannum Monday 9.00am

Coach Transfers Complimentary coach transfers depart Adelaide Fri 1.30pm Central Bus Station (85 Franklin St), 1.45pm Stamford Plaza (150 North Terrace) and 2.00pm Mercure Grosvenor Hotel (125 North Terrace) & return Mon 12 noon-12.30pm

Sunday: All ashore for the guided nature walk where your guide will share the secrets of the local flora and fauna. It’s a great way to get in a little exercise before Murray Princess departs for the big river gorges and 90 metre cliffs of the upper river. Mid morning join us in the Sturt Dining room for a special presentation on the bounty of food and wine produced in the riverlands. At the 205km mark we turn and head downriver to River View Lodge where your discovery vessel awaits for a backwater 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. During the afternoon also join the bocce or fishing challenge. This evening join the Captain and Officers for pre-dinner drinks and the finale Captain's Dinner and Dance.

Monday: After breakfast, PS Murray Princess arrives at Mannum where we reluctantly say farewell.

Optional Barossa Valley Tour (additional cost) Discover Australia’s richest and best known wine making region – the Barossa Valley. Depart Mannum by coach the tour includes two premium wineries and a picnic lunch in picturesque surroundings before returning Adelaide approx 5.30pm.

Murray River

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