7 Night Murraylands & Wildlife Cruise

There's no better way to see the Murray River and a slice of the hauntingly beautiful and dramatic Australian outback, than on this 7 day cruise from Captain Cook Cruises. See unique flora and fauna, and the rich legacy of old riverside ports and indigenous culture.

Captain Cook Cruises offers a unique historic and nature-based adventure, and an authentic paddlewheel experience, through some of the driest parts of South Australia. Pass mallee scrub and ancient red gum forests, through towering gorges and ochre-coloured limestone cliffs. Along the way visit historic ports and lush vineyards as the PS Murray Princess navigates the Murray's locks and big river bends.

You can hike around a boardwalk trail or take a guided nature walk. Take a small boat safari of the pristine wetlands, visit a riverside village, or take a nocturnal eco-tour before a riverside barbeque. Sample some of the local produce at the cellar door, or take a camera and catch some memorable scenes of the abundant birdlife. You can also choose to extend your cruise with an optional full day tour of Australia's richest and best known wine making regions - the Barossa Valley.

Itinerary

Day 1: 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. Cruise under floodlight to the overnight mooring at Craignook, where 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.

Day 2: Go ashore after a hearty breakfast for a guided nature walk to discover the local flora and fauna. Reboard and head upriver, past big river cliffs which tower 90 metres above the water, and an ever-changing countryside. At the 207km mark, turn and head downriver to Piggy Flat where you'll join the discovery vessel for a backwater wildlife tour. Travelling in small, personalised groups, explore the maze of backwaters, creeks and lagoons. The birdlife is amazing. Watch for darters, herons and egrets feeding along the river's muddy edges. After dinner enjoy the fun and excitement of the Murray River Cup.

Day 3: Bring your camera, as you are going ashore to capture the dawn light, a special time on the river. As you leave Piggy Flat breakfast is served. Enjoy a morning talk about the riverlands' bountiful food and wine trail. After lunch, reach the Pomberuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Murray Bridge. The river has been a source of life for indigenous people of the riverlands, including Australia's largest aboriginal community, the Ngarrindjeri people. Visit the Pomberuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre where you will be treated to a dramatic dance performance and encounter, Ngurunderi - an ancestral being, whose battle with the Murray Cod created the Ngarrindjeri world. Your ship departs for Mundarra. Join the Captain and officers for pre-dinner drinks and then the Captain's Dinner & Dance.

Day 4: After breakfast, PS Murray Princess arrives at Mannum where you will join a 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 three premium wineries and enjoy lunch before returning to your ship at Mannum. Depart 4.30pm and moor overnight at Caurnamont.

Day 5: 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 Big Bend where you will rendezvous with the vineyard coach tour. This afternoon visit Burk Salter's vineyard on the banks of the river and enjoy wine tasting at the cellar door. Rejoin Murray Princess at Swan Reach and cruise upriver to the overnight anchorage. Tonight is fancy dress night on board. (Bring your own or hire one.) Also enjoy the musical quiz.

Day 6: After breakfast join a guided nature walk, then cruise downriver to Swan Reach. The town was first settled in the 1850s and was originally the largest of five sheep and cattle stations in the area. The original Swan Reach homestead is now the Swan Reach Hotel. Join the guided walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum. Cruise downriver after lunch and take in the tranquillity as the landscape slides by or enjoy a lifestyle and info-cruising presentation. Arrive at Sunnydale. All ashore for the Woolshed Sound & Light Show. Later, 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, join the nocturnal eco-tour by tractor and cart.

Day 7: After breakfast the ship cruises slowly downstream past magnificent cliffs scoured by the river over millions of years. 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. Return to the ship to cruise downriver to Younghusband. Along the way, adventure seekers can also take a speed boat ride. Pass large billabongs, open expanses of water, surrounded by cliffs and reeds. Tonight the Captain and his officers host a spectacular Farewell Captain's Buffet.

Day 8: Leave Younghusband & head home to Mannum.

Accommodation

All 60 cabins and staterooms are approximately 12 square metres in size.

All Cabins Feature: Private bathroom ensuite Air conditioning Electric blankets Soap Shampoo Towels Serviced daily

Stateroom: (4) Located on Randell & Cadell Decks, all open onto the outside deck. Feature a fridge and tea & coffee making facilities. Bedding is 1 Double Bed + 1 Single Bed.

Outside Cabin: (47) Located on Randell and Cadell Decks, all open onto the outside deck with picture windows. Bedding is 2 Single Beds OR 1 Double Bed + 1 Single Bed.

Inside Cabins: (9) Located on Chaffey Deck, all open onto an inside passageway with portholes. Bedding is 2 Single Beds OR 1 Double Bed.

Dining

Dining aboard Murray Princess includes delicious table d'hote menus, Captain's Dinner and buffet dining with a special campfire barbeque. Breakfasts are buffet style. The Dining saloon is designed to accommodate all passengers at a single sitting.

Vessel Details

Tonnage 1500 tonnes Length 67 metres Beam 15 metres Draft 1.2 metres Speed 6 knots

Facilities

2 Spas 2 Saunas Sun deck 2 Bars 2 Lounges Single seating dining saloon Speed boat Gift shop Library & video Lift Guest laundry 24 hour tea & coffee facilities

Highlights

Total Murraylands and wildlife experience Captain's Dinner and Seafood Buffet Bonus Barossa Valley tour and wine tastings Free Barossa Valley tour Backwater wildlife boat tour Vineyard & cellar door tasting

Inclusions

Shipboard accommodation All meals Onboard facilities Aboriginal archaeological tour Nature walks and speedboat rides Barossa Valley tour Complimentary return coach transfers are available from/to the Quality Rockford Hotel Adelaide if booked in advance

Additional Information

Children: 2 years and under are free of charge. Children 3 years and older are charged at the adult rate
Excludes: Drinks, optional tours, personal purchases and fuel surcharges
What to Bring: Soft soles shoes for walking, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, smart casual clothing
Cancellation Fees: Apply to bookings cancelled inside 60 days of travel
Operated By: Captain Cook Cruises