Murray River Princess Tour 2025

• Day 1: Sunday, 31 August — Launceston to Adelaide

  Today marks the first day of your journey to experience the Murray River Princess Cruise.

  We will depart Launceston for Adelaide. Upon our arrival we will meet our coach and make our way out to the Barossa Valley. We will enjoy the sights of the local area and spend our first night of the tour in Tanunda with a Welcome dinner at the hotel.

  Meals included: Dinner

• Day 2: Monday, 1 September — Barossa Valley to Mannum

  We check out of our accommodation and make our way to Mannum.

  Along the way we make a stop to explore a Merino Stud in Anlaby. Established in 1839, Anlaby is proud to be South Australia’s oldest merino stud and one of the great South Australian heritage properties. Onsite we will enjoy guided tours of the Anlaby gardens and the homestead whilst stopping to have lunch at the stud.

  We continue our travel and arrive for check in mid-afternoon aboard the PS Murray Princess, which departs the historic town, 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. The onboard entertainer provides music for the night owls.

  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Day 3: Tuesday, 2 September — Murray River Outback Heritage Cruise

  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 that maintain the flow and levels of water.

  This afternoon we moor opposite 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.

  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Day 4: Wednesday, 3 September — Murray River Outback Heritage Cruise

  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 (own expense). 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. Catch up with friends over a coffee or drink whilst enjoying the magnificent scenery.

  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.

  A Nocturnal Tour in a comfortable purpose-built cart is available after dinner where you may see kangaroos, wombats, foxes, bats, and owls by powerful spotlights. Special stops along the way are included to view the spectacular night sky which is part of the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve.

  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Day 5: Thursday, 4 September — Murray River Outback Heritage Cruise

  After an optional Bush Tucker Breakfast or a bush walk with the captain, we slowly cruise 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 passengers for a delicious dinner in the Sturt Dining Room followed by an evening of entertainment.

  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Day 6: Friday, 5 September — Murray River Outback Heritage Cruise to Adelaide Hills

  We leave Younghusband and head back to Mannum. After breakfast, we say farewell as we arrive at the Mannum Wharf to disembark the cruise.

  After the cruise we take a tour through the Adelaide Hills to the Ceders for a site tour and High Tea. We visit The Cedars, and step back in time to the 1920’s, enjoy a guided tour before treating ourselves to high tea and exploring the gardens. We continue our travels through to Glenelg in Adelaide where we will spend our final night and celebrate a wonderful adventure with a farewell dinner at the hotel.

  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Day 7: Saturday, 6 September — Adelaide to Launceston

  We have breakfast and check out before making our way to Adelaide Airport for our flight home to Launceston. You will be collected by a McDermotts Coach and transferred back to your pickup point.
  

  Meals included: Breakfast

Tour Highlights

• Murray River Cruise
• Exploring the Barossa Valley
• Anlaby Merino Stud
• On board entertainment
• Burk Salter Boutique Winery
• Swan Reach Museum
• Woolshed Show
• Native Wildlife Shelter
• Sturt Dining Room
• Adelaide Hills