4-Night Outback Heritage Cruise
Captain Cook Cruises offers 3 fantastic cruises along the Murray River, Victoria, Australia
This cruise takes you north on the great Murray River from the historic riverport of Mannum to Swan Reach. Experience the magic and majesty of the spectacular scenery, from towering cliffs to expansive wetlands. PS Murray Princess
Highlights
|
|
| Rates – 01 April 2013 to 31 March 2014 | ||||
| All rates in AUD per person | Inside Cabin | Outside Cabin | Stateroom | |
| Twin Share | $1,199 | $1,599 | $1,999 | |
| Sole Occupancy | $1,499 | $1,999 | $2,499 | |
| Triple Share | N/A | $1,279 | $1,599 | |
| Barossa Valley Tour | $145 | $145 | $145 | |
Extra Charges:
- Fuel Surcharge of AU$10 per person per night (under 3 years free of charge) payable onboard the vessel.
| Mannum South Australia | Departs | Returns |
| Boarding from 2.30pm | 4.30pm Monday | 9.00am Friday |
| Special cruise timetables operate on selected dates Coach transfer departs Quality Rockford Hotel Adelaide (164 Hindley St) Monday 2.00pm. Returns Quality Rockford Hotel Adelaide Friday 12.00 noon. Optional post-cruise Barossa Valley tour returns Adelaide 5.30pm | ||
 |
Sample Itinerary:
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 River View Lodge (downriver of Piggy Flat), 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. (Their on-board entertainer provides music for the night owls.)
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 Big Bend where you will rendezvous with their 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 our overnight anchorage. Tonight is fancy dress night on board. (Bring your own or hire one.) They also have their famous musical quiz.
Wednesday: 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. You’ll arrive at Sunnydale. All ashore for the Woolshed Sound & Light Show as they recreate typical Australian woolshed history. Later you 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 them on a nocturnal eco-tour by tractor and cart.
Thursday: After breakfast the ship cruises slowly downstream past magnificent cliffs scoured by the river over millions of years. You’ll 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.You return to the ship to cruise downriver to Younghusband. Along the way, adventure seekers can also take a speed boat ride. You’ll 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. Dress up and dance, if you wish.
Friday: After breakfast, PS Murray Princess arrives at Mannum where you will 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 where you will be transferred directly to your Barossa Valley tour at Williamstown. The tour includes three premium wineries, lunch and free time in Tanunda before returning to Adelaide at 5.30pm.