Murray River Cruises (The Great Australian River Adventure)
Step aboard Murray Princess and experience the ultimate outback riverboat adventure on Australia's greatest river.
You'll explore a timeless landscape, observe fascinating native wildlife close at hand, visit historic river ports and ancient aboriginal sites. Join the fun of a traditional campfire barbecue, a guided riverbank walk and the elegant Captain's Dinner. Aboard Murray Princess you will combine a great Australian adventure with a love of good living - cruising in elegant style on a ship built for just 120 passengers.
World's
Fifth Largest River
The mighty Murray courses more than 3,000 kilometres across one
third of the Australian continent. From its source in the Snowy
Mountains of NSW, to the Southern Ocean near Adelaide, the Murray/Darling
Basin square kilometres of land.
An
Ancient Landscape
The scenery is some of the most ancient on earth - a place where
all the colours of Australia converge. Cruise through miles of
gorges, millions of years old. Discover golden sandstone cliffs
towering over blue-green lagoons, majestic red gum forests under
endless blue skies and green irrigated farmlands against red
desert plains.
Wildlife Oasis
The Murray is haven for over 350 species of birds. It's an outback
oasis for a myriad of fascinating wildlife including majestic
sulphur crested cockatoos, kangaroos, goannas, black swans, gentle
pelicans and the legendary Murray Cod.
Paddlesteamer
Heritage
A fundamental part of Australia's heritage was founded in the
proud paddlesteamer tradition. The Murray was the lifeline to
pioneers who lived on the driest continent on earth. Over 200
paddlesteamers plied the river day and night, negotiating hidden
reefs, massive sandbars and treacherous passages.
Murray's
Finest
Murray Princess is Australia's largest and most luxuriously
appointed paddlewheeler. She represents a new age in inland
cruising and an elegant recreation of a bygone era.
Ship
Indulgence
Murray princess was purpose built to offer an indulgent outback
river experience. Her graceful stern paddlewheel, antique mahogany
furnishings and spiral staircases, reflect the elegance of the
grand era of Murray River cruising. The lounges are spectacular
meeting areas, with floor to ceiling windows affording panoramic
views of the massive stern paddlewheel. The spacious upper decks
offer plenty of sunny and shady retreats to escape with a cool
drink and a good book. And for a total river adventure Murray
Princess also carries an onboard tender for exhilarating speed
boat rides through the "big bends."
Sumptuous
Dining
The Dining Room is a happy meeting place, where passengers and
Officers gather to share their day's adventures and enjoy the
camaraderie of the nightly entertainment over a sumptuous meal.
The Captain's Dinner is the gala event with dancing, entertainment
and romance under the stars into the wee small hours.
Warm
Friendly Atmosphere
The Ship's Officers have an intimate knowledge of the river, its
colourful legends and environment. Onboard you will come to
understand their passion for this spectacular waterway, in an
atmosphere of warm personalised service.
Adelaide
Gateway
Murray Princess cruises from Mannum, the birthplace of Murray
paddlesteamers, only 90 minutes from Adelaide and adjacent to the
Barossa Valley wine growing region. Each week she embarks on a
fascinating 170km journey upriver to the historic port of Morgan
and return.
Scroll down for the detailed itineraries for the ultimate outback riverboat adventures aboard the P. S. Murray Princess.
Your gateway for these cruises is Adelaide, so you will probably require accommodation in Adelaide before and after your cruise, as well as transfers to the departure point. We can arrange both.
Cruise
Passage
Murray Princess cruises are all inclusive of your shipboard accommodation,
dining, all onboard facilities, entry to Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park,
guided riverbank walks and presentations, speed boat rides, and 24 hour
tea and coffee. Your personal purchases, drinks, any optional tours you
may choose (e.g. Barossa Valley or Morgan), transfers and car parking are
additional. If you prefer to relax and leave the world behind, drinks can
be charged to your personal account. Murray Princess is also
"tip" and "port charges" free.
Features
Two spas, two saunas, two bars, two lounges, single sitting dining saloon,
sun deck, speed boat, lift, library, video, guest laundry, gift shop and
24 hour tea & coffee facilities.
Onboard
Activities
Relaxing on the Sun Deck can be interspersed with with a visit to the
ship's saunas and spas. Join the Captain for a fascinating tour of the
Wheelhouse. Learn the secrets of river navigation, passed down from
generation to generation of riverboat skippers. See skeletons and remnants
of paddlesteamers sprinkled generously along the banks of the Murray and
hear tales of river pioneers who have become colourful folk legends.
There's even a fancy dress night, shipboard games and plenty of fun in the
ship's roomy lounges and bars.
Dining
The Dining Saloon is designed to accommodate all passengers at a single
sitting. Breakfasts and Luncheons are buffet with free seating. There is
assigned seating for Dinner and the menu changes nightly including table
d'hote and smorgasbord dining plus a campfire barbecue on the Heritage
Cruise.
Accommodation
All 60 cabins and staterooms are situated on the outside, with private
bathroom ensuite, on/off air conditioning, electric blankets, soap,
shampoo and towels, serviced daily. Each cabin is approximately 120sq.ft.
-
Staterooms(6)
Located on Randell & Cadell Decks, all open onto the outside deck with complimentary champagne, flowers, fridge and tea & coffee making facilities. There are two (2) double bed staterooms, and four (4) family staterooms with a double bed and a single bed.
-
Outside Cabins (45) Located on Randell and Cadell Decks, all open onto the outside deck with generous picture windows. Forty (40) have two beds. Two (2) have a double bed and three (3) have a double bed and a single bed.
-
Inside Cabins (9) Located on Chaffey Deck, all open onto an inside passageway with portholes. Seven (7) have twin beds and two (2) have a double bed.
Disabled
Facilities
Four outside cabins have facilities for the physically challenged with
wheelchair access and hand rails, There is also a lift operating from
Randell Deck to Sturt Deck.
Cruise Itineraries
MURRAY RIVER CRUISE, 5 Nights
Sailing every Sunday 6:30pm from Mannum, Returning to Mannum Friday 9am.
Includes
all meals onboard. Transfers (additional cost) from Adelaide:
Coach departs Sun 4pm, returns Fri 12:30pm.
The ultimate outback riverboat adventure on Australia's greatest
river. You'll explore a timeless landscape, observe fascinating
native wildlife at close hand, visit historic river ports and
ancient aboriginal sites. Join the fun and a traditional
campfire barbecue, a guided riverbank walk and the elegant
Captain's dinner. The Murray River is a place where all the
colours of Australia converge. Cruise through miles of gorges,
millions of years old. Discover golden sandstone cliffs towering
over blue-green lagoons, majestic red gum forests under endless
blue skies and green irrigated farmlands against red desert
plains.
Day 1 Sun - Murray Heritage. Murray Princess sets sail for the ultimate riverboat adventure. On the Heritage Cruise you will come to know the mighty Murray in all its spectacular beauty and colourful lore. Tonight enjoy the welcome dinner as we cruise the nocturnal riverbanks under floodlight.
Day 2 Mon - Beautiful River Passage. Cruise along the river's most spectacular passage. Relax and experience the untamed spirit of the river as we cruise the mallee country, through breathtaking gorges and the big river bends, past Swan Reach to Moorundie. As night falls the ship's lights reveal the nocturnal river under a brilliant starlit sky.
Day 3 Tue - Locks, Vineyards & Historic Ports. The Murray's system of nine locks controls the massive flow of water down-river to the Southern Ocean. Murray Princess passes through Lock 1 before arriving at Morgan. This historic town was once the greatest river port in South Australia and the site of the famous Nor-West Bend Sheep Station. During the day there are optional tours of Morgan & South Australia's Famous Barossa Valley, visiting three prestige vineyards, an historic Australian homestead and Angaston village.
Day 4 Wed - River adventure. Turning downriver Murray Princess makes a short riverside stop at golden Crest Gardens, then back through Lock 1 past the famous Punyelroo Caves. Murray adventurers, take to the water for an exhilarating speed boat ride before arriving at our barbecue site. Tonight enjoy a traditional Australian campfire and bush dance on the banks of the Murray River.
Day 5 Thu - Land & people. Start the day naturally with an escorted riverbank walk providing some fascinating insights on the river's flora and fauna. Murray Princess then cruises to Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park, one of the most significant aboriginal archaeological digs in Australia. The tribal elders have returned both to protect their Dreaming place and to share its mysteries with others on a guided tour along the cliff face boardwalk. Tonight celebrate at the farewell Captain's dinner Dance - a gala night to remember.
Day 6 Fri - Depart Cruise Murray Princess returns to Mannum 9:00am
MURRAY RIVER CRUISE, 2 Night weekend escape cruise
Day 1 Fri - Ultimate Escape. Murray Princess cruises upriver for our welcome dinner riverbank floodlight cruise. On the ultimate Murray River escape, you will cruise through the spectacular gorges and protected lagoons of the lower Murray, enjoying convivial company and superior comfort.
Day 2 Sat - Murraylands & nightlife. The river teems with wildlife and birdlife. Majestic sulphur crested cockatoos nest high in the towering sandstone cliffs, while the river hums with living creatures - strangely decorated lizards, small fish, egrets, swans and pelicans. Step back into the aboriginal Dreamtime at Ngaut Ngaut conservation Park on an escorted tour of the archaeological diggings and rock carvings. Enjoy an exhilarating speed boat ride through an awe inspiring waterway, dating back millions of years. Tonight is the gala event - the Captain's Dinner, with live music, dancing and possibly, romance under the stars.
Day 3 Sun - Natural indulgence. Start the day naturally with an escorted riverbank walk providing some fascinating insights on the river ecology and reforestation programmes. After a sumptuous buffet breakfast, spend a leisurely morning luxuriating in the ship's lounges or enjoy the true Mediterranean climate with a cool drink on the Sun Deck as the scenery unfolds. After our farewell lunch Murray Princess returns to Mannum at 2pm.
- DEPARTS: Every Friday 6:30pm from Mannum.
- RETURNS: Mannum Sunday 2pm. Includes all meals onboard. Transfers (additional cost) from Adelaide: Coach departs Fri 5pm, returns Sun 4pm
For current cruise rates, go to: Australian Cruise Rates