Indulge your senses on a 6 day luxury Proud Mary cruise with 4 nights in Adelaide with an Adelaide city tour, flights and transfers. Breathtaking beauty abounds aboard this superbly appointed and award-winning riverboat with an intimate river cruising style. Relax in your river view cabin with balcony. Savour gourmet food and wine experiences, enjoy guided shore excursions and nature walks in Mannum, Swan Reach, Murray Aquaculture, Portee Station, Reedy Creek Environmental Park and Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve. Experience fine dining including a 5 course silver-service Captain’s Dinner and daily meals sourced from local ingredients. Moor under the towering cliffs of Big Bend, the highest cliffs anywhere along the Murray River, Walker Flat with its prolific birdlife and wildlife, Blanchetown and Mannum. Enjoy a tender excursion with your on board ecologist and learn about the history and diversity of the area with informative on board commentary from your Captain and information sessions. Themes include: South Australia, Departs from Adelaide, River Cruising, Luxury Coach, Returns from Adelaide. + Show more

Package Includes

Return Flights to Adelaide (pricing options below)
6 Day Proud Mary Murray Indulgence Cruise
4 Nights Adelaide Hotel (superior 4 star)
All meals onboard the Proud Mary, FREE onshore tours, FREE guided nature walks and eco-excursions, FREE bike and canoe hire and FREE onboard tea and coffee
Adelaide City Tour
Meet and Greet Personalised Return Airport Transfers
FREE DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Bonus Voucher Book ($500 Value discounts and bonuses in South Australia)

Highlights

6 Day Gourmet Murray River Cruise Adelaide Murray River Murray Bridge Sunnydale Mypolonga Woodlane Caloote Ponde Mannum Mannum Dock Museum Younghusband Willow Banks Teal Flat Small Group Discovery Cruise Olden Days Olden Ways Museum Special 5 Course Dinner Special Barbeque Dinner Walker Flat Big Bend Swan Reach Swan Reach Museum Portee Station Murray Aquaculture Almond Plantation Blanchetown Lock 1 Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve Guided Tour of Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve Bush Walk Reedy Creek Environmental Park Mount Lofty Ranges Torrens Gorge Historic Churches Rundle Mall Montefiore Hill Gouger Street North Adelaide Gourmet South Australia

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Descriptions

DAY 1 Fly to Adelaide

Fly to Adelaide and begin your Murray River adventure.You will be personally met at the airport by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the airport to your hotel.

Meet and Greet Personalised Arrival Transfer, Overnight Adelaide Accommodation.

DAY 2 Adelaide City Tour

Adelaide is famous for stylish architecture, beautiful parklands, boutique shopping, cafe strips, sandy swimming beaches, fabulous arts events, festivals, nightlife, and sandstone cottages with sweeping gardens. The diverse cultural mix of its one million population guarantees that the food is sensational. Adelaide is Australia's wine capital and lies between rolling hills to the east and beautiful sandy beaches to the west, with world class vineyards within easy reach.

Your friendly driver will pick you up in the comfortable air-conditioned luxury coach before sharing experiences, fascinating facts and enchanting stories in the on-board full commentary throughout the morning. Today see Victoria Square (heart of Adelaide city), Gouger Street (restaurant cafe strip), King William Street's famous boulevard, The Terraces (4 terraces that separate the city from its greenbelts) and Adelaide's magnificent parks, gardens and greenbelts. See River Torrens with its delightful garden banks, Parliament House, State Library, Trinity Church (Adelaide's oldest church), fashionable Hutt Street and stop at Haigh's Chocolates to enjoy complimentary tea or coffee accompanied by fine Haigh's chocolates (Haigh's unavailable on Sundays). See Beehive Corner at Rundle Mall, Adelaide Oval (one of Australia's most notable cricket grounds and houses the Bradman collection), the quaint suburbs of North Adelaide; O'Connell Street (restaurants and trendy shops), St Peter's Cathedral, Colonel Light's Lookout on Montefiore Hill (spectacular views over Adelaide).

Luxury Coach Tour with Hotel Pick Ups, Tea, Haigh's Chocolates, Overnight Adelaide Accommodation.

DAY 3 Explore Adelaide

Spend the day taking in the sights and surrounds of Adelaide. Visit the famous Adelaide Hills or spend the day exploring the churches, parks and famous museums and galleries of Adelaide.

Alternatively, you can visit the seaside town of Glenelg, famous for its beaches and many tourist attractions.

The choice is yours.

Overnight Adelaide Accommodation.

DAY 4 Board the Proud Mary

Enjoy a leisurely day at your own pace before being transferred to Murray Bridge this evening to board the Proud Mary. After settling into your comfortable river view cabin enjoy a delicious supper and meet the crew, introduced by the Captain.

Cruise under floodlight to your overnight mooring of Sunnyside and take in the river environment from a completely different perspective. Look for nocturnal wildlife and birds of the area such as night herons and owls as you glide past the graceful willows and dark waters of the Murray River.

Transfer to Murray Bridge, Dinner, Overnight Accommodation Onboard the Proud Mary.

DAY 5 Cruise to Walker Flat

Depart Sunnyside and cruise upriver taking in some of the best scenery of the Murray River system. The willows along the river bank were planted in the early 1900’s by riverboat captains to clearly mark the main river since the inland lagoons were so large that they often could not find clear channels to navigate.

Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast as you cruise through Mypolonga, Wall flat, Caloote and Ponde towards Mannum. Disembark at Mannum and enjoy a guided coach tour of this historical township. Learn about the significant role Mannum played in the development of South Australia and where Captain William Randell launched the first paddle-steamer the “Mary Ann” in 1853. Your guided tour also includes entry to the “Olden Days, Olden Ways” museum where you will also see fascinating historical memorabilia of this township.

Depart Mannum and cruise upstream through Younghusband, Teal Flat, Lake Claret, Bowhill, Purnong and onto Walker Flat while you enjoy a sumptuous lunch prepared by your onboard chefs with dishes such as Chicken Saltimbocca with Asparagus or Pork Cutlet with Yam Mash.

Moor at Walker Flat, your home for the night and enjoy taking in the prolific wildlife and birdlife of the area. This evening is “Australiana Night”. Enjoy a dinner that showcases Australia’s ever evolving cuisine and featuring traditional bush food such as emu, kangaroo, damper bread and fresh water crustaceans with flavours of lemon myrtle wild bush tomatoes and quandongs.

This evening join your onboard expert ecologist for a Nocturnal Discovery Tour. Learn about the abundant local wildlife including the rare Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat. This rare species is only found in a limited area on the western side of the river but hopefully you will see a few active in the wild on your coach tour to their warrens.

Return to the Proud Mary for the night after your tour.

Breakfast, Mannum Coach Tour, Lunch, Special Dinner, Nocturnal Discovery tour, Overnight Accommodation Onboard the Proud Mary.

DAY 6 Cruise to Swan Reach, Blanchetown & Portee Landing

Depart Walker Flat this morning and cruise upstream past Wongulla, where the fossil of a 20 million year old shark was found 50 years ago. Enjoy a hearty breakfast while you cruise past the towering ochre cliffs of Big Bend.

You may also wish to browse through or purchase some of the souvenirs on display in the Dining Room.

Morning tea is also available in the Dining Room before you join the Captain for an informative talk on the Murray River including its history and the ecology of this diverse area.

Arrive at the township of Swan Reach, first settled in 1899 and enjoy a guided tour of Murray Aquaculture, one of the most ambitious aquaculture projects undertaken in Australia. Learn about the yabbie, one of Australia’s endemic species whilst you are taken through the complex covering 10,000 square metres of ponds, nurseries and an interpretive information centre. Your eco-guide will provide you with an insight into fresh water crustacean biology, production and marketing. After your tour, visit one of the largest almond plantations in the world, with over 15,000 almond trees that supply export grade almonds. You may even be able to sample some of the produce!

Rejoin the Proud Mary and enjoy another delicious lunch as you cruise to Blanchetown, site of Lock and Weir 1. The Murray River has 13 locks which control the water flow and level of the river. The locks create an excellent feeding place for the local birdlife. Watch pelicans and dozens of other species of water birds diving into the water to feed.

This evening, enjoy a roast dinner as you cruise to your overnight mooring at Portee Landing. Cruise close to the bank under floodlight and look for possums and other wildlife as they scamper through the branches of the river redgums.

Breakfast, Murray River Information Session, Murray Aquaculture Tour, Almond Plantation Tour, Lunch, Dinner, Overnight Accommodation Onboard the Proud Mary.

DAY 7 Portee Station Tour & Cruise to Big Bend

Take in one of the most picturesque and unspoiled areas of the Murray River this morning as you enjoy a choice of either a full English breakfast or a continental breakfast.

Enjoy another unique experience this morning as you take an ecological walk around Portee Station. Learn about the importance of the floodplains to the river system and see some of the last remaining evidence of an ancient Aboriginal civilization. Learn about Moorundie Creek, named after the Aboriginal tribe that lived in the area and where explorer Edward John Eyre established the village of Sturt in 1840.

Depart Portee Station and cruise to Swan Reach for a brief stop while you enjoy the informative onboard commentary as you pass magnificent lagoons and stunning cliffs.

At Swan Reach, you may choose to disembark for a short stroll around the town and visit the Swan Reach Hotel, built around the original Swan Reach Station Homestead or you may choose to stay onboard the Proud Mary.

Thos afternoon, enjoy lunch as you cruise to Big Bend, where you will moor for the night alongside the tallest cliffs along the Murray River.

Enjoy a small boat cruise with your onboard ecologist through the lagoons and inlets of the river. Enjoy getting up close to the cliffs and on your flat bottomed boat and learn about the diverse wildlife and birdlife of the area such as kangaroos, wombats, goannas, echidnas and emus.

This evening enjoy a traditional Aussie barbeque under a canopy of stars. Later, join n the evening’s entertainment around a campfire with your resident musician. Request a song and you can even sing along if you choose!

Breakfast, Portee Station Tour, Self-Guided Swan Reach Tour, Small Boat Ecology Cruise, Barbeque Dinner, Evening Entertainment, Overnight Accommodation Onboard the Proud Mary.

DAY 8 Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Site, Cruise to Mannum & Special Captain’s Dinner

Enjoy an early departure this morning from big Bend and enjoy breakfast as you cruise towards the Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Conservation Site. Enjoy a guided tour of one the oldest archaeological digs in Australia and walk along the boardwalk to the site of ancient Aboriginal rock art where your local Indigenous guide will explain their meaning and significance. See the ceremonial site dating back thousands of years where Aboriginal tribes met and prepared food. You can also take in magnificent vistas from the top of the cliffs.

Depart Ngaut Ngaut and join your fellow travelers in the Dining Room for an informative documentary on the Murray River as you cruise through Krohns Landing, Sabaruma and Walker Flat.

Enjoy lunch as you continue cruising south to Mannum. Enjoy some free time in Mannum or get ready for your special Captain’s Dinner tonight.

Tonight, enjoy the culinary highlight of your cruise, a five-course silver service dinner featuring mouth watering dishes based on modern Australian cuisine. Enjoy the food, wine and atmosphere and enjoy a chat with the Captain as he visits every table. Dress up and enjoy the gorgeous formal dinner.

Breakfast, Guided Tour of Ngaut Nguat Conservation Site, Murray River Documentary, Lunch, Special Captain’s Dinner.

DAY 9 Reedy Creek Environmental Park and Cruise to Murray Bridge

Depart Mannum this morning and cruise to Woodlane via Ponde, Caloote and Wall Flat. Board the waiting coach at Woodlane for your guided tour of Reedy Creek Environmental park. The Park was an important gathering point for local Aboriginal tribes as it provided a continuous source of water throughout the year.

Return to the Proud Mary and enjoy a smorgasbord lunch as you cruise back to Murray Bridge. Arrive at Murray Bridge and say goodbye to your fellow travelers. You will be transferred to your Adelaide hotel for the night.

Breakfast, Guided Tour of Reedy Creek Environmental Park, Lunch, Transfer to Adelaide, Overnight Adelaide Accommodation.

DAY 10 Fly Home

Today marks the end of your indulgent Murray River adventure. You will be personally met at your hotel by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight home.

Meet and Greet Personalised Departure Transfer.

Inclusions aboard the Proud Mary

Relax in your river-view cabin with private balcony onboard the Proud Mary along the Murray River and enjoy FREE full board cuisine, FREE onshore tours, FREE guided nature walks and eco-excursions, FREE onboard presentations, FREE live entertainment, FREE bike and canoe hire and FREE onboard tea and coffee.

Flights Included

This package includes all flights as detailed below in the price section (including all fees, levies and taxes). However, we can tailor this package to include our special discounted 'package only' airfares from anywhere. Simply let us know.

Airport Transfers Included

You will be personally met at the airport by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the airport to your hotel and from your hotel to the airport for your flight home.

DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Bonus Voucher Book

You’ll receive the FREE DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Bonus Voucher Book that includes $500 value of discounts and bonuses throughout Adelaide and South Australia at shops, restaurants attractions etc. It’s a great way to save even more on your South Australia holiday.

The Proud Mary in Detail

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Overview

Join us aboard this superbly appointed premium riverboat for a gourmet cruise experience on the mighty Murray River.

The stylish bar, lounge and dining areas provide the prefect location for indulging in the culinary delights of our resident chefs, while experiencing the passing amazing scenery.

Each cruise is defined by exemplary service from crew members who are genuine ‘river locals’, chefs who are passionate about local seasonal produce and a tour and transport operator dedicated to providing an unforgettable Murray River experience.

The recently refurbished MV Proud Mary is a purpose-built boutique cruising vessel providing an intimate and friendly atmosphere and offering a true insight into South Australia’s bushland and famous Murray River.

Departing from Murray Bridge, just one hour out of Adelaide, the Proud Mary caters for a maximum of just 40 passengers and provides the ideal environment for passengers to explore, experience, indulge and discover all the river has to offer.

The vessel, designed by Naval Architect Mr Peter James, was built in 1982 on the banks of the Murray River in Berri, South Australia, by the Berri Ship building company. It was purposely built with a shallow draft, allowing the vessel to safely navigate shallow sections of the river. The style of the vessel evokes the majestic Mississippi river cruisers.

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Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Adelaide Hills

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Proud Mary 6 Day Murray River Indulgence Cruise with Adelaide Stay

10 Day Cruise + Touring Package

Limited Availability at these prices. Deal ends soon. Questions? Call 1300 887 469 or Click to Ask Us

$ 2999 *

Typically $4228

*Holiday costs per person, for 2 people sharing, travelling on indicated dates. Subject to limited availability at these prices, after which higher prices normally apply, book now. Prices are subject to change without notice. Select “Single” for solo traveller prices. Booking requests are made subject to availability. Itinerary and vehicle types subject to change without notice. Subject to Booking Conditions, see Important Information before booking. © DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Booking Code: mp284