Historic paddle-wheeler cruises on the Murray River

Captain Cook Cruises (captaincook.com.au) operates the PS Murray Princess, a paddle-wheeler specially built to cruise South Australia’s River Murray, offering historic and nature-based adventures by cruising through mallee scrub and ancient red gum forests, past towering gorges and ochre-coloured limestone cliffs.

Collectively the combined cruising itineraries navigate over 320kms of the Murray River, visiting historic ports and lush vineyards as the ship is skillfully nagivated along the Murray’s big river bends.

The four-night ‘Outback Heritage Cruise’ lets visitors experience, in a quiet and unhurried way, the hauntingly beautiful outback complete with unique flora and fauna, old riverside ports and fascinating indigenous culture.

The cruise starts in the historic riverport of Mannum and meanders up the Murray River. Highlights include cellar door wine tastings and guided vineyard tours; visiting an Australian farm and woolshed, and exploring one of Australia’s most significant Aboriginal archaeological sites at Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Conservation Park.

Guided nature walks and eco-tours are interspersed with presentations on a range of local topics including flora and fauna, food and wine, river history and Aboriginal culture. Guests can also enjoy walking tours and swimming, whilst onboard facilities include spas, saunas, sun deck, library and gift shop.

Prices are from AUD$ 899 per person based on the Early Booking Saver fare for two sharing an inside cabin, transfers from Adelaide and full board cruise as per the itinerary. The cruise departs from Mannum every Monday and returns on Fridays.

A full day’s Barossa Valley Wine tour can be added from AUD$89 per person to explore one of Australia’s richest and best known wine making regions.

OTHER MURRAY RIVER CRUISING ITINERARIES

Seven-night Murraylands & Wildlife Cruise including the Barossa Valley
This itinerary combined the four-night Outback Heritage Cruise with the three-night Wetlands Discovery Cruise and focuses on the bio-diverse wetlands, an area famed for its varied birdlife. A complimentary tour of the Barossa Valley, visiting three prestigous wineries, is also included.

Six-night Renmark Cruise
Every two years Captain Cook Cruises offers the opportunity to explore more of the spectacular Murray River landscape when the PS Murray Princess cruises to Renmark, near the New South Wales and Victoria borders. Cruising along 420km of the Murray River highlights include passing breathtaking sandstone cliffs and some of the world’s oldest rock formations; ancient Aboriginal carvings, expansive river plains, historic river ports and citrus growing districts.

For more information: Captaincook.com.au