Murray River Princess Escape

Day 1 - Monday 3 October 2022

Melbourne - Adelaide - PS Murray Princess (D)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel.  Meet your Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport for our flight to Adelaide.  On arrival into Adelaide we meet up with our local touring coach and once all bags are onboard we make our way across to Mannum via Hahndorf.  Along the way we stop off at Mount Lofty Lookout which provides us with amazing panoramic views across the city of Adelaide and its seaside suburbs. We continue onto Hahndorf, which is Australia’s oldest surviving German Village and is steeped in German and Australian history with many of the original buildings still intact. We have the opportunity to purchase lunch here and browse the many local shops. We arrive in Mannum mid-afternoon before boarding the PS Murray Princess and settle into our outside cabins. Mid-afternoon the PS Murray Princess departs historic Mannum, the birthplace of the Murray River trade and communication, and heads upriver while we enjoy a Welcome Dinner. As we cruise under floodlight to our overnight mooring at Caurnamont, we may see nocturnal wildlife on the riverbank. Watch for kangaroos, hairy-nosed wombats, turtles, egrets and many other species. Our on-board entertainer provides music for the night owls amongst us.

Overnight - PS Murray Princess (Outside Cabins - Randell Deck)

Day 2 - Tuesday 4 October 2022

Onboard PS Murray Princess (B,L,D)

Daybreak comes alive on the Murray River and its time for the keen photographers to be out on deck to capture the special light and the morning movement of wildlife. Prolific bird life can be seen from the decks of the P.S. Murray Princess and includes pelicans, blue wrens and black swans. After breakfast our Murray Princess cruise continues, this time the paddle steamer will cruise up-stream to Blanchetown, through one of 13 locks which maintain the flow of the Murray River 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 join a guided tour of Burk Salter Boutique Winery and surrounding vineyard and enjoy wine tasting at the cellar door which is fitted out with beautiful red gum bars. After dinner, join us for all the fun and excitement, and participate in our “Murray River Cup”.

Overnight - PS Murray Princess (Outside Cabins - Randell Deck)

Day 3 - Wednesday 5 October 2022

Onboard PS Murray Princess (B,L,D)

After breakfast we cruise up-river 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 we can enjoy a beer, wine or cappuccino overlooking the Murray River. 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. We arrive at Sunnydale and make our way ashore for the unique 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. An optional “Nocturnal tour” (additional cost) in a comfortable purpose built cart is available after dinner where we may see kangaroos, wombats, foxes, bats and owls.

​Overnight - PS Murray Princess (Outside Cabins - Randell Deck)

Day 4 - Thursday 6 October 2022

Onboard PS Murray Princess (B,L,D)

Enjoy breakfast on-board or an optional early morning “Bush Tucker Breakfast” (additional cost) or a bush walk with the Captain. The vessel then cruises slowly 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 and cruise downriver to Younghusband. Along the way, adventure seekers can also take a speedboat ride. We 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 the night away to celebrate our last night of our wonderful Murray River Cruise.

Overnight - PS Murray Princess (Outside Cabins Randell Deck)

Day 5 - Friday 7 October 2022

Adelaide (B,L,D)

After breakfast the PS Murray Princess arrives in Mannum where we say farewell to the crew and then board our luxury coach. We then head up into the iconic Barossa Valley wine region where food, wine and hidden treasures await.  Our first stop is in the historic township of Angaston at Gully Gardens, a delightful farm shop offering beautiful scenery and delicious Angaston grown dried fruit which include apricots, peaches, pears, prunes, nectarines and apples. A large range of homemade tasty confectionary and jams are made from the fruits, goodie baskets and gift lines. Our next stop is at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, an absolute must whilst in the Barossa Valley. We will have time to browse amongst her personally selected regional specialty goods, purchase one of her signed books or simply sit back and take in the view. We then enjoy lunch across the deck at The Farm Eatery prepared by talented young chef Tim Bourke. Why not purchase a glass of Pheasant Farm or Beer Brothers wine to enjoy with lunch. While still in the Barossa we visit the iconic and historic Seppeltsfield Wines where we enjoy a “Heritage Tour” and tastings, which includes a behind the scenes look through the estate’s treasure trove of historical buildings and spectacular surroundings. Learn of the Seppelt family history and their profound influence on the Australian wine industry. We explore the homestead veranda, elm walk, distillery and underground blending cellar. Late-afternoon we depart the Barossa and make our way into Adelaide with lots of goodies to take back home. We arrive at our hotel for check in and enjoy some time to freshen up before dinner.

Overnight - Hotel Grand Chancellor (or similar)

Day 6 - Saturday 8 October 2022

Adelaide (B,MT,D)

Today after breakfast we begin our “City of Churches Discovery Tour” which introduces us to this delightful city, which is surrounded by parklands with a blend of historic buildings, wide streets, cafés and restaurants. A drive past Adelaide’s cultural precinct - North Terrace, the National Wine Centre, Adelaide Botanic Gardens and the beautiful Botanic Park, home to the Bicentennial Conservatory and the Adelaide Zoo. Continue through historic North Adelaide, where we’ll see tree-lined streets, mansions and historic buildings.Next we meet up with our local guide for a unique ‘Discover Adelaide Walking Tour‘ and we begin our adventure by visiting the Riverbank Precinct, the home to the Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Festival Centre. Next we stop by Parliament House on North Terrace to learn about Adelaide's political history. Continuing along the cultural precinct North Terrace before listening to the interesting stories of the famous Adelaide Arcade and ending the walk with a stroll down the major shopping strip Rundle Mall. Throughout our tour we will have time to take photos, and at the end we all receive a local chocolate sample, the famous Adelaide ‘Fruchocs’, delicious! Saying goodbye to our guide, we now enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure and may like to revisit some of the beautiful places we have passed by on our morning travels. We meet up again this evening in the hotel for our final dinner together.

Overnight - Hotel Grand Chancellor (or similar)

Day 7 - Sunday 9 October 2022

Adelaide - Melbourne (B)

After breakfast and check out we board our coach and make our way to the beautiful beach-side suburb of Glenelg. We can visit The Bay Discovery Centre and Social History Museum celebrating the cultural heritage of South Australia. The museum is a haven for history and art lovers and is housed in the iconic Town Hall. We then have time to roam the many shops, cafés and bars before transferring to the Adelaide Airport.

Welcome Back to Melbourne!  Thank you for joining us and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure.