Discover the delights of the Murray River, from Mannum to Blanchetown, South Australia. Featuring spectacular orange cliffs, the lower reaches of the Murray offer some of Australia’s most beautiful & iconic scenery. Another highlight is the abundance of wildlife, with 350 bird species inhabiting the lower Murray region, including an amazing number of pelicans. The cruise includes visits to historic towns, a cellar door wine tasting, an Aussie barbecue beside the river, an entertaining sheep-shearing demonstration, and a visit to one of Australia’s most significant aboriginal archaeological sites. Also, the cruise includes fabulous on-board dining. Our coach tour includes Adelaide, Victor Harbor, Goolwa, Hahndorf and Kangaroo Island. Enjoy a feast of great music, with Graeme Hugo, John Howie, an Italian duo The Accordion Aces, & the Murray Princess on-board entertainer. Please book early, as there are a limited number of cabins on the Murray Princess. Once all the cabins on the Murray Princess sell out, we are limited in the number of people we can take on this tour.
John was a secondary school music teacher for 23 years (taught Kylie Minogue). He and his twin brother, Graeme, perform as The Howie Brothers. John has been leading successful music tours & music cruises for 25 years.
DECK
PLANS
Outside Cabins open onto the outside deck and have picture windows. Each cabin has a private ensuite, air-conditioning, electric blankets, soaps, shampoo and towels and are serviced daily. Each cabin is approximately 12 sq metres. Most rooms have twin beds. A $60 per cabin per night surcharge applies for cabins with a double bed, subject to availability. Single/Sole Occupancy cabins may be smaller than standard twin rooms. All cabins are subject to availability. There are two cabins available for single occupancy.
VIEW ITINERARY DAY 1 Sunday 28 September, 2025
Adelaide
Morning: Depart North Adelaide at 10am. Do a pick-up at Adelaide airport
at 10.30am (please organise flights arriving in Adelaide no later than
9.30am). Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of Adelaide, including Port Adelaide,
Semaphore, West Lakes & Glenelg. Afternoon: Visit the outstanding South
Australian Museum & the Art Gallery of South Australia. The museum has the
most comprehensive collection of Australian aboriginal cultural material in
the world, and a wonderful Biological Sciences collection (diverse range of
fauna, from parasites to whales), and Palaeontology (fossils) collection. Then
see Adelaide Oval, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and Colonel Light’s statue, as we make
our way to our accommodation, in North Adelaide. Remainder of afternoon:
Free time. Evening: Commencement of Tour Dinner, including entertainment
by well-known South Australian country music performer, Graeme Hugo.
Overnight: Comfort Inn Regal Park Motor Inn, North Adelaide. (D)
DAY 2 Monday 29 September, 2025
Mannum/Embarkation
Morning: We will spend some time in Hahndorf, on the outskirts of Adelaide.
Hahndorf was established in 1839, by German immigrants, and the village
still has a distinctly German flavour. Continue on to Mannum, arriving mid
afternoon. We board the PS Murray Princess and head upriver. Evening: Enjoy
a Welcome Aboard dinner. As we cruise under floodlight to our overnight
mooring at Caurnamont, you may see nocturnal wildlife on the riverbank.
Watch for kangaroos, hairy-nosed wombats, tortoises, egrets and other
species. The resident on-board entertainer will provide entertainment. (B,D)
DAY 3 Tuesday 30 September, 2025
Blanchetown
Enjoy a leisurely morning and lunch as we cruise upriver to Blanchetown. We
will travel through one of 13 locks that maintain the flow and levels of water
in the lower reaches of the Murray River. Afternoon: We moor opposite the
town of Blanchetown (our overnight anchorage). As the last rays of the sun
fade, we visit Burk Salter Boutique Winery, for wine tasting. Evening: Back on
board the PS Murray Princess, enjoy a lovely dinner (B,L,WineTasting,D)
DAY 4 Wednesday 1 October, 2025
Swan Reach/Sunnydale
After breakfast cruise 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. The original Swan Reach homestead is now the Swan Reach
Hotel, where you can enjoy an ale or cappuccino overlooking the Murray
River. Visit the excellent Swan Reach Museum (optional…gold coin donation
at entry), which includes singer Julie Anthony’s debutante dress (she grew
up near Swan Reach). Back on board, enjoy the tranquillity as the landscape
slides by. When we arrive at Sunnydale, it’s all ashore for the Woolshed Show,
where we enjoy an entertaining sheep shearing demonstration. After the
demonstration visit the Woolshed’s Native Wildlife Shelter, where some of
South Australia’s native animals are cared for. Evening: For dinner, enjoy a
great Aussie Barbecue – cooked and served in a bush setting on the banks of
the mighty Murray River. After dinner there are two optional onshore tours to
choose from (additional cost): (1) a Nocturnal Tour in a comfortable purpose
built cart, where you may see kangaroos, wombats, foxes, bats and owls, & (2)
the Dark Sky Night Tour, where you are taken to an internationally recognised
Dark Sky Reserve to observe the stars of the Milky Way. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 Thursday 2 October, 2025
Younghusband
After breakfast we slowly cruise downriver, past magnificent cliffs scoured by
the river over millions of years. Visit Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve, one of
Australia’s most significant archaeological sites. Step back in time – tens of
thousands of years – as you enjoy a guided boardwalk tour to view ancient
rock carvings and learn about the area’s aboriginal history. Return to the
vessel and cruise downriver to Younghusband. Evening: Enjoy a delicious
dinner including fun-filled entertainment by the ship’s crew. Note: Sometime
on the cruise, enjoy an informal music/singalong session led by John Howie.
All guests are encouraged to join in. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 Friday 3 October, 2025
Disembarkation/Victor Harbor
Depart Younghusband and head back to Mannum. After breakfast we say
farewell to the PS Murray Princess, and board our coach. Today we make our
way to the coastal town of Victor Harbor, on S.A.’s beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula.
On the way we will stop in Murray Bridge and Strathalbyn. In Murray Bridge
visit the Round House. Built for Henry Parker, the superintendent overseeing
construction of the first bridge to span the Murray River, the Round House
has also served as the town’s first school, post office, church and council
chambers. Continue on to the historic town of Strathalbyn, where we stop for
lunch. Strathalbyn is known for its charming main street, filled with antique
shops. In 1975 street scenes for the film Picnic at Hanging Rock were filmed
in the town. On arrival in Victor Harbor we will ride the historic Victor Harbor
horse drawn tram across the Causeway to Granite Island. Evening: Enjoy an
Italian dinner at one of Victor Harbor’s outstanding Italian restaurants. We
will be entertained by excellent Italian accordion duo, The Accordion Aces.
Overnight: Hotel Victor. (B,D)
DAY 7 Saturday 4 October, 2025
Victor Harbor
Morning: Enjoy a journey on the historic Cockle Train, which travels between
Victor Harbor and Goolwa. In early days of settlement, the local residents
would take a horse drawn train from the Victor Harbor/Port Elliot area to
Goolwa to collect cockles from the sandy beaches near the Murray mouth.
It was a great day’s outing, and thus the name…Cockle Train. We will spend
some time in Goolwa, so you can explore this historic and picturesque
river port town. We then travel across a bridge to Hindmarsh Island, where
we see the Murray Mouth (where the Murray flows into the ocean). Late
afternoon: Free time in Victor Harbor. Evening: A free evening for you to
explore Victor Harbor. (B)
DAY 8 Sunday 5 October, 2025
Kangaroo Island
This morning, we catch the ferry to Kangaroo Island, the third-largest island
off the coast of mainland Australia. Kangaroo Island is a haven for wildlife and
features magnificent scenery, including sweeping white-sand beaches and
giant wind-sculpted boulders. On arrival visit the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil
Distillery & Café. Then enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of the island, including
the Remarkable Rocks & Admirals Arch, in Flinders Chase National Park. Near
the Arch, at Cape du Couedic, we will see where thousands of New Zealand
fur seals congregate on the beach, entertaining everybody with their antics
on land and in the water. We then travel to Kingscote, the main town on the
island and the first white settlement in South Australia. (B,L)
DAY 9 Monday 6 October, 2025 Kangaroo Island
Morning: Visit the Seal Bay Sea Lion Colony, on the south coast of Kangaroo
Island. Seal Bay has been home to an Australian sea lion population for
thousands of years and offers one of the most exceptional nature-based
experiences in the world. Enjoy a guided walk along the beach, to get a
close-up view of the sea lions. We will also visit nearby Vivonne Bay, famous
for its sugary white sand beaches. Afternoon: Return to Kingscote, where we
visit the excellent Hope Cottage Museum and Reeves Point Historical Site.
Then travel along the north coast of K.I., visiting Emu Bay, Stokes Bay Beach
(voted best beach in Australia, in 2023) and Emu Bay Lavender Farm. Evening:
Enjoy included farewell dinner at our accommodation, including an informal
performance by John Howie & a local guest artist. (B,L,D)
DAY 10 Tuesday 7 October, 2025
McLaren Vale/Departure
Morning: Travel back to the mainland by ferry. Afternoon: Visit McLaren Vale,
one of Australia’s premier wine regions. Enjoy a guided tour & wine tasting
at McLaren Vale’s famous d’Arenberg Cube, an award-winning 5 storey cellar
door/art gallery building shaped like a Rubik’s Cube. The interior design of
the building is colourful & quirky, with lots of eclectic Salvador Dali type
artworks. We are then transferred to Adelaide Airport for flights back home.
We will plan to arrive at the airport by 4.15pm. Tour group members should
organise flights home no earlier than 5.30pm. (B)
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|
| $5,195 | $6,890 |
We will plan to have tour group members at Adelaide Airport by 4.15pm, on Tuesday 7th October, 2025. Tour group members should organise flights departing Adelaide no earlier than 5.30pm that day.
You may wish to consider travelling to Adelaide the Pre-Tour Day, Saturday 27th September 2025 (optional). We recommend staying at the Comfort Inn Regal Park Motor In, North Adelaide (where we’ll all be staying on Sun. 28th September). John Howie will organise an informal get-together, for dinner, on Sat. evening 27th September, at nearby Café Palazzo (optional).
It is important that all tour participants have a basic level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. ABN 64 005 817 078
(Travelrite International) is the tour operator
Tour Costs
The tour costs are based on transport, accommodation costs
and entrance costs at 19 June 2023. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the
costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the
right to withdraw with full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No
alterations to costings will be made within 60 days prior to departure.
Deposit and Payment
A deposit of $900 per passenger is required at the
time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days prior to departure. A
1.5% administration fee will be charged on payment by Visa, Mastercard and
Amex Cards.
Cancellations
Cancellations within 60 days of departure will result in the
loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 60 days from departure will result
in a cancellation fee of $900 per person. Travel insurance is recommended to
cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers
The tour has been costed on the basis of a
minimum number of passengers having booked 60 days prior to departure.
Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of all monies
paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified cost if the
minimum number is not achieved.
Refunds
The tour is based on arrangements which do not allow for any
refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other services not
utilised after the tour has commenced.
Tour Participation
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibilities
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. is the tour organiser.
Travelrite International acts only as agents in making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result we cannot accept liability
for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or otherwise of those
carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services in connection with
the tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive control. We do not accept
responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any
other events which are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited
to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, acts of God, acts of government, or any
other authorities, terrorism, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment,
or industrial action. The passage contract in use by the carriers concerned,
when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation
companies or firms and the purchasers of these tours and the passengers.
Baggage is at own risk throughout the tour. This contract shall be construed
in accordance of the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia and any legal action
must be taken in the State of Victoria.
Delays and Unforeseen Events
You engage Travelrite International to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite International acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
How to Book:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and
sending it with a deposit of $900 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty. Ltd.
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3135
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 9836 2522
Email: sales@travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64
005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business that’s been operating
in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than 40 years. Travelrite International
is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully
Accredited with ATAS (A10538) and IATA. As such they directly represent the
major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour
and transport operators.
DAY 1 Thursday July 11, 2024 Depart
Depart Australia on flight to Brussels, Belgium.
DAY 2 Friday July 12, 2024 Maastricht
Mid Afternoon: Arrive in Brussels, capital of Belgium. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city and then travel through
scenic Belgium, as we make our way to Maastricht, one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the southern
Netherlands. We will be staying in Maasmechelen, a lovely town in Belgium, about 23 kms from Maastricht.
Overnight: Hotel Porta Cité, Maasmechelen.
DAY 3 Saturday July 13, 2024 Maastricht
Morning: Sightseeing coach tour of Maastricht and surrounding region, with local guide. Afternoon: Free time
for you to explore Maastricht at your leisure. Evening: We are hoping you can attend a fabulous concert by Andre
Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, in Maastricht. This concert (to be confirmed) will be optional. For this
series of summer concerts, Andre transforms the Vrijthof Square, in his hometown, into a grand, romantic, open-air concert hall. See back page of brochure, for further information. (B)
DAY 4 Sunday July 14, 2024 Amsterdam
Morning: Travel by coach to Amsterdam, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It’s a city of canals, bridges,
bicycles (there are millions of them!) and distinctive canal houses, with their stately facades and striking gables.
On arrival, enjoy a sightseeing coach tour, with local guide. Late afternoon/evening: Travel to the beautiful
village of Hoorn (approx. 50 kms north of Amsterdam), where we visit Café ‘t Schippershuis, where Dutch
musician Pierre Partner wrote the famous song The Red Rose Café in 1974. Have dinner and enjoy a fun-filled folk
music session, with local musicians, in Hoorn, before returning to Amsterdam. Overnight: WestCord Art Hotel,
Amsterdam. (B,D)
DAY 5 Monday July 15, 2024 Amsterdam
Morning: Free time. You may like to visit the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, or the Van Gogh Museum (all
optional). Afternoon: Coach tour to the Volendam region (approx. 20 kms north of Amsterdam). In Volendam get
a glimpse of traditional Dutch dress, windmills, cheese, etc. Early Evening: Back in Amsterdam, enjoy a 1 hour
canal cruise. After the cruise, John Howie will take those interested on a walking tour of Amsterdam’s famous Red
Light District. (B,DrinksOnCanalCruise)
DAY 6 Tuesday July 16, 2024 Depart
Fly to Dublin to meet up with those who have just flown in from Australia. Commence main tour. (B)
“One of the best tours we have ever done. Great program and lovely people.”
“Well organised tour that ran smoothly. Very impressed with Wayne Horsburgh, intelligent, talented and caring.”
