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Captain Cook
Cruises
4
Night Heritage Cruise
From $725 per person
This cruise takes you north on the great
Murray River from the historic riverport of Mannum to
Blanchetown. Experience the magic and majesty of the
spectacular scenery, from towering cliffs to expansive
wetlands. Along the way you’ll see a great variety of
Australian wildlife, including kangaroos and many of
about 350 bird species that inhabit the riverlands.
Highlights include a visit to a vineyard and
wine-tasting at the cellar door, visit a typical
Australian farm and woolshed, enjoy an Aussie barbecue
beside the river, visit a wildlife shelter and an
aboriginal reserve, one of Australia’s most significant
archaeological sites.
Day---By-Day
Monday:
Mid-afternoon the PS Murray Princess
departs historic Mannum, birthplace of the Murray River
trade and communication, and heads upriver while you
enjoy pre-dinner drinks and a Welcome Dinner.
As we
cruise under floodlight to our overnight mooring at
Caurnamont you may see nocturnal wildlife on the
riverbank. Watch for grey kangaroos, hair-nosed wombats,
Murray longnecked tortoises, spoon-beaked echidnas and
many other species. (Our on-board entertainer provides
music for the night owls.)
Tuesday:
Daybreak and time for the keen
photographers to be out to capture the special light and
the morning movement of wildlife. Prolific birdlife
includes pelicans, blue wrens and black swans. We cruise
upstream to Blanchetown, through one of 13 locks which
maintain the flow and levels of water. Shortly we reach
Salters Station for our overnight anchorage. This
evening, as the last rays of the sun fade, we join a
guided tour of Burk Salter’s vineyard on the banks of
the river and enjoy wine tasting at his cellar door.
Tonight is fancy dress night on board. (Bring your own
or hire one.) We also have our famous musical quiz.
Wednesday:
After breakfast join a guided walk along
the eco-sensitive wetlands of Salters Station. While we
cruise downriver after lunch you can enjoy an afternoon
nap, watch the landscape slide by, or enjoy a lifestyle
and info-cruising presentation. We arrive at Sunnydale.
All
ashore for the Woolshed Sound & Light 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. After dinner, join us
on a nocturnal eco-tour by tractor and cart.
Thursday:
After
breakfast the ship cruises slowly downstream 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 to view ancient rock carvings and to
learn about aboriginal history in the area. We return to
the ship to cruise downriver to Younghusband.
Along the way, adventure seekers can also
take a speed boat 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, if you
wish.
Friday:
After
breakfast, PS Murray Princess arrives at Mannum where we
reluctantly say farewell.
Optional Barossa Valley Tour (additional
cost)
Discover Australia’s richest and best
known wine making region – the Barossa Valley. Depart
Mannum by coach where you will be transferred directly
to your Barossa Valley tour at Williamstown. The tour
includes three premium wineries, lunch and free time in
Tanunda before returning to Adelaide at 5.30pm.
Cruise Map
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