Classic South Australia

Mid-afternoon the PS Murray Princess departs historic Mannum, birthplace of the Murray River trade and communication, and heads downriver while you enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

As we cruise under floodlight to our overnight mooring at Mundurra you may see nocturnal wildlife on the riverbank. Watch for kangaroos, hairy-nosed wombats, tortoises, egrets and many other species. Our on-board entertainer provides music for the night owls.

In 1879 the first bridge to span the Murray River was built at Edwards Crossing, which quickly became the bustling township of Murray Bridge. After a hearty breakfast, choose to join a guided tour of the town's historic landmarks and local attractions or go on a wildlife tour at Monarto Zoo (additional cost).

Those who choose to experience Monarto Zoo will arrive back on board the Murray Princess in time for lunch then join us in the Sturt Dining Room for a special presentation on the bounty of food and wine produced in the Riverland.

This afternoon, we continue our journey upriver and tonight we moor at Salt Bush Flat. After dinner, enjoy being entertained by our talented crew.

All ashore for the guided nature walk where your guide will share the secrets of the local flora and fauna. It's a great way to get in a little exercise before the PS Murray Princess departs and cruises downriver.

Near Fromms Landing, we turn and head downriver to River View Lodge (near Piggy Flat / Coolcha) where your discovery vessel awaits for a wildlife tour. Travelling in small, personalised groups, we explore the maze of the river and the birdlife is amazing. Watch for darters, herons and egrets feeding along the river's muddy edges.

The afternoon offers a choice of bocce or fishing challenges before joining the Captain and Officers for the farewell Captain's Dinner and Dance. Dress up and dance, if you wish.

We head back to Mannum and after breakfast, we reluctantly say farewell as we arrive at the Mannum Wharf.

Your journey begins with a city orientation tour. You travel through the scenic Torrens Gorge to the Barossa Valley. Perhaps you'll stop at a local bakery to taste the best of the fine German pastries. Travel over the Jacobs Creek for your first tasting of the fine wines at the Peter Lehmann winery. Then visit Torbreck wine cellars, a small winery with rustic charm, making wines in traditional Barossa methods. After, you'll stop for a stroll in the German town of Tanunda with time to discover the small shops. Before lunch take the picturesque drive up to Menglers Hill for an unsurpassed view over the entire Valley. Continue into historic Angaston - one of the more English villages in the Barossa. Lunch will be alfresco under the vines or at Vintners restaurant just out of Angaston. Your next stop may be Henschkes winery in Keyneton, a fifth generation German winery or the historic Yalumba, the biggest family run winery in Australia. If time permits you may visit small boutique producers such as Charles Melton or Turkey Flat.

Early morning pick up from your Adelaide or Glenelg hotel for a scenic coach journey to Cape Jervis taking in the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula with its vineyards, coastal views and rolling hills.
On arrival, board the SeaLink Kangaroo Island ferry for the 45 minute crossing to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island -- ferry options only. On arrival at Penneshaw or Kingscote Airport you will be met by your local guide and your island nature experience begins with an introduction to Kangaroo Island. Tour through several island habitats and see wildlife in their natural environments. Kangaroo Island is a haven for Australian wildlife, which exists in its natural habitat without the threat of introduced predators. Listen to the distinct sounds of the native birdlife as they chorus from the tall eucalyptus trees. Kangaroo Island is home to some 250 species of birds, many of which, through isolation from the mainland, have developed their own subspecies and are therefore unique to Kangaroo Island. As you travel the island keep an eye out for echidnas, wallabies, reptiles and wildflowers.
At the spectacular Seal Bay Conservation Park, your guide will escort you on a memorable walk along the beach. This bay is home to a healthy Australian sea lion colony. Walk among the sea lions as they bask on the beach or among the sand dunes after their extensive fishing expedition. With your guide you are able to stand at a safe distance to these wonderful endangered creatures and hear them sigh and watch them at play. This is a truly unforgettable experience -- one that you will treasure forever.
Enter our exclusive Heritage-listed natural bush property to enjoy a delicious gourmet picnic style lunch with South Australian wine. Follow your lunch with a pleasant bushwalk or a stroll along the beach. Travel through the island's interior keeping an eye out for koalas and echidnas. Explore the spectacular beaches and enjoy a bushwalk. Listen for Australia's rarest cockatoo, the Kangaroo Island glossy black cockatoo and watch out for the Tammar wallaby, with its small fine features, in its natural habitat.

Travel to the western end of the island and discover the Flinders Chase National Park, one of the oldest and most important national parks in South Australia. The park incorporates almost 20 per cent of the island and much of it is a Wilderness Protection Area, home to a variety of fauna and flora unique to Kangaroo Island. Enjoy the opportunity to walk through the park in search for kangaroos, wallabies and a variety of birdlife.
See at close range some of the 10,000 healthy Long-nosed Fur Seals in their colony at Cape du Couedic and discover the formation of Remarkable Rocks. These large granite boulders balance dramatically on the cliff edge, which plunges 75 metres into the turbulent Southern Ocean below.
At Admirals Arch see where the powerful forces of nature have cut through the headland to create this natural geological formation. A delicious gourmet style picnic lunch with South Australian wine will be served in a secluded bush setting. During the day koalas can be observed peacefully existing in their treetop habitat.
By special permit, enter the Kelly Hill Conservation Park to see kangaroos and other native wildlife emerge from the safety of the bush land to graze on the open plains.
Your tour concludes at either Kingscote Airport for your return flight to Adelaide, or at Penneshaw in time for the return ferry to the mainland and coach transfer to Adelaide.