Proud Mary Murray River Cruise

Home (6th December)

If departing from Whanganui, meet at the Whanganui Racecourse for a 12:30pm departure and travel to Palmerston North Airport to catch our flight to Auckland at 3:00pm.

Departing from another destination

For those departing from another destination we will arrange for you to meet the group in Auckland depending on your location.

Auckland (7th December)

We will have an early breakfast as we need to check in and get ready for our 8:25am flight to Adelaide.

We fly throughout with Air NZ and your international flight has ‘The Works’ package included which allows you access to all the inflight entertainment and meals.

Once we've cleared customs we board the bus and enjoy a city highlights tour with highlights such as the Botanic Gardens, Mt Lofty summit and the Adelaide Oval just to name a few.

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Proud Mary (8th December)

Your cruise continues upstream as you enjoy a delicious breakfast before a mid-morning Proud Mary arrival in picturesque Mannum, the birthplace of the river boat trade. Here you may board the waiting coach for an interesting tour of the Historic Mannum. Your guide will provide you with information. Lunch will be served aboard the Proud Mary as you cruise upstream to Walkers Flat. 

This evening is "Australiana Night" featuring typically Australian dishes. Followed by a guided Nocturnal Discover Tour, an insight into abundant wildlife including the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat.

Accommodation: Proud Mary

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Proud Mary (9th December)

After breakfast the Proud Mary cruises further upstream where you can join the captain in the dining room for an eco-talk and history lesson about the Murray River system. 

Mid-morning you will arrive at Swan Reach and board your waiting coach for a tour to Costa Brothers Almond Farm and Swan Reach Museum, which is housed in the original school building that was built in 1917. 

Re-join Proud Mary for lunch where you will cruise through the shallows up to lock 1 at Blanchetown. 

Your cruise this evening takes you to Sugar Shack. Sugar Shack is part of the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve which is an astronomer’s paradise. The unpolluted skies and isolation from artificial light sources make the park one of the best places on earth to gaze at the stars. Trivia night tonight, let the games begin!

Accommodation: Proud Mary

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Proud Mary (10th December)

You will wake this morning and have breakfast in one of the most unspoilt and picturesque areas of the River Murray. You will be taken on an environmental discovery walk of Sugar Shack to discover the importance of the flood plains to the river system. 

Re-join Proud Mary and cruise downstream to Swan Reach where you will visit the town and craft shop. 

After re-joining Proud Mary for lunch you will cruise to Big Bend. A highlight of your cruise is a guided cruise lead by an ecologist aboard a small boat through the lagoons and inlets of Big Bend. 

Catch the sunset as the evening rays glisten and glow on the limestone walls of the Big Bend Cliffs. This evening there is a traditional Australian barbeque on shore followed by live Aussie entertainment around a blazing campfire. 

Accommodation: Proud Mary

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Proud Mary (11th December)

While enjoying breakfast you can see the sunrise over the towering cliffs this morning with an early departure to the Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal conservation area where you will be met by our local aboriginal guide and shown over Australia's first Aboriginal Archaeological digs. It contains galleries of Cave Art, smoke stains from ancient fires and an excavated campsite of a civilisation over 8,000 years old. 

From here Proud Mary will be serving lunch while cruising downstream through Bowhill to Mannum. Late afternoon arrival in Mannum for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a formal Captain's Dinner.

Accommodation: Proud Mary

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Proud Mary (12th December)

Following breakfast, the Proud Mary departs once more. 

Mid-morning you arrive at Woodlane and board the waiting coach for a tour of Aussie Apricots and Revolution Motor Museum. This Museum is home to many fascinating and historical cars including South Australia’s first registered Taxi! 

You will also visit the very unique Mypolonga school. Today, lunch is superbly prepared using fresh local produce. 

This afternoon there will be more spectacular scenery before the vessel ties up once more in Murray Bridge, the Captain and crew bid farewell to guests and new-found friends before disembarkation at 4.00pm

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Adelaide (13th Decemeber)

As today is our final full day in Adelaide its all yours to do as you please.

Our central accommodation is right next to the famous Adelaide Central Market which is well worth visiting or your guide can help you with booking a day out on a Wine and Food Tour, a day trip to Kangaroo Island, visit the zoo or just spend the day relaxing and shopping in the heart of the city. 

Tonight we will enjoy a final dinner and raise a glass to a wonderful trip and some magical memories. 

Accommodation: Hilton

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Adelaide (14th December)

After breakfast in our hotel it is time to check out and head to the airport to catch our flight scheduled to leave for Auckland at 11:50am. We arrive and transfer over to the domestic terminal ready to fly into Palmerston North. The bus will be there waiting to take us home ready for a good night's rest dreaming of all the wonderful memories from your time in Adelaide!

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