Description

 Your Rail, Stay and Fly package includes: 

·     4 day Great Southern journey from Brisbane to Adelaide

-      Includes all meals and select beverages onboard, off track excursions and more

·      1 night accommodation in Adelaide

·      7 night Wildlife and Murraylands cruise onboard Murray Princess

-      Includes all meals, selection of onshore tours, 24 hour tea & coffee + more

·      Economy class flight from Adelaide to Brisbane

·      Port charges, fees, and airline taxes

Rail Itinerary

9 December 2019 – BRISBANE AND NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES COAST

Watch the sun dip into the horizon as you dine to the sounds of the waves lapping on the shore. The Northern New South Wales Coast stretches across 90km of incredible sandy beaches and some of the best surfing breaks in the world.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

10 December 2019 – HUNTER VALLEY AND SURROUNDS

Pass the Semillon and Shiraz! Take the time to meander through the picturesque Hunter Valley vineyards, home to world-renowned brands and family-run boutique cellar doors alike.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11 December 2019 – REGIONAL VICTORIA AND THE TWELVE APOSTLES

Embrace the pastoral perfection of regional Victoria and its paddock-to-plate dining ethos.

Ascend the dramatic cliff faces along which the famous Great Ocean Road passes and marvel at the Twelve Apostles – a majestic collection of crumbling pillars rising from the Southern Ocean.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

12 December 2019 – ADELAIDE

Looking out of your window this morning you'll notice the beautiful green fields and pastoral lands of South Australia.

After breakfast the Great Southern rolls into Adelaide. Here, you may wish to extend your stay with trips to the Barossa Valley or Kangaroo Island topping the to-do list.

Meals: Breakfast

Cruise Itinerary

13 December 2019 – Depart Mannum

 Mid-afternoon the PS Murray Princess departs historic Mannum, the 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.

14 December 2019 – Murray Bridge

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.

15 December 2019 – The Barossa

We head back to Mannum and after breakfast, discover Australia’s richest and best known wine making region – the Barossa.

Depart Mannum by coach to the famous Barossa, the beautiful ‘valley of the vine’ and the source of about a quarter of Australia’s world-renowned wines. You will visit Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre, Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, enjoy a 2 course lunch at Lambert Estate where you’ll have time to take in the views of this popular vineyard. Your final stop is is Gully Gardens at Angaston, a local producer of dried fruits and confectionery before returning to the PS Murray Princess at Mannum and cruising towards our overnight

mooring at Caurnamont. Our on-board entertainer provides music for the night owls.

16 December 2019 – Blanchetown

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, wrens and swans. Enjoy a leisurely morning and lunch cruising upriver to Blanchetown through one of 13 locks which maintain the flow and levels of water.

This afternoon we moor opposite to 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”

17 December 2019 – Swan Reach

After breakfast we cruise downriver to picturesque Swan Reach. The town was first settled in the 1850s, 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 you can enjoy an ale or cappuccino overlooking the Murray River (additional cost). Join the guided walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum (gold coin donation at entry). Cruise downriver after lunch and take in the tranquillity as the landscape slides by.

When we arrive at Sunnydale, it’s all ashore for the 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 you may see kangaroos, wombats, foxes, bats and owls.

18 December 2019 – Younghusband

After an optional early morning Bush Tucker Breakfast (additional cost) or a bush walk with the Captain, the vessel 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 to cruise downriver to Younghusband. Along the way, adventure seekers can also take a scenic tender boat ride. Tonight the Captain and his officers host a spectacular Farewell Captain’s Buffet Dinner. Dress up and dance, if you wish.

19 December 2019 – Mannum

We leave Younghusband and head back to Mannum. After breakfast we reluctantly say farewell as we arrive at the Mannum Wharf.