7 Night Cruise sailing from Loxton to Mannum aboard Murray Princess.

Join us aboard the PS Murray Princess as we follow in the wake of great 19th century pioneers on a unique journey through three Locks in Blanchetown, Morgan and Overland Corner. This is a 339km voyage between Loxton and Mannum South Australia.

FRIDAY
Mid-afternoon the PS Murray Princess departs historic Loxton, located in South Australia’s Riverland region, and cruises through the picturesque area of Katarapko while you enjoy a Welcome Dinner. As we cruise under floodlight to our overnight mooring at Katarapko Creek 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.

SATURDAY
Today our journey will take you back to the township of Loxton. Step back in time at The Village Historic Loxton, which tells the stories of the region’s early settlers and their families, displayed in over 45 recreated buildings and exhibits on the banks of the mighty Murray River. You’ll have free time to explore the village before re-boarding the Murray Princess and continue cruising downriver. After lunch, join us in the Sturt Dining Room for a special presentation on the bounty of food and wine produced in the Riverland. Catch up with friends in the afternoon over a coffee or a drink and whilst enjoying the magnificent scenery. Late afternoon we arrive at Kingston on Murray for our overnight moorage and after dinner you’ll be entertained by our talented crew.

SUNDAY
After a delicious breakfast, we visit the Cobdogla Irrigation and Steam Museum, the home of Australia’s ‘Big Thumper’ Humphrey Pump. The world’s only working Humphrey Pump has been caringly restored and is demonstrated along with steam and diesel locomotives, steam traction or ploughing engines, oil engines, tractors and machinery from the early development era of the Irrigation Areas. After lunch we will navigate Kingston-on- Murray Lock #3, the first lock on this voyage and continue to Overland Corner for our overnight anchorage. Overland Corner was a convenient watering place and camp site for the overlanders and drovers operating between New South Wales and the colony based in Adelaide in the early years of the 1800s. The Overland Corner Hotel has been restored by the National Trust of South Australia and has so many tales to tell. Join in a guided walking tour of the hotel before returning to the Murray Princess for dinner. After dinner, sing along to your favourite music with your fellow passengers and dance the night away.

MONDAY
Enjoy a leisurely morning and lunch cruising down river to Waikerie. Enjoy the vessel’s on-board facilities and catch up with friends over a tea or coffee whilst enjoying the magnificent scenery. After lunch we stop at the picturesque river town of Waikerie, which was established in 1894 when its first settlers arrived by paddlewheeler. Enjoy free time in the township and visit the Waikerie Machinery and Preservation Museum before re-joining the vessel and continue towards our overnight mooring at an old distillery. After dinner, join us for all the fun and excitement, and participate in our “Murray River Cup”.

TUESDAY
This morning we pass through the 2nd lock of the journey and continue to Caudo Vineyard. Here you will enjoy wine tasting at their cellar door and take in the scenery at the beautiful area of Hogwash Bend. This afternoon, we arrive at Morgan where you’ll have the option to join a fascinating guided walk of the township and the Morgan Living History Museum. Re-board the Murray Princess mid-afternoon and continue cruising downriver to Donald Flat Lagoon for our overnight anchorage. This evening, enjoy being entertained by our on-board entertainer.

WEDNESDAY
An early start to today’s cruising so we can navigate the final lock on this journey, Lock #1 at Blanchetown during breakfast. This morning participate in a game of bingo before arriving at Swan Reach. The town was first settled in the 1850s and 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 a 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) by tractor and cart is available after dinner.

THURSDAY
After an optional Bush Tucker Breakfast (additional cost) or a bush walk with the Captain, we cruise 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 to view ancient rock carvings and to learn about aboriginal history in the area. We return to the vessel to cruise downriver to River View Lodge (near Piggy Flat / Coolcha). 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.

FRIDAY
After breakfast, your journey ends as we arrive at Mannum where we reluctantly say farewell.

PS Murray Princess is purpose built for the Murray River. She is faithfully designed as a modern romantic representative of a time when hundreds of such vessels plied the river. Unlike most modern-day river vessels with imitation paddles, Murray Princess is propelled by an authentic, massive stern paddlewheel.

There’s no better way to see the Murray River and a slice of the hauntingly beautiful and dramatic Australian outback, its unique flora and fauna, and the rich legacy of old riverside ports and indigenous culture close up than to drift unhurried and quietly under the power of the paddle-wheeler.

Accommodating just 120 passengers, Murray Princess brings the unique advantages of small ship cruising to the Murray River. The Captain and crew know the river intimately and are delighted to share with you their knowledge and stories. The lounges and dining saloon are spacious with a character and charm of yesteryear. Grand in name, yet relaxed and informal by nature, Murray Princess fosters a warmth and friendliness unique to the river.

From the Great Barrier Reef to the bays and beaches of Sydney Harbour to the outback vastness of the Murray River basin, Captain Cook Cruises draws on over 39 years of cruising knowledge to create unique and exciting travel experiences.

Small ship cruising takes you far from the beaten track and close up to places no other kind of cruising can reach. Our ship's small size means it can negotiate narrow waterways, shallow bays and quiet rivers where bigger ships cannot go.

Unlike big ships and large scale international ports, a small ship allows you to experience places where the nature, history and culture remain fresh, where the flood of tourists has not overrun them and will not overrun you. Places where you will meet and interact with the locals and discover how the waterway plays a vital role in their normal day to day lives.

Of course you still enjoy all the comforts larger ships provide: swimming pools, sun decks, bars, quality dining, massage and beauty treatments, entertainment and good company.

We encourage a hands-on approach, but always leave you in charge of your own activity level. If there is a headland to climb or a reef to snorkel, you are invited. If you want to take it easy by the onboard pool, just ask for a towel and maybe grab a thriller from the library.