Hosted by Bob Archer & Captain Jock Veenstra
This combination of coach touring and Murray River cruising is fully hosted by two experts in their field:
Bob Archer has worked in travel and tourism for 45 years. He is well known for developing and hosting group tours with a difference, specializing in Australian regional areas including the Murray and Darling rivers.
Captain Jock Veenstra has spent his life living and working on the Murray River. Jock and his father established the first “modern day” Murray cruises when they built and operated cruise vesels such as the Murray River Queen and Murray Princess. With his son, Jock built the purpose built “Spirit of the Murray” specially to cruise Australia’s great river. He is a fully qualified Murray River captain with an extensive knowledge of the Murray River system.
Both Bob & Jock live on the Murray at Goolwa and from their extensive combined experience have designed an informative and relaxing tour packed with many highlights.
This will be a special charter cruise and tour personally hosted by Bob and Jock, departing from and returning to Adelaide. Airport collection and city pick-ups are included with comfortable coach touring to and from the “Spirit Cruise”. In addition to all the highlights on the cruise section we visit places such as the Barossa Valley, Lake Bonney, Hindmarsh Island, Victor Harbor, Hahndorf and the beautiful Adelaide Hills.
Special features:
- Barossa Valley
- 5 day cruise on the Murray River
- Customs House
- Bookmark Reserve
- Chowilla Station
- Renmark
- Berri
- Loxton
- Banrock Station
- Overland Corner Pub
- Waikerie
- Morgan
- Swan Reach and the Murray Cliffs
- Mannum & Murray Bridge
- Lake Alexandrina
- Goolwa
- Murray Mouth Cruise
- Hindmarsh Island
- Victor harbour & South Coast
- Strathalbyn
- Adelaide Hills drive
- Hahndorf
The tour itinerary:
Day 1 - Thursday 27th October 2011
Adelaide – Barossa Valley
The tour commences Adelaide Airport at 2.30 pm. Bob Archer will meet specified Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue flights arriving in Adelaide from 12.00 noon to 2.15pm. Proceed to the Adelaide CBD with a 3.00 pm departure from the Franklin Street Bus Station. Clients staying at CBD hotels will be collected (2.30pm) and taken to the Bus Station. This afternoon we drive north past Gawler and into the beautiful Barossa Valley. Tonight we have a “welcome” dinner arranged. Our motel is situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley at Tanunda
Barossa Weintal Resort, Barossa Valley (D)
Day 2 - Friday 28th October
Blanchetown – Paringa – Old Customs House – Cruising - Renmark
Breakfast followed by a short tour of the Barossa Valley before crossing the Murray for the first time at Blanchetown. We pass through a lot of the irrigation country that later in the tour we will see from the river perspective. Pause for a morning tea stop in Barmera on the banks of Lake Bonney. This is a beautiful section of the Riverland that we will not see on the boat section. Just prior to lunch pass through Renmark and Paringa. Obtain spectacular views over the Murray River at the Heading Cliffs. Continue to the old Customs House at the Border Cliffs. We are still in South Australia but very close to the Victorian border. It is here we join Jock Veenstra and our crew of the “Sprit of the Murray” for the wonderful days ahead. Barbecue lunch prior to boarding our vessel. Our exciting 5 day / 4 night, 560km Murray River Run Cruise commences this afternoon. Cruise downstream, through Lock 6 and stopping at Chowilla Station for a talk / tour and a good "Old Fashion" afternoon tea. Reboard the boat cruising through spectacular Redgum forests before stopping in Renmark. Dinner at our Hotel.
Renmark Hotel, Renmark (B L D)
Day 3 - Saturday 29th October
Cruising: Berri - Loxton
Following breakfast we walk over the road and board the “Spirit of the Murray” Depart Renmark and pass under the Paringa Bridge, through Lock 5. Experience the breath taking views as we cruise further downstream passing the small town of Lyrup, and stopping at Berri for lunch. Time will be allowed to explore the town of Berri. Return to the boat cruise through Lock 4 and the Kamakazi Flats before stopping at Loxton Hotel. We arrive in plenty of time to enjoy a short walk around this beautiful riverside town. Dinner at the hotel.
Loxton Hotel. Loxton (B L D)
Day 4 - Sunday 30th October
Cruising: Overland Corner Pub – Banrock Station - Waikerie
Another “hearty” cooked breakfast then it is only a short walk to our vessel. Depart Loxton cruise past the towns of Cobdogla, Moorook and Kingston on the Murray before stopping for lunch to the historic Overland Corner Hotel. This hotel was commissioned in the 1850's as a refreshment point for weary travellers, it now is both hotel and museum and boast at having its own resident ghost. After lunch board your coach to Banrock Station for a video / talk and afternoon tea. Banrock Station is an award winning wine and ecotourism destination with panoramic views of the vineyards and wetlands time will also be allowed for the short walk or for wine tasting. Coach transfer back to the boat and enjoy the spectacular scenery as we cruise further downstream stopping at Waikerie. Again time to explore the town and wander up the lookout.
Waikerie Hotel, Waikerie (B L D)
Day 5 - Monday 31st October
Cruising: Cadell – Morgan – Swan Reach - Mannum
Depart Waikerie cruise through Lock 2, Red Gum Forest and past the town of Cadell before stopping for lunch at the historic Riverport of Morgan, time will be allowed to walk along the restored wharf precinct and the historic railway station. Cruise through Lock 1 at Blanchetown, the first lock on the Murray River built in 1921. View spectacular scenery at Big Bend, this area boast the tallest cliffs anywhere along the entire length of the Murray River, before cruising past the town of Swan Reach and then stopping at Kroehn's Landing for coach transfer to Mannum.
Mannum Motel, Mannum (B L D)
Day 6 - Tuesday 1st November
Cruising: Ngaut Ngaut – Murray Bridge – Wellington – Lake Alexandrina - Goolwa
Depart Mannum by coach return to Kroehn's Landing for a guided tour by the local Nganguraku Aboriginal people. On this tour visitors have the opportunity to walk the Ngaut-ngaut boardwalk that meanders up the fascinating cliffs. Reboard the boat cruise past the towns of Walkers Flat, Purnong and Bowhill before stopping for lunch at the historic town of Mannum, birthplace of Paddlesteamer history. Time will be allowed to explore the town of Mannum, or you may wish to visit the Mannum Dock Museum. Our afternoon cruise takes us along the lower reaches of the Murray River, past Murray Bridge and Tailem Bend to Wellington. It is nearby that the river opens into the huge Lake Alexandrina. Provided weather conditions are suitable we cross the lake in our vessel – especially built for this crossing. Tonight we are close to the end of our journey – the river mouth. Arriving in Goolwa late afternoon. Our cases are taken to the motel, and Bob will walk the group through the town centre to our motel. Dinner and overnight at the Central Motel
Goolwa Central Motel, Goolwa (B L D)
Day 7 - Wednesday 2nd November
Hindmarsh Island – Murray Mouth cruise – Victor Harbor – South Coast
Following breakfast we board our vessel for a special “Murray Mouth” morning tea cruise. This completes our story of the Murray as we cruise past Hindmarsh Island and see the start of the Coorong region. Late morning re board our coach and travel over to Hindmarsh Island for a tour of the new Marina. Free time for lunch in Goolwa. This afternoon we tour the south coast including the nearby townships of Middleton, Port Elliott and Victor Harbor. Return to Goolwa. Tonight a “farewell” dinner at the Goolwa Hotel.
Goolwa Central Motel, Goolwa (B D)
Day 8 - Thursday 3rd November
Strathalbyn – Adelaide Hills – Hahndorf - Adelaide
Following breakfast we farewell the Murray River and Goolwa and travel to nearby Strathalbyn - a delightful old farming town which is now known for its antique shops. Tour Strathalbyn before we continue into the Adelaide Hills and beautiful Hahndorf. This historic village is full of shops and a delight to walk through. We allow free time to discover the village and purchase an optional lunch. Early afternoon travel over Mt Lofty and arrive Adelaide.
The coach will stop at the Franklin Street Bus Station at 2.00 pm (clients staying at CBD hotels will be transferred) – then the coach proceeds to Adelaide Airport at 2.30 pm for flights departing after 3.30 pm. (B) |
