Relax on board our purpose-built riverboat as you discover the beauty and fascination of the fourth longest river system in the world.
Come cruising...
Join us aboard the superbly appointed riverboat, the Proud Mary, for a terrific 2 night discovery cruise. Departing every Friday afternoon, you'll feel relaxed in an instant as we immediately glide gracefully up the breathtaking River Murray.
The 2 night discovery cruise includes all meals. Let our brilliant chefs delight your senses with modern Australian and European cuisine made from the highest quality seasonal produce.
Abundant wildlife and magnificent scenery will be seen throughout your entire stay aboard. River Gums and Willows line the banks of this famous river and provide a perfect safe haven for birds and wildlife. Take in the towering cliffs and beautiful sandy beaches as the Proud Mary idly cruises by. At night, the Proud Mary’s powerful floodlights provide a rare glimpse of nocturnal wildlife, especially birds such as night herons, owls and coots.
Lagoon cruises, a guided nature walk through Reedy Creek Gorge and an Australian themed bush barbecue with live entertainment make up the highlights of this tremendous 2 night discovery cruise (more details on cruise highlights below).
For when you choose to retire to the private contemporary ensuite accommodation provided, all cabins onboard feature stunning river views so you can stay immersed in the beauty of nature.
2 night discovery cruise highlights include:
Lagoon cruises
Reedy Creek Gorge nature walk
Australian themed bush barbecue
Night cruising
Live entertainment
Friday
7pm You are welcomed aboard by the friendly Proud Mary crew. Having settled into your comfortable, river-view cabin, you may like to join fellow passengers in the Dining Room & enjoy a drink before a delicious hot supper is served. Proud Mary cruises to its overnight mooring point and your Captain introduces the crew. Cruising the river at night is a magical experience and the Proud Mary’s powerful floodlights illuminate the graceful willows and dark waters as you glide past. This is an excellent opportunity to see the River environment from a completely different perspective and may allow you to view some of the nocturnal wildlife, especially birds such as night herons, owls, and coots.
10pm Proud Mary ties up at Sunnyside, our overnight mooring, for a night of peace and tranquillity in the Australian bush.
11.30pm Dining Room is closed.
Saturday
7am The Dining Room is opened. Tea and coffee available.
8am Proud Mary departs Sunnyside and continues upstream through some of the most spectacular scenery on the entire Murray River system. In the early days of riverboats, the inland lagoons were so immense that captains could often not find clear channels to navigate, so in the early 1900s riverboat captains planted willow trees along the banks to clearly mark the main river. Today the willows provide the perfect haven for a prolific range of birdlife. There are some 320 species in this area and, with the aid of binoculars and your well-informed guide, you will be able to study these beautiful creatures at close range.
8.15am - 9am A hearty buffet breakfast is available, featuring quality South Australian produce, which you can enjoy while cruising through Mypolonga, Woodlane, Caloote and Ponde.
10.30am The Proud Mary berths in Mannum allowing time for a stroll through this historic town. Visit the Mannum Dock Museum for a fascinating glimpse of aboriginal settlement and the early days of paddle-steamers. Details on three historic walks, explaining significant places and heritage buildings, can be obtained at the Visitor Information Centre.
12.30pm The vessel departs Mannum. Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the Proud Mary chefs as you cruise upstream through Younghusband and Teal Flat. Your menu may include dishes such as Lamb Rack with Tomato Chutney or NT Barrumundi with Lemon Myrtle, Spinach and Yam Chips.
3pm Proud Mary ties up at Teal Flat, located alongside towering cliffs and beautiful sandy beaches. Here, you will enjoy an informative guided cruise aboard a small boat as our expert ecologist leads you through the lagoons and inlets of the Murray River. This amazing experience allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of the river environment while your guide provides fascinating information about the River and its ecology. It’s a truly memorable experience.
5pm The Bar opens onshore. Enjoy a relaxing drink as you bask in the beauty of your surroundings and chat to fellow passengers. There’s also time to take a walk around the nearby riverbank area to immerse yourself in peace of your surroundings.
6.30pm This evening delivers another memorable experience… a traditional Aussie barbeque prepared by our chefs and eaten under a canopy of stars amidst the restful sounds of the nearby river. Afterwards enjoy an evening of live entertainment around a blazing campfire, provided by our resident musician. Request a song and sing along into the night as the stars of the Australian sky hover above, almost close enough to touch.
11.30pm Dining Room closes.
Sunday
7am The Dining Room opens. Tea and coffee available. This morning there will be time for further exploration of the tranquil Australian bush.
7.45am Proud Mary departs Teal Flat & cruises downstream towards Mannum.
8.15am - 9am Another hearty English breakfast is served for your enjoyment.
10.15am Arrive back at picturesque Mannum to board the waiting coach for your tour to Reedy Creek Environmental Park. This was an important gathering point for local Aboriginal tribes as it provided an abundant source of water throughout the entire year. Your ecologist guide will explain this special landscape and its effect on the surrounding countryside and the aboriginal inhabitants. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended and don’t forget to take along your cameras, as Reedy Creek is very picturesque indeed, especially when the waterfalls are flowing.
12.15pm We depart from Mannum.
12.30pm A delicious smorgasbord lunch is served featuring fresh local produce. This afternoon there will be more spectacular scenery while the Proud Mary cruises past Ponde, Caloote, Woodlane, Mypolonga and Willow Banks. An interesting video on Murray River Ecology will be shown during the afternoon.
4pm Late afternoon, the Vessel secures back at Murray Bridge. We hope you have enjoyed your time with us and will return for another River Murray experience in the future.
Getting there...
The Proud Mary departs from Murray Bridge, just an hour from Adelaide. Return coach transfers are available to take you to the wharf at Sturt Reserve where you will board the vessel. For self-drive passengers, secure undercover lock-up garaging facilities are available adjacent to the wharf. Embarkation is available from 7.00pm.
Garaging
Upon arrival, make your way to the vessel where our crew will meet you for check-in. After that, our Cruise Director will ask you to drive your vehicle to the garaging facility just a few minutes from the wharf where your vehicle will be securely locked away and the bus will bring you back to the boat. Cost is $140.
Coach transfers
These are available to and from Murray Bridge at the small cost of $55 each way ($110 return). The coach departs from the Adelaide Central bus station, 85 Franklin Street. Check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure. For directions to Adelaide Central Bus Station please contact reservations 1800 677 683 or +61 8 8406 4444.
- Friday and Sunday coach departure times from Adelaide for cruises departing from Murray Bridge – 6:00pm
- Friday and Sunday coach arrival times into Adelaide for cruises disembarking in Murray Bridge – 5:45pm
Self-drive passengers
Travelling from Adelaide, South Australia to Murray Bridge – Take the South Eastern freeway out of Adelaide to the Murray Bridge exit. Carry on into Murray Bridge and turn right at the third set of traffic lights. This is East Street with the Bridge Port Hotel on the corner. Follow the signs to ‘Sturt Reserve’ and park in the Community Club Car Park.
Travelling from the Australian Eastern States to Murray Bridge – After travelling through Tailem Bend take the Murray Bridge exit and continue onto the township over the bridge. Take the 1st left once off the bridge. This is East Street with the Bridge Port Hotel on the corner. Follow the signs to ‘Sturt Reserve’ and park in the Community Club Car Park.
My wife and I want to express our appreciation to your company for the wonderful five day trip we had on the Proud Mary, which departed Murray Bridge on Sunday, 7th July 2013. From the time we joined your mini bus at the front gate of our village on 7th…