MELBOURNE TO HORSHAM

Welcome to our tour which features a 4 day cruise aboard the stunning Murray Princess.   With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. We make our way to Ballarat where we stop for a delicious lunch. Our next stop is in Ararat, where we'll visit the fascinating Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre, which tells the story of the miners from Southern China and their remarkable trek from Robe in South Australia to the Victorian Gold Fields. We then travel through Stawell to Horsham, for our first overnight stay.

OVERNIGHT:  Horsham International Hotel, HORSHAM

SOUTH AUSTRALIA—MANNUM—MURRAY PRINCESS CRUISE

Before leaving Horsham this morning, we take a look at their silo art. “Walking on Country” artwork celebrates the life of a Wotjobaluk warrior, Yanggendyinanyuk. World renowned street artist Sam Bates 'Smug' was commissioned to transform Horsham's silo with the image of Yanggendyinanyuk.  His totem, the Black Cockatoo, has been painted on the adjacent flour mill. After a photo opportunity, we travel through Dimboola and Nhill into South Australia. We arrive in Mannum where we board the Murray Princess. Mannum became a major port in the years of river trade, transporting wheat from the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges upstream to New South Wales and Victoria. We board the 67 metre (200 ft) luxury paddlewheeler for four nights of relaxation. We enjoy the Captain’s informative commentary, excellent meals and timeless scenery. Tonight, we also enjoy a welcome dinner and cruise upriver under floodlight to Caurnamont. You may see nocturnal wildlife on the riverbank. Watch for grey kangaroos, hairy-nosed wombats, Murray longnecked tortoises, spoon-beaked echidnas and many other species.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Murray Princess 

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, blue wrens and black swans. We 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”.

OVERNIGHT: Murray Princess

SUNNYDALE

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 we can enjoy an ale or cappuccino overlooking the Murray River (own cost). Join the guided walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum – a must for every visitor.  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.

OVERNIGHT: Murray Princess

YOUNGHUSBAND

Today, 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 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, join your fellow guests for a delicious farewell dinner and enjoy the evening entertainment.

OVERNIGHT: Murray Princess

MONARTO ZOO AND HAHNDORF

We leave Younghusband and head back to Mannum.  After breakfast we reluctantly say farewell as we arrive at the Mannum Wharf where we board our coach.  Today we visit Monarto Safari Park, the largest open-range safari experience outside of Africa and is home to more than 50 species of exotic and native animals. The zoo plays a major role, nationally and internationally, in breeding programs for rare and endangered species. We’ll be joined on board our coach by a qualified guide for a safari tour of the park.  After a light lunch we’re in for a real treat—the Lions 360 Experience, the only 360 degree lion experience in Australia.  Walk through a tunnel and emerge within clawing range of one of Australia’s largest lion prides.  Enjoy a jaw-dropping, absolutely safe encounter, giving a prey’s-eye view into the world of these awe-inspiring predators!  After some time to view the exhibits and a poke through the Zoo’s gift shop we continue on to Hahndorf with time to freshen up before dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Manna of Hahndorf, HAHNDORF

THE COORONG – MOUNT GAMBIER

Our travels today take us along the Coorong and into South Eastern South Australia. We visit Kingston S.E. and the holiday villages of Robe and Beachport. We take a look around Mount Gambier before retiring to our accommodation for our final night.

OVERNIGHT: Presidential Motel, MOUNT GAMBIER 

MOUNT GAMBIER TO MELBOURNE

This morning we travel the very picturesque area of Victoria’s Western District via Casterton and Coleraine to Hamilton. Hamilton is set among the rolling hills which produce some of the finest merino wool in the world.  The town has therefore adopted the slogan “wool capital of the world”. Heading for home we pass through Mortlake and cross to the Princes Highway with lunch at Camperdown. Camperdown sits on the great volcanic plain of Victoria’s Western District and is surrounded by crater lakes and volcanic cones. As we cross the “great volcanic plain”, we travel alongside miles of fascinating dry-stone walls which are a feature of the countryside and known as the stony rises.  The walls were built in the 1860’s by highly skilled “wallers” from Ireland and Scotland.  We also pass by many crater lakes, some more salty than the sea. We arrive at Geelong mid-afternoon and continue on to Melbourne to complete a wonderful time away. As always our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service.