Enjoy a relaxing journey through South Australia and Victoria, starting in Adelaide with its parklands and seaside charm. Cruise the Murray River aboard the Murray Princess, with wildlife, walks, and fine food. Discover Barossa wines, explore historic Hahndorf, and visit the striking D’Arenberg Cube and Dali exhibition. Travel in comfort on the Overland Train to Melbourne for gardens, markets, and a ride on the beloved Puffing Billy steam train. A delightful, easy-paced holiday for the mature traveller.
Activity Level 1
Early Booking Discount - Book by 23 Oct, 2025 and save an extra $70 per person
Home pick up and return within the Auckland metropolitan area (if applicable).
Services of Travelwise Holidays Tour Leader throughout.
Return economy class airfares on Air New Zealand, Auckland-Adelaide & Melbourne-Auckland.
Quality hotel accommodation at Hotel Crowne Plaza (4 nights) Pullman Hotel Melbourne (3 nights) including buffet breakfast daily.
A city tour and a separate full day tour to Hanhdorf, D’Arenburg Cube, Maclaren Vale, The Dali Exhibition including lunch at Port Willunga.
3 night River Cruise aboard the 'Murray Princess'. Twin-bedded, air-conditioned outside staterooms with private facilities. All meals, shore excursions and activities included. Note: River Cruise Staterooms are cosy at around 10-12 m2. (We recommend arranging 1 suitcase between two, or arrange a smaller bag each for the cruise. Free Hotel luggage storage available in Adelaide.
Tour the famous Barossa, Australia’s best known wine making region. Savour a wine tasting at Chateau Tanunda and then onto award winning Jacobs Creek Winery for a hearty lunch.
‘Red Premium’ class rail travel from Adelaide to Melbourne aboard ‘The Overland’ daylight rail service including complimentary breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and beverages (non alcoholic). Note some seats may have a partial window view.
Puffing Billy train ride in the Dandenong Ranges & hearty vineyard lunch in the Yarra Valley.
All airport, hotel and railway station transfers throughout.
Travelwise Holidays documentation & travel bag.
THU 23 APR - AUCKLAND/ADELAIDE
Depart Auckland on NZ 191 at 8.25am and arrive in Adelaide at 10.55am. Adelaide is reknown for it’s artisan produce, vibrant nightlife, lush green parklands, and new-age shopping precincts. Transfer to the hotel to settle in. Late afternoon head to Glenelg, Adelaide's favourite seaside destination, on a sandy white beach. A fabulous place to relax, and enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the Pier. Stay Crowne Plaza Hotel or similar, Adelaide, 1 night. Included: D
FRI 24 APR - ADELAIDE/MURRAY PRINCESS
Today head to historic Mannum on the west bank of the Murray River - the birthplace of the Murray River trade and communication. Mid afternoon embark on a Captain Cook 3 night Murray River Cruise. Enjoy a Welcome onboard dinner tonight. As you cruise under floodlight to an overnight mooring at Mundurra, you may see nocturnal wildlife on the riverbank. Watch for kangaroos, hairy nosed wombats, tortoises, egrets and many other species. The on-board entertainer provides music for the night owls. Included: B, D
SAT 25 APR - ONBOARD MURRAY PRINCESS
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 Safari Park (additional cost). Those who choose to experience Monarto Safari Park 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 the talented crew. Included: B, L, D
SUN 26 APR - ONBOARD MURRAY PRINCESS
This morning, join a guided nature walk where the guide will share the secrets of the local flora and fauna. It’s a great way to get in a little exercise before the Murray Princess departs and cruises downriver. Near Fromms Landing, we turn and head downriver to River View Lodge (near Piggy Flat / Coolcha) where your discovery vessel awaits for a wildlife tour. Travelling in small, personalised groups, we explore the maze of the river, and the birdlife is amazing. The afternoon offers a choice of bocce or fishing challenges before a delicious final night dinner in the dining room. Included: B, L, D
MON 27 APR - MURRAY PRINCESS/ADELAIDE
We head back to Mannum and after breakfast, we disembark the ship. Board the coach and travel into the famous Barossa, Australia’s best known wine making region. Savour a wine tasting at Chateau Tanunda and then onto Jacobs Creek Winery for a hearty lunch. (Vineyards may change based on operating conditions). Head back to Adelaide. Freedom dining tonight. Stay Crowne Plaza Hotel, Adelaide, 3 nights. Included: B, L
TUE 28 APR - ADELAIDE SIGHTSEEING
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour including the beautiful city squares and the City of Adelaide Clipper ship, the world's oldest clipper ship, built in England and launched in 1864. Also visit Colonel Lights lookout, Adelaide Oval, River Torrens and Mt Lofty Summit. Afternoon is at leisure. Dinner near the hotel. Included: B, D
WED 29 APR - ADELAIDE, HANHDORF, SALVADOR DALI, WINE TASTING
Depart for free time in charming Hanhdorf, the oldest surviving Germanic settlement in Australia, founded in 1839. Explore this contemporary artisan village then head to Star of Greece restaurant (or similar) for an included lunch in Port Willunga. Visit the surreal D’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale - a five storey building set among the Mourvèdre vines with the optical illusion of it floating in the vineyard. Enjoy a wine taste and tour the Salvador Dali Exhibition valued at over $20m (the largest Salvador Dali sculpture exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere). Return to Adelaide for a free evening. Included: B, L
THU 30 APR - ADELAIDE/MELBOURNE (RAIL)
Travel from Adelaide to Melbourne on ‘The Overland Rail Service.
Ride the rails of romance on this interstate adventure with this day-long train voyage, still the best way to travel between Adelaide and Melbourne. Travel in Red Premium class, providing all-inclusive dining, comfortable, reclining seats, generous legroom and dedicated hospitality attendants to tend to your every need.
Dinner own arrangements. Stay Pullman City Centre Hotel, Melbourne, 3 nights. Included: B, L
FRI 01 MAY - DAY AT LEISURE
A free day to explore or relax. Maybe stroll the Royal Botanic Gardens, or get out and about on the Free City Circle Tram. Indulge in a laneway or riverside lunch or shop in the city centre or the Queen Victoria Market. Included: B
SAT 02 MAY - VINTAGE STEAM TRAIN, WINERY LUNCH
Step into a timeless world of wonder with Australia’s favourite steam train, Puffing Billy, located in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges. Built in 1900 to serve the local communities, step aboard a living time machine. Later savour a hearty vineyard lunch in the Yarra Valley. Included: B, L
SUN 03 MAY - MELBOURNE/AUCKLAND
Depart for the airport and fly back to Auckland on Air New Zealand. Depart at 12.05pm and arrive in Auckland at 5.40pm. Included: B
Deposit: $1,000pp
