We invite you to join us on a leisurely 3 night Murray River cruise, combined with premium rail travel aboard The Overland between Adelaide and Melbourne. With time to explore and enjoy sightseeing in both cities, this is a wonderfully relaxed way to discover Australia’s southern states.
Activity Level 1
Early Booking Discount - Book by 30 November 2026 and save $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 08 APR - AUCKLAND/ADELAIDE
Depart Auckland at 8.25am and arrive in Adelaide at 10.55am. Adelaide is renowned for its 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, is set on a sandy white beach. A fabulous place to relax and enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the Pier. Stay Crowne Plaza Hotel Adelaide, 1 night. Included: D
FRI 09 APR - ADELAIDE/MURRAY PRINCESS
Today head to historic Mannum on the west bank of the Murray River - the birthplace of the Murray River trade andcommunication. Depart mid-afternoon on the 3 night Discovery 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 onboard entertainer provides music for the night owls. Included: B, D
SAT 10 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 11 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 12 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 continue to 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 13 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, the River Torrens and Mt Lofty Summit. This afternoon is at leisure. Dinner in a local restaurant. Included: B, D
WED 14 APR - ADELAIDE, HANHDORF, SALVADOR DALI, WINE TASTING
Depart for free time in charming Hahndorf, the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia, founded in 1839. Explore this contemporary artisan village then head to The Pearl 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 tasting and tour the Salvador Dali Exhibition valued at over $20 million (the largest Salvador Dali sculpture exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere). Return to Adelaide for a free evening. Included: B, L
THU 15 APR - ADELAIDE/MELBOURNE (RAIL)
Travel from Adelaide to Melbourne on ‘The Overland’ rail service. Enjoy a day-long interstate rail journey, one of the most relaxing ways 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 16 APR - DAY AT LEISURE
A free day to explore or relax. Perhaps stroll the Royal Botanic Gardens, or get out and about on the Free City Circle Tram. Enjoy lunch in one of Melbourne’s laneways or beside the river, or browse the city shops and Queen Victoria Market.
Included: B
SAT 17 APR - VINTAGE STEAM TRAIN, WINERY LUNCH
Experience Australia’s favourite steam train, Puffing Billy, in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges. Built in 1900 to serve local communities, this historic railway offers a memorable journey through the ranges. Later savour a hearty vineyard lunch in the Yarra Valley, after which we visit a local chocolatier before returning to Melbourne. Included: B, L
SUN 18 APR - MELBOURNE/AUCKLAND
12.10pm and arrive in Auckland at 5.45pm.
Included: B
Deposit: $1,000pp
