Experience the timeless beauty of Australia's greatest river on the Murray River Highlights Tour — a full-day guided adventure from Adelaide to the legendary Murray River, where ancient orange cliffs, weeping willows, towering red river gums, and abundant wildlife line the banks of one of the world's great waterways. Board the iconic Proud Mary for a 2-hour lunch cruise through spectacular Murray River scenery, enjoy a delicious 2-course lunch on board, and explore the charming riverside town of Mannum and the Adelaide Hills on the way home.
Key Highlights
- Cruise the magnificent Murray River aboard the iconic Proud Mary — enjoying a sumptuous 2-course lunch with complimentary water, tea, and coffee included on board
- Marvel at stunning orange limestone cliffs, weeping willows, and enormous red river gums lining the banks of Australia's most important river system
- Spot pelicans, galahs, cockatoos, cormorants, and abundant Murray River wildlife from the comfort of the cruise deck
- Explore the historic riverside town of Mannum — the birthplace of paddle steamer travel in Australia — with free time and a scenic lookout stop
- Stop at Melba's Chocolate Factory or Woodside Cheese Wrights in the Adelaide Hills for afternoon tea on the return journey
About Murray River Tour
The Murray River Highlights Tour is one of South Australia's most beloved and relaxing full-day guided experiences — a journey into the heart of Australia's river country that combines comfortable coach travel, a spectacular on-river lunch cruise, and a beautifully paced exploration of the landscapes and towns of the Murray River corridor.
Departing Adelaide, your expert driver and guide leads you east through the rolling landscape of the Angus and Torrens Valleys, with commentary on the remarkable ecology and history of the Murray-Darling Basin — Australia's most important agricultural and water system. On arrival at Mannum, you board the Proud Mary — one of Australia's most beloved Murray River vessels — for the highlight of the day. For approximately 2 hours, the Proud Mary cruises through a stretch of river that showcases the extraordinary natural beauty of the Murray at its finest — sheer orange limestone cliffs dropping to the olive-green water, ancient red river gums spreading their roots to the river's edge, weeping willows trailing in the current, and a procession of native wildlife on the banks and in the sky. A sumptuous 2-course lunch is served on board with complimentary water, tea, and coffee, while the bar offers additional drinks for purchase.
After disembarking, your guide leads a scenic drive along the Murray riverbank with stops at spectacular lookout points — including the Mannum Lookout — before the coach returns via the Adelaide Hills, stopping at either Melba's Chocolate Factory (own expense) or Woodside Cheese Wrights for a final taste of regional South Australia before the return to Adelaide. Book your Murray River Highlights Tour now on Thrillark and save up to 16%.
Departing Adelaide, your expert driver and guide leads you east through the rolling landscape of the Angus and Torrens Valleys, with commentary on the remarkable ecology and history of the Murray-Darling Basin — Australia's most important agricultural and water system. On arrival at Mannum, you board the Proud Mary — one of Australia's most beloved Murray River vessels — for the highlight of the day. For approximately 2 hours, the Proud Mary cruises through a stretch of river that showcases the extraordinary natural beauty of the Murray at its finest — sheer orange limestone cliffs dropping to the olive-green water, ancient red river gums spreading their roots to the river's edge, weeping willows trailing in the current, and a procession of native wildlife on the banks and in the sky. A sumptuous 2-course lunch is served on board with complimentary water, tea, and coffee, while the bar offers additional drinks for purchase.
After disembarking, your guide leads a scenic drive along the Murray riverbank with stops at spectacular lookout points — including the Mannum Lookout — before the coach returns via the Adelaide Hills, stopping at either Melba's Chocolate Factory (own expense) or Woodside Cheese Wrights for a final taste of regional South Australia before the return to Adelaide. Book your Murray River Highlights Tour now on Thrillark and save up to 16%.
Inclusions
- Full-day guided coach tour with expert local driver and guide commentary throughout
- 2-hour cruise aboard the Proud Mary on the Murray River
- 2-course lunch on board the Proud Mary with complimentary water, tea, and coffee
- Morning hotel pickup from selected Adelaide CBD hotels
- Return to Adelaide Central Bus Station and selected hotel drop-offs
Exclusions
- Personal expenses
Insiders' Tips
Sit on the upper deck of the Proud Mary for the best views of the river cliffs and wildlife — the lower deck is comfortable but the open upper deck delivers the most memorable Murray River experience. Bring a hat and sunscreen for the exposed deck sections and a light jacket for the early morning coach journey as the river valley can be cool in the morning before the day warms up.
Additional Information
Duration
- Approximately 8 hours
- 9:15 AM to 5:15 PM
- Children under 3 years old are free of charge with no seats provided.
- 09:15AM - Departs from Adelaide Central Bus Station or selected Adelaide CBD hotels
- 2 hours cruise on-board the ‘Proud Mary’ whilst
- 2-course lunch including complimentary water, tea & coffee
- 05:15PM - End of tour and drop-off at Adelaide Central Bus Station or selected Adelaide CBD hotels
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation at least 72 hrs before the travel date for a full refund
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Murray River Highlights Tour?
The Murray River Highlights Tour is a full-day guided coach tour from Adelaide to the Murray River, featuring a 2-hour lunch cruise aboard the iconic Proud Mary, a 2-course on-board lunch, free time in Mannum, and an afternoon tea stop at Melba's Chocolate Factory or Woodside Cheese Wrights on the return. The tour departs at 9:15 AM and returns at approximately 5:15 PM, operating from the Adelaide Central Bus Station.
What is the Proud Mary and what is the cruise like?
The Proud Mary is one of Australia's most beloved Murray River vessels, cruising through a spectacular stretch of the river around Mannum for approximately 2 hours with commentary on the river's history, ecology, and wildlife. The cruise passes dramatic orange limestone cliffs, ancient red river gums, and weeping willows, with pelicans, galahs, cockatoos, and cormorants regularly sighted along the banks and in the sky above the water.
What food is included on the Proud Mary Murray River cruise?
A 2-course lunch is served on board the Proud Mary throughout the cruise, with complimentary water, tea, and coffee included. A licensed bar is available on board for additional drink purchases. Guests with dietary requirements should advise the operator at the time of booking to ensure the on-board lunch can be appropriately prepared.
What is Mannum and what can I do there?
Mannum is a charming historic township on the banks of the Murray River — widely regarded as the birthplace of paddle steamer travel in Australia — with a waterfront main street, heritage buildings, a riverside park, and the Mannum Dock Museum of River History. The tour includes free time to explore the township at your own pace, as well as a stop at the Mannum Lookout for panoramic views over the river bend and the surrounding valley.
What wildlife can I see on the Murray River Highlights Tour?
The Murray River corridor is one of Australia's most wildlife-rich environments, and the Proud Mary cruise regularly provides sightings of pelicans gliding on the river, galahs and cockatoos in the river gums, cormorants perched on snags, water dragons sunning on the banks, and occasional kangaroos at the water's edge. Your guide provides commentary on the wildlife and ecology of the Murray River system throughout both the cruise and the coach journey.
What is Melba's Chocolate Factory and is it included?
Melba's Chocolate Factory is a popular artisan chocolate producer in the Adelaide Hills town of Woodside, offering a retail shop, tasting experiences, and one of the best chocolate selections in South Australia. The afternoon tea stop at Melba's is at your own expense and is an optional part of the return journey — on some tour days the stop is at the nearby Woodside Cheese Wrights instead, offering artisan cheese tastings and a deli shop.
Is the Murray River Highlights Tour suitable for children?
Yes, the Murray River Highlights Tour is well suited to families with children — the river cruise, wildlife spotting, and the dramatic scenery of the orange cliffs and red river gums are genuinely captivating for younger visitors, and the relaxed pace of the day makes it comfortable for all ages. Children aged 3 to 14 travel at a child ticket rate and infants aged 0 to 2 travel free of charge.
What happens if the Proud Mary is unavailable on my tour date?
On selected dates — including the weeks around Christmas and New Year — the Proud Mary lunch cruise is replaced by the Captain Proud vessel, which provides the same cruise route, 2-course lunch, and on-board experience as the standard tour. The operator will advise of any vessel changes in advance of your departure, and the experience remains consistent regardless of which vessel operates on your tour day.
How far is the Murray River from Adelaide and how long does the drive take?
Mannum on the Murray River is approximately 80 kilometres east of Adelaide and takes around one hour by coach through the scenic Angus and Torrens Valleys. The drive itself is an enjoyable part of the tour experience, with your expert guide providing commentary on the changing landscapes, agricultural history, and ecology of the Murray-Darling Basin as you travel from the city into the South Australian river country.
Do I need to book the Murray River Highlights Tour in advance?
Yes — advance booking is strongly recommended as the tour requires a minimum of 10 passengers to operate, and popular dates during school holidays and autumn season from March to May fill quickly. Booking through Thrillark saves up to 16% on the standard rate with instant confirmation, and always advises any dietary requirements at the time of booking to ensure the on-board lunch is appropriately prepared.
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