Featuring a 4-night cruise with festive cheer & celebrations
6 Days
26 to 31 July 2026
Moderate
$4,765pptw
95 villabucks
Featuring a 4-night cruise with festive cheer & celebrations
Enjoy a heart-warming Christmas in July aboard Australia’s largest paddle wheeler as you drift past red cliffs, quiet backwaters and riverside towns. Begin in Adelaide with botanic blooms, artisan chocolates and market buzz before boarding the PS Murray Princess at Mannum. Cruise by day through locks and along tranquil reaches, spot abundant birdlife and step ashore for cellar doors, woolshed history and a bush barbecue. A traditional Christmas in July luncheon is a festive highlight, with carols and cheer on the river. Round out the journey with Hahndorf’s German heritage and a relaxed farewell lunch.
Itinerary
Day 1. Perth to Adelaide (D)
We collect you from home and transfer you to the airport for your journey to Adelaide. Settle into your hotel and come together this evening for a welcome dinner.
1 night: Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, Adelaide
Day 2. Adelaide highlights and embark the Murray Princess (BD)
Stroll the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with a guided tour, then sample premium chocolates at Haigh’s. Enjoy time for lunch at leisure in the Central Market before transferring to Mannum to board the PS Murray Princess. Sail at dusk past floodlit riverbanks towards Murray Bridge and watch for kangaroos, wombats and waterbirds as night falls.
4 nights: Paddle Steamer Murray Princess
Day 3. Christmas in July luncheon, Murray Bridge and Blanchetown (BLD)
Early risers may capture the river’s soft morning light and busy birdlife. Explore Murray Bridge at leisure or join the optional Monarto Safari Park wildlife tour. Rejoin the ship in time for the traditional Christmas in July luncheon. Cruise upriver through a lock to Blanchetown, visit Burk Salter Boutique Winery for a tasting, then enjoy on-board fun with the Murray River Cup after dinner.
Day 4. Swan Reach, Woolshed Show and bush barbecue (BLD)
Drift downriver to Swan Reach, once the largest of the local stations and now a quiet riverside town. Join a short walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum. Continue to Sunnydale for the lively Woolshed Show, call in at the Native Wildlife Shelter, then gather ashore for an Aussie bush barbecue by the river.
Day 5. Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park and final night dinner (BLD)
After an optional Bush Tucker Breakfast or a gentle bush walk with the Captain, cruise beneath towering limestone cliffs to Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park. Take a guided boardwalk tour to view ancient rock carvings and learn about the region’s Aboriginal heritage. Return on board to continue downriver towards Younghusband, with the option of a scenic tender boat ride. Celebrate your final night with dinner and entertainment.
Day 6. Hahndorf and home (BL)
Disembark at Mannum after breakfast and travel to Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement with a protected historic main street and 19th-century buildings. Enjoy a relaxed group farewell lunch and free time to explore boutiques and bakeries along the village’s historic main street. Transfer to the airport for your evening journey to Perth. On arrival, we will see you safely home.
Note: The Murray Princess itinerary may vary with water levels. Daily programs are provided at turndown in your cabin.
Itinerary is subject to change. Terms and conditions apply. Call 08 9754 2026 for details.
Guide: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
eg. BLD indicates three meals included on that day of the itinerary.
PPTW is per person twinshare accommodation.
Dates & Pricing
$4,765pptw
$1,395 single option
Highlights
• Cruise the Murray River for four nights aboard PS Murray Princess
• Christmas in July luncheon with festive cheer
• Murray Bridge township with heritage streets and river views
• Wildlife spotting on guided nature walks and boat excursions
• Hahndorf’s German village charm, boutiques and bakeries
• Adelaide Botanic Gardens, tranquil paths and towering trees
• Haigh’s Chocolates tasting, an Adelaide favourite
Inclusions
• Pre/post tour transfers (ex Perth, WA)
• Airfares and taxes (ex Perth, WA)
• 14 meals – 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 Christmas in July lunch, 5 dinners
• 5 nights’ accommodation
• Tours and attractions
• Professional Villa Tour Leader
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Dates & Pricing
Duration: 6 Days
Dates: 26 to 31 July 2026
Activity Level: Moderate
$4,765pptw
$1,395 single option
Earn: 95 villabucks
Highlights
• Cruise the Murray River for four nights aboard PS Murray Princess
• Christmas in July luncheon with festive cheer
• Murray Bridge township with heritage streets and river views
• Wildlife spotting on guided nature walks and boat excursions
• Hahndorf’s German village charm, boutiques and bakeries
• Adelaide Botanic Gardens, tranquil paths and towering trees
• Haigh’s Chocolates tasting, an Adelaide favourite
Inclusions
• Pre/post tour transfers (ex Perth, WA)
• Airfares and taxes (ex Perth, WA)
• 14 meals – 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 Christmas in July lunch, 5 dinners
• 5 nights’ accommodation
• Tours and attractions
• Professional Villa Tour Leader
Itinerary
Day 1. Perth to Adelaide (D)
We collect you from home and transfer you to the airport for your journey to Adelaide. Settle into your hotel and come together this evening for a welcome dinner.
1 night: Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, Adelaide
Day 2. Adelaide highlights and embark the Murray Princess (BD)
Stroll the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with a guided tour, then sample premium chocolates at Haigh’s. Enjoy time for lunch at leisure in the Central Market before transferring to Mannum to board the PS Murray Princess. Sail at dusk past floodlit riverbanks towards Murray Bridge and watch for kangaroos, wombats and waterbirds as night falls.
4 nights: Paddle Steamer Murray Princess
Day 3. Christmas in July luncheon, Murray Bridge and Blanchetown (BLD)
Early risers may capture the river’s soft morning light and busy birdlife. Explore Murray Bridge at leisure or join the optional Monarto Safari Park wildlife tour. Rejoin the ship in time for the traditional Christmas in July luncheon. Cruise upriver through a lock to Blanchetown, visit Burk Salter Boutique Winery for a tasting, then enjoy on-board fun with the Murray River Cup after dinner.
Day 4. Swan Reach, Woolshed Show and bush barbecue (BLD)
Drift downriver to Swan Reach, once the largest of the local stations and now a quiet riverside town. Join a short walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum. Continue to Sunnydale for the lively Woolshed Show, call in at the Native Wildlife Shelter, then gather ashore for an Aussie bush barbecue by the river.
Day 5. Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park and final night dinner (BLD)
After an optional Bush Tucker Breakfast or a gentle bush walk with the Captain, cruise beneath towering limestone cliffs to Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park. Take a guided boardwalk tour to view ancient rock carvings and learn about the region’s Aboriginal heritage. Return on board to continue downriver towards Younghusband, with the option of a scenic tender boat ride. Celebrate your final night with dinner and entertainment.
Day 6. Hahndorf and home (BL)
Disembark at Mannum after breakfast and travel to Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement with a protected historic main street and 19th-century buildings. Enjoy a relaxed group farewell lunch and free time to explore boutiques and bakeries along the village’s historic main street. Transfer to the airport for your evening journey to Perth. On arrival, we will see you safely home.
Note: The Murray Princess itinerary may vary with water levels. Daily programs are provided at turndown in your cabin.
Itinerary is subject to change. Terms and conditions apply. Call 08 9754 2026 for details.
New Paragraph
Guide:
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
eg. BLD indicates three meals included on that day of the itinerary.
PPTW is per person twinshare accommodation.
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Tour Activity Levels
With such a diverse collection of travel options, we want to ensure you choose the right holiday for you.
Our tour activity levels are a guide to the required fitness level for each of our holidays.
Look out for the feet when reading about a tour!
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Relaxed
Suitable for travellers with lower mobility.
You will be required to embark/disembark coaches, trains and other transport via steps unaided. You must be able to carry your own luggage and walk short distances. Stairs may need to be negotiated at times. Travellers with walking aids (sticks and walkers) are welcome and those requiring accompanying assistance and/or carer may consider these holidays.
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Moderate
Required to walk confidently and unaided.
Expect guided walking tours of attractions with occasional inclines and stair climbs, some long days and multiple hotel changes during the holiday. Your accommodation may require access via stairs, a short walk to reach hotel facilities and have showers over baths. Travellers with walking sticks are welcome unless there is overnight rail or overnight cruising - please check with staff.
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Active
Requires some fitness. Involves longer days filled with activities, excursions requiring standing and walking for extended periods of time and nature-based activities. You will be required to walk confidently over uneven ground and surfactant at a timely pace.
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Highly Active
Requires good general fitness. Excursions will be over more difficult terrain and require a certain level of agility. You will be required to walk confidently for up to 3 hours over uneven surfaces including soft sand, rocky surfaces and creek crossing. Some itineraries will explore remote locations. No walkers allowed.
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Challenging
A high level of fitness is required. Tours have an emphasis on active pursuits and often explore remote locations which are challenging to access. You will be required to walk confidently for up to 6 or more hours per day and have experience in outdoor pursuits. No walkers allowed.
Your health, wellbeing and enjoyment of the holiday is very important to us. In order to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and suppliers, electric scooters and buggies are not permitted on Villa tours.
Anyone providing care or assistance to others must be fit and able to provide the required support and care.