Murray River Luxury Houseboat Safari – A Wildlife Adventure on Water, South Australia

Trip Type
Nature & Wildlife, Conservation & Citizen Science, Photography & Landscapes, Active Adventure
Twin Share
Maximum of two adults
$ 3310
Single
$ 4965

Tony Sharley

Tony is a proud Riverlander with a passion for a healthy Murray River. Growing up on the Murray River created a lifelong passion for rivers and wetlands. His career spanned working in the tropical wetlands of Kakadu, mountain rivers in Kosciuszko National Park, policy and project management at the Murray Darling Basin Commission, initiating Ramsar listed wetlands at Banrock Station, supporting vital species reintroductions and wetland conservation on wetlands in 14 countries, and advocating for environmental flows in “the Murray”. In 2016 Tony and his wife Susie started Murray River Trails to help people discover the magic of the Murray River.

Duration

4 Days

Group Size

10 Peoples

Activity Level

Easy to Moderate

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About This Tour

Join your guides on a journey to discover the culture, incredible wildlife and ecology of the Murray River. You’ll be welcomed to country by Erawirung elder, Eric Cook, who will take you on a cultural walk along an ancient river oxbow. Your guides will lead you through the forests, creeks, billabongs and outback lakes sharing knowledge of vital conservation work. See the benefits of environmental flows to restore red gum forests and protect wetland species including the vulnerable southern bell frog.

Explore diverse landscapes in search of wildlife including red kangaroos, emus, koalas, goannas and many of the 180 bird species found in this region. Water in the outback attracts diverse wildlife.

A luxury houseboat will be your base for this four-day, three-night adventure where you’ll experience local food with paired wines that showcase the best fare the region has to offer – famed Murray River cod is a highlight.

Our expert guides help you identify birdlife and plants, and share knowledge of the Murray River system, it’s management and the importance of recent environmental flows in creating a flourishing landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in our greatest river!

Highlights

Cruise the river on your private pontoon cruiser spotting koalas, kangaroos and diverse birdlife across different floodplain habitats and ephemeral lakes.
Walk with Erawirung elder, Eric Cook, and hear stories of a culture dating back 40,000 years.
Canoe in tranquil backwaters encountering ducks, darters, cormorants and whistling kites.
Walk through woodlands and around cliffs spotting kangaroos and emus, whistlers, babblers, honeyeaters, parrots and migratory rainbow bee-eaters.
View floodplain lakes in a high conservancy area where spectacular birdwatching can include migratory waders and rarely seen blue-billed ducks and musk ducks, black swans and their cygnets, pied stilts, red-necked avocets and yellow-billed spoonbills.
Cruise by river at night to see the stars of an outback sky while spotting brush-tailed possums and listening for boobook owls.
Enjoy superb local food with a creative native twist.

Included/Excluded

Included
Excluded

Experienced, knowledgeable nature guides to lead your tour
Lodge style accommodation for 3 nights on a luxury houseboat
Secure car parking at Hotel Renmark (your meeting point)
Luggage transfer to your room on the houseboat
All meals showcasing local produce and all beverages including premium Riverland wines and beer, juice and coffee
All sleeping linen and 1 bath towel
Optional 34L daypack
Optional walking poles
Access to a library of wildlife field guides
All equipment for canoeing.
Wifi on the houseboat

Domestic or international airfares
Pre or post tour accommodation
Guide services other than specified
Meals/beverages other than specified
Tips & gratuities
Optional tours/services.

Itinerary

At 11.30am meet your Murray River Safari guides at the Hotel Renmark conference room. Your guides will provide a brief introduction to the landscape before you board our pontoon cruiser and begin a 25km cruise upstream though old growth redgum forests and orange ochre coloured cliffs along the Murray River. You’ll start familiarising with river country with keen eyes scanning the tree line for koalas, parrots and waterbirds. You’ll be welcomed to your luxury houseboat accommodation where you’ll enjoy lunch and settle into your rooms before setting off on a guided walk through river country. The evening is spent on the houseboat admiring the sunset from the top deck spa or swim deck before your guides prepare a gourmet dinner paired with local wines to complete the day. Lunch and dinner provided.

Rise before the sun and walk a gentle slope to the rim of the Murray River valley for a spectacular sunrise. Watch the vibrant colours of the cliffs come to life along with the migratory Rainbow Bee Eaters who are nesting in them. After Breakfast, meet your canoe guide for a morning paddle through peaceful creeks and billabongs lined by mighty red gums, rafting up occasionally to drift and listen. The quiet paddling can be a great way to spot a goanna up and old gum or a sacred kingfisher. Arriving back at the houseboat, you’ll start a two-hour houseboat cruise upstream to Chowilla Creek. As you cruise upstream, relax and enjoy the view as lunch is prepared by your guides. After lunch you’ll explore your new location on the banks of Chowilla with a forest walk, sit quietly in search of the vulnerable Regent Parrot Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.

After an early breakfast, you’ll set off on a driving tour of the great ephemeral lake system on the outer floodplain where spectacular birdwatching includes migratory waders that have travelled from the northern hemisphere, thousands of ducks, black swans and their cygnets, pied stilts, red-necked avocets, spoonbills and musk ducks. Expect to see blue-bonnets and magnificent red kangaroos and perhaps a spectacular white-winged fairy-wren as we drive across country between the lakes. We return to find the houseboat in a new location opposite the spectacular Bunyip Reach Cliffs above lock 6. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.