KANGAROO ISLAND, MURRAY RIVER CRUISE, BAROSSA & ADELAIDE

Kangaroo Island provides a truly unique experience with its stunning beaches, forests and farmlands.  Travelling to the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula we will board the Sea Link Ferry at Cape Jervis for the 15km crossing to Penneshaw. The Island is surprisingly large with numerous towns, villages and many farms. Around one third of its four and half thousand square kilometres (the third largest island in Australia, Kangaroo Island stretches nearly 155km) is covered by national parks and the island is a haven for kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and fur seals.

The River Murray is Australia’s most famous river and there is no better way to experience some of its massive meandering 3,700 kilometres than at a leisurely pace on the Proud Mary on our 2 night cruise. It ranks with the Mississippi, the Nile and the Amazon and boasts some of the most spectacular and rugged Australian landscapes.   The River Murray is home to an array of abundant wildlife and birdlife that will be seen throughout the cruise. The vessel caters for a maximum of only 34 passengers and provides the ideal environment for you to explore, experience, indulge and discover.  The well appointed bar, lounge and dining areas provide the perfect location for enjoying culinary delights while viewing the picturesque Australian scenery.

The gentle rolling hills of the Barossa Range provide the perfect back drop for the seasonally changing vineyards as they go through the cycle from lime green buds bursting to brilliant golds and russets in autumn. The region’s warm dry summers and mild wet winters ideally suit all major grape varieties which we will enjoy over several tastings.   During our stay we will explore the towns and villages that make the Barossa such a unique area.   Settled in 1842 by 200 Lutherans the area has a very distinct German character.   The beautiful spires of the Lutheran Churches dotting the landscape along with traditional wursts, cakes and pastries are testament to its heritage.   We will sample Maggie Beers fine produce at Nurioopta as well as dried fruits and nuts at Angaston.

Adelaide, Australia’s first planned city is truly a delight. Colonel William Light has left a wonderful legacy, the city layout surrounded by 900 hectares of wonderful parklands is an urban masterpiece and has been included on the National Heritage List.  Apart from its natural beauty Adelaide is a vibrant, sophisticated and cosmopolitan city that has developed a reputation as an arts centre as well as a gateway to some of the best wine regions in the world. Located on the coastline of Gulf St Vincent, Adelaide’s beach districts stretch for 30 kilometres. We will explore
Glenelg as well as the rich European heritage so evident in the Hills’ villages such as Hahndorf, Stirling and Bridgewater. 

Highlights include:

*        Glenelg, Port Noarlunga, Seaford, Maslin Beach & Aldinga

*        Clifford’s Honey Farm

*        Seal Bay Conservation Park, Remembrance Rocks and Admirals Arch

*        Raptor Domain Birds of Prey Show

*        Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery & Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park

*        Hanson Bay Wildlife Sancturary

*        Daily nature based onshore excursions guided by an Ecologist & entertainment

*        Small boat cruise taking in the River’s secluded lagoons and inlets

*        Mt Pleasant & Barossa Vineyards

*        Tanunda, Nuriootpa & Maggie Beers Farm

*        Handorf Village & Mount Lofty

*        Adelaide city sights tour & Botanic Gardens

Accommodation for this tour is:

·  Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kangaroo Island                  -    3 nights

·  River Murray Nature Cruise on the Proud Mary, 

   including all meals and daily                               -   2 nights

·  Lyndoch Hill, Barossa Valley                              -   2 nights

·  Ibis Adelaide                                                     -   1 night

Includes the cruise, all meals (except two lunches), return airfares, deluxe accommodation and touring.