3-Day SA Riverland, Murray River & National Parks Small Group Eco Tour
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This is an exciting, small group 4WD eco adventure from Adelaide to the famous South Australian Riverland region, including the Murray River, regional lakes and national parks. It includes a Dark Sky experience for stargazers and many fantastic opportunities for nature photography. Birdwatchers will enjoy the many kinds of birdlife in the region. Come for a ride on the historic Murray Princess paddle steamer. Enjoy winetasting in the Riverland. There’s loads to enjoy on this relaxing three day tour! Departs Adelaide 3rd Tuesday of each month (or on demand).
DAY 1
8am pick up from your Adelaide CBD Motel or the Adelaide central bus station. Travel along The Gorge Scenic Road revealing some of Adelaide’s most beautiful scenery.
Mannum by mid-morning, we take a 90-minute paddle steamer ride along the river. Enjoy lunch at one of Mannum’s lovely cafes.
Continue our journey following the tracks meandering only the mighty River Murray to Nildottie, Swan Reach, and the Brookfield Conservation Park. Evening activity. Dark sky reserve.
Overnight: Riverfront cabins
Meals:
(L) Included: Café
(D) Included
DAY 2
Morning birdwatching and wildlife viewing along the magnificent river and backwaters. We explore many areas of the River Murray National Park between Barmera, Loxton and Berri. Picnic lunch on the banks of the river.
Afternoon viewing of the spectacular cliffs that protect this mighty river. Visit a local brewery.
Overnight: Riverfront cabins
Meals:
(B) Included: Continental
(L) Included: Picnic Lunch
(D) Included
DAY 3
Morning activities near Renmark including the Murray River National Park. Banrock Station wildlife walk, lunch, and winery then home to Adelaide via Blanchetown.
Drop off at your Adelaide CBD Motels or the Adelaide central bus station at approx. 5pm.
Meals:
(B) Included: Continental
(L) Own Expense: Bakery/Café
Please note:
CODE (B) (L) (D) indicates which meals are included and which meals are at the passengers own expense.
Optional extras are on request and can only be booked while on tour!
Advertised itineraries & vehicles may change due to circumstances beyond our control.
Printable itinerary: click here to view
Optional extras can be booked with us during your tour and payment made to the provider directly.
Advertised itineraries and vehicles may change due to circumstances beyond our control.
If you are interested in this tour but cannot travel on any of the dates listed, please contact us directly and we can arrange additional tour dates.
SUITS
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Our driver/guide was Steve who is a very happy person, tells you lots of detail, answers numerous questions and entertained us with stories. He is also an excellent driver and we all felt very safe with him up front. He knows where all the great cake shops are, the nicer toilets and good coffee and sandwich/pie shops along the way. We were in very safe hands.
We were given a list of additional activities and did a flight over wilpena and then a second one over arkaroola. Its a once in a lifetime tour for me and I am so very happy that I spent the money for these flights. They were (costly but) fabulous.
Accommodation at Arkaroola was not as good as Wilpena but both had good food and coffee, a good wine list (by glass or bottle) and lovely staff. There was an included ridge top ride in Arkaroola - four hours in the back bumping around on a gravel track. It was good but I much preferred the flights!
Along the way up and back, Steve took us on extra little adventures and it was a great way for us to learn about the outback and the people who pioneered the area and those that live there still.
The trip was well organised and Mick Murdoch went out if his way to make everyone enjoyed themselves. The 4WD vehicle was very comfortable even over unsealed sections of the outback and well equipped with lots of little extras including a beautiful basket of fruit that was a hit with everyone.
Highlights for me were Mick’s extraordinary knowledge of the area, the outstanding accommodation, which exceeded everyone’s expectations and then there was the unforgettable landscape! Wilpena Pound, Brachina Gorge, and the Ridgetop Tour at Arkaroola were just a few of my favourites. And the return drive back through Wilmington, Melrose and the Clare Valley was the icing on the cake. So much better than trying to do it ourselves - learnt so much, saw so much and especially enjoyed the company of the other travellers. P Birkett
and flexibility made for a great trip. The scenery was breath-taking and Steve's knowledge of the areas he took us to extensive. Certainly a lot to see in a short space of time but well worth it. Maybe an extra day to take in Oodnadatta might be worth considering (Lynette says an extra few hours for shopping in Coober Pedy!!).
I was looking forward to a much needed break-
We are well travelled nationally and internationally-
What we experienced was quite unique.
Our driver and Guide Steve was exceptional.
He cared,he was funny, he was highly skilled driver and he knew so much about our Journey and the special world we were travelling in.
It was a grass roots experience and I highly recommend.
“This is normally a small group tour, but I was the sole participant on the trip- the fact Mick took me, is a testament to his commitment to the role.
So I got the personal attention and flexibility needed to work around the winter weather.
The tour was full of wonderful experiences. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. Mick made sure I saw unique spots, rare animals, learnt about the culture, and enjoyed the Australiana that was around every corner. There were plenty of “ah” moments. My favourite place in the Flinders Ranges was Brachna Gorge with its unique landforms, fossils and yellow footed wallabies (yes, Mick made sure I saw this rare animal, in two places).
The tour included a scenic flight over Lake Torrens and Lake Eyre. This was stunning!
The whole tour was well paced and enjoyable. Mick catered for my every need. He was informative, courteous, friendly and had such great stories to tell me. He made the tour so much fun!
I have travelled to 70 countries world-wide and this tour was up there with “the best” I’ve enjoyed.
Wilpena Pound is a good central location for this tour and offers lots of options for hikers, walkers, or a senior like me, who enjoys touring. Good value for money too. Thanks for enriching my awareness of our ‘wide brown land’.”
Cheryl, Sydney, NSW.
We were in for a long drive but time passed agreeably and our first stop was at an interesting township for lunch at a characterful pub. From then on we were in the wonderful countryside of the Flinders for our trip.
The trip was full of interesting stops, with chances to photograph and learn.
We stayed at Wilpena Pound. One could use all the facilities and the included meals (choices available) were really good. Prebooked sleeping arrangements included motel room, cabin or tent.
Two interesting morning walks, which if you are not fully mobile, could be a problem (6Ks woodland and 2K mostly rocky and up/downhill).
Every effort is made to enable one to see animals and this is great trip for those wanting an experience in the outback.



















