To help Australians explore more of their own backyard – especially while international borders remain closed – Australia’s leading small ship cruise specialists, Cruise Traveller, has released a unique new ‘slow travel’ rail and river cruise package that star two of our country’s great icons – the Murray River and the Indian Pacific train.
Available nowhere else, Cruise Traveller’s 10-night ‘Australian Paddlewheels and Train Tracks’ package – available from July to October, 2021 – features a lazy, four-night cruise along the legendary Murray River aboard the only overnight passenger paddlesteamer on the river, the deluxe, 18-guest Emmylou, and a journey aboard the epic Indian Pacific across the outback.
The enchanting and freshly renewed Emmylou paddlewheeler starred in the hit 1983 TV mini-series, ‘All the Rivers Run’, starring Sigrid Thornton, and is still one of the most recognisable and iconic paddlesteamers in Australia.
Cruise Traveller’s unique itinerary begins with a flight to Melbourne and a night’s accommodation before a transfer to the Murray River town of Echuca to board the river boat, Emmylou, which offers overnight, boutique river cruises. A relaxing four-night sojourn along the meandering Murray follows, with visits to wineries, historic farm stations, indigenous sites and the World Heritage-listed river red gum wetlands at Barmah.
Guests will also enjoy meals on deck, riverside picnics, a memorable campfire dinner on the riverbank under the stars and the chance to join the crew in the wheelhouse and even try their hand at steering the boat alongside the skipper. At dusk, the rare, wood-fired paddlesteamer ties up at tranquil and remote moorings, allowing guests to experience the serenity and wildlife of the bush at night.
After a night back in Melbourne, guests will fly to Adelaide for a three-night stay and free time to explore the stately city before boarding the famous Indian Pacific train for an overnight journey to Sydney via the outback town of Broken Hill where the train will stop for a local tour. The itinerary ends in Sydney.
Four departure dates are available in 2021 – July 11, August 8 and 22 and October 10.
Including beverages on the Indian Pacific and dinner beverages on Emmylou as well as transfers along the way, the 10-night ‘Australian Paddlewheels and Train Tracks’ package is available from $4595 per person, twin-share, ex Sydney, and from $4795 per person, twin-share, ex Melbourne. Fares from other cities also available on request.
To book, visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/
Established in 2003, Cruise Traveller has grown to become Australia’s leader in the small ship market, representing 54 boutique, luxury, river and expedition cruising operators around the world.
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