Cruise Description

DAY 1
As you depart Torrumbarry upstream, enjoy an afternoon Devonshire tea, take in the sights and sounds of the river and get to know your fellow cruisers. There’s ample time to chat with the skipper in the wheelhouse to learn about PS Emmylou, her river history or simply relax in your private cabin. When the sun begins to set, this marks the start of ‘Happy Hour’. Enjoy a drink in the saloon before a chef-prepared welcome dinner. Listen to the river birds' evening chorus and watch for kangaroos, wombats, and many species of birds as the stars begin to appear. Tonight, we moor at Norris Bend where your crew will have a riverside campfire ready for you to enjoy after diner.

DAY 2
After a hearty breakfast, Emmylou cruises to the famous Perricoota Station, the property first settled by James Maiden in 1843, and famous for starring in the TV mini series “All the River Run” where PS Emmylou was renamed PS Providence. Here you will depart to Restdown Winery, producers of fine organic wines and Hereford beef. Join the property’s owners for a guided tour along a 1.4km wetlands walking trail, highlighting items of great Aboriginal significance before a gourmet lunch of local produce and wine tastings. Arriving back at Perricoota Station the skipper will invite you to walk along the historical buildings and immaculate gardens of Perricoota Station before happy hour. Tonight enjoy a fabulous dinner on the deck of Emmylou overlooking the famous Perricoota Station mansion and river. Tonight, after dinner it’s Movie Night with a special presentation of “Riverboats Remembered”, a fabulous historical presentation featuring archival footage of the paddle steamers and communities of the Murray River from the early 1900s through to the mid-1970s.

DAY 3
For early risers and keen photographers, the morning mist and wildlife around Perricoota is a sight to behold. After breakfast, Emmylou gracefully steams onwards upstream for a full day of cruising towards our Layfield Lane mooring. Today enjoy lunch on the deck or in the saloon with plenty of time to relax with a good book or just take in the river views. Tonight, enjoy a grand dinner on the riverbank – our signature Australian BBQ, lit up by candles on the tables and stars in the sky. After dinner enjoy casual conversation around the campfire with live entertainment, before retiring for the evening.

DAY 4
This morning after breakfast we depart on a half-day excursion first visiting Horseshoe Lagoon, which has great significance to the local Yorta Yorta people. Often described as supermarkets by elders, the lagoon provides a home to native animals. Here you can wander the elevated boardwalk, indulge in some wildlife spotting and learn about the importance of wetlands and floodplains along the Murray River. It is then time to board Murray Explorer, cruising upriver to where the Goulburn River enters the mighty Murray. Along the way we will connect the environment and the rich river story from pre-European to the early colonial days of the Riverboats. After enjoying lunch, we then visit Murray Gums Estate for a tour of their vineyard and display on how their ward winning Olive Oil is made with complimentary tastings. Emmylou then continues downstream mooring overnight at Morrisons Winery overnight.

DAY 5
This morning we cruise into the Port of Echuca, first build in the 1860s to support the booming river trade and once the largest inland port in Australia. Today you will enjoy a half day tour visiting two spectacular local art silos at Rochester and Colbinabbin where we also stop for lunch at the local pub before visiting the fabulous Kyabram water tank. Returning to Echuca you have time to explore the historical port precinct on a self-guided walking tour or visit the wonderful High Street shops and cafés. Back aboard Emmylou enjoy an afternoon Devonshire tea as Emmylou now cruise back down stream. As the sun begins to set over the towering riverside gums enjoy a drink in the saloon at Happy Hour before we arrive at Layfield Lane where you can again enjoy our signature riverside dining experience. After dinner enjoy some casual conversation with live entertainment around the campfire before retiring for the evening.

DAY 6
This morning you have the option of pulling up a chair riverside to enjoy a good book, watching the river traffic past by or join the half-day excursion aboard the Murray Explorer visiting the Campaspe River (river height dependant) where you can get up close to Australian nature. You are sure to spot several species or birds including the beautiful Kingfisher as we will connect the environment and the rich river story from pre-European to the early colonial days of the Riverboats. After enjoying lunch, we then visit Morrisons Riverside Winery where you can enjoy complimentary tastings of their fabulous wines. This afternoon Emmylou continues downriver towards Deep Creek Marina.

DAY 7
PS Emmylou departs early today for a full day of cruising with a stop at the famous Perricoota Station before continuing upriver towards Torrumbarry Weir. Upon arrival, you can take a self-guided walk across the weir, visiting the Interpretive Centre, learning about the Murray Darling Basin, weir and lock system which dates back to 1923. Tonight, we enjoy a delicious final night dinner hosted by your Skipper with pre dinner canapes and drinks as the sun settles over the weir. Listen to the river birds' evening chorus and watch for kangaroos, wombats and species of birds as the stars begin to appear whilst enjoying dinner.

DAY 8
This morning before breakfast early risers can enjoy a riverside stroll before your courtesy vehicle is ready to return you to Echuca where we reluctantly say farewell.