Murray River Safari

Day 1: River Cruising, Cliff Walk & Nocturnal Walk

Guests will be met by the guide team in the town of Paringa, where after a brief introduction, the group will board a roomy pontoon cruiser to commence an exploration of the Murray River's fascinating natural, indigenous and pioneer history. There are abundant opportunities to spot Australian Pelicans, Australasian Darters, Black Swans, Yellow-billed Spoonbills and a colony of wild Koalas on this private cruise. 

Upon being welcomed at the houseboat, the group will enjoy a specially curated lunch before departing on a guided cliff walk to witness the spectacular landscapes and contrasting colours of the riverine habitat. There may be opportunities to spot  Wedge-tailed Eagles, Red-capped Robins, Gilbert's Whistlers, honeyeaters, Migratory Rainbow Bee-eaters, Emus and Mulga, Red-rumped, Mallee Ringneck and Blue Bonnet Parrots.

Returning back to the houseboat, guests can enjoy a hot spa on the top deck overlooking the river at sunset, enjoying the harmonious calls of Whistling Kites soaring above. After a delicious two-course meal showcasing local produce paired with local wines, guides will take guests on a nocturnal walk, stargazing at constellations in the night sky, spotting Brush-tailed Possums for an important citizen science project and occasionally Tawny Frogmouths.

Accommodation: Houseboat

Day 2: Guided Morning Clifftop Walk & Ephemeral Lakes Nature Drive

After a nourishing breakfast, guests will be led by expert guides on a mini-bus tour exploring some of the region’s spectacular ephemeral lakes and the Australian Landscape Trust’s Calperum Station, where spectacular birdwatching can include Black swans and their cygnets, Pied Stilts, Red-necked Avocets, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Blue-billed and Musk ducks as well as other migratory waders. White-winged Fairy-wrens, White-winged Trillers, Swamp Harriers and Whistling Kites may also be spotted in this area and an occasional Wedge-tailed and White-bellied Eagles may visit.

A packed lunch is enjoyed overlooking these vast waterbodies. Swamp harriers and Whistling Kites will be busy in this area and an occasional Wedge-tailed Eagle, or a White-bellied Sea Eagle may visit.

Following nature drives through this spectacular conservation area, guests can take in the sunset from the top deck spa with sundowners. Pre-dark, guides play the calls of the Bush-stone Curlew to assess their response and their conservation status on the Murray River floodplains, before a locally-focused three-course meal completes this epic day.

Accommodation: Houseboat

Day 3: Red Gum Creek Cruise

Awake to the glorious dawn chorus and aromas of fresh coffee to awaken you from a restful sleep on the river. Guests will enjoy a hearty breakfast whilst peering out at the sunlight radiating on the cliffs and spectacular reflections across the mighty Murray.

After breakfast, take a guided canoe adventure, through incredibly picturesque meandering creeks and serene backwaters that make up the Riverland Ramsar Wetland of International Significance. This provides a perfect opportunity to silently approach wildlife on the river's edge, with Western Grey Kangaroos, Lace Monitors, cormorants, darters, ducks, Rainbow Bee-eaters, Yellow Rosellas and Mallee Ringnecks all sighting opportunities.

Shortly after returning to the houseboat, you enjoy a leisurely cruise passing spectacular red-ochre cliffs as a delicious lunch prepared by your guides is served on the top deck of the houseboat, providing a final opportunity to savour the spectacular river vistas, before guests arrive at the final destination at Paringa for transfers further afield.

Lodge-style Houseboat Accommodation

Murray River Safari is a houseboat based experience, allowing the group to be moored in spectacular locations along the river for lunch, superb sunsets and dinners each evening. The houseboat consists of 5 bedrooms (each room sleeps 2 people), 2 bathrooms with hot showers, a spacious lounge, a modern kitchen and a top deck area with hot spa and stunning views.

*From October 2022 the houseboat available for this tour offers ensuite bathrooms for guests.

Houseboats are the perfect option for ecologically-minded travellers, maintaining a low impact activity on the river system. Groups abide by a ‘leave no trace’ policy and all waste is taken onshore to be composted, recycled or disposed of appropriately.

Key Details

Shared Group Size: Maximum of 10 guests, with two guides accompanying guests on the Safari.
Pick-up and Drop Off Point: Safari journeys depart from Paringa (5 minutes from Renmark).
Pick-up and Drop-off Time: Approximately 10:00am on Day 1 and 2:00pm on Day 3.

Responsible Tourism

As part of our commitment to sustainability we have developed a Code Of Practice relating to our wildlife interactions which is available for your reference. We have also sought independent verification of our practices through Ecotourism Australia. Our Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation is awarded to a select number of Australia's leading and most innovative ecotourism products, providing an opportunity to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities.

Recent Awards

WINNER Hall of Fame & Winner South Australian Tourism Award Ecotourism 2019
WINNER South Australian Tourism Award Ecotourism 2018 • 2017
SILVER Australian Tourism Award Ecotourism 2017