Hot August Night Music Cruise on the Murray River
Back by popular demand, the 3-night ‘Hot August Night’ Special Event Music Cruise departs Mannum on Friday aboard the iconic paddle wheeler, PS Murray Princess.
Enjoy live music and dancing as you cruise the Murray River between Walker Flat and Murray Bridge. On Saturday evening, special guest Dave Freeman takes the stage with his acclaimed “OMG Neil Diamond Sounds Like Me” tribute show. On Friday and Sunday, Dave expands his repertoire with classic hits from Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, The Eagles, and more.
First introduced to rave reviews in 2017, this unique getaway pairs top-notch onboard entertainment – also featuring special guest Paul Gill – with the total relaxation and facilities of the Murray Princess.
3 Night Special Event Highlights and Inclusions:
- Friday night entertainment by Paul Gill
- Saturday night – “OMG Neil Diamond Sounds Like Me” Hot August Night Show, featuring Dave Freeman including storytelling, songs, and music from Neil Diamond’s including songs from his famous Hot August Night album
- Music Quiz with Paul Gill (with great prizes to win)
- Game of Bocce on the riverbank with Dave Freeman
- Sunday night entertainment and music performed by Dave Freeman and Paul Gill
- Free time to explore the township of Murray Bridge or take a self-guided tour of the historic Roundhouse
- Optional Monarto Safari Park Wildlife Tour on Saturday departing Murray Bridge (additional cost)
- Optional Highlights of the Murray Tour at the conclusion of the cruise (additional cost)
Cruise departs 14 Aug & 21 Aug 2026 and 13 Aug & 20 Aug 2027
- Inside cabins from $1,829 pp twin share / $2,806 solo
- Outside cabins from $2,319 per person twin share
- Staterooms from $3,149 per person twin share / $4,980 solo
Please note that prices are subject to availability at the time of booking and may change without notice. Due to demand, some cabins may be already be booked out on specific dates.
Itinerary
DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL
Cruise departs Mary Ann Reserve, Mannum on Friday returns to Mannum on Monday. Your Travel Document will include your coach transfer, private transfer or car parking details if arrangements have been made.
FRIDAY
Mid-afternoon, the Murray Princess departs historic Mannum and heads downriver. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks and cocktails (own expense) from the Sturt Bar along with an introduction to your crew who will look after you for the duration of your cruise. Also meet our passenger entertainer Dave Freeman and enjoy his music during your Welcome Dinner as we cruise under floodlight to our overnight mooring at Murray Bridge.
SATURDAY
Departing Mundurra early, we head downriver where we mooring the Township of Murray Bridge. In 1879 the first bridge to span the Murray River was built here at Edwards Crossing which quickly became the bustling township of Murray Bridge. After a hearty breakfast, choose to join a guided tour of the town’s historic landmarks and local attractions or go on a wildlife tour at Monarto Safari Park (additional cost). Coach transfers are available to the main street of Murray Bridge or if you prefer, you can walk across the bridge or just take a leisurely stroll along the riverfront. A coach will be waiting for those passengers who have chosen to go on the Monarto Safari Park Wildlife Tour. Your private guide will take you on a private tour of the Zoo where you will be able to see many of the Zoo’s inhabitants including Giraffe, Eland, Zebra, White Rhinocero and Asian Elephants. After the tour, you will return to Murray Bridge and re-board the Murray Princess. Depart Murray Bridge late morning, cruising upriver while you enjoy a delicious lunch on board. Tonight, we will moor at Salt Bush Flat.
After dinner, Dave will perform his much-acclaimed “OMG Neil Diamond Sounds Like Me” tribute show.
*Optional tour: Monarto Safari Park Wildlife Tour.
Pre-bookings are essential, with an additional cost. For details, see ‘Optional Onshore Tours & Activities’ in your Cruising Guide.
SUNDAY
After a delicious breakfast, join the First Officer at the gangway for a guided nature walk at Salt Bush Flat. Depart Salt Bush Flat late morning and enjoy some local food and wine tasting in the Sturt Dining Room, where you will have a chance to learn more about the local region and sample some of the bounty found throughout the Murray and Riverland regions. After a leisurely lunch, continue cruising downriver with time to relax and enjoy the onboard facilities. Catch up with friends over a coffee or a drink and reminisce about last night’s entertainment whilst enjoying the magnificent scenery. Following lunch, we will moor at River View Lodge (near Piggy Flat / Coolcha) where the ‘Dragon-Fly’ flat-bottomed boat awaits you. Travel in small, personalised groups and explore the river, getting up close to the 20-million-year-old cliffs and viewing the amazing birdlife, including darters, herons, and egrets who are feeding along the river’s edge. This afternoon enjoy a fun game of bocce with Dave and you may also wish to participate in a lively music quiz with Paul. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a delicious dinner and more great musical entertainment from Dave & Paul.
MONDAY
We depart River View Lodge early in the morning while enjoying breakfast in the Sturt Dining Room before docking at the Mannum Wharf.
Post-Cruise Optional tour: Highlights of the Murray Tour.
Pre-bookings are essential, with an additional cost. For details, see ‘Optional Onshore Tours & Activities’ in your Cruising Guide.
This is a sample special event itinerary and is subject to change due to weather, water levels, and other operational requirements. Murray Princess reserves the right to amend itineraries and tours without notice.
Highlights
- Experience the famous hospitality of the PS Murray Princess paddlewheeler
- Enjoy tours, wine tastings and an awesome range of activities by day
- Unwind by night with a great lineup of live entertainment
Back by popular demand, the 3-night ‘Hot August Night’ Special Event Music Cruise departs Mannum on Friday aboard the iconic paddle wheeler, PS Murray Princess.
Enjoy live music and dancing as you cruise the Murray River between Walker Flat and Murray Bridge. On Saturday evening, special guest Dave Freeman takes the stage with his acclaimed “OMG Neil Diamond Sounds Like Me” tribute show. On Friday and Sunday, Dave expands his repertoire with classic hits from Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, The Eagles, and more.
First introduced to rave reviews in 2017, this unique getaway pairs top-notch onboard entertainment – also featuring special guest Paul Gill – with the total relaxation and facilities of the Murray Princess.
3 Night Special Event Highlights and Inclusions:
- Friday night entertainment by Paul Gill
- Saturday night – “OMG Neil Diamond Sounds Like Me” Hot August Night Show, featuring Dave Freeman including storytelling, songs, and music from Neil Diamond’s including songs from his famous Hot August Night album
- Music Quiz with Paul Gill (with great prizes to win)
- Game of Bocce on the riverbank with Dave Freeman
- Sunday night entertainment and music performed by Dave Freeman and Paul Gill
- Free time to explore the township of Murray Bridge or take a self-guided tour of the historic Roundhouse
- Optional Monarto Safari Park Wildlife Tour on Saturday departing Murray Bridge (additional cost)
- Optional Highlights of the Murray Tour at the conclusion of the cruise (additional cost)
Inclusions
- All meals (table d’hote and a la carte menus)
- An exciting selection of onshore tours
- Guided nature walks & eco-excursions
- Onboard presentations
- Live entertainmen
Exclusions
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
FAQs
The PS Murray Princess has 60 cabins and staterooms each with private bathroom ensuite, electric blankets, soap, shampoo, towels, hairdryers and daily servicing. Each cabin is approximately 12sq metres. Four of the outside cabins and their ensuite bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. Two cabins located on Randell Deck are opposite the lift for easy access to the dining and lounge decks.
Outside Cabin:
Outside cabins are located on Randell and Cadell Decks and the majority of these cabins have twin bedding with limited double bedded cabins available. Each outside cabin opens onto the outside deck walkway with picture windows to view the passing scenery.
Inside Cabin:
Inside cabins are located on the lower Chaffey Deck and open onto a wide inside passageway. Inside cabins offer twin bedding with limited double bedded cabins available and have portholes facing the outside. Inside Cabins are accessed via stairs, there is no lift access to this deck.
CONDITIONS
Above fares are based on cabins with 2 x single beds. Inside and Outside Cabins with a double bed incur a surcharge.
Prices exclude onboard drinks, optional tours and services and any personal purchases aboard the Murray Princess.
The Fitness to Travel Declaration and acceptance of the Standard Fares and Travel Terms and Conditions must be completed at least 60 days prior to travel or with final payment, whichever occurs first.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Private car transfers are available from and to Adelaide CBD as well as return to the Adelaide Airport. Additional charges apply and pre-bookings are essential – Find out more.
An optional tour is available at the conclusion of your Cruise, departing Mannum approx. 9:30 am and returning to Adelaide 5:30 pm.
Provided by: SeaLinkFine Print
Terms and conditions apply. Click here for more details.
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