19th cruise Lower Murray (Mannum)

Provisional cruise - conference - tour package

We have now set a provisional date for this conference / cruise / tour package - 21-29 August 2025.

The proposed 9 day package (provisional subject to change):

• 2 day conference in Adelaide - Thu 21 - Fri 22 Aug
• 1 day bus transfer via North East Hills to Mannum (with tourist stops) - Sat 23 Aug
• 2 days of conference and tour activities in Mannum - Sat afternoon 24 - early Mon afternoon 25 Aug
• 4 NIGHT Murray River Outback Heritage Cruise - Mon afternoon 25 Aug to Fri morning 29 Aug
• 1 day bus transfer via South East Freeway to Adelaide (with tourist stops) - Fri 29 Aug
• OPTIONAL 2 day add on tour of Kangaroo Island - Sat 30 - Sun 31 Aug

Register you interest - we already have enough registrations of interest to go ahead. But to be sure of a priority place (some activities will have a numbers limit) and help with planning, please register your interest - click the button below. Don't register again if you have already done so.

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The Murray Princess

The Murray Princess is the largest inland paddlewheeler to every operate on the Murray and the largest in the southern hemisphere. It has 60 cabins, accommodating up 120 people (two to a cabin). However this cruise is open to the general public - not exclusive to our group.

Itinerary

The cruise is the current 4 Night Murray River Outback Heritage Cruise

Conference

This will be in several stages:

• Main conference over two days in Adelaide
• A small number of conference sessions at Mannum between arrival an Saturday afternoon and the cruise departure on Monday afternoon
• Possibly some more informal smaller group sessions on the cruise

And of course, being together for the 9 cruise/conference days and nights there is plenty of opportunity to interact with experts and others with similar interests. One of the great things about genealogy cruises and conferences.

Speakers

Helen Smith will head the program. She is highly regarded internationally, with a wide variety of topics to offer. She will be supported by others with expertise who may join us on the cruise or at the land conference.

Click here to learn more about Helen.

Tour activities

These are still being looked at, but could include:

• visits to the Big Rocking Horse (Gumeracha) and National Motor museum (Birdwood) in the bus transfer to Mannum (both these places have significant historical links with Mannum)
• choose from a number of tourist activities at Mannum - historic walks, visits to the Paddle Steamer Marion, a short cruise on the paddlewheeler Mayflower, visits to the Dock Museum and more
• visits to the historic German town of Hahndorf and the Monarto Safari Park, the newest and largest open range zoo in Australia
• Possibly some informal smaller group sessions on the cruise
• Research at South Australian libraries and archives, e.g. Genealogy SA, Lutheran Archives, State Library - before or after the scheduled conference/tour activities
• Other tours to places of interest - before or after the scheduled conference/tour activities

Cost

The cruise schedules and pricing for 2025-26 have just been released (May 2024), starting from $1749 twin share. Click here for details. A small number of cabins may be available for single occupancy. The solo traveller loading is 60% above the twin share fare. We can help find a share partner if you wish - to significantly reduce costs.

The conference and tour fees will be additional. Details to come when the schedule is full developed, but expect them to include accommodation, bus transfers, venue hire, speaker fees and some other outlays

12 day cruise/tour package - optional

Add a Kangaroo Island tour to the cruise/conference for a complete South Australian holiday experience. This will be an optional 2 tour day. 2025-26 prices are not yet known but there will presumably be some increase on the currently listed prices.

Registration of interest

This is a registration of interest only (with deposit)

The deposit ($100 per person) will go towards the conference/tour component, which will be booked directly with us, if you finally commit to the cruise. It will be fully refunded if you decide not to go ahead for any reason.

Early registrations of interest will help ensure you get a priority place with us
as well as help us with planning