AUD
USD
NZD
GBP
Euro
2 days in historic Mannum PLUS 4 night river cruise
This is central part of the Unlock the Past 19th cruise | conference | tour package.
With a wealth of history of its own, we have scheduled 2 days in Mannum to explore this history and share in some pre-cruise activities, including 4 conference sessions. Added to this we have scheduled tour activities for the coach transfers to and from Mannum.
THE BOOKING WINDOW FOR CABINS RESERVED FOR OUR GROUP IS NOW CLOSED
BOOKINGS FOR THE CRUISE ITSELF CAN STILL BE MADE - DIRECT with SEALINK (see below)
Coach transfers and Mannum conference
ADELAIDE to MANNUM - coach transfer and tour - Sat 23 Aug 2025
- 8.30 am - depart Adelaide - from Grosvenor Hotel, 125 North Tce, Adelaide
- 9.30am-11.30am - Gumeracha
- morning tea at the Big Rocking Horse
- brief visits to Kenton Park (Randell home c. 1843) and Randell's Mill, places significant for the beginning of the Murray River steamboat era
- 11.45am - 2.45pm - Birdwood - National Motor museum
- 12 noon - lunch (museum grounds) - catered by local community group (at moderate cost)
- 12.30 - hosted tour of museum highlights, including the Shearer steam carriage, one of the oldest surviving Australian-built vehicles. This was built in 1899 at Mannum, where we will encounter the enterprising Shearer family again
- 1pm - 2-15pm free time at the museum
- 3pm - arrive Mannum - check into accommodation and then free time until dinner
- NOTE: Morning tea, lunch and admission to the museum are not included in the cost
AT MANNUM - the birthplace of Murray steam navigation - Sat 23 to Mon 25 Aug 2025
Everything over the two Mannum days is optional. However we have suggested activities and meals for those who would like to join us as group
Saturday 23 Aug
- 3pm - arrive Mannum approx 3pm - check into accommodation
- 5.30pm - dinner at Pretoria Hotel
- 7.00pm-8.00pm - Meet & greet: introducing historic Mannum
- at Mannum and District History Association meeting room- introducing Mannum: beginnings Murray river steam navigation and three significant pioneer families (Randell, Shearer & Arnold)
- what to do over the next 2 days)
- book launch - 1853 Steam Navigation of the Murray: The Beginning - a collection of contemporary and later reports - by Bernard Arnold
Sunday 24 Aug - free time during the day, but with optional group activities and dining
- 7.30am-8.30am breakfast (at Mannum Motel - or alternative if you prefer)
- 10am-11am - optional hosted tour of Mannum Museum of river history and PS Marion (at Mannum Discovery Centre)
- 12noon - lunch at Mannum Club (or any other cafe or restaurant of your choice)
- 1pm-2.30pm - optional 1.5 hour short cruise on PW Mayflower (from Mannum Discovery Centre)
- 6pm - dinner at Mannum Club (or other restaurant if you prefer)
- 7.30pm-8.30pm - conference session When Was It Taken? Dating Historical Photographs - Helen Smith
Monday 25 Aug
- breakfast - not available as the Mannum motel on Monday (the motel does offer coffee, cake, cheese and wine & cocktails 7 days 8am-3pm. Toasted sandwiches may also be available)
- 9am-10am - conference session Visualising Family History Data - Helen Smith (at Mannum Motel)
- 11am - optional visit to Bleak House (now Randell House) - home of Captain Randell
- 12noon - lunch at Mannum Club (or other cafe or restaurant of your choice)
- 2.30pm-3.30pm - go to Mary Ann Reserve to board Murray Princess
- 4.30pm - cruise departs
FREE / TOURIST TIME for tourist activities at Mannum
Distance from Mannum Motel in brackets
- Mannum Discovery Centre - 6 Randell St - Randell open 10am-5pm (400m)
- historic walks - Randell, Arnold and Shearer walks (brochure from Visitor Information Centre)
- 1.5 hr short cruise on PW Mayflower - Tea/Coffee and bar facilities are available on board and the Captain will provide a commentary. If enough are interested (capacity 25) we may be able to book the Mayflower exclusively for our group, probably at 1pm on the Sunday (from Mannum Discovery Centre)
- Mannum Dock Museum of river history - at Mannum Discovery Centre (400)
- PS Marion Museum - at Mannum Discovery Centre (400m)
- Mannum & District History Association - 47 Randell St, Mon 10m-3pm (600m)
- visit (and picnic on) the Mary Ann Reserve and check out the Murray Princess after it arrives on Monday morning. Check out the boiler of the Mary Ann, the first paddlesteamer on the Murray. It was built and operated by William Richard Randell, first steam navigator on the Murray and Mannum Pioneer.
- Bleak House (now Randell House), original home of Captain Randell (300m)
FOOD & DRINK - (not included in Mannum cost)
Distance from Mannum Motel in brackets
- Mannum Motel - Breakfast available on Sunday morning
- Pretoria Hotel - lunch and dinner available - recommend group dining Satuday evening (600m)
- Mannum Club - lunch and dinner available - recommended group dining Sunday evening - and for lunch (700m) Sunday & Monday
Cafes and take aways
- Randell Street Bakery - Mon 7.30am-5pm (900m)
- Lovells Bakery on the Murray - Sun & Mon 7.30am-5pm (700m)
- Rustic Country cafe - Sun & Mon 10.30am-8pm (800m)
- Mannum Takeaway - Sun 10.30am-8pm (500m)
Other services
- Mannum Foodland supermarket - 76 Randell St, evey day 7am-7pm supplies (700m)
- TerryWhite Chemmart Mannum Riverside - 86 Randell St, Mon 9am-5.30pm (800m)
- public toilets - Randell St, Mannum, opposite the bowling club (500m)
Mary Ann Reserve (Murray Princess Dock) - River Lane, off Randell St (1km)
MANNUM to ADELAIDE - bus transfer and tour - Fri 29 Aug 2025
- 9.45am depart Mannum
- 10.30am Monarto Safari Park, the newest and largest open range zoo in Australia
- 10.30am - morning tea on arrival
- 11.00 am - 2 hour Safari View Tour
- 1pm - lunch after tour
- NOTE: Morning tea and lunch are not included in the cost
- 2.00pm - depart Monarto Safari Park
- 3.00pm - arrive Adelaide - Grosvenor Hotel, 125 North Tce Adelaide
The cruise
The cruise is the 4 Night Murray River Outback Heritage Cruise - Visit the website for full details
The Murray Princess is the largest inland paddlewheeler to ever 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. Learn more about the Murray Princess. See deck plans.
Being together for the 10 cruise/conference days and nights gives plenty of opportunity to interact with experts and others with similar interests. One of the great things about genealogy cruises and conferences.
COST - 4 night cruise only cost
With the return of unsold cabins from our allocation, cabins must now be booked direct with Murray Princess. Here are the prices they list:
- INSIDE - $1899 person twin share - $3038 single - SOLD OUT
- OUTSIDE - $2449 person twin share - $3918 single - A SMALL NUMBER LEFT
- STATEROOM - $3199 person twin share - $5118 single - SOLD OUT
Prices include:
- All meals (drinks other than tea, coffee and water are extra)
- An exciting selection of onshore tours
- Guided nature walks & eco-excursions
- Onboard presentations
- Live entertainment