Join us for a fabulous Murray River Quilting Cruise with Rachelle Denneny. Discover the delights of the Murray from Mannum to Morgan plus Victor Harbor and Adelaide. Highlights include cellar door tastings at Burk Salter Boutique Winery, and the towering sandstone cliffs at the Big Bend, guided walks around historic towns, an Aussie barbecue beside the river, a visit to a wildlife shelter, sheep shearing demonstration and a guided walk through one of Australia's most significant aboriginal archaeological sites at Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park. The tour is fully escorted and includes the Murray River cruise and coach travel, sightseeing tours in each region and special events for tour members. We hope that you can join us for eleven days of fun.
With over two decades of experience, Rachelle has established herself as a prominent designer, teacher, and award-winning quilter, inspiring countless individuals around the globe. Rachelle's innovative designs and exquisite machine quilting have won her numerous awards both nationally and internationally. Her impressive portfolio includes over eighty awards, with highlights such as two "Best of Australia" awards and the prestigious "World of Beauty" award in Houston. She's been sharing her patterns in Australian Patchwork Magazines since 2005, and her quilt, Nature's Paintbox, was the first Block of the Month for Quilters Companion in 2021. Rachelle has shared her expertise with students across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. She teaches a diverse range of classes, including machine quilting, piecing, machine appliqué, and beginner courses. Her recent ventures include teaching on quilting cruises to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, further expanding her reach and impact. From her early days to becoming an award-winning designer and teacher, Rachelle's love for the quilting community is as strong as ever.
DECK
PLANS
Outside Cabins open onto the outside deck and have picture windows. Each cabin has a private ensuite, air-conditioning, electric blankets, soaps, shampoo and towels and are serviced daily. Each cabin is approximately 12 sq metres. Most rooms have twin beds. There are a limited amount of rooms with double beds and these will incur a surcharge – contact us for more information. Single/Sole Occupancy cabins may be smaller than standard twin rooms.
DAY 1 Thursday 22 October 2026 Adelaide
Please arrive in Adelaide and be ready to depart the airport at 12.30pm. This afternoon we visit The Stitch Saloon, a shop thoughtfully curated to bring you joy through modern fabrics, notions and sewing projects. We then check into our hotel. After time to settle into our hotel we will set up our project under Rachelle's instruction. This evening, we will enjoy a welcome dinner to meet Rachelle and other tour members.
DAY 2 Friday 23 October 2026 Adelaide
This morning we visit Widebacks, which specialises in high-quality wide-width fabrics. After lunch, we visit the David Roche Gallery for a guided tour of Fermoy House, David's residence, and special exhibitions in the adjoining gallery wing.
DAY 3 Saturday 24 October 2026 Victor Harbor
This morning we visit Carrick Hill, a house built 62 years ago for a guided tour of the 400 years old interior, which was shipped from England. We travel to the quaint town of Hahndorf - "Australia's Oldest German Town". We continue to our accommodation at Victor Harbour for a 2 night stay.
DAY 4 Sunday, 25 October 2026 Victor Harbor
This morning, we will visit Penny Lane Patchwork shop. Early afternoon we catch the Cockle Train to Goolwa, a gorgeous riverside town at the mouth of the Murray.
DAY 5 Monday, 26 October 2026 Embark/Caurnamont
Today we travel to Mannum arriving at lunch time and enjoy some free time to explore. Mid-afternoon the Murray Princess departs historic Mannum and heads upriver while you enjoy a Welcome Dinner. As we cruise under floodlight to our overnight mooring at Caurnamont, you may see nocturnal wildlife on the riverbank.
DAY 6 Tuesday, 27 October 2026 Blanchetown
Daybreak and it's time for the keen photographers to be out to capture the special light and the morning movement of wildlife. Enjoy a leisurely morning, with time to work on our projects and lunch cruising upriver to Blanchetown through one of 13 locks. This afternoon we moor opposite the township of Blanchetown for our overnight anchorage. As the last rays of the sun fade, we visit Burk Salter Boutique Winery and enjoy wine tasting at the cellar door. After dinner, join us for all the fun and excitement, and participate in our "Murray River Cup".
DAY 7 Wednesday, 28 October 2026 Sunnydale
After breakfast we cruise downriver to picturesque Swan Reach. We will have time to individually work on our projects. The town was first settled in the 1850s, was originally the largest of five sheep and cattle stations in the area. Join a walking tour and visit the Swan Reach Museum. Later we visit the Native Wildlife Shelter where some of South Australia's most interesting native animals are cared for and then of course, there is the great Aussie Barbecue - cooked and served in a bush setting on the banks of the mighty Murray River.
DAY 8 Thursday, 29 October 2026 Younghusband
After an optional early morning Bush Tucker Breakfast or bush walk with the Captain, the vessel cruises slowly downriver past magnificent cliffs scoured by the river over millions of years. We will have time to individually work on our projects. We reach Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park, one of Australia's most significant archaeological sites, for a guided boardwalk tour to view ancient rock carvings and to learn about Aboriginal history in the area. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a delicious final night dinner and enjoy the evening entertainment.
DAY 9 Friday, 30 October 2026 Disembark/Barossa Valley
We leave Younghusband and head back to Mannum. After breakfast we reluctantly say farewell to the PS Murray Princess as we arrive at the Mannum Wharf. We board our coach to travel to the Barossa Reservoir to see the Whispering Wall. We travel on to Barossa Chateau in Lyndoch for Glorious High Tea. We will first enjoy a tour of the Arts and Antiques Gallery at the Chateau, before High Tea.
DAY 10 Saturday, 31 October 2026 Barossa Valley
In the morning, we will have a workshop taught by Rachelle, before we travel to Tanunda, where we have time to wander the main street to visit shops and galleries and enjoy a guided visit to the Barossa Museum. We travel through Bethany to Angaston, where we have time to visit shops. We continue our journey to Light Pass named after William Light, where we will have time to see two historic churches and old houses.
DAY 11 Sunday, 1 November 2026 Barossa Valley
We have some free time before travelling to Maggie Beer's Farm shop for a four course delicious farewell lunch made with homemade products. We will visit Seppeltsfield winery, where we will enjoy a wine tasting and visit the Jam factory, a not-for-profit organisation housed in an historic 1850's stable building. They sell local crafts and designed objects. We also visit Vasse-Virgin, which sells all-natural hand made skin and body care products.
DAY 12 Monday 2 November 2026 Depart
This morning we visit Quilters Quarters. Operating from her home, Lyn sells quilting fabrics, books, patterns and notions. Early afternoon we are transferred to Adelaide Airport for flights back home. We plan to arrive at the airport at 1.00pm.
| Price per person twin-share | Single Fare |
|---|---|
| $5,990 | $8,090 |
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the assistance from others.
TOUR OPERATOR:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd, (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour operator. The PS Murray Princess is operated by Sealink.
TOUR COSTS:
The tour costs are based on general transport, entry, and accommodation costs. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to price will be made within 90 days of departure from Australia.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS:
A non-refundable deposit of $900 per passenger for is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 90 days before departure for the Murray River Cruise tour. Cancellation under 90 days before tour departs will result in a loss of all monies paid. Payment may be made by cheque or cash a 1.5% administration fee will be charged on payments made by credit cards.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS AND CONDITIONS:
The tour has been priced on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 90 days prior to departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified cost.
TOUR ORGANISATION:
Travelrite reserves the right to change advertised entrances if necessary for the smooth operation of the tour.
REFUNDS:
The tour is based on arrangements that do not allow for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals, airfare or other services not utilized after the tour has commenced.
BAGGAGE:
Due to coach restrictions, tour members can only bring one large suitcase.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour organizer. Travelrite acts only as an agent in the making of arrangements for hotels, transportation, restaurants or any other service and does not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any services included in the tour, or by act of God. Further no responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. The passage contract between the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of this tour and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any tour and/or make such changes in the tour as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. This contract shall be construed in accordance of the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia and any legal action must be undertaken in the State of Victoria. Attention is also directed to the terms and conditions of the cruise passage contract with Captain Cook Cruises, detailed on their website.
DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EVENTS:
You engage Travelrite International to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite Inter-national acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite International may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite International reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite International any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite International in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required
HOW TO BOOK:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and sending it with a non-refundable deposit of $900 per person to: Travelrite International Pty Ltd 423 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, VIC 3103 Australia
Toll Free: 1800 630 343 Phone: 03 9836 2522 Email: sales@paintingworkshops.net www.travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a well-established travel company which has been operating in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for more than 40 years. It is a member of ATAS (number A10538) and has an accredited IATA office at Balwyn, As such, it directly represents the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international tour and transport operators. Travelrite International has been operating special interest tours for over 38 years and now runs over 120 tours a year. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Travel Industry Association-ATIA.
“The individual quilting stores were unique in their own way and everyone made us so welcome. The Quilt Festival and Exhibition was amazing. The quality and workmanship of the exhibits was breathtaking. Having over 2 days to explore was perfect, allowing time to marvel at everything on offer and decide what to buy.”
“Professional input by Linda Collins (Quilter) was excellent - she had prepared extremely well. She provided a project to teach us, introduced us to accomplished people in the quilting world and flexibly guided our activities to cater for individual interests.”
