Useful Info & Links

Shopping

A houseboat holiday is fully self catering, so you need to bring all your food and drink supplies with you. If you have flown into Adelaide, we recommend shopping at the Barossa Valley on the way here. There are 2 large supermarkets at Nuriootpa with many gourmet items, plus there is a bottle shop in the same complex. With many cellar doors in the region, you may also like to pick up some of the magnificent local wines to enjoy on board as well.

You can also arrange a shop and collect order from the Barossa Foodland (excluding restricted fruit and veg items) and more information can be found at https://www.coopfresh.com.au/online

Travelling from interstate by road, Murray Bridge, Renmark or Waikerie are great shopping options. There is only a small general store in Blanchetown for last minute purchases (they have limited lines) and you can re-stock during your housboat holiday at Morgan (about 7 hours away by houseboat). Many people also like to bring pre-prepared food as well, which keeps you out of the kitchen and in holiday mode!

***FRUIT FLY UPDATE MAY 2023***

Please note the Riverland is a Fruit Fly Free Zone, and all non host fruit and vegetables must be accompanied by a receipt.

The rules have changed due to continued fruit fly outbreaks in Adelaide and also the Riverland, and you cannot bring certain fresh fruit or fruiting vegetables to Blanchetown, even with a receipt. A small selection may be available at Blanchetown for purchase, or if you are travelling via Mannum or Murray Bridge, there are some accredited supermarkets that will allow purchases - again check on the PIRSA website as this can change at any time.

Allowed: honeydew, rockmelon, watermelon and  pineapple and the following vegetables e.g potatoes, onions, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, pumpkin and carrots.

For a full list of un- restricted produce check out https://fruitfly.sa.gov.au/outbreak-restrictions/fruit-and-veg-without-restrictions and we will also supply a list when booking for your information.

***You can bring cooked, processed, preserved, stewed, dried, frozen or canned fruit and vegetables, so this may be a good option too.

PIRSA are updating the suspension zones regularly if there are new outbreaks, so you will need to check your suburb and just as importantly, where you purchase your produce at www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/fruit_fly_in_sa/fruit_fly_outbreaks

*No fruit or vegetables are allowed from interstate and must be safely disposed of before entering SA, fines do apply. 

Useful links

Transfers

For transfers and tours we recommend:

Juggle House Experiences  www.jugglehouse.com.au   or telephone 0488 697 308.

Arrive in style aboard the Entertainer Limo and enjoy a fabulous Barossa Valley Tour on your way here or back to Adelaide. Caters for 4 - 11 people.

Looking for an extra activity when you are on your houseboat holiday? - again check out Juggle House Experiences and the delightful Kelly may be able to help with a tour personalised to your request.

DES’S MINIBUS: (08) 8440 1600

These companies also cater for shopping trips and have eskies (chilli bins) on board to keep your food cool.

For smaller groups of 2 - 4, the most economical way to get to us is to hire a car, and that way you can stop for your supplies on the way.

The hire car will be safe on our riverbank and we also have 24 hour CCTV monitoring for extra security.

Adelaide Airport has a refernce site for comparison https://www.adelaideairport.com.au/parking-transport/rental-car/

Boutique Wines, Olive oil, Glass platters & More...

We are truly blessed in the Riverland with amazing produce, quality wines, boutique brews and great attractions. We love supporting local businesses and hope you will also check out some of our favourites:

For boutique wines and quality bed and breakfast accommodation at Blanchetown, visit www.burksalterwines.com.au or call into their cellar door 72 Paisley Road, Blanchetown: Friday - Sunday and Public Holidays 11am - 4.30pm

For beautiful Riverland produce, fine wines and extra virgin olive oil, visit www.illalangi.com.au or call into their shop at 12915 Sturt Highway Waikerie: OPEN 7 days a week 10.00am - 4.00pm.

For fabulous hand made glass platters and original art work call to arrange a visit to Riverglen View Art Studio at Lowbank on 0429 822 997 or visit www.frankelglassandbooks.com.au.

If you have the chance to stay longer or visit again, more great "must do's include :

Banrock Station and Wetland Centre, Kingston on Murray www.banrockstation.com.au.

Loxton Historical Village, Loxton

23rd Distillery, Renmark

Woolshed Brewery, Murtho

Hot Air Balloon Flights

For amazing balloon flights over the Barossa Valley or the Murray at Blanchetown, visit www.balloonadventures.com.au.

Golf Courses

The Riverland area has 5 excellent golf courses.

Tourist Information

For information on events, attractions and experiences in the Riverland, visit www.destinationriverland.org.au.

For more information on South Australia, visit www.southaustralia.com.

For information on Waikerie, visit Waikerie Library and Visitor Centre, Strangman Road, Waikerie S.A Open: Mon – Fri 9am-6pm, Sat and Sun – 10.00am- 2.00pm Web: www.waikerie.com

For day cruises at Waikerie, visit www.rivergumcruises.com.au.

For nature base tourism adventures, visit www.bigbend.com.au (they can even arrange to collect you from your houseboat at Blanchetown or Morgan).

For Hire: Double kayaks (includes life vests), fishing rods and tackle. The double kayaks are great fun for exploring the backwaters and are very stable, however we only recommend they are used by people who can swim.

For Sale: Block and crushed ice.