Let's explore!

*Our fabulous Murray River is subject to regulated and unregulated flows, as well as seasonal conditions and these may impact how far you can travel . Be prepared to adjust your travel plans to "rivertime", and remember that just being on the river is fun!

Once you leave Griffens Marina, you start to travel upstream...

We have so many great mooring spots, and you only need to head a short way upstream before you can tie up and relax! In fact, many people only moor once, fall in love with their surroundings and stay there until it's time to head back to the marina.

If you have time and want to cruise a bit more, you can head towards the historic town of Morgan, which is approximately 8 hours away, and discover one of Australia's earliest river ports.

The town is a delight for anyone interested in museums, antiques and heritage walks, and it even has two country pubs close to the river front for those wanting to dine out. There is a houseboat mooring area below the Visitor Information Centre and you can moor for up to 48 hours in the designated zone ( subject to avavailable spots)

You may choose to travel a little further upstream and visit the Cadell wetlands, featuring unique varieties of bottle brush, or towards Hogwash Bend past irrigated lands and pastoral reaches.

For your information, the marina is located upstream from Blanchetown around the 277km mark and, Morgan is at 320 km.The average cruising speed for houseboats is 6 - 7km per hour.

Sample itinerary for a 3 or 4 night houseboat cruise

Day 1: Board your hire houseboat at 3.00pm and after full instruction, start to travel upstream for the night.

Depending on the season, you could travel several hours to Donald Flat Lagoon in summer, but during the other months where it is dark earlier, there are some great spots only half an hour or so from the marina.

You are also welcome to spend your first night tied up at the marina if that suits you too (or if weather/light conditions dictate) and take off at your leisure the next day.

Day 2: Stay moored for the morning (or the day!) and then enjoy travelling upstream further towards the historic town of Morgan.

If you wish to travel to Morgan, there is a houseboat friendly area on the main riverfront above the ferry crossing to moor, and you can wander around the wharf precinct. You will be amazed at the Paddleboat Playground and make sure you drop into the Old Station Masters Residence which is now the Visitor Information Office and chat to the friendly staff as they point out the P.S. Canally and the historic Landseer Building, which is now a fabulous museum.

If you have time, enjoy a meal at one of the two traditional country hotels, or grab a quick takeaway or ice cream. Overnight mooring is also allowed.

Day 3 : Head back downstream and be captivated by the scenery and bird and wild life as you choose another great mooring spot for your last night.

Day 4: Wake up to the gentle lapping of the water, and cruise back to the marina by 9.30am so you can be off by 10.00am.

For a 7 night cruise

Day 1: Board your hire houseboat at 3.00pm and after full instruction, travel upstream to your first mooring spot ( be warned - some fall in love with their first spot and choose to just relax and unwind for a few days before moving again!)

You are also welcome to spend your first night tied up at the marina if that suits you too (or if weather/light conditions dictate) and take off at your leisure the next day.

Day 2/3: Enjoy a lovely time travelling a little further upstream towards the historic town of Morgan. Once you get to Morgan, you can tie up at the houseboat friendly areas, and wander around the wharf precinct. You will be amazed at the new Paddleboat Playground and make sure you drop into the Old Station Masters Residence which is now the Visitor Information Office and chat to the friendly staff as they point out the PS Canally and the historic Landseer Building, which is now a fabulous museum. If you have time, enjoy a meal at one of the two traditional country hotels, or grab a take away or ice cream.

Day 4/5: You may choose to start heading back downstream or continue travelling upstream to Cadell and moor at the reserve below the ferry, and discover the delights of the native plants on display.The town of Cadell is about half an hour walk from the river, but if you are feeling active head into the town and enjoy a meal or drink at the friendly Cadell Club (open daily for afternoon drinks and Wednesday and Friday nights for meals, but please contact 8540 3286 to check times).

If you choose to travel a little further, we recommend you don't travel any further than Qualco which is before Lock 2.

Day 6: Head back downstream and discover some more delightful areas above or below Morgan.

Day 7: Spend the night at Donald Flat lagoon or cruise closer to the marina and tie up along the Roonka straight and witness the spectacular setting sun on the cliffs.

Day 8: Be back at the marina by 9.30am to be fully unloaded and off the houseboat by 10.00am.

What to do...

Tie up for the afternoon and throw a fishing line off the back of your houseboat, or lounge under the top deck canopy reading a book while sipping a glass of wine! For nature lovers there are a variety of river birds and wild life to view, and wetlands to explore - we can even hire you a kayak. Or you can just marvel at the majestic river red gums standing like sentinels at the edge of the river and the changing colours of the magnificent cliffs.

By the way...

The PS Pyap, built in 1896, operated as a hawking vessel along the Murray and used to tie up at our riverbank for the locals to come and buy goods from. Just imagine you are a Riverboat Captain as you follow the same route as the old river barges and paddleboats... you may even tie up at one of their favoured spots!