TRIP - Luxury Murray River Walk Multi Day Event - South Australia - MC

Ever wanted to complete one of the Great Walks of Australia in luxury houseboat style?  We have teamed up with the incredible crew at Murray River Trails to put together an EYCZ paced trip of a lifetime.

Come and join us on this 6 day / 5 night Murray River Walk Adventure, for a chance to immerse yourself in four easy days hiking our greatest river, capture the amazing sunrise and sunset reflections, and encounter diverse wildlife. Cruise the spectacular Murray river and to rejuvenate each night on a luxurious houseboat with top deck spa and swim deck followed by chef designed meals paired with fabulous local wines.

Escaping Your Comfort Zone is Body Positive Adventures for women and non-binary crew.  The outdoors don't care about your size, your speed or your fitness, and neither do we!  100% body positive, no focus on weightloss. Just having fun in the outdoors, cause we can! 

Hike Leader: Jess  Mob. 0433 301 763 I will be wearing some form of EYCZ merch. I will meet you at the Cafe Area in the Mildura Airport at 3pm. 

Hike Rating: More Challenging  (refer to Hike Ratings for details)

• Please note as this is a multi day hiking event, you will have had to complete at least two MC walks with EYCZ to be able to attend. 
• Whilst the pace of the walk will be slow & steady the rating is MC due to the distance each day. 
• This hike is on wide, well-formed, marked trails, mostly flat, with some undulations. 
• The trails may be compacted , sand or dirt, may be some small obstacles. 
• We will walk for 4- 6hrs in total, with tons of drink and breather stops. 
• The daily amount of kilometres is between 12-14km. 

Please contact Jess if you have any specific questions or concerns!

Trip Details: 

• Min participants: 4
• Max participants: 10
• Duration:  6 days 5 nights
• Daily Distance: Days 2-5 12-14 km per day
• Total Distance:40 km
• Grade: Easy, relaxed pace and Slow & Steady
• Cost: $3,950 for paid EYCZ  members ($4,450 for non-members). Please note this cost will reduce if we have 8+ members attending. Participants will be advised, and balance adjusted if this is the case.  See below for payment plan details.

Schedule: 

Day 1 Mildura to Remark 

Arrive in Mildura by 3pm for transfers in our chartered mini bus to Remark. Arrive at Remark by 5pm and settle into your room for the night at the Remark Hotel. Dinner at the Pub Restaurant at 6pm. 

Day 2:  Renmark to Headings Cliffs
12km walking
12km river cruising
Meet your walking guide 8am for a pre-walk briefing before we board the pontoon “cruiser” boat for a 14 km cruise along the Murray River to the start of the walking route.

Discover the lagoons that are havens for waterbirds, learn about the site of a World War II Japanese internment camp and cross creeks that feed the red gum forests and box woodlands. A gentle climb through the cliffs reveals a magnificent view of the vast Murray River floodplain that will surround you over the next 3 days. A short transfer across the river in the cruiser and you have arrived at your destination.

Your “Boat Guide” will welcome you aboard and settle you in – before a cool dip in the river or a hot spa followed by a 3-course dinner paired with local wines.

Day 3: Headings Cliffs to Chowilla Creek
14km walking
10km cruising
Rise before the sun and walk a gentle slope to the rim of the Murray River valley for a spectacular sunrise. See colours appear and marvel at the journey route below before returning to the houseboat for a cooked breakfast. Depart again for the daily walk discovering Aboriginal canoe trees, giant red gum forests and small islands along leafy Amazon Creek.

Arriving at your floating home you’ll enjoy a local tasting plate as you dip your feet in the cool waters of the Murray River.

Day 4: Chowilla Creek to Bunyip Reach Cliffs
10km walking
18km cruising
Awake to the mists on the water and enjoy a great coffee, local navel oranges and tasty breakfast followed by a briefing on the Murray Darling Basin and the management of its network of rivers which drain 14% of Australia. Today we cruise to the Chowilla Creek Environmental Regulator to learn about environmental watering and new stewardship for the river, before setting off on our walk.

You’ll walk along Chowilla Creek, restored wetlands and visit the proposed site of the 1960’s Chowilla Dam.

In the afternoon we celebrate completing our walking journey from Queens Bend Cliffs before cruising to the houseboat as the late afternoon sun illuminates the red cliffs.

Day 5: Bunyip Reach to Renmark
Optional 2km walk
23km cruise
After breakfast take a self-guided 2 km walk along the river, before cruising in the pontoon boat through Lock 6. Experience a gentle drop in the water level of 3 metres.

Rejoining the houseboat downstream, you will cruise for 2 hours on the houseboat to the innovative Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery, set in a 100 year old shearing shed on the banks of the river.

Enjoy a tour with the head brewer before sitting down with your guides to a fine barbecue, prepared by your guides before saying your farewells to the guides. 

You will depart for Renmark by bus and arrive at the Renmark Hotel at 2.00 pm. Tonight we stay at the Remark Hotel. 

Day 6: Check out by 10am, ready for transfers back to Mildura by 10:30am. Arrive in Mildura by Midday. Final Farewell for the group, before everyone flies home. 

Included: 

• 2 nights accommodation at the Remark Hotel in your own double room.
• 3 nights Accommodation in a Luxury houseboat twin share with shared bathrooms.  
• Meals catered on Days 2- 5, showcasing local produce.
• All beverages including premium Riverland wines and beer, juice and coffee on Days 2-5. 
•  Luggage transfer to your room on the houseboat
•  All sleeping linen and 1 bath towel
•  A 34L daypack or if you prefer to bring your own
• Optional walking poles
• Access to a library of relevant publications

What to bring: 

• Properly fitting mask
• Hand sanitiser
• Water Bottle
• Hiking boots
• Comfortable hiking clothes for Days 2-5. 
• Comfortable evening clothes for on the boat 
• Clothes suitable for Traveling/ flights 
• Clothes suitable for Evening Pub meal. 
•  Pair of comfortable shoes for evening wear
• A waterproof rain jacket for wind (and rain) protection while walking and cruising
• Head torch fully charged or with spare batteries
• Camera and binoculars 
• Beanies, scarves and gloves
• Bathers for spa and swimming
• Towel for spa/ swimming
• Sunglasses 
• Hat 
• First aid kit, including any medications you might need, such as asthma puffers and antihistamines. Your health is your responsibility. Please alert the leader to the location of your medication (if you are carrying any).
• Emergency Contact/Medical Details form  Please print out and fill in a copy of this form before your attend any EYCZ event, and leave it in your pack.  If you can't access a printer, please simply write the details on a plain piece of paper, and put it in a ziplock bag in the top of your pack.  Any medications you are carrying should be stored in the same section of your pack.

Other key information:

Please note there is no single rooms available on the houseboat. 

Weather: These tours operate in the cooler months between May and September where conditions make for comfortable walking. Calm, sunny days are typical during these cooler months, but make sure you pack a windproof coat for travelling in the open-air pontoon cruiser. The average daily maximum temperatures (degrees Celsius) are as follows: May 20°C, June 17°C, July 17°C, August 18°C, September 21°C.

Food: We cater for special dietary requirements — we just need to know in advance. Your guides prepare nourishing three-course meals each night that showcase local produce paired with local wine. A range of beverages are available including juice, cordial, beer and wine, tea and coffee. We also provide milk (dairy) and almond milk (non-dairy).

More info about Murray River Trails can be found here (with some amazing photos!)

Payment schedule 

Total Cost: $3,950 for paid EYCZ members ($4,450 for non-members). I have tried to help spread the cost out over the next 12-14 months. You can choose to use the payment schedule, or pay upfront.  We prefer that you make bank transfers directly to the EYCZ bank account, but also understand if you prefer to use a credit card via the usual payment system here on Groups.Place. 

Account Details:  Escaping Your Comfort Zone.  Bendigo Bank.  BSB: 633 000 ACC: 159 354 554. Ref: "MURRAYTRIP YOUR SURNAME" (Note this is a new bank account, please use this in the future.  The old one still works if you have that set up for direct debit)

Please message Richelle: richelle@escapingyourcomfortzone.com each time you make a payment into the EYCZ bank account.

• Deposit amount $600 due within 2 weeks of RSVPing 
• 30th July 2022 $1000
• 30th November 22 $600
• 20th January 23 $400
• 30th March 23 $600 
• 30th April remaining Balance Due 

Cancellation Policy 

Full refund available until 10th January 2023, thereafter only partial refund is available until Mid April 2023. After this date no refunds are available. 

Extra Costs: 

• Meals at Remark Day 1 & 6  
• Snacks for Day 1& 6
• Flights/ transfer to Mildura at own cost 
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Notes: 

Please email me your flight number so I can keep an eye on them all for the transfer

I look forward to seeing you join us!

Cheers

Jess