Explore Australia Murray River, Paddle Steamer & Wildlife Experience

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A full-day small group tour from Melbourne to regional Victoria: native wildlife at Kyabram Fauna Park, a heritage paddle steamer cruise on the Murray River at Echuca, silo art and the Pink Cliffs.

Days

Full day, about 11 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group, max 21

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Coach or mini-coach from Melbourne pick-up points, and a paddle steamer on the Murray

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Explore Australia Murray River, Paddle Steamer & Wildlife Experience

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Included experiences

Kyabram Fauna Park — kangaroos, koalas, wombats and a cassowary
Echuca — 1 hour heritage paddle steamer cruise on the Murray River
Rochester and Colbinabbin — silo art murals
Pink Cliffs Reserve — pink and orange clay formations

Explore Australia Murray River, Paddle Steamer & Wildlife Experience

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Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: NORTH TO KYABRAM FAUNA PARK

An early start from central Melbourne, then north for the drive over the Great Dividing Range and out onto the flat farmland of northern Victoria. The first stop is Kyabram Fauna Park, an open-range wildlife park built around a wetland. Kangaroos and wallabies roam free among the paths, and you'll see koalas, wombats and a southern cassowary, a flightless bird of the far north Queensland rainforest that can stand as tall as an adult person. The wetlands bring in waterbirds such as pelicans, ibis and black swans.

LATE MORNING: A PADDLE STEAMER AT ECHUCA

Next is Echuca, where the Murray River meets the Campaspe. In the 1870s and 1880s this was the busiest inland port in Australia, and its red gum wharf, once over a kilometre long, still stands high above the water. You board a heritage paddle steamer for an hour on the Murray, Australia's longest river at more than 2,500 km, gliding past river red gums, some of them hundreds of years old. Afterwards there's time in the old Port of Echuca precinct, with its cafés and heritage buildings, and to buy lunch.

AFTERNOON: THE SILO ART TRAIL

The road south leads to the Silo Art Trail, where grain silos have become giant murals. At Rochester, the silos show an azure kingfisher and a platypus, two animals found along the nearby Campaspe River. At Colbinabbin, a row of silos is painted with scenes from the town's history. Seen from a distance across the paddocks they're the tallest things for miles, and up close the detail is remarkable. Have your camera ready.

LATE AFTERNOON: THE PINK CLIFFS AND HOME

The last stop is the Pink Cliffs Reserve at Heathcote. The cliffs aren't natural. In the gold rush, miners used high-pressure water jets to sluice away the hillside in search of gold, and that exposed the soft clay beneath, which weathers in bands of pink, orange and cream. Today it's a quiet reserve with short paths among the gullies. Then it's south to Melbourne in the evening.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Selected pick-up locations in Melbourne. Please be waiting 10 minutes before your pick-up time.
Fitness: Moderate. This is a nature-based tour, so come prepared for the outdoors.
Suits: All ages.

What to bring

Comfortable clothing and shoes
Reusable water bottle
Sunscreen
Money for snacks and meals

What is included

Visit to Kyabram Fauna Park
1 hour cruise on a heritage paddle steamer on the Murray River
Visit to the silo art in Rochester
Visit to Pink Cliffs Reserve

Not included

Food and drinks
Gratuities

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

After a late cancellation we were the only couple on the tour, and it still went ahead. Our guide Alan was funny, knowledgeable and easy to talk to, and the day was packed, from breakfast in Nagambie and the wildlife at Kyabram to a paddle steamer ride on the Murray across the state border and silo art on the way home.

Sam Morris Verified· Travelled 7th October 2026

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