An incredible tour

25 Oct 2023

Members from Croydon Park, Rowville /Lysterfield, Brisbane and Sydney Probus Clubs shared a fantastic trip to Adelaide, organised by Trade Travel and hosted by Sue Grady.

All met at Adelaide Airport and departed for Mannum joining the Murray Princess Paddle Wheeler for a 5-day/4-night experience.

They headed upstream under the capable hands of Captain Abe and Second Officer Ian. Members then went through the lock just before Blanchetown where they moored and enjoyed a wine tasting at the Burk Salter Boutique Winery. As they weren’t driving, they certainly took advantage of this and some purchased their wonderful sparkling merlot. Future orders will certainly be made of this particular wine.

Unfortunately, they were unable to embark at Swan Reach due to the rising river, which had flooded so many homes upstream, and once again, are unfortunately expecting the river to reach to a higher level by November.

A highlight was a visit to the Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal reserve, where shells had been found dating back more than 10,000 years. They had a hilarious tour of the Woolshed in Sunnydale, where different breed types of breeding stock sheep are kept – virtually as pets, with their names spraypainted onto their bodies. One was called Rackalamb!

And the working dogs, similarly, are yirtually family pets.

This was followed by an evening BBQ, cooked and served in a bush setting on a very chilly night.

Next morning 18 members paid $40 to have a bush breakfast comprising kangaroo sausages, eggs with saltbush & Bobadilla seasoning, mushrooms with Coolamon herbs followed with Ozzie toast with apricot & wattle seed jam, pancakes dripping with lemon myrtle butter and lots of billy tea. And along with the humour of the host the previous day, and a completely different setting, they reported that it was well worth the $40.

One member asked Captain Abe what had happened to the staff during Covid, and was told that everyone was kept employed by renovating the entire ship, which was evident with new tiling, flooring and repainting. This multi-tasked staff worked extremely hard to cater for all members’ needs with excellent food and service; and seemed to enjoy members’ company as much members enjoyed theirs. Such a versatile and happy crew.

After an unforgettable cruise and two days touring the Barossa and Adelaide, visiting the markets, Glenelg on the tram, Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, Penfolds Winery & Seppeltsfield Estate where they ate a scrumptious luncheon, they walked around the gardens of Carrick Hill to view this magnificent home and inside to view their valued art collection, beautiful antique furniture and personal artifacts. This is a very large home that was bequeathed to the state on the death of Sir Edward Carrick in 1983.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this tour, which was crammed with so many diverse interests.