Though not a traditional harbour city, Adelaide still has access to some interesting cruises that highlight the beauty of the city’s waterways. Adelaide cruises are a fun day trip at the very least, with most tours offering a new breadth of knowledge even to locals.
Adelaide’s River Torrens is home to the iconic Popeye Cruises. The sight of their blue and white vessel is familiar for locals, with cruises embarking multiple times a day on the River Torrens for a variety of different cruises. For only $18, you can book a sightseeing cruise that passes through the city’s heart, passing landmarks like the Entertainment Centre and the Festival Centre. There is a fully licensed bar on board, with tea and coffee options too, but the best part is the local guide providing commentary on your journey. You’re likely to learn something new on every Popeye cruise. Along with sightseeing, they host cruises for school groups, a Devonshire tea cruise, and tasting cruises as collaborations with Adelaide wineries and distilleries. For two, you can hire a paddleboat from Captain Jolley’s to explore the river in.
Port Adelaide is full of history and culture, and the port’s waterways are no exception. There are several cruises to try out to not only learn some more about the heritage and culture behind the seaport suburb, but also to spot some wildlife. The Port River Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise is a 90-minute journey that passes the International Bird Sanctuary, the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, and the unique Ship’s Graveyard. While spotting wildlife is one thing, spotting giant, half-submerged wrecks is another! Your tour guide will narrate your cruise with insightful information about Port River’s maritime history, aided by PowerPoint presentation on board. We’d recommend the Twilight Ships Graveyard Cruise for the stunning sunset and a little bit of a spooky atmosphere.
Venturing further into Greater Adelaide, you’ll find cruises that travel along the Murray River. The Murray Princess is the largest inland paddle-wheeler in the southern hemisphere, and offers cruises up to seven days long along the length of the river. If you’re short on time, the Murray River Highlights Tour might be a better fit. This tour departs from Adelaide and travels two hours through the river, stopping for sightseeing regularly, including at Mannum Lookout. A two-course lunch is provided on board while you take in the riverbanks, but if you’re still hungry, this cruise doubles as a coach tour as you return to Adelaide via the Adelaide Hills, stopping at Melba’s Chocolate Factory and Woodside Cheese Wrights for afternoon tea.