Where do I meet for the cruise?

Check in 20 minutes prior to departure at the Morgan wharf precinct — this is the listed meeting point.

Is the vessel wheelchair accessible?

Yes, PS Canally caters for guests in wheelchairs; contact the bookings team on 85402643 for details.

What are the ticket prices?

Typical fares are approximately $35 adult, $30 concession, $20 child, and $90 family (2 adults, 2 children); children under 5 travel free.

Can children join the cruise?

Children are welcome; under-16s should be accompanied by a parent or guardian and under-5s travel free.

Are food and drinks available on board?

Small snacks and drinks policies vary by departure—check with the operator when booking or bring your own non-disruptive refreshments.

How do I book a private charter or special event?

Contact the bookings team via the referral link or by phone to discuss private charters, accessibility needs, or group bookings.

Ride the PS Canally: Historic 1907 Paddlesteamer Cruises on the River Murray

Board the PS Canally for a one-hour heritage cruise on the River Murray, departing from the Morgan wharf precinct in South Australia. Built in 1907 and newly recommissioned in the Port of Morgan, the restored paddlesteamer moves at a measured pace that invites conversation and birdwatching. The PS Canally—an original river trade workhorse that once carried wool and dried fruit—now offers a living slice of river history, its wooden decks, brass fittings, and slow turning paddles framing a landscape of river red gums, reed beds, and wide floodplain. This is Mannum-region paddling country where the Murray widens into calm reaches and sandbars. On a one-hour loop, guides point out local geology and ecology: layered silts and riverine limestone along the banks, banks fringed with eucalyptus and occasional black box. Wildlife often steals the show—fishermen’s pelicans drifting overhead, cormorants drying wings on snags, and the occasional wedge-tailed eagle cruising thermals. The PS Canally is wheelchair accessible and family friendly; children under five travel free, and a family fare is available. Practicalities are straightforward. Check-in 20 minutes before departure at the Morgan wharf precinct; the vessel hosts up to 40 guests and operates guided cruises in English. Tickets run roughly $35 adult, $30 concession, $20 child, and $90 for a family (two adults, two children). The historic character of the boat pairs with modern safety and accessibility—contact bookings for wheelchair details or special needs. What makes this cruise distinct is the combination of industrial heritage and living river ecology. Few places preserve both a working paddlesteamer and an intact stretch of Murray floodplain. The slow pace gives time to spot subtle signs of the river’s rhythms: mudlines on the gums, reed beds where small fish spawn, and the scent of drying sand after low flows. Local volunteers and crew often share stories about the boat’s restoration and the region’s river trade, offering a human connection to the landscape. This short cruise works as a morning or late-afternoon outing, an easy addition to a weekend based in Mannum or Morgan, or a restorative break between longer hikes and fishing trips. Bring sun protection, a light jacket for breezy evenings, and binoculars for birding. For photographers, low angles from the aft deck and reflections around bends make excellent compositions. Whether you’re chasing local history or simply watching river life unfold, the PS Canally delivers an intimate, slow-motion Murray experience that feels rare in a fast-moving world. Book online via the provided referral link or call the bookings team to confirm accessibility needs, special events, or private charters; small-group departures sell out during holidays and long weekends, so reserve early to secure seats and align your visit with river conditions and local festivals and seasons.

About Mannum Dock Museum of River History and PS Marion

Mannum Dock Museum of River History and PS Marion preserves and presents South Australia's riverboat heritage from its base in Mannum.

The site combines a river history museum at the Mannum Dock Discovery Centre with authentic heritage vessel experiences on the PS Marion and the PW Mayflower. The museum interprets the Murray River's role in regional transport and trade, displaying artifacts and information about paddle steamers, river trade and local river communities.

PS Marion, a beautifully restored 1897 paddle steamer, operates scheduled cruises including two-hour heritage trips and longer weekend escapes. The PS Marion two-hour cruises run on the first Saturday of each month and allow passengers to enjoy the tranquil Murray River, bringing their own food or choosing on-board snacks. The PS Marion Weekend Escape offers cabin accommodation, hearty meals and starlit evenings on deck for a multi-night river experience.

PW Mayflower, built in 1884 and restored after careful conservation, is South Australia's oldest paddle wheeler and serves scenic 1.5-hour cruises from the Mannum Dock Discovery Centre on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Together the vessels offer a mix of short sightseeing cruises and extended river journeys that showcase river landscapes, wildlife and regional history.

The Mannum Dock Museum of River History and PS Marion presents factual interpretation, preserved historic vessels and public cruises that connect visitors directly with Murray River heritage and living maritime traditions. On-site exhibits and scheduled cruises provide opportunities for education, photography and accessible access to river history for visitors of all ages including families.

Ride the PS Canally: Historic 1907 Paddlesteamer Cruises on the River Murray

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About Mannum Dock Museum of River History and PS Marion

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