7 reasons to spend your Great State Voucher in the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong
Holidaying in our own backyard has never been so popular. And with the State Government’s Great State experience and accommodation vouchers (between $50 to $200) currently up for grabs, we think it’s about time you used yours out here.
Some of the best operators from the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong are taking part, offering vouchers towards our most exciting, relaxing and adventurous tours you’ll find in South Australia.
Those who have been lucky enough to already secure accommodation vouchers have until 7 March to book in their stay (for periods between now and May), and those keen to get experience vouchers, need to be ready in early March to enter the ballot and have a chance to get theirs!
Whatever voucher you manage to grab, there’s plenty of ways to spend them here – and we’ve picked out a few that you need to consider in 2022:
1. Monarto Safari Park
If you’re after an adventure to remember, you’ll definitely want to spend your Great State Experience Voucher at Monarto Safari Park.
Image: Monarto Safari Park
For a truly unforgettable safari, you can’t go past coming face-to-face with one of the fiercest big cats in the animal kingdom. Take the ultimate walk of the brave at Lions 360– the only one of its kind in Australia! Enter the dome for a spine-tingling close look at Monarto Safari Park’s magnificent pride.
Image: Monarto Safari Park
But that’s not all… you can hand feed a gentle giant at Giraffe Safari, meet the Southern White Rhino crash, or even put the lions to bed for the night!
Discover all the up-close animal experiences here.
Experience everything from meeting the chimpanzee troop to tickling a rhino, walking with wallabies and watching endangered Tassie Devils devour a tasty treat.
Regular Zu-loop shuttle buses link the animal exhibits and platforms with the Visitor Centre making it easy to hop on and off as you make your way around. Or explore the open plains of the park and its abundant flora and fauna with 12kms of walking tracks. Most of the trails are 25 – 30 minute self-guided experiences – long enough for a decent adventure, but not too gruelling for little legs.
With over 50 species of native and African animals roaming the biggest safari park outside of Africa, a trip to Monarto Safari Park delights, inspires and brings the fight to save animals from extinction to life.
The wild is calling!
2. Juggle House Experiences
Juggle House Experiences
Juggle House Experience’s very own ‘Master Juggler’ Kelly takes you and your crew onboard the Entertainer (a purpose-built limo bus) to experience some of the best our region has to offer.
Kel will proudly plan out your entire day’s itinerary using her local knowledge, knack for understanding her visitors and close connections with our best tourism operators along the Murray River, Lower Lakes and Coorong. Choosing Juggle House takes away a huge amount stress!
A group as big as 11 people can be seated comfortably in the luxurious limousine. Known as ‘The Entertainer‘ – this tour ride is exactly as the name describes – fully-equipped with three music screens and surround sound (perfect for karaoke), lounge leather seating with plenty of leg room, plus a licensed bar! Groups larger than 11 can have access to multiple (or larger) vehicles so no one gets left behind.
Image: Juggle House Experiences
Not only will you be cruising in style with Kel, but you’ll pick up some historical insights and local knowledge along the way, proving that the journey can be just as fun as the destination. The 15 x pre-packaged tours include experiences like stargazing along Murray River cliffs, a Creek and Antiques tour, or even something for adrenaline junkies.
Grab your 10 best friends and check out what Juggle House has on offer here.
3. The Bend Motorsport Park
Hold on tight as you experience the thrill of real-life race speeds around the circuit in high-performance track and race cars at The Bend Motorsport Park.
A Bronze Driver Experience – includes hot laps either in the V8 Ford Mustang or V8 Holden Racecar around the South Loop Circuit. The Platinum Driver Experience – includes seven adrenaline-fueled, action packed experiences over seven hours, featuring two V8 power experiences on track, Skidpan Motorkhana, rally and off-road adventures PLUS race your mates in a Karting Grand Prix.
Image: South Australian Tourism Commission
If go-karts are more your thing, the Bend Karting Circuit is available in 3 configurations. Catering to drivers looking for fast-paced bumper to bumper racing on the Sprint circuit, quick and technical on the Challenge circuit, or experience the best of both on the large Grand Prix circuit.
Based just up the freeway at Tailem Bend, this new facility continues to attract attention and provides a world-class racing facility in our own backyard.
Check out all of the experiences you can spend your voucher on here.
4. Coorong Wildside Tours
Let Tracy and Glen Hill take you on the ultimate up-close Coorong experience. The pair owns Coorong Wild Seafood, an award-winning commercial fishing and processing business based in Meningie. They have also commissioned a new boat called ‘The Wildside’ and are now offering small and hands-on group tours on the Coorong.
This passionate duo love to share the untamed side of the Coorong with visitors on their Catch and Cook tours, promising nothing but an authentic experience.
Image: Coorong Wildside Tours
After spending so much time exploring the best fishing spots around the Coorong lagoons, the team knows exactly how to occupy prime position in the National Park – it’s like a mini adventure each time they hit the water, with Glen still excited to motor out at any chance he gets.
Image: Coorong Wildside Tours
A trip out to the Coorong with Glen is an experience like no other. Watching this ‘wild man of the Coorong’ you can see why he was destined to be a fisherman. With decades of fishing expertise and environmental knowledge under his belt, his will share his wisdom about the ecosystem and sustainable fishing with on-board guests.
Book your incredible Coorong Wildside Tours experience here.
5. Proud Mary
Award-winning service, five-star cuisine and a premium cruising experience are some of the top reasons why the Proud Mary continues to entertain guests up and down the Murray River week-after-week.
Image: Proud Mary taken by @smythy19
These same qualities have also contributed to three consecutive, highly commended award wins, earning the Proud Mary an induction into the South Australian Tourism Hall of Fame.
With rooms to sleep only 36 guests, the personalised boutique river boat is far from a typical passenger cruise liner and certainly unlike an ocean cruise experience – think more intimate and accommodating, in an atmosphere where you can be your relaxed self and connect with like-minded people.
Find out more about the Proud Mary experiences here.
6. Four Knots Cruises
Four Knots Murray River Cruises is redefining chartered river cruising by creating a series of authentic, nature-based boutique cruises along the Murray River, for groups as small of between 8 – 40 people.
These aren’t the kinds of cruises you need to pack your bags for either. They’re short and sweet, the perfect snack-sized river cruise to sneak in the must-see highlights of the river during daylight hours. Plus, the kids can come too – it’s an experience all-ages can enjoy!
Image: Four Knots Murray River Cruises
So if you’ve been longing to get back to the wide-open spaces of the Murray River, with a serving of tranquillity and seclusion, you’ll find it uniquely with Four Knots. It really is one of the easiest, most inspiring ways to see a beautiful part of our world.
As you might’ve guessed by now, Four Knots is an immersive, experience-focused business. There’s certainly no large cruise liners here. But you can expect the same top-level hospitality and service from the team. As a family-owned and operated business, you already know you’ll be in good hands with your skipper, Chad and his expert crew.
Book your Four Knots experience here.
Accommodation … on the house
If six bespoke experiences wasn’t enough, why don’t you make use of your Great State Accommodation Voucher in our region too!
With voucher recipients already announced, you’ll know if your back pocket will be that much lighter, with $50 to spend at your regional getaway.
Nine stellar locations around the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong region allow you to pick which site suits you, from a caravan park to a new hotel.
Image: River Shack Rentals (9 River Lane, Mannum)
In Mannum there’s four apartment-style modern units, overlooking the spectacular Mary Ann Reserve. Known as 9 Riverlane Mannum, the beautiful accommodation is centrally-located, and fully contained for guests to come and go.
Image: Mannum Motel
The Mannum Motel is also next to the mighty Murray, with a licensed restaurant and casual family atmosphere making a most comfortable stay. It even overlooks the river’s only dual-ferry crossing, so the kids will love watching (and catching a ride on) them too.
For something a little different, the Riverview House at Younghusband opens its doors, offering relaxed accommodation and bespoke boutique events. Your home-away-from-home, enjoy views across the Gowlings Wetland Lagoon and the Murray River from the lounge, dining room or deck.
When you hit Murray Bridge, the options are endless, but you can’t go past the newly redeveloped $42million Bridgeport Hotel. It’s recent recognition as National Regional Hotel of the Year says it all. The Adelaide Road Motor Lodge and Riverglen Marina are both good options located away from the centre of town. The Lodge offers both budget and deluxe options, with on-site and moored options for those who like to literally stay on the river at the Marina.
Image: Bridgeport Hotel
Image: Adelaide Road Motor Lodge
For the car enthusiasts, Rydges Pit Lane Hotel is located in the world-class motorsport facility, The Bend Motorsport Park. Enjoy an exhilarating view, with many of the rooms overlooking the main motor racing circuit.
Image: Rydges Pit Lane
Finally, Lake Albert Hotel at Meningie looks over the shores of Lake Albert, perfectly located for those day tripping to the Coorong National Park.
To use your accommodation voucher, book by Monday, March 7, and travel before the end of May.
We can’t wait to see you!