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Private Charters And Events

★★★★★ Award-Winning 2023 SA Tourism Awards

Port River Cruises would love to host your next function or event. Get a group together and cruise the Port River taking in all the local sights. Beer, wine and soft drink are available to purchase on board.

If you want to discuss your options before making the booking please contact 08 7082 9608 or email info@portrivercruises.com.au .

Bride and groom celebrating a private charter wedding event

Highlights

  • Choose a private vessel option to suit your group
  • Choose between 90-minute, 2-hour or 3-hour charter options
  • Private use of the vessel for your function or event
  • Drinks packages or TAB options available
  • Bring your own catering
  • Comfortable covered vessels with onboard toilet facilities
  • Suitable for weddings, birthdays, corporate events and celebrations
  • Accessibility enquiries welcomed before booking
Your Route FAQS

Your Private Charter

Make the Port River your own with a private charter tailored to your group. Choose from vessel options and charter durations to suit your function or event.

Choose Your Charter Time

Simply choose between 90-minute or 2- or 3-hour charter options, and a preferred date and time. Port River Cruises will contact you to confirm your booking.

Food & Drinks

Beer, wine and soft drink are available to purchase as part of drinks packages or TAB. Bring your own catering.

Functions & Events

Private charters are suitable for celebrations, work functions, family gatherings, community events and customised group experiences.

Two Private Charter Routes

Your cruise route depends on the vessel selected. Smaller vessels can travel through the Garden Island waterways and Ship’s Graveyard area, while the larger vessel continues farther north along the Port River.

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Private Vessel
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Onboard Toilet
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Covered Vessel
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Drinks Package Options
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Catering Options
Accessibility Enquiries

Charter Options

Choose between 90-minute, 2-hour or 3-hour private charter options.

Departure Point

1 McLaren Wharf, Port Adelaide SA 5015.

Booking Confirmation

Private Charter bookings are on request. Port River Cruises will confirm availability after receiving your booking request.

Dolphin Sightings

We cannot guarantee you will see dolphins while within the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. These are wild animals and are not always present.

Mobility Assistance

If you have mobility issues please contact Port River Cruises on 08 7082 9608. We are able to provide a ramp to make boarding the vessel easier.

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair access is available on our 16-seater and 100-seater vessels. Please call to book on 08 7082 9608. Unfortunately we are unable to cater for mechanical/electric wheelchairs.

Important Notes

  • We cannot guarantee you will see dolphins while within the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. These are wild animals and are not always present.
  • There is a toilet located onboard.
  • If you have mobility issues please contact Port River Cruises on 08 7082 9608. We are able to provide a ramp to make boarding the vessel easier.
  • Wheelchair access is available on our 16-seater and 100-seater vessels. Please call to book on 08 7082 9608. Unfortunately we are unable to cater for mechanical/electric wheelchairs.
  • Food is not permitted to be eaten onboard the vessel unless given prior approval.
Cancellation Policy
  • A FULL refund is provided to guests if the tour is cancelled due to poor weather conditions and an alternative time is not established to undertake the tour.
  • NO refund is provided to guests for non-attendance at scheduled tour time.
  • Guests can reschedule tour if required, however need to ensure that more than 48 hours’ notice is provided to Port River Cruises via telephone confirmation on +61 8 7082 9608.
  • All bookings cancelled within 48-hours of tour departure will receive no refund.
  • All bookings cancelled between 7 days-48 hours before scheduled departure will incur a 50% charge of tour costs.
  • Guests that provide more than 7 days’ notice of tour cancellation via telephone confirmation will receive a FULL refund.
Your Private Charter Route

Choose The Route For Your Vessel

Select the vessel option below to view the indicative cruise route. Each vessel follows a different section of the Port River, with the route shown as a guide to the areas your charter may visit.

Selected Vessel: Smaller Vessel

Smaller Vessel

Smaller vessel private charter route map from McLaren Wharf through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Garden Island waterways
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Indicative route only. The route shown is an estimate of the usual cruise path and is provided as a guide. The exact course, turnaround point and areas visited may vary depending on river traffic, shipping movements, weather, tides, wildlife activity and operational requirements. Your skipper will choose the safest and most suitable route for conditions on the day.

1

Depart — McLaren Wharf

Board beside the Port Adelaide Lighthouse at 1 McLaren Parade, Port Adelaide.

2

City of Adelaide Clipper Ship

Cruise past the historic City of Adelaide Clipper Ship as you travel north along the Port River.

3

One & All

Cruise past the STV ‘One and All’ – a magnificent ship, owned by the SA Government for and on behalf of the people of SA.

4

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary

Look for wild dolphins while cruising through the Port River and Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

5

Ship’s Graveyard & Garden Island

Cruise through the Garden Island waterways and the historic Ships Graveyard area, including Dorothy H. Stirling and Santiago.

6

Turnaround

Turn around, returning to McLaren Parade, Port Adelaide whilst listening to informative commentary along the way about the maritime history, birdlife & dolphins.

Larger Vessel

Larger vessel private charter route map from McLaren Wharf north through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary past Torrens Island to Pelican Point
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Indicative route only. The route shown is an estimate of the usual cruise path and is provided as a guide. The exact course, turnaround point and areas visited may vary depending on river traffic, shipping movements, weather, tides, wildlife activity and operational requirements. Your skipper will choose the safest and most suitable route for conditions on the day.

1

Depart — McLaren Wharf

Start your two-hour cruise from 1 McLaren Parade in Port Adelaide. Listen to informative commentary along the way about the maritime history, birdlife & dolphins.

2

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary

Travel north through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and watch for wild dolphins in their natural habitat.

3

Cruise Past Torrens Island

This important natural area supports mangroves, samphire and coastal dunes, which provide important habitat for a range of native fauna species, and bird species of conservation significance.

4

Adelaide Submarine Corporation

Cruise past the shipbuilding and submarine construction facilities along the western side of the river.

5

Pelican Point

Reach Pelican Point near Outer Harbour at the northern end of the route before turning for the return journey. Informative commentary to continue on the return journey.

Your Event On The Port River

Plan Your Private Charter

Choose your vessel, charter duration and preferred date, then submit your booking request to Port River Cruises.

Book A Private Charter