Murray Bridge Travel Guide

An impressive sight at Murray Bridge, is the first road Bridge, built in 1879.
Murray Bridge was named after this bridge, which in 1886, was a shared road and rail bridge so Trains could travel Adelaide-Melbourne, ensuring the City's importance as a vital link across the river.
In 1925, a separate railway bridge was completed.

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It was 10.15 am, and time to catch the first Zu-Loop Shuttle bus of the day.
The Bus pulled up on time outside the Visitor centre and soon we were on the Bus and being welcomed by our volunteer guide, a very nice person who shared some jokes and plenty of information on the animals, as well as answering questions.

The buses are run on a continual loop throughout the 1000 hectare zoo, linking the numerous viewing platforms and walking trails.
We stayed on the Bus for the full loop, which took us through African and Asian wildlife habitat areas, where we saw Giraffe, Cheetah, Zebra, Antelope, Ostrich, Mongolian wild horse, Scimitar oryx, Hyena, Painted Dogs and Lions. No Elephants, the last died, and the a new one is very expensive to buy.

This Bus service is excellent! We stopped for a long as needed for photo's, our guide knew where the animals were, and best of all, because we were early, the animals had just been fed and we were up close to them, even though behind the Bus Window!

A good idea on return, is to go on the next Zu-Loop Shuttle as we did. A different guide, and we saw a few different animals for the first time. Worth doing if you have the time.

The first Zu-Loop Shuttle bus departs at approximately 10:15 am and departs at regular intervals throughout the day with the last full Zu-Loop shuttle departing at 3.00pm daily.

Included in our entry ticket.

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What an amazing centre this is!

Spread around the shop, are hides from various animals which you can feel and read information about. What I liked, was the "touch" table, where there were horns, heads, all types of bones, it really was quite interesting feeling what they were like. Some were that pointy and sharp it would be a nasty accident if you happened to be in the way of one of these animals.

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Monarto Zoological Park is an 1000 hectare open range zoological park and natural wilderness sanctuary.

Arriving by Car, we had about 10mins to wait before the gates and ticket office opened.
We had already bought our admission tickets at the Adelaide Zoo, and were advised TO BE THERE AT OPENING TIME.
We were given a map, then drove to the large parking area where the Visitor information centre, gift shop and cafe + toilets were located.

As we were early, it gave us a good chance to have a look at some nearby animals, plus get a drink, go to the Toilet and have a look at the shop.
Time soon went. We were ready and relaxed by the time the Zu-loop Shuttle bus arrived.

ADMISSION IN 2012............Adults...$31.50
Children...$18.00 / child (4 – 14 years) ...Children under 4 years are free of charge
$22.00 / concession (pensioners, senior, unemployed and student with card)
Family concession $85.00 (Includes 2 adults and up to 3 children (4-14 years)

THIS IS EXCELLENT VALUE AND WELL WORTH DOING.
Two Zoos Pass – Entry into both Adelaide and Monarto Zoos (3 month validity)
Adult $47.00 per person
Child $27.00 per person
Concession $33.00 per person

From Adelaide take the Monarto exit off the South Eastern Freeway to the Princes Highway and follow the signs. Approximate travelling time 1 hour - distance approximately 64km from Adelaide CBD to Monarto Zoo.

From the East take the Murray Bridge exit off the South Eastern Freeway to the Princes Highway and follow the signs. Approximate travelling time 15 minutes - distance approximately 14km from Murray Bridge to Monarto Zoo.

For bus travel, contact Link SA for details of bus travel from Adelaide departing from the Central Bus Station (Mon-Sat) Ph 08 85322633.
Timetable information is available on their website www.linksa.com.au
Bookings are not required except on Saturdays.

In Sixth Street there is a lovely old building that has been gutted and made into the local art gallery. With its high ceilings and spacious rooms it makes an ideal location for such an activity.
When we were there a travelling exhibition from Tasmania called "Hands - a love story told in the language of children about the lives of people nearest to them" which turned out to be a wonderfully imaginative work, in particular I remember two figures implanted on a thong (as in footwear). This symbolized the meeting of the child's parents when the to-be mother had lost her thong on the beach and the to-be father found it and returned it. A strange but poignant way for a romance to start.

If you rock up to the Tourist Information Centre they will give you a self-guiding map. This allows you to wander at your leisure and explore the town.
It takes you past buildings of the 19th century that you might otherwise overlook and many of the early 20th that you can't miss. Whatever, this is an interesting town whose riverside location on Australia's greatest river has made for an interesting past.