SEA PRINCESS 28 DAYS ROUND AUSTRALIA 2018
Another cruise, another big adventure. We boarded Sea Princess in Sydney on 24th March, 2018 for a 28 day cruise all the way around Australia. We headed first for Tasmania then back to Melbourne before heading west to Adelaide. Crossing the Great Australian Bight was a little rough and cold, but we take it all in our stride - no sea sickness for us.
Sydney is always a wonderful start to a cruise with such views of the harbour bridge and Opera House.
First port of call was Hobart, Tasmania. The weather was overcast and had been raining earlier on but was dry the full time we were off the ship.
Moving on, we visited Burnie another port in Tasmania before sailing to our home town of Melbourne. We took a river cruise over to Williamstown where we had fish and chips for lunch followed by an ice cream. It was a beautiful, warm day.
Adelaide was next. It was Good Friday so most shops would have been closed so we decided on a walk down by the river. We'd been to Adelaide a few times before and there were a few changes with a new pedestrian footbridge across the river.
There was plenty of time on the ship for relaxation and while we were enjoying our drinks, the crew this day were carrying out some safety training.
We crossed the Great Australian Bight with rolling seas then arrived at Albany in Western Australia. We had a nice day there and did a lot of walking. Tom the piper was there to greet us as we arrived in town from the shuttle bus.
By this time, the weather was improving and the seas had settled down.....
Busselton, near Margaret River, was next on the agenda. We went for a bus tour of the area calling in at a winery where we were able to sample many of their wines.....could have got drunk on all the tastings. We also went to see Canal Rocks which was amazing - I could have stood watching the waves crash over the rocks for hours.
We also went to see a lighthouse which is the last one before turning north up the west coast of Western Australia.
A sign at the side of the path ensures nobody ventures off into the bush.......
On arriving back in Busselton, we took the little train over the Jetty which is 1.7km long (I believe that's about a mile).....at the end of the jetty there's an underwater observation place so you can see the coral and other life that attaches to the jetty's pylons. All very interesting and beautiful.
Sailing north from Busselton, we arrived in Fremantle. We had organised a trip to the Old Fremantle Jail which was very interesting and then met up with my aunt and uncle for lunch at Fisherman's Wharf....lovely freshly caught fish and chips.
Broome is much further north and is fairly hot and humid. The jetty out to where the ship docks in really long and no pedestrians are allowed so a shuttle bus took us into town. Broome is famous for it's pearls and there are a fair few pearl stores in the town....thankfully, they are all airconditioned so makes looking at the beautiful jewellery in the store a very pleasant experience.
Moving on....we cruised the Kimberley coast which is beautiful. Sunset is especially beautiful.
Ship life continued with deck parties, evening entertainment, beautiful meals and staff that made you feel so special.
Darwin way up north was next. I was surprised at how big a town Darwin was and it was really lovely. Lots of shops, plenty of places to sit in the shade. Cold drinks are a must and I had the best banana milk shake ever in one place.
Getting closer to the end of our trip, we now docked in Cairns which is a favourite place. The Great Barrier Reef is so close for those wanting to dive. This visit, we took a trip up to Kuranda on the Skyrail. I'm not so good with heights but decided I would do this and I managed fine - as long as I didn't look down too often.
Kuranda is a lovely little village up in the rainforest. There are a few little shops and a park, a butterfly sanctuary and another place where you can see other Australian wildlife.
We actually left Australian waters and visited Alotau in Papua New Guinea. It was hot and humid but a beautiful day (no rain). On our previous visit it had rained in the morning which increased the humidity.
Brisbane was our last port before heading to Sydney to disembark. We went to Southbank on the City Cat ferry which was really cheap. It was really lovely with a rainforest walk, a Nepalese Peace Pagoda and a beautiful walkway under lanterns and flowers.
The last night on any cruise is sad when you see all the luggage being put out into the corridor to be picked up and taken below to be offloaded in the morning.
We had the most wonderful time. Met many people from all over - Americans, Canadians, British, New Zealanders, Japanese and, of course, Australians.
Home again and all back to normal a week later. Will have to wait 8 months before our next cruising adventure.
Sydney is always a wonderful start to a cruise with such views of the harbour bridge and Opera House.
First port of call was Hobart, Tasmania. The weather was overcast and had been raining earlier on but was dry the full time we were off the ship.
Moving on, we visited Burnie another port in Tasmania before sailing to our home town of Melbourne. We took a river cruise over to Williamstown where we had fish and chips for lunch followed by an ice cream. It was a beautiful, warm day.
Adelaide was next. It was Good Friday so most shops would have been closed so we decided on a walk down by the river. We'd been to Adelaide a few times before and there were a few changes with a new pedestrian footbridge across the river.
There was plenty of time on the ship for relaxation and while we were enjoying our drinks, the crew this day were carrying out some safety training.
We crossed the Great Australian Bight with rolling seas then arrived at Albany in Western Australia. We had a nice day there and did a lot of walking. Tom the piper was there to greet us as we arrived in town from the shuttle bus.
By this time, the weather was improving and the seas had settled down.....
Busselton, near Margaret River, was next on the agenda. We went for a bus tour of the area calling in at a winery where we were able to sample many of their wines.....could have got drunk on all the tastings. We also went to see Canal Rocks which was amazing - I could have stood watching the waves crash over the rocks for hours.
We also went to see a lighthouse which is the last one before turning north up the west coast of Western Australia.
A sign at the side of the path ensures nobody ventures off into the bush.......
On arriving back in Busselton, we took the little train over the Jetty which is 1.7km long (I believe that's about a mile).....at the end of the jetty there's an underwater observation place so you can see the coral and other life that attaches to the jetty's pylons. All very interesting and beautiful.
Sailing north from Busselton, we arrived in Fremantle. We had organised a trip to the Old Fremantle Jail which was very interesting and then met up with my aunt and uncle for lunch at Fisherman's Wharf....lovely freshly caught fish and chips.
Broome is much further north and is fairly hot and humid. The jetty out to where the ship docks in really long and no pedestrians are allowed so a shuttle bus took us into town. Broome is famous for it's pearls and there are a fair few pearl stores in the town....thankfully, they are all airconditioned so makes looking at the beautiful jewellery in the store a very pleasant experience.
Moving on....we cruised the Kimberley coast which is beautiful. Sunset is especially beautiful.
Ship life continued with deck parties, evening entertainment, beautiful meals and staff that made you feel so special.
Darwin way up north was next. I was surprised at how big a town Darwin was and it was really lovely. Lots of shops, plenty of places to sit in the shade. Cold drinks are a must and I had the best banana milk shake ever in one place.
Getting closer to the end of our trip, we now docked in Cairns which is a favourite place. The Great Barrier Reef is so close for those wanting to dive. This visit, we took a trip up to Kuranda on the Skyrail. I'm not so good with heights but decided I would do this and I managed fine - as long as I didn't look down too often.
Kuranda is a lovely little village up in the rainforest. There are a few little shops and a park, a butterfly sanctuary and another place where you can see other Australian wildlife.
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| CAIRNS |
We actually left Australian waters and visited Alotau in Papua New Guinea. It was hot and humid but a beautiful day (no rain). On our previous visit it had rained in the morning which increased the humidity.
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| THIS PHOTO TAKEN ON PREVIOUS CRUISE |
Brisbane was our last port before heading to Sydney to disembark. We went to Southbank on the City Cat ferry which was really cheap. It was really lovely with a rainforest walk, a Nepalese Peace Pagoda and a beautiful walkway under lanterns and flowers.
The last night on any cruise is sad when you see all the luggage being put out into the corridor to be picked up and taken below to be offloaded in the morning.
We had the most wonderful time. Met many people from all over - Americans, Canadians, British, New Zealanders, Japanese and, of course, Australians.
Home again and all back to normal a week later. Will have to wait 8 months before our next cruising adventure.
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