Australia

2023 Fall Adventure: 12/8/2023

Dunedin New Zealand

Dunedin is the second largest city on New Zealand’s South Island and principal of the Otago region. Its population boomed during 1865, with a steady stream of new settler arriving in search of gold. Surrounded by dramatic hills and the foot of a long, picturesque harbor. Dunedin is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the southern hemisphere. We did the must see – visiting the Dunedin Railway station on our ride on the Taieri Gorge Train.

Taieri Gorge Train

Japanese Garden

Dunedin views:

December 7, 2023 3

2023 Fall Adventure: 12/2/2023 to 12/3/2023

December 2^nd was a sea day heading south easterly passing various capes lining this section of the coastlines of the states of South Australia and Victoria. Particularly prominent along this coastline is Cape Nelson. Situated in southwest Victoria there is a large lighthouse which was constructed in 1885 and forms part of a state park. Fortunately, we were sailing close to the coastline since a medical emergency happened on board and a helicopter rescue was necessitated.

Melbourne: Originally part of New South Wales, Victoria became a colony in 1851. The discovery of gold and development of agriculture launched Melbourne’s rise to prominence and prosperity. Melbourne is a green and welcoming city – home to the Australian Open Tennis, the Melbourne Cup and numerous sporting occasions.

We decided to tour the city on our own today – having visited Melbourne several years ago. First, we headed to Fitz Roy Garden and its Conservatory, Captain Cooks cottage and River God Fountain. Then onto the Treasury Garden with its water spray fountain, past Parliament House, Parliament Garden, Princess Theater and St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Back to center city along Collins Street with its high-end shops and restaurants to Swanston Street past City Hall and up to the State Library (surrounded by pro Palestine protestors

slowing my access to an internet connection) then on to Queen Victoria Market passing the city baths and the huge intown campus of RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology).

Heading back to port we passed Flanders Street Station, Federation Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral over the Yarra River and to the Skydeck – We headed up 88 floors in 40 seconds to a 360-degree view of the city below.

December 6, 2023 2

Today we begin a 3-day sail to Adelaide, Australia. Leaving Freemantle, we headed on a southerly course before altering to the south east and around Cape Leeuwin then towards the Great Australian Bight. The cape is one of the three “Great Capes” of the continents boarding the Southern Ocean. The others being Africa’s Cape of Good Hope and South America’s Cape Horn. On our second sea day we continued to head easterly across the Great Australian Bight. A bight is a geographical feature formed by concave bend in the coastline forming a large open bay. The Great Australian Bight stretches from the south of Western Australia to the South West Cape of Tasmania. First charted in 1802 the bight is known for its biodiversity and large population of whales along the coastline (none yet). On our third sea day we continue sailing easterly through the Bight. During our evening approach to Adelaide, we travel through the Spencer’s Gulf and into St Vincent Gulf. The gulfs form the two major inlets from the Bight into the coastline of Southern Australia. Today we experienced a first – a one half hour time change.

Adelaide:

Home to beautiful 19^th century buildings, near famous Australian vineyards and set near the German village of Hahndorf and the Adelaide Hills. Our morning excursion traveled to Mount Lofty – the highest mountain overlooking Adelaide – a little hazy but a decent view of the one-mile square block that outlines the city.

Next was a trip to the village of Hahndorf with its old town German vibe and of course food. The wurst sample platter, pretzels and steins of beer hit the spot.

Back to the city center for our own walking tour. First to the library for internet service – my apologies for the long time it has taken me to respond to your comments, but it has been difficult to get reliable service. The city provides free access to most of its museums, libraries and public buildings. Many of the city sights are along North Terrace road only a block away from the famous Rundle Mall and it pedestrian walkway – home to a pig family; bee’s corner and the “Malls Balls” to name a few.

2023 Fall Adventure – 11/24-27/2023

3 Days at sea – Leaving Bali we headed south and west towards Freemantle sailing through the Timor Sea and into the Indian Ocean. On our second day at sea, we passed just east of the Northwest Cape, a peninsula situated in the northwest of Western Australia. The area was first visited by western explores of the Dutch East India Company in 1618. The area was named in 1818 by Phillip Parker King, a royal navy officer responsible for early mapping of the Australian and Patagonian Coastlines. On our third day we headed on a more southernly course and then southeast as we continued to pass around the western coast of Australia (through the Tropic of Capricorn) and the state of Western Australia – the largest of Australia’s six states.

Freemantle: One of western Australia’s most historic cities. Many 19^th century buildings remain including those from its gold rush period. Founded in 1829, at the mouth of the Swan river, Freemantle was intended to be a port for the new colony, but was only used as such when an artificial harbor was dredged at the end of the 19^th century. It hosted the America’s Cup in 1987.

We started our day with an excursion to Perth about 45 minutes north of Freemantle driving through various neighborhoods along the Swan River stopping at Kings Park and Botanical Gardens. The park is dedicated to those who lost their lives fighting in World War one and beyond. The park provides an excellent view of downtown Perth. We continued our bus tour through the city and to Victoria Quay where we boarded a tour boat for a cruise back to Freemantle.

In Freemantle we left the tour and walked the city on our own. Highlights of this very walkable city included: numerous 19^th century and Victorian buildings; City Hall; St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church built in 1882; Freemantle Market; Freemantle Prison; Tourist Wheel; Wester Australia’s Shipwreck Museum; The Round House – a 12 sided building which was the city’s first jail and the schooner Leeuwin 2.