Australian Circumnavigation Cruise

[rotarycruiser]

We have just booked the HA 33 day circumnavigation of Australia departing Sydney on Oct. 19/2015. Has anyone completed this cruise in the past and if so, do you have suggestions for shore excursions?

[Ferry Beach Kayaker]

In Cairns a wonderful excusion is a Boat trip to Great Barrier Reef.. A boat takes you out to an anchored pontoon boat about 45 minutes from shore. We did this excusion on our own by promptly getting off the HAL Ship and going to the visitor's center to buy, you can also buy as an ship excusion. This is a must do.. We paid a little extra and went snorkeling with a guide and she showed us all kinds of sea life. it was amazing.

 

We overnighted in Cairns so on Day 2 we did an excusion to Kuranda which was a little town up in the mountain surrounded by the rainforest. We took a cute train up the narrow gouge to Kuanda then walked around the town and took the aerial tram down through the rainforest, we got off a couple of times to walk around a wooded path with a guide. Again we did this on our own by this time booking online but you can also do it as an HAL excusion. Our self arranged excusion covered the train ride up, the aero tram down and a bus at the bottom to take us back to Cairns.

 

Cairns is also a neat place to walk around, they have a large park with a very pretty concrete water basin to swim or wade in since you can't go in the ocean right off shore because of the salt water crocs,. Cairns also has a beautiful Catholic Church with very unique stain class windows with the science story of creation. The little gift shop turned on an commentary about the windows and it is quite interesting. Walking up to the church we stopped at the nicely air conditioned public library for some cool air and stumbled upon a very unique small air collection with gifts from Cairns's sister cities all over the world.

[Ferry Beach Kayaker]

We did the circumnavigation cruise around Australia two years ago and we had a wonderful time. We made friends with many Australians and they are a blast to be around.. They got the ship to televise the Melbourne Cup and did they party in fancy hats in all. In most of the big cities we had an Australian guidebook and took public transportation into the historical areas and toured on our own, and at some of the more rural place, we and an Australian couple rented a car and we went off exploring. I would do this cruise again in a heartbeat. It is a great way to see Australia. We stayed extra at the end of the cruise and spend time in Sydney, Grassy Head..Coff's Harbor and Brisbane. We took the train from Sydney up north then flew home from Brisbane.

Edited January 3, 2015 by Ferry Beach Kayaker

[take us away]

When we were in a port for only a day, we used the Hop On Hop Off buses (or equivalent) if they were offered when we wanted an overview of the city. In talking with friends at dinner who had taken a HAL city highlights tour, we did better for what we say and the information we learned. The Cairns tours to the reef are not to be missed and we pre-booked on line before we left the US but many people just booked right off the ship. Lone Oak Sanctuary outside of Brisbane was a good trip as we were able to hold a koala, saw a great bird show, loved the koala nursery and old age home. If you are hungry, look for a franchise called Pie Face who serve a wide variety of freshly made 'hand pies'. The chicken and mushroom is my favorite and my DH loves the steak and cheese pie.

[Vict0riann]

You should join your roll call, here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2058634, and also check out the Ports of Call forum on CC. You'll find lots of help in all three places! Have a wonderful cruise.

[RuthC]

Lone Oak Sanctuary outside of Brisbane was a good trip as we were able to hold a koala, saw a great bird show, loved the koala nursery and old age home.

I know the place you are referring to, and agree wholeheartedly. It was a great place to go through for all the animals there.

Holding a koala (there's an extra charge for that; helps support the sanctuary) was neat! They take a picture, which you can purchase. Companions are free to take pics, too.

[Mary Ellen]

Lone Oak Sanctuary outside of Brisbane was a good trip as we were able to hold a koala, saw a great bird show, loved the koala nursery and old age home.

We've been to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. We did this with Ruth via a taxi from the pier. Since she prepaid for her picture with a koala we were free to take all the pictures we wished of her holding Ursula (no idea why I still remember the name of her koala :confused: ). Here is their website: http://www.koala.net/. One hint - don't stand under the nearby trees when the Lorikeets are feed. It is fun to watch, but they have a very rapid digestive system. :eek: Edited January 4, 2015 by Mary Ellen

[RuthC]

Another hint: If you do decide you want to hold a koala, bring a small cloth that you can wipe yourself with after. Koalas don't use toilet paper. ;)

[erewhon]

Check out the Roll Calls for the 2014 and 2013 Australian Circumnavigation cruises, you will find lots of information.

 

If you wish to go ashore at Komodo Island, you must book either a ship excursion or one of the private tours.

We booked the earliest of the ship tours, if you go ashore, take water and sunhat with you.

 

It's a great cruise.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Check out the Roll Calls for the 2014 and 2013 Australian Circumnavigation cruises, you will find lots of information.

 

If you wish to go ashore at Komodo Island, you must book either a ship excursion or one of the private tours.

We booked the earliest of the ship tours, if you go ashore, take water and sunhat with you.

 

It's a great cruise.

Is there much to do at that port ??

[take us away]

Is there much to do at that port ??

 

Most of the island is a nature preserve for the dragons and just about everything is focused on that. There are a few small villages and some awesome mountains. You cannot go ashore unless on a ship's tour or a sanctioned pre-arranged tour from the preserve so many people stay on board.

[Floridiana]

We did the circumnavigation on a Princess ship. Most ports had free shuttles, volunteers to help the cruisers and excursion offers in port. In addition to the ports, we really enjoyed the Australians on the ship and on shore, laid back and helpful!

 

Several excursions needed to be booked as ship excursions because of the distance involved, for example the barrier reef.

[1of4]

Lone Oak Sanctuary outside of Brisbane was a good trip as we were able to hold a koala, saw a great bird show, loved the koala nursery and old age home.

 

I would LOVE to do this cruise and it is on the bucket list!

 

If you go looking for the koala sanctuary in Brisbane it is called Lone Pine and it is very worth a trip. Amazing place! Queensland is the only state where you can actually hold a koala and Lone Pine is the best place to do it. Free Wi-Fi too. Everywhere else in Australia you can only stand beside a "tree" where a koala is sleeping and have your photo taken.

[RuthC]

Is there much to do at that port ??

On Komodo Island? You stare death in the eye. Isn't that enough??? :D

 

Just remember' date=' you don't have to be the fastest runner there. You just better not be the slowest. ;)[/color']

[boards]

I would LOVE to do this cruise and it is on the bucket list!

 

If you go looking for the koala sanctuary in Brisbane it is called Lone Pine and it is very worth a trip. Amazing place! Queensland is the only state where you can actually hold a koala and Lone Pine is the best place to do it. Free Wi-Fi too. Everywhere else in Australia you can only stand beside a "tree" where a koala is sleeping and have your photo taken.

 

This was on our bucket list, but we have been three times to Australia already. DW wanted to do the Koala visit last November when we were there the last time, but it didn't happen.

 

Would still dearly love to do the whole trip the next time, if there is a next time!!