Sailing Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, en route to Western Australia and Northern Territory

1st to 6th March 2026: Blog Post 14

The Cruise Leg from Auckland to Fremantle (Perth).

Australia is “packing for Perth”, Sydney, Melbourne, to where our co-nationals emigrated. Seldom heard: Hobart, Adelaide, Darwin. Never Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln, Esperance, Busselton, Geraldton nor Broome.

HUGE! Over six times South Africa’s size. Sometimes two full sea days travelling between ports!

2023: Breathtaking views from Mount Wellington summit above Hobart Tasmania, Australia’s southernmost State. Fascinating, alternative art at MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) carved into river-facing cliffs, access from the river via dimly lit tunnels. This time leisurely walked Salamanca Waterfront’s art galleries, book shops, supermarket biltong (courtesy ex South African producers). Kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils, Echidnas at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, but no sight of the nocturnal Wombats.

Our guide, ex South African! So many South Africans in New Zealand and Australia. Imagine South Africa without the brain drain! 

Sheryl loved exploring Richmond, Tasmania, a small historical village with Georgian architecture slightly reminiscent of Franschoek.

Melbourne, Victoria, a special highlight. Just under two superb days with Sascha (Sheryl’s brother) & Cal, their two daughters, Leila and Kira, girls in South Africa, now thriving, creative young women. Walked along Yarra River, various parks & green lungs, streets with quirky stores, art galleries, meals, coffee shops. Saw multiple tattoo parlors, barber shops, cyclists, street art, graffiti, outdoor sculptures, Victorian architecture alongside modern skyscrapers. Trams, accessed for free, loop around the CBD. It meant a lot to catch up with cousins: Sharynne (Raymond’s) and Lynette (Sheryl’s) & Roy. A small glimpse into how they all live. A city to return to!

Then Adelaide, South Australia. More time needed there! Felt like a well-run city. Great views from Mount Lofty, Cuuute Koala bear in the tree!  Widespread art, including Adelaide’s Australian Art Biennial showcasing contemporary Australian artists. Beautiful, expansive Botanical Gardens. Our guide explained that Adelaide is the Capital of the driest state of the driest continent on earth. Also, as we passed the huge Cemetery, that the inventor of crossword puzzles is buried there: at five down, three across.

Now heading to some smaller ports in South and West Australia. Which species ubiquitous on Kangaroo Island? Not what we assume!

Tasmanian Devil at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre, Tasmania.
Kangaroos at Bonorong.
Echidna at Bonorong.
Richmond Bridge, Richmond, Tasmania. Australia’s oldest surviving stone arch bridge, completed 1825.
Lavender shop, Richmond. Having worked in “Lavender” for some years, always interesting to see how commercially applied elsewhere.
One of many sculptures in the scenic gardens along the Yarra River of the Heide Museum of Modern Art.
One of Melbourne’s ubiquitous trams.
A small part of Melbourne’s skyline taken from (Raymond’s cousin) Sharynne’s apartment.
Koala in tree at Mount Lofty, Adelaide.

A sense of Adelaide’s lush Botanical Gardens.