Found a web page with some information on Cruising Australia, and thought I'd seare.
It has small sections on
WHEN TO TAKE AN AUSTRALIAN CRUISE
CRUISE LENGTH
CRUISE LINE
EMBARKATION PORTS FOR AN AUSTRALIAN CRUISE
and
AUSTRALIAN PORTS OF CALL
If you're considering cruising Australian waters, there is some basic information there for you to start your research.
In the next post, I'm reproducing the last section listed... Australian Ports of Call.
for more information, see the entire pate, at:
Ports of call vary with each cruise itinerary, length, and overall cruise line. While some voyages only visit the nation’s principal ports, others will explore more remote regions of the country. Larger ships typically stay on the Pacific side of Australia, where deeper harbors can easily accommodate generous sizes. The more remote the port, the more likely only small ships or shore tours will visit. In addition to the embarkation ports (which may be ports of call on longer voyages originating in other nations), key destinations in Australia include:
Hobart: Located in Tasmania, Hobart is the site of Port Arthur, Australia’s last penal settlement, where visitors can experience the nation’s origins. Other exploration options include historic tours, eco tours, winery visits, pub crawls, and wildlife sanctuaries. The Great Barrier Reef.
Adelaide: Along Australia’s southern coast, this lively city has fascinating architecture and the highest proportion of restaurants of any city in the country, making it a fabulous destination for culinary connoisseurs. Winery tours and historical walks are other sightseeing options.
Darwin: Centrally located on the northern coast, Darwin is home to a rare sight: the famous (or infamous) leaping crocodiles. Visitors can see these intriguing creatures on a number of tours, and less adventurous excursion options are also offered.
Great Barrier Reef: Though not a single destination, the Great Barrier Reef is a collection of more than 3,000 reefs that are home to more than 400 coral species along the northeast coast of Queensland. With some of the most breathtaking and snorkeling sites in the world, the Great Barrier Reef can be accessed from numerous nearby cities and ports, including Cid Harbour, Cairns, and Whitsunday.
With a rich history and many stunning natural and historical features, Australia is an ideal cruise destination for discriminating passengers interested in unique itineraries and winter voyages. While it may not be the right choice for every traveler, an Australia cruise is sure to be a memorable and enjoyable vacation.
If anyone comes to Oz and actually cruises to Fremantle, Western Australia - Let me know - I can give you lots of information about my home state and if you're in port and I can swing time off, I'll give you a FREE tour!
Ini the meantime - can you tell us the one or two "not to be missed" sights or places in anad around Fremantle, and why someone shouldn't miss them?
With Pleasure.
Fremantle is a lovely place. Full of history (well as much history as we have as we were only settled in 1829.)
My favourite tourist site, the one I always take any visitors to is the Fremantle Prison - no I'm not crazy, honestly . It is no longer used a prison. I think it transferred the last of the prisoner out in the 1990's.
It was built by convict labour in the 1850's.
There are a number of tours you can take where you have a guide, many of whom are former guards, and some former prisoners. The guides are great and some of their "inside stories" are amazing. The best tour is at night. These are only on Wednesdays and Fridays and are called the torchlight tour. It spooky and creepy and so much fun.
A girlfriend and I took our daughters on Halloween once. They actually employed loads of actors some in the cells - they sat there and told us a story. Some reenacted events that happened at the prison, others scared the hell out of us by jumping out of dark areas, running up behind up with a huge knife holding a head dripping blood
They show you various cells, the dungeons that are haunted, lots of ghost stories, the morgue complete with people pretending to be dead (and who move just as you're walking past, Death Row and the gallows.
They also do tunnel tours where you climb down a twenty metre ladder and go in little boats through a labyrinth of tunnels.
Highly recommended.
At fishing boat harbour there are lots of restaurants and cafes. You can have a great meal of fish and chips. The seafood has been caught that morning. There's even a MacDonald's there (When we cruised around New Zealand in 2008 my teenagers insisted on finding Maccas at every port)
One of the best things is both Fremantle and Perth have CAT buses (Central Area Transport). These are free. When we go to Freo we park on the outskirts and catch the CAT to wherever we want to go.
You can also hire motorbikes, horse drawn carriage or a *tram to get around (*if you want a guided tour).
There a two markets in Freo. The E shed markets (closest to the ship) and the Fremantle Markets. They have the usual tourist shopping eg Koalas, Kangaroos (stuffed toy variety) postcards etc, fruit & veg, clothes, books and food halls.
There are variopus museums such as the Maritime Museum which I believe was purpose built to house the Australia II yacht (America's Cup)
All of the above is very close to the port. ( 10 to 15 minutes away)
If you want to go into central Perth its very easy by bus or train which I think costs around AUD$10.00 to AUD$15.00 per day.
Perth is easy to walk around or catch the free CAT. At the moment on the Esplanade (area of grass between the City and the Swan River) we have a large ferris wheel thingy (a smaller scale model of the London Eye). Personally I haven't been on it. I think its much better to drive up the terrace to Kings Park Botannical Gardens. Not only are the gardens beautiful they provide a panoramic view of Perth and the surrounds and its FREE.
(Just read back what I written. Hope I don't sound like a penny pincher with all the emphasing of the cheap stuff)
There's a tree top walk which is fantastic. Check it out
Thanks for posting this info and the offer. I'm guessing that if one is doing the NZ/Aus cruise, which just goes as west as Melbourne, Perth would have to be part of a pre-cruise or post-cruise visit. Looking at a map, it looks like at least 2,000 miles away.
Thanks for posting this info and the offer. I'm guessing that if one is doing the NZ/Aus cruise, which just goes as west as Melbourne, Perth would have to be part of a pre-cruise or post-cruise visit. Looking at a map, it looks like at least 2,000 miles away.
Yes you're absolutely right. Most cruises leave from the east coast of Australia generally Sydney (beautiful place) or Melbourne (haven't been there). Perth is right over on the west coast. As the tourist ad says "In the West even the sun takes a dip in the ocean before bed".
We are, however, getting more cruises coming to Fremantle. Both the Sun & Dawn Princess have been here recently.
Not many people would do a precruise or postcruise visit to Perth as its a five or six hour flight from the east and flying can be quite expensive.
The next cruise, maybe 2011???, I want to do is the one that goes right around Australia so that I can see a bit more of my own country. Only problem is I would have to fly to Sydney to embark and halfway round I'd spend two days in Fremantle - could always pop home and collect fresh clothes. Then I'd have to fly back again. The cruise itineries don't seem to contine on the same route - they do one circumnavigation then goes somewhere else.
The prison tour sounds extremely interesting... I was really intrigued by the boat trip through the tunnels. That must be really something!
And the FREE busses - how great! I love it!
DH and I have talked about how much we would love to do the cruise that circumnavigates Australia. But, I'm afraid that, for us, it will never amount to more than talking about it. However - it's wonderful to be able to 'be there vicariously' through your wonderful descriptioins! It's the next best thing.
Thank you again.
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. It is no longer used a prison. I think it transferred the last of the prisoner out in the 1990's. 
At fishing boat harbour there are lots of restaurants and cafes. You can have a great meal of fish and chips. The seafood has been caught that morning. There's even a MacDonald's there 
(When we cruised around New Zealand in 2008 my teenagers insisted on finding Maccas at every port)
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