Anyone visiting Australia is sure to have kangaroos and koalas high on their must-see list. If you are on a short schedule, a day or two in the Outback is probably not in the cards. Australia has some great zoos like Taronga Zoo Sydney and The Melbourne Zoo but to get up close and personnel you should go to a wildlife park. A half hour drive above Adelaide, Australia is Cleland Wildlife Park. It has been a major tourist favorite in South Australia since 1967.
Australia also has a number of other good choices like Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary near Brisbane City, the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania.
If you are visiting Adelaide as a cruise port of call or maybe you’re just touring around Australia, put a few hours at Cleland on your itinerary. The parks statement of purpose says it best; “Cleland plays an important role in creating a sustainable environment that can be enjoyed by everyone both now and into the future by helping visitors connect with animals in their natural environment. It provides an immersive nature experience, with a limited number of enclosures and the chance to get closer to some of Australia’s most iconic animals, helping visitors learn more about the importance of conservation”.
We spent a great afternoon at the park feeding kangaroos (you’re supposed to run if they roll back on their tails), interacting with emus and koalas and visiting the parks interesting exhibits. The park also offers a great snack and gift shop and if you visit afterwards make a stop for spectacular panoramic views of Adelaide and surrounds at the Mount Lofty Summit overlook.
Auckland is a popular port for cruise itineraries around Australia and New Zealand as well as Pacific repositioning cruises. Most itineraries with a port call in Auckland also include a stop at The Bay of Islands.
The city is built around two bays and calls itself the “city of sails” because of the many marinas and boaters.
Where Your Ship Docks
Princess Wharf
The Port of Auckland has a number of piers east from the ferry terminal at Princess Wharf. All of the docking spaces are right in downtown Auckland so it is only a short walk from the dock into the CBD. There are also a number of public facilities not far from the port.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a moderate ramp incline to deal with.
Port City Characteristics – This port has a well developed wheelchair friendly infrastructure. The port area is flat or has few inclines. Intersection crosswalks have few issues with curbs or other wheelchair obstacles.
Transportation
With only a few hours for exploring while in this port there are a number of places within easy walking distance of the piers. The downtown area is very pedestrian friendly with lots to see.
Taxis are readily available but Auckland is the center of a large metropolitan area so it is best to have a destination in mind and agree to a fare before heading out. Uber is also very active in Auckland and rides can be scheduled with Uber’s universal app.
There are several tour bus companies with the most popular being the bright red Hop On Hop Off that averages about US$30 per day. Sky Tower is the starting point for most buses with information HERE.
Auckland’s public transport is a efficient way to get around. It’s easy to travel by train, bus or ferry throughout the city, with regular routes to most major attractions and main shopping areas and entertainment areas. Britomart, in downtown Auckland, is the main transport hub. Explore public transportation options HERE. The city also offers a visitors pass for one and two days that includes admission to a number of attractions with information HERE.
Money
CBD Auckland
The New Zealand currency is the NZ$ currently worth about 65¢ US. Foreign currency is not readily accepted but credit cards usually work fine and there are ATMs.
Attractions
Within walking distance are a number of good attractions including:
Downtown Auckland
Albert Park – Historic park with trees and flower beds, a Victorian fountain & statues.
Auckland Art Gallery – A collection of national & international art, with a large collection of Maori works, in a château-style historic building.
New Zealand Maritime Museum – exploring the country’s seafaring history through exhibits with sailing trips on replica ships.
Apparently Kiwis are addicted to adrenalin because in Auckland there are a couple of scary attractions
The Skywalk Visitors Center – Ride the elevator up the Sky Tower in Auckland for an adrenalin rush. Walk carefully out on a meter wide exterior ledge 630 feet above the city on the SkyWalk. You’ll be securely attached to safety lines and accompanied by an expert guide throughout the heart stopping experience. If you can handle the heights it offers magnificent views of Auckland and the Gulf in the heart of Auckland.
Auckland Bridge Climb (Bungee jumping available) – The fully-guided climbs up the Auckland Bridge take place two to three times a day and last two hours (longer if someone is bungy jumping). The fees for the climb are about $100.
Outside the city about twenty miles west of Auckland is a wilderness area called Waitākere Ranges Regional Park and if you have a few days this area is well worth a visit.
The Port of Call Bay of Islands
Anchored Bay of Islands
Located about 175 miles north of Auckland is the Bay of Islands. While the area is mostly rural the area is beginning to attract cruise ships for day visits.
Ship Tender Area
The biggest attraction in the landing area is kayak and small boat rentals. Local companies have developed tours for visiting cruise passengers and they’re probably the best way to see some of the region. Many of these excursions are focused on the waters around this port of call. One of the big attractions is the local vineyards and wineries that are gaining in reputation among wine enthusiasts. While the production is on a much smaller scale than New Zealand’s southern island, the quality is rated as very good.
Tender dock
Disembarking – This is a tender port as there are no piers for large cruise ships. Wheelchair bound passengers will encounter challenges both in getting on tenders as well as disembarking at the dock.
Transportation – Because the area is rural there is no public transportation and rental cars are not readily available.
In the mountains of west central North Carolina the Broad River cuts a path through the landscape while a rock formation stands above its valley. Chimney Rock State Park features the iconic rock formation, numerous hiking trails, a waterfall and amazing vistas.
These giclée prints are available in several sizes, custom printed for each individual order on archival, museum grade paper using fade resistant inks.
Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.
One of the worlds great natural harbors, see where you’ll dock, local attractions, transportation and history of this fantastic port of call.
If the world has a perfect port of call, this is it. Besides being the worlds greatest natural harbor, the harbor is surrounded by a truly remarkable city. The center of the Sydney harbor area is Circular Quay with ferries leaving regularly for dozens of destinations like Manley Beach, Watson’s Bay and Luna Park. In addition the Circular Quay is located near the Sydney Opera House, the harbor bridge, the Rocks and metro transportation hubs (links to more info below). The great news is that cruise ships dock just across from Circular Quay.
Where Your Ship Docked
One of the great things about Sydney as a port of call is the pier location. It docks right next to The Rocks, a great historic neighborhood with restaurants, shops and a museum. Less than a half mile walk behind The Rocks is Darling Harbor which is a modern centerpiece to the area with more fantastic attractions and great restaurants. A short walk in the opposite direction is Circular Quay where you can catch any number of ferries to destinations all around this huge harbor.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This port provides a modern cruise terminal with built-in provisions for passengers using wheelchairs like ramps and elevators.
Sydney and much of Australia are some of the most wheelchair friendly places in the world. Streets are designed to accommodate wheelchairs and most attractions are easy to access.
Transportation
Circular Quay
Getting into the central city is just a short walk from the pier and the mass transit options are really good. If you are going to be in Sydney for a while or if you want to spend your day traveling on your own, be sure and get an Opal Card (links to more info below). Because ships dock very near Circular Quay you can also catch a ferry to any number of locations around the harbor (Opal Card works on the ferries too).
Ferries at Circular Quay
Currency
You should get some currency exchanged even if you plan on relying on credit cards just just to buy incidentals. Currently the Australian dollar is equal to 76¢ U.S. Most credit cards are welcome and ATM machines are plentiful.
Also it’s important to know that Australians DON’T tip. If you go to a restaurant and the menu says $10.00 that is exactly what you should expect to pay. Most listed prices include all taxes and gratuities.
History
Sailing westward from New Zealand across open sea in April 1770 Capt. Cook became the first known European to reach the east coast of Australia, making landfall near present-day Point Hicks. He then proceeding north and landed at Botany Bay.
Australia became an English colony in 1788 when the first prisoners assigned to the new penal colony of Australia arrived at Botany Bay inside the area of todays Sydney Harbor. When America won its freedom, England lost the ability to assign criminals to their American colonies and switched to Australia to deposit people they thought unfit to live in England. While thousands of criminals were banished to Australia on 16 January 1793 a ship arrived at Sydney Cove carrying the first few hundred free settlers looking for opportunity and they were soon followed by thousands more.
The Rocks
Local Highlights
Within a couple of blocks of the pier are two museums, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Discovery Museum, both worthy of a visit.
The Rocks – As you leave the ship and begin walking you have two choices; off to the left you are heading toward Circular Quay and the downtown district and the Opera House on the other side of the Quay. If you go straight ahead and up some large stairs you will find yourself in the middle of The Rocks. The Rocks became established shortly after the English colony’s formation in 1788. The original buildings were timber with thatched roofs, and later many were replaced with local sandstone block, this limestone is where the area derives its name. This neighborhood is the original foundation of the city of Sydney. From the earliest history of the Rocks, the area had a reputation as a slum and the convicts’ side of town and was often frequented by visiting sailors because of the numerous rum bars and prostitutes.
The Sydney Opera House – It dominates the harbor right across from where cruise ships dock. Even if there are no productions scheduled there are still guided tours ($) of this architectural masterpiece.
The Harbour Bridge – This structure dominates the harbor and there are actually tours that will walk you up the suspension cables to the very top if you feel brave enough.
Luna Park – This is an amusement park located across the harbor from Circular Quay with a stop on two ferry routes. It is mostly an evening and night destination if you are spending a couple of days in the harbor area.
Darling Harbor – Less than a half mile west of the pier through The Rocks is Darling Harbor with with a number of very good restaurants, shops and Sea Life the Sydney Aquarium.
Royal Botanic Gardens – Just to the east of Circular Quay is a large park that includes The Gardens along with The Rose Garden and Pavilion.
Catch a Ferry – Don’t miss an opportunity to grab a ferry at the Quay and see Sydney from the water. Visit Manley Beach, a popular surfing beach and Watson’s Bay for good fish n’ chips.
Manley Beach
If you are spending a few days in Sydney we’d recommend getting an Opal Card for public transportation. You can catch a metro and bus out to Bondi Beach which is one of the worlds more famous surfing beaches and has a remarkable walking trail along the cliffs. You can also take a train on the Opal Card out to the Blue Mountains which is about an hour and a half out of Sydney.
In Hong Kong there is an oasis of calm and tranquility surrounded by high rise residential buildings and shopping malls. It’s known as Nan Lian Gardens. Open to the public with no entrance fee, it is a very remarkable place with Koi ponds, walking trails and a number of exhibit halls.
These giclée prints are a new series featuring the limited pallet available in posterization and will be available in several sizes, custom printed for each individual order on archival, museum grade paper using fade resistant inks.
Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.
The iconic symbol of Florence is the Ponte Vecchio bridge with its numerous shops. The bridge is literally the city’s heart and a crossroad to anywhere you want to go in Florence.
These giclée prints are available in several sizes, custom printed for each individual order on archival, museum grade paper using fade resistant inks.
Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.
The Intentional Travelers 