6 Days Burnie, Sydney, Brisbane
07/12/2015 - 12/12/2015
Day 16 - 07 Dec 2015
We arrived at Burnie at 8am this morning. Burnie is a port city on the north west coast of Tasmania. After breakfast we departed for the Central Business District of Burnie by the free shuttle bus that is provided for cruise ship passengers. The service operates throughout the day, picking up and delivering cruise ship passengers from the ship to the central business district and return. It stops at three places, Visitor Info. Centre, Arts Precinct and Wilmot Street in the CBD.
At the Visitor Info. Centre we bought the ticket (AUD$33 per pax) for the Burnie Explorer that takes us to five tourist places.
Our first stop is the Wilf Campbell Lookout. The best overview of the city is from the Wilf Campbell Lookout which offers a panoramic view of the port and the city's central business district.
Next we visit the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden.
The Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden was started in 1981 by members of the Australian Rhododendron Society, North West Tasmanian Branch and is now an independent, non-profit organisation. Most of the development has been achieved through voluntary effort by members, and has attracted international attention over recent years.
The garden is divided and space allocated to each part of the world in which rhododendrons grow in the wild, and each was named accordingly. Plants which originated anywhere from the icy Himalayas to tropical New Guinea and across the Pacific to the Americas adapt willingly to their new hillside home.
Rhododendrons are grown for their spectacular flowers, usually borne in spring
Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden offers walking tracks, lakes, bridges and many other unique design features, as well as a resident platypus, echidna and diverse bird life
Our next stop is the Fern Glade Nature Reserve.
Fern Glade is one of Burnie's most valuable natural resources located in a peaceful river valley haven on the edge of the city. Fern Glade Reserve is only 3.9km from the City Centre to the main entrance and offers long walks along the banks of the Emu River and the chance to see the shy Australia platypus.
The second entrance to Fern Glade Nature Reserve
One of the many giant trees in the reserve
We did not have a chance to see the Australian Platypus. So we were offered a stuff one for photo taking
Walking track at Fern Glade
The walking track at Fern Glade is dotted with viewing platforms over Emu River
The Emu River banks are the usual place that Platypus can be spotted
Our final stop is the Makers' Workshop located at the Visitor Info. Centre. Here we were taken on a half an hour Paper Making Tour where we learned the process of making paper.
Trying my hand at making paper
We then take the shuttle bus to the CBD where we had our lunch. After lunch we walked to the Burnie Waterfront to watch the seagulls flying over our heads.
We the take the shuttle bus back to the ship to have our dinner. Tonight dinner is a BBQ at the Parthenon Pool side.
Deserts spread at the BBQ.
After dinner we took the shuttle bus again to the city to watch the penguins at night. Along the way, we went to the Burnie Waterfront again to photograph the seagulls.
We then walked along the board walk from the Waterfront to the Little Penguin Observation Centre.
We were early at the Observation Centre and was told the penguins will come up only after 8:30pm. So we decided to walk to the Burnie Park nearby.
Burnie Park is loocated over the Bass Highway just a little west of the Visitor Information Centre, Burnie Park with its lawns, shady walkways, and the historic Burnie Inn (the oldest building in the city) is one of the prettiest parks in Tasmania. It is an ideal place for a picnic and has excellent facilities for children
Now is summer and is the end of the rose flowering season but we can see many colorful roses.
The Little Penguins Observation Centre where you can take your photograph with a stuffed penguin.
We managed to see only pair of small penguins tonight after an hour of waiting. Some of the passengers stayed longer and managed to see a few more.
Day 17 - 08 Dec 2015
Today we are sailing on the high seas to Sydney. I subscribed for the 6 hours Internet access and spent the whole morning in the library surfing the Internet and checking on emails. In the evening we spent some time in the gym.
We had a relaxing breakfast at Genting Palace. Besides the main course there is a wide buffet spread which consist of various yogurts, nuts, fruits, pastry, honey and authentic jams.
Lunch was at Pavilion Chinese Restaurant sharing table with a couple from Ipoh. It was nice having lunch while enjoying the blue sea outside.
In the evening we watch the Singing Sensations form the Philippines and Australia at the Lido Theatre.
Day 18 - 09 Dec 2015
This morning we arrived at Sydney at 7am in the morning. I work up at 5:15am to watch Superstar Virgo sailed into White Bay Cruise Terminal the newest cruise terminal in Sydney where it will berth till 5am the next day.
The ship approaching Sydney Harbour en route to White Bay Cruise Terminal
Approaching the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney skyline as seen from Superstar Virgo
Passing by Sydney Harbour first Cruise Terminal where some cruise ships still berth here
Superstar Virgo berth along side a P&O Cruise Ship
After breakfast we board the Water Taxi (AUD$9 per trip) to Circular Quay where we took the Sydney Exployer (AUD$40 per pax)
On board the River Cat as we passed by the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge seed from the Sydney Explorer Bus
The Sydney Opera House seen form the Sydney Explorer Bus
Later we took the Sydney Ecplorer Blue Line and stopped at Sydney famous Bondi Beach
Being summer now it was vey sunny and hot at the Bondi Beach but still there are many people sun bathing there.
We had our lunch in the food court of this complex near China Town.
After lunch we shop for some souvenirs at the Paddy's Market
We then take the Sydney Explorer Bus and stopped at Darling Harbour
Our next stop was The Rock where we saw the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House from a different angle
One of the backlanes at The Rock
Walking from The Rock to Circular Quay to board the River Cat to our cruise ship
The bright red Sydney Explorer Bus. This is the second time we take the bus. The first time was in 2000 where we spent a week in Sydney and a week in Gold Coast on our own.
The River Cat leaving Circular Quay for White Bay Cruise Terminal
Superstar Virgo Captain Jan Blomqvist from Finland was on the same River Cat with us.
The iconic Anzac Bridge seen from White Bay Cruise Terminal
Tonight there are frequent lightning occurrences over the Sydney skyline. The above picture captured one of the lightning occurrence
Day 19 - 10 Dec 2015
We departed from White Bay Cruise Terminal at 5am in the morning and sailed north to Brisbane arriving there at 7am the next day. Woke up early to watch the scenery as we sailed out from the White Bay Cruise Terminal into the open seas.
Superstar Virgo sailing out from White Bay Cruise Terminal towards Sydney Harbour Bridge
The mast of Superstar Virgo just clear the bottom of Sydney Harbour Bridge
We have just sailed past Sydney Harbour Bridge
Goodbye Sydney
Today I managed to capture the beautiful sunset
We watched the Major Impact Band performing at the Taverna, Deck 13 Forward during sunset
Same shot but with flash
We had our dinner at the Genting Palace Restaurant
After dinner we watched the Guest Talent Show - A Star is Born, by the cruise passengers.
Day 20 - 11 Dec 2015
Woke up at 6am this morning to see Superstar Virgo sail into Brisbane Cruise Terminal.
Depart for Brisbane CBD by the CityCat ferry from Bretts Wharf which is a short walk from the Cruise Terminal.
The winding reaches of the Brisbane River are an iconic feature of the city
The Wheel of Brisbane with its climate controlled enclosed gondolas at the Southbank
We disembarked at North Quay and walk along Queen Street.
We then board the local bus to the Mt. Coo-tha Lookout Point where we enjoyed a panoramic view of Brisbane City
We then returned to the city and walked around Queenstreet Mall, City Hall, King George Square and the Anzac Memorial Square.
Brisbane City Hall
Albert Street Uniting Church
The Anzac Memorial Square.
We departed from the Riverside Pier by CityCat back to the cruise ship
Evening sunset view of Brisbane City from the Superstar Virgo as it departs from the cruise terminal
Tonight dinner was at the Pavilion Chinese Restaurant
After our dinner we went to the Poolside BBQ for our fruits and desert
Line dancing with the cruise staff
It is the Hot! Hot! Hot! Showtime again
The All White Night Party at the Aces Bar
Day 21 - 12 Dec 2015
Today we are on high seas sailing to Cairns. This evening we will be having our 3rd Gala Dinner on board Superstar Virgo. This time we will be having Western Style set dinner at Genting Palace
This morning Lili joined the morning dance with cruise staff
Weather is good today. Can enjoy the clear blue sky and deep blue sea.
This evening we joined the cocktail tasting and learned how to make cocktails
Enjoying the fruits of our labour
Gala Showcase at the Grand Piazza before the Gala Dinner
Captain and his senior staff
The Tetrachords Trio
Gala Dinner at the Genting Palace
Gala Dinner menu
The Lilac Lounge Dancers doing their routine
Listening to The Major Impact band
Day 22 - 13 Dec 2015
Today we are still sailing towards cairns. Expected to arrive at 2pm local time. Meanwhile enjoyed some of the activities on board
Witness a fruit carving demonstration by one of the cruise chefs
Chinese tea making demonstration
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