Australia Port Stops, Part 1 - February 2025

This is one of two final posts describing the Australian ports of our circumnavigation cruise. At each port, we had to decide whether to take (1) a Viking "complimentary" excursion, (2) engage a private guide for a day or (3) tour on-our-own. Several months before the trip, I scoured the Internet for private guides as well as sites at each port that could be independently visited within the timeframe of the port stop times.

We started the trip with several complementary excursions, but typically found them to focus on bus touring. We were a little frustrated trying to sight see through a bus window. As the trip progressed, we gave up our complimentary excursion tickets wherever possible. However, we still took advantage of complimentary shuttle buses/trains from a port terminal into central business districts when available. 

If you're wondering how I'm able to keep straight one port stop from another, I maintain a daily travel journal for each trip on my iPad. This is very helpful for me to recall activities and the respective locations. Frankly, without a journal my recollection would tend to blur - especially over 35 days.  

Brisbane

The weather for this port stop was forecast to be 98F, with high humidity. We had pre-arranged a free city walk with the Brisbane Greeters but this was cancelled by the organization due to weather. We opted for the Viking complimentary morning excursion which was primarily city viewing from our bus seats. We had one scenic stop at the Mt. Coot-tha overlook of the city of Brisbane. Once the bus returned to the ship, we decided to remain on board the Venus for the remainder of this port stop. Not a particularly memorable Brisbane visit. We’re sure cooler weather and an opportunity to explore the city by walking would have been better.

View from Mt Coot-Tha

Whitsunday

We boarded a catamaran directly from the ship for a morning water tour of the 74 Whitsunday Islands. The tour pointed out historic named islands and that many of the islands are uninhabited. We did pass Whitehaven Beach, on Whitsunday Island, one of the longest beaches (4.3 miles) with fine silica sand. Although the Venus was anchored for much of the day off Whitsunday Island, most day visitors swim or snorkel at Whitehaven Beach. As we weren't planning on swimming, we remained on board after our catamaran tour.  

Townsville

Once again, we took a complimentary bus excursion from the Viking Venus. The coach took us to a viewing area up on Castle Rock. From this location, there was an expansive view of Townsville and the nearby military base. After reboarding the bus, we toured the city from our seats and had less than an hour to explore The Strand. The Strand is a long beach area with 1.3 miles of wide sidewalks, swimming areas, dining spots, water park and playgrounds. We observed several warning signs about dangerous jellyfish and saltwater crocodiles in the water - which discouraged swimming in unprotected areas.  

Castle Rock Overlook

View from The Strand

Note Boundary Line for Swimming

Cairns

Before the cruise, we pre-arranged a Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway excursion with Cairns Custom Tours. Michael from Cairns Custom Tours handled seamless transit from the port to the Skyrail station and return to the Venus and advance purchased our tickets. This excursion included a Skyrail gondola ride over a dense rain forest to the rustic village of Kuranda. Kuranda has many dining establishments, ice cream shops, souvenir shops and clothing stores. We had a nice lunch in town and shopped for boomerangs. From conversations with shop owners, I learned a bit about the different boomerang shapes and designs before our purchase. On the way back from Kuranda to Cairns, we boarded the Kuranda Scenic Railway that gave us a better ground view of the rain forest. We highly recommend this excursion if you don't plan on a Great Barrier Reef snorkel visit from Cairns.

Darwin

This port stop was only five hours, so time to explore the city was limited (I also noticed we took hardly any photos). We took a morning complimentary bus excursion to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. We had as much time as needed to explore this wonderful museum. We enjoyed viewing the sea animals and birds, historic boats, and Cyclone Tracy exhibit. The museum also hosted an informative section on the early Darwin settlers, aboriginal contributions and early agricultural efforts.

Sweetheart the Crocodile
(Male Saltwater Crocodile, 17 feet Long)

After our museum time, we boarded a free shuttle to the Darwin central business district. We explored the area and stopped by a Coles grocery store to purchase Tim Tams, a regional chocolate biscuit/cookie treat. Our favorite Tim Tam flavor was dark chocolate mint.

Photo Courtesy of Tim Tam

Fremantle/Perth 

The Venus remained in Fremantle port for two days. This allowed day trips to Fremantle and/or nearby Perth. Perth, as a large city, would take at least two days to fully explore. We decided to keep our focus on the smaller town of Fremantle. On our first day, we took a complimentary walking tour. This tour took us past the Civic Center, Town Hall, Fremantle Prison, Fremantle Markets, FOMO area, Fremantle Oval, Round House and ended at the Maritime Museum. The museum had many boat displays, from canoes to the Australian II, that won the America's Cup in 1983.

On the second day, we had two morning tours at the Fremantle Prison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This prison was built and inhabited by Australian convicts. The prison was operative between 1887 and 1991. The tours are worthwhile to understand the early Australian convict history and convict contributions to infrastructure construction. 

We pre-purchased two timed and different guided tour tickets. One was an introductory "Convict Prison"overview tour and the other a "Behind Bars" tour that focused on additional interior areas. Both tours help visitors gain a good understanding of convict and warder/guard life. If you don’t have time for both tours, the first one should be taken.

We learned that convict life was harsh and brutal punishment practices, including flogging, long isolation times and irons, were common. 44 hangings took place at Fremantle prison. The last hanging was in 1984. Electricity came to prison cells in the 1920s. The small cells did not have running water nor toilets (a bucket was used).

During our Fremantle visit, we shopped at Fremantle Markets, visited the Western Australia Shipwreck Museum and stopped for lunch at Benny's Bar and Grill.

Colorful Murals in Fremantle

Fremantle Markets

Entering Fremantle Prison

Escape Proof Cell for "Moondyn Joe"
(Cell walls are wood planks with nails)

Cell Artwork by a Convict

This prison chapel can be reserved for weddings.

If you'd like to try an overnight stay in Fremantle Prison, the only option is the Fremantle Prison YHA. A section of the former womens' prison ward has been converted into a hostel.

Photos Courtesy of Fremantle Prison YHA