Timboon Railway Shed Distillery: Ocean Road spirit

A new whisky distillery on the inland route to the iconic Twelve

Apostles is transforming Victoria’s Great Ocean Road hinterland into a cosy winter escape. By Melissa McConachy

Stricken by Disease and Pestilence, Wretched Port Abandoned

Despite twelve deaths and the grounding of HMS Pelorus in a ferocious cyclone, Port Essington was rebuilt and continued to struggle against the elements for a further ten years before the inevitable. In 1849, the tragic settlement was abandoned.

Port Essington, or Victoria Settlement, is located on the rugged Coburg Peninsula, part of the Northern Territory's Arnhem Land and all that remains of the ambitious mid-19^th Century village is a few stone ruins.

An excursion and exploration of this poignant site is part of North Star Cruises' annual "Over the Top" itinerary, exploring some of the lesser-known, more adventurous destinations our great country has to offer.

Departing Darwin on 18 October, the journey can be experienced as a single 14-night adventure or as a 6-night expedition beginning in either Darwin or Thursday Island. Either way, the cruise culminates in Cairns on November 1.

Other highlights include helicopter flightseeing from the ship's own helicopter (extra cost), Great Barrier Reef snorkeling or scuba diving, great fishing, guided nature hikes and, of course, North Star Cruises' famed cuisine.

Prices for either of the 6-night itineraries start from $8,995 per person, twin share and from $13,995 per person for the full 14-night adventure.

Bookings can be made by contacting North Star Cruises on (+61 8) 91921 829 or by email to reservations@northstarcruises.com.au. Website: www.northstarcruises.com.au

ENDS

For more information, images or brochures, please contact North Star's Adventure Partners.

Ph: (+61 8) 91921 829 E: cruise@northstarcruises.com.au

About North Star Cruises

Broome-based North Star Cruises is a wholly Australian owned company operating the 840 tonne, 36-passenger luxury expedition yacht, True North. The multi-award-winning company operates exclusive adventure cruises along the West Coast, the Kimberley, across the Northern Territory to Cape York, Papua New Guinea, Sydney and Adelaide. Apart from ecologically sensitive shore excursions and activities, guests can also indulge in fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving. True North is one of the very few such vessels to operate with its own helicopter on selected itineraries.

Join Ken Duncan for an Orion Antarctic photographic odyssey

Join Ken Duncan, world renowned photographer, onboard the luxury expedition ship Orion for an unforgettable voyage to Antarctica this December.

Ken Duncan, widely regarded as Australia's premier panoramic landscape photographer, will be joining Orion's specialist Antarctic Expedition Team for a 16 night Antarctic Continent expedition to Commonwealth Bay, home to the site of the historic Mawson's huts built for his 1911 Antarctic expedition.

Although panoramas are his signature style, Ken Duncan is also an expert in using a multitude of different formats and media and he will be sharing his expertise with Orion's guests to help them make the most of capturing the myriad of photo opportunities afforded on this Antarctic voyage.

With convenient embarkation in Bluff, New Zealand, Orion will head south with her 100 passengers (and 75 crew) to visit remote sub-Antarctic Snares and Auckland islands en-route to World Heritage listed Macquarie Island, with its vast breeding grounds of penguins and seals. The remnants of the old whaling station provide a dramatic photographic contrast to the wildlife in this remote sanctuary.

Orion is scheduled to cross the Antarctic Circle and head further south to Cape Denison located at 67 degrees south. Time ashore, weather permitting, will provide guests with a rare chance to visit Mawson's huts and have a look inside this icy time-capsule, left as-is after Mawson's departure.

New found photographic skills promise great opportunities to record the extensive wild life, huts, and historic debris and artifacts still to be found here.

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Ken Duncan has produced numerous books and received many awards for his work. He has been published by National Geographic and Time magazines and he has undertaken assignments for The Passion of The Christ and World Vision.

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Fares Guide:

16 nights Antarctic Continent – Commonwealth Bay departs Bluff (Invercargill) NZ 11^th December 2008, arriving in Hobart 27^th December 2008. (Ken Duncan voyage)

Fares begin from $15,790per person twin share for an ocean view Category B stateroom

Suites begin from $21,775 per person twin share for a Junior Suite

Owners' Suites with French Balcony are $33,055 per person twin share

Ranked #2 expedition cruise ship in the world in the current Berlitz Cruise Guide, Orion is the world's latest purpose-built luxury expedition cruise ship, featuring an unmatched range of onboard facilities.

With 75 crew and a maximum of just 100 passengers for Antarctic expeditions Orion offers the highest staff to guest ratio and guest to public space ratio of any ship based in Australian waters.

Further information on all Orion Expedition Cruises to Antarctica, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, Asia, New Zealand, the Kimberley and Arnhem Land can be obtained by visiting the website www.orioncruises.com.au

For reservations or to obtain a brochure call Orion Expedition Cruises: 61-2 9033 8777 (Sydney callers) 1300 361 012 (regional and interstate) or your travel agent. Email: info@orioncruises.com.au

DUKE – HAWAII’S BOY’S OWN ANNUAL HERO

david ellis

THERE are three types go to Duke's Restaurant and Barefoot Bar at Hawaii's Outrigger Waikiki hotel.

Those seeking a drink with one of the best views of the world's most famous sands, those looking for a good feed with the same views, and those who pay homage to a bloke whose life story reads like Boy's Own Annual.

Duke's is named after Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, Hawaii's most-loved sporting son, hero and legend who thrilled his own people with his prowess on a surfboard, stunned Olympic officials with his times in the pool, figured in an amazing surf rescue off California, played in 28 Hollywood movies, and taught some of Australia's earliest board riders.

In-between he made headlines when he wrestled to death in the surf an 3.5m eel, served as a Sheriff, and ran a gas station.

Duke Kahanamoku's name had nothing to do with Hawaii's one-time royalty (Honolulu still has the only royal palace in America,) but after England's Duke of Edinburgh who'd visited Hawaii in 1869.

Born in 1890, the young Duke was besotted with swimming, surfing and canoeing, but when colleagues tried to have his amazing times and feats recognised, they were told this was not possible as he was not a member of a registered club.

So they set up their own, calling it "Hui Nalu" (Club of the Waves.)

Finally recognizing his achievements, American Olympics officials invited Duke to vie for a spot in their swimming team at the 1912 Amsterdam Games. He qualified with an extraordinary 100-metres dash at trials in Chicago… but when he went to Amsterdam he slept in, and it was only after he begged organisers to delay his event while he put on his costume, that he went on to break the world record.

He beat this again at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, but at 34-years of age lost his 100m crown to 20-year old Johnny "Tarzan" Weismuller at the 1924 Paris Games.

In-between, his prowess at surfboard riding saw him invited to give demonstrations in California and Australia – and while it was long claimed he "brought stand-up surfboard riding to Australia" when he gave demonstrations and lessons at Freshwater Beach in Sydney in 1914, historians say that locals had already been surfboarding at next-door Manly and other beaches for several years on boards imported from Hawaii.

They point to photographs at the Yamba Historical Museum on the NSW North Coast of a Tommy Walker riding a surfboard off the local beach in 1910 (including while standing on his head,) while the Australian Surf Museum in Manly rescued a board that Charles Paterson rode at North Steyne two years before Duke's visit, after finding it being used as a family ironing board.

Duke Kahanamoku's life was always associated with the water and the unusual: in 1917 he rode an 11-metre wave for 2.8km off Waikiki, and in 1925 while living in America as an actor used his board to single-handedly save eight people whose launch capsized off California's Corona del Mar beach.

And when a 3.5m eel the thickness of his leg bit off his right index finger off California's Long Beach in 1913, he strangled it to death in a 10-minute struggle in the surf.

After retiring from Olympic swimming in 1932 (he won three Olympic Golds, two Silvers and a Bronze and was inducted into the Swimming, Surfing and US Olympic Halls of Fame,) Duke also retired from Hollywood and returned to Hawaii where he served a record 26-years as Sheriff of Honolulu.

He also launched his own line of surf clothing, ran a gas station and at fifty years of age finally married his long-time love, Nadine. When he died in 1968, thousands led by a 30-officer police escort followed the 78-year old's ashes to where they were scattered off his beloved Waikiki Beach.

Duke's original 4m-plus solid redwood surfboard is on display in Duke's Restaurant and Barefoot Bar at the Outrigger Waikiki hotel with other memorabilia; the Bar is open from 11am to midnight and the restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner with typically American-hefty servings of salads,  sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, seafoods, steaks and prime rib  – and a million-dollar view.

Creative Cruising features Outrigger and OHANA Hotels in Waikiki in its Hawaii cruise holiday packages; phone 1300 362 599 or check www.creativecruising.com.au   
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Photo captions:


FORTY years after his death, Duke Kahanamoku still stands tall on Waikiki beach today.

DUKE's original solid redwood surfboard on the wall of Duke's Restaurant and Barefoot Bar at the Outrigger Waikiki.  

Popular Whale Watching Cruise Back in 2008

With whale watching cruises more popular than ever, Captain Cook Cruises is again operating its daily Whale Watching cruises throughout the Whale Watching season of May 27th to November 15th, 2008.

The Whale Watching cruise takes passengers past the Sydney Opera House, Fort Denison and all the beautiful homes located in the bays of Sydney Harbour and then out through the heads and onto the open waters. Here the direction of the vessel is totally dependent on where the whales have been sighted – north towards Manly or south towards Coogee. Most whales are found within 2kms of shore.

The number of Humpback and Southern Wright whales passing through Sydney on the annual northern migration between Antarctica and their winter feeding grounds as far north the Great Barrier Reef, is expected to reach its traditional peak around the Winter Solstice on June 22nd.

After calving in the northern waters between August and September, the whales will then again head south through Sydney, making their long journey back to Antarctica.

All Whale Watching cruises are held on a 75-passenger, 16 metre super sea-catamaran purpose built for Whale Watching and featuring two decks both offering spectacular open air viewing and a comfortable all-weather lounge for the entire family.

Captain Cook Cruises offers a whale guarantee - if a whale is not sighted in the months of May to November 2008 passengers can rebook another cruise free of charge or for those cruising in June and July they also have the choice to receive 50% of their money back.

Whale Watching cruises depart daily from Circular Quay at 1.30pm and twice daily from Darling Harbour at 9.00am and 1.15pm from May 27th to November 15th, 2008.

Whale Watching Cruises are priced at: adults $69, concession $59, child (4-14yrs) $39, family (2ad+2ch) $179 and additional child same family $30.

For further information and bookings, please contact Captain Cook Cruises on Tel: 02 9206-1111 or visit www.captaincook.com.au.

CORAL PRINCESS CRUISES TO A NEW ZEALAND FEW EVER SEE

Coral Princess's luxury expedition-style ship, Oceanic Discoverer, is small enough to venture into the farthest reaches of New Zealand's Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds, but stable and large enough to reach wild Stewart Island. The combination of compact luxury and manoeuvrable stability enables Oceanic Discoverer to go where no other cruise ship can.

Coral Princess Cruises has released its 2008/09 New Zealand Adventure cruises brochure, featuring a five-night Bay of Islands cruise and a 12-night New Zealand Discovery cruise.

The five-night Bay of Islands cruise departs from either Auckland or Paihia, exploring the hidden coves and spectacular coastline of the far north-eastern tip of the North Island.

Cruising in the Bay of Islands reveals natural attractions such as the renowned 'Hole in the Rock' – a rock 'tunnel' etched by wind and waves - and the Roberton Island lookout, which affords views over the 144 sub-tropical islands in the bay. Passengers can also disembark for guided walks in nature reserves like Tiri Tiri Matangi, to spot some of New Zealand's rare native birds and learn about the history of the region from Coral Princess's guest lecturers and expert guides.

There are nine departures of the Bay of Islands cruise between December 24, 2008 and February 5, 2009. It costs from $2990 per person, twin share, in a Main Deck B stateroom.

Departing from World Heritage Milford Sound and travelling to Auckland, or vice versa, the 12-night Milford Sound cruise explores the remote reaches of Milford and Doubtful Sound – described as New Zealand's most spectacular waterway - but also ventures into rarely-visited Dusky Sound. Stewart Island is renowned for its unusual birdlife, including kiwis and penguins, and marks the southernmost point on the voyage. Heading north along the east coast, the ship stops at secluded Akaroa Harbour, where it's possible to swim with dolphins, while Kaikoura is known as the best destination for whale watching.

The Tory Channel marks the entrance to the beautiful blue-green waters of Marlborough Sound, where Oceanic Discoverer's guides interpret the history and natural attractions on guided walks. The trip also takes in Art Deco Napier, historic Gisborne, the active volcano on White Island and there's time to explore the beaches and caves of the remote Mercury Islands, before ending the trip in Auckland.

The Milford Sound voyage departs on February 16 and 28, 2009 and costs $7190 per person, twin share in a Main Deck B stateroom. Prices include all meals, accommodation, excursions, transfers and port taxes.

The Oceanic Discoverer accommodates a maximum of just 72 guests, as well as a purpose-built excursion vessel, Xplorer, and a fleet of inflatable Zodiacs to allow passengers to intimately explore the secluded bays and inlets. Coral Princess's adventure style of cruising means the itinerary may vary to take advantage of opportunities to view wildlife, swim, or visit local attractions.

Coral Princess is a family-owned, eco-accredited and award-winning company that pioneered adventure cruising 25 years ago on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. For further information, call 1800 079 545 or visit www.coralprincess.com.au.

Mawson’s descendant guest lecturer on Antarctic cruise

Emma McEwin, the great-granddaughter of Sir Douglas Mawson, will be a guest lecturer aboard Aurora Expeditions’ ice-strengthened Marina Svetaeva on a 27-day round cruise from Hobart to Antarctica on December 12.

McEwin, author of ‘An Antarctic Affair,’ will give passengers an insight into the life and heroic exploits of her famous ancestor as they sail for Mawson’s Huts at Commonwealth Bay, the isolated base camp of the 1911 Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Fares for this ‘Iceberg & Emperors’ voyage aboard the 100-passenger Marina Svetaeva, which has a fleet of inflatable zodiacs and two helicopters, cost from US$12,290 per person quad share.