Day 10 of 10 (9 nights) Sydney to Fremantle

Day 70 of 102, The Queen Mary 2 Centenary World Voyage 2023.

For once, I slept well last night, surfacing eventually after 8.30 this morning. I wasn’t sure of my plans today other than to make sure I didn’t miss my sailing to Mauritius and other ports of call to Southampton.  “Plan B” would be most expensive!

I have resolved to be back on board Queen Mary 2 by around 5 o’clock this afternoon. The last I knew, back-on-board time was 21.30hrs.  Surely, it’s not retimed to leave five hours early?  There are QM2 passengers wandering around the capital (of Western Australia) today.  I am now assured the back on board time is 21.30 hrs.  This may enable me to make a little more of my final day in Australia (ever?).  The luncheon cruise on the Swan River was sold out, with only a 2.15 one-way sailing to Fremantle available.  However, I did find a 90 minute Swan River 30 km nature cruise running at 13.00 hrs which slots in just nicely.  If the hop-on hop-off bus circuit is not too long, I may do that also.  I can then rejoin Queen Mary 2 with the assurance that I gave this nine-day break my best shot. 

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Having had a decent breakfast at the hotel, I only needed an iced coffee before my boat trip on the Swan River which actually is an estuary and is influenced by the tides. The “cruise” suggested opportunities to see wildlife and Swan River dolphins. I did see the osprey, which did not pose long enough for a photograph. The dolphins did not materialise, but the black swans were aplenty as were jelly fish, and other fish. I was delighted to be treated as an Australian senior citizen and enjoy a substantial discount. Jill and Sue from the cruise were among the passengers, and recognised me immediately. And it was Robin and Val in the Island Brew House, Elizabeth Quay eatery, who reassured me about the onboard time tonight.

I decided against the bus trip opting for a chicken caesar salad back at the Island Brew House. Below are pictures taken from this afternoon’s Swan River cruise. We would cover a little over 30 kilometres, and I would see part of the estuary I don’t recall on previous similar river trips.

All too soon, this exhilarating trip was drawing to a close.

After a rare healthy lunch and a decaff latte, it is now time to amble back to my hotel, collect my (still) one piece of luggage, and make my way, reluctantly, to Perth Station for my final ride on Australian public transport, to Fremantle where I saw the Antipodes for the first time in 2018.

After the boat trip and late lunch, I retraced my steps back to the hotel along the walkway and cycle track. The weather was reassuringly warm with a welcome gentle breeze. But I was aware that this was my last day down-under. I picked up my one suitcase from the concierge at the Duxton Hotel, who advised me on the best way to get to Perth railway station. A train, all stations to Fremantle was due in four minutes on platform 7. I savoured every station stop as we sped with great efficiency to the final station from which Queen Mary 2 would be clearly seen.

Embarking Queen Mary 2 would initially be problematic. I had not reported to immigration before reaching the gangway. After eventually being allowed to board, I had to report to the Purser’s Office, from where I was escorted off the ship to be cleared by Australian Immigration. Soon, I was back on board. Boy! did my cabin feel small compared to those massive hotel rooms I had become used to! I did try the jacuzzi this morning; it was magnificent!

Ship routine is re-established. As promised, we were underway by 10 o’clock. The lights of Australia would very slowly fade until they could be seen no more.

So endeth the tenth day of ten, travelling independently between New South Wales and Western Australia, via Victoria and South Australia.

Jo and I met up for dinner; we would both have plenty to talk about.

It is now gone midnight, and it’s time to take one final look as the lights of Western Australia finally fade to obscurity.

Many thanks for reading, David, 00.11 hrs, the Promenade Deck, Queen Mary 2 heading for Mauritius.