Cruise to New Zealand and Australia

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Thursday, 13 February 2025 - Docked in Eden for a four-hour coastal hike, exploring Haycock Point and Pinnacles Loop, observing White-Bellied Sea Eagles, kangaroos, a large Lace Monitor, and unique red rock formations, ending the day relaxing in the Club Bar before dinner.

It is amazing that such a small town could have a cruise ship dock. Their port is extremely deep, allowing even the huge ships to dock.

australia2025 — The moon over the little town of Eden as we pull into dock.

australia2025 — The town of Eden from the water.

australia2025 — Craggy rocks and a lighthouse, really just a tower with a light, at one entrance to the harbor.

australia2025 — A real lighthouse on the opposite side of the harbor.

This is Boyd's Tower, a bit of a folly as it was never used as a lighthouse. It is the start of our excursion, the "light-to-light" hike. More on this later.

australia2025 — Our hike does not start at Boyd's Tower but at Haycock Point, which should be the last stop on the excursion. We thought we might be doing the tour backwards.

A beautiful beach as we look toward the town of Pambula Beach.

australia2025 — A lovely day for a coastal hike.

australia2025 — Glad Cal has his big lens as a White-Bellied Sea Eagle flies overhead.

The White-Bellied Sea Eagle is revered by indigenous people in many parts of Australia and is the subject of various folk tales throughout its range.

australia2025 — The coastline exposes red rocks, some of the oldest in Australia, formed in the Devonian period around 360 million years ago.

australia2025 — A look back at the Pambula River flowing into the ocean.

australia2025 — A fire in 2016, burned most of the area. The fire moved quickly, so the eucalyptus trees are chared but still living.

australia2025 — Unique rock feature sticks out into the water with a couple of birds enjoying the view.

australia2025 — Termites working in their mound. The mounds were 2â3 feet high.

australia2025 — A termite mound with the older pale section and a newer darker section.

australia2025 — Small mushrooms growing on a tree.

australia2025 — The coastline looking toward Haycock Point.

australia2025 — A mushroom growing in a small hole in a live tree.

australia2025 — Haycock Beach, where we hike after viewing Haycock Point.

australia2025 — Waves crashing on Haycock's Point.

australia2025 — Cal with backpack for the big lens at Haycock Point.

australia2025 — The rocks protruding from the sea, the tip of Haycocks Point.

Our guide told us of a shipwreck which happened one night only 20-years ago at this very point.

australia2025 — Virginia Ann snaps a selfie at Haycock Point. Cal has the big lens out to capture waves on the far rocks.

australia2025 — The red rocks of the rugged coastline.

australia2025 — When we hit the beach, our guide sets out some refreshments and announces that there may be 'roos down on the beach. We immediately drop everything and run to the beach.

Here, a group of kangaroos in the shade. Our presence made them nervous and one immediately left the area.

australia2025 — Our guide cautions us to stay back as they are not always friendly.

This one stood up and posed for a while.

australia2025 — Returning to the picnic area, we are greeted by a huge Lace Monitor roaming around. At least 3 feet to the end of his tail.

The Lance Monitor is a close relative to the Komodo Dragon. They can be up to six and a half feet long.

australia2025 — We then take a short drive to another hike. Cal asks the guide when we will go to Boyd's Tower, and he says, "we haven't taken anyone to that lighthouse in years due to flood damage." The Seabourn excursion description specifically details this as a highlight of our outing -- obviously it is a disconnect between the ship and the local touring company.

The lookout reveals beautiful rock formations.

australia2025 — Red rocks and the beach, beautiful.

We hike the Pinnacles Loop, which has several lookouts.

australia2025 — Pinnacles Beach.

australia2025 — Cal back at ship ready to board after a 4-hour hike and some great exercise.

australia2025 — Boyd's Tower, which we did not visit.

We let the ship know that the lighthouse feature on the Light-to-Light excursion is not even on the tour and hasn't been for years.

australia2025 — Relaxing in the Club Bar, one of our favorite places to gather before dinner. The Club Bar is on our deck 5 - very convenient.

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