ADV E N T U R E
GO wild in style True North explores the ship-wrecked coast off Western Australia.
J
ust before 9.30am, the little ship
word soon got out about how much
disappeared. A blinding light and
fun we were having.”
huge mushroom cloud 600 metres high signalled her fate. All that
This particular voyage expands on the established “expedition” product with
was left – tiny shards of molten metal
added “adventure” components. Catering
– rained down on the scrub, igniting small
for ticketed divers, hardcore fishermen and
fires. Britain’s first nuclear bomb, a crude
sightseers alike, it still gives regular travellers
plutonium implosion device, vaporised a
the opportunity to experience North Star
1300-ton vessel in less than 100th
Cruises’ “go wild in style” motto firsthand.
of a second. Trimouille Island is part of the Monte
Words and photos roderick eime
Overnight stops at anchor among the historic Abrolhos islands, site of the
Bello Group, 130 kilometres west of
notorious Batavia wreck, World Heritage-
Dampier off the Western Australian coast.
listed Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef
On October 3, 1952, it was the scene of
afford many opportunities for fishing,
Fact File
Britain’s first atomic test. Although the
diving and snorkelling.
Vessel: True North
faded and rusty warning signs remain, the
With a full passenger complement, we
Cruise line: North Star Cruises
radiation risk is gone and nesting turtles,
face a non-stop range of activities both in
Star Rating: Not rated
seabirds, lobsters and schools of brightly
and on the water, plus numerous shore
Tonnage: 740 GRT
coloured fish have returned.
excursions. Passengers range from first-
Max passenger capacity: 36
time soft adventurers, and lazy cruisers to
Pre-dinner drinks and hors d’oeuvres are served in the airy upstairs bar. This cocktail lounge has both indoor and outdoor areas with comfy seats and tables and converts to the briefing room and theatre after dinner. Dinner is served in the dining room downstairs. Meals are of superior quality and have a decided seafood bias, often with snapper and coral trout caught only hours before.
I’m here aboard True North, a 740ton expedition ship sailing Fremantle to
adrenaline junkies scuba diving with nasty
Dampier as part of her annual West Coast
looking grey nurse sharks and stingrays.
Explorer Cruise. Once just a low-key
The new 36-passenger True North
trip up the shipwreck-littered west coast
replaced the company’s smaller vessel of
of Australia, the cruise is now an
the same name in 2005, and is the epitome
annual sell-out.
of the perfect, low-impact expedition
Co-director Craig Howson is along for
ship. Dining is at least as good as any
this unique 10-day itinerary. “The trip really
small ship menu I’ve experienced and is
began as a positioning journey for us from
complemented by an impeccable wine list.
Fremantle to Broome for the start of our
Book early for this unique, once-a-year
busy Kimberley season,” he says. “We’d
itinerary as, judging by the many
bring some friends and just have a bit of
repeat passengers aboard, it will be full
a dive, some fishing and a party, but the
again next March. n
42 spring 2006 www.cruisepassenger.com.au
The West Coast Explorer 10-night Fremantle to Dampier itinerary starts from $6495 per person staying in an Ocean class twin. For more information, phone (08) 9192 1829 or visit www.northstarcruises.com.au