Aboard Orion-Week 5

Thursday, March 26, 2026 Melbourne, Victoria. A British Crown incorporated settlement @1837, declared a city in 1847 by Queen Victoria. Today it is the second busiest port and the most populous city in Australia.

The Royal Botanic Gardens @1846 encompasses about 94 acres on the CBD (Central Business District) fringe of Melbourne and has more than 8500 species of plants from around the world.

Located adjacent to Botanical Garden is The Shrine of Remembrance, National War Memorial of Victoria. Views from the balcony is Melbournes CBD (Central Business District).

Dan and I met up with a former work associate of Dan’s from about 20 years ago, for lunch. We had a delicious meal at the Railway Club Hotel.

Friday March 27, 2026, Burnie, Tasmania. Founded in 1827. A deep water port in Emu Bay, on the north-west coast of Tasmania. Burnie exports minerals, agricultural, livestock and forestry products.

Our excursion today was a scenic drive along the coastal Bass Highway.

After the excursion we all returned to the ship, we had a scheduled tour of the ships bridge.

At the conclusion of our tour we all took the shuttle into Burnie, had lunch, fish fry made from shark, then walked around town.

Along the boardwalk there lives a protected colony of nocturnal Little Penguins, the smallest penguin in the world. Fully grown they are 12-18” tall. We did manage to see a few. They are the only species of penguin native to Australia with most living along Tasmanias northwest coast and the Bass Strait Islands. They are also found in New Zealand.

41 3.543S, 145 54.607E the farthest south on the plant we’ve been.

Saturday, March 28, 2026 Day at sea.

Walked 3.2 miles outside on deck 2, then the most incredible brunch on the pool deck! Celebrating the fabulous cruise we all had together!

Cards, dinner, sunset, farewell reception.

Sunday, March 29, 2026 Eden, New South Wales. Known for whale watching, national parks and it has the third-deepest natural harbour in the southern hemisphere.

Upon embarking we were greeted by the “Town Crier”.

Our excursion was a drive along the scenic Sapphire Coast, first stopping at Eden Park Lookout of Twofold Bay and fishermen’s memorial.

Next stop was the Killer Whale Museum. Old Tom was a an Orca known for its unique partnership it had with fishermen. Where his pod would coral baleen whales toward shore, in exchange for the lips and tongues of the whales. His skeleton is displayed hanging from the ceiling as you enter the museum.

Continuing on, our next visit was at the historic Seahorse Inn. Here we strolled the grounds and beach.

Our last stop was in the village of Merimbula where we walked around the shopping area of the village. There are huge oyster farms in nearby Merimbula Lake.

Upon returning to the ship we greeted by at least a dozen ship officers welcoming us back on board. Dan and I along with Ken, Sheila, Tammy, Steve and Shirley had dinner together in the ships The Restaurant.

In the morning Monday, March 30, 2026 at 8:25am we disembark Viking Orion back in Sydney, completing our 32 day circumnavigation of Australia. We will be taking two “red eye” flights, first to Los Angeles then to Philadelphia, then home!

#MyVikingStory