After the varied and interesting day visiting Rockingham, we once again took a more leisurely start to the day before setting out for our planned destination – the historic city and port of Freemantle. It had rained heavily overnight but by the time we left the sun was shining.
Our first task on arrival was to find the Western Australia Maritime Museum and more importantly somewhere to park which proved somewhat more difficult than anticipated. It was the School Holidays and Freemantle was thronged with visitors and despite numerous car parks finding a free space turned into a highly strategic game trying to spot someone who was about to move away and getting in prime position before the many competitors arrived in the vicinity. The strategy was successful and after 20 minutes or so we were parked and sitting in one of the smaller market arcades nearby enjoying a cup of real Italian coffee.
Armed with umbrellas and Lesley and Bob's newly acquired 'WA Government Concessions for WA Seniors Card Members 2024-25' we entered the Maritime Museum at senior concession rates. I will say more about this card which makes UK concessions to pensioners look positively meagre in comparison. It is important to say, however, that the generous concessions that the WA Senior Card provides are funded by the vast wealth created from mining. What I discovered later in Sydney is that neither a UK Bus Pass nor any other proof of age entitles UK pensioners you to concession entries to any museum or other activities. Only an Australian issued Senior Card will unlock that privilege. I hastily add that this is not a gripe – just a comment!
The WA Maritime Museum houses several unique galleries that explore WA's maritime relationship. The exhibits include the winning America's Cup yacht, Australia II, that with a winged keel won in 1983, the Oberon class submarine — HMAS Ovens and Jon Sander's Parry Endeavour a famous single-handed sailor who at the age oof 81 in 2021 completed his 11th circumnavigation. This link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Sanders records that Jon Sanders was the first man to circumnavigate Antarctica solo, circling the continent twice in 1981 – 1982. Many more of this lone sailor's accomplishments are described in the link. It's worth a read.
Very few photos I'm afraid just a couple of the Oberon Class Submarine HMAS Ovens alongside the Museum and a view of the Harbour entrance. This vessel was open to visit but with rain still around we opted to stay in the warm.
As I have already posted I had a chance to take a tour of the Oberon Class Submarine HMAS Onslow that the National Maritime Museum in Sydney but if you would like a 360 degree online tour of HMAS Ovens you can do so using this link: https://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/maritime%20
A post about the Historic city of Freemantle to follow.
