The Derwent Hunter Reef Adventure day trip is perfect for families. This week we have been blessed with some rather special family visits too!
Part of the history of our beautiful Hunter involves a sad period in the 70s where she was rather neglected and sat on a slip in Cairns in a state of disrepair. A gentleman by the name of Bernal Cuthbertson bought her and sailed her home to Tasmania for restoration. The restoration took about a year, she was in such a state!
This week, we were honoured with a visit by Bern’s niece Martine and family, who got to show her young daughter the ship that her favourite uncle had so lovingly restored. He also married his dear wife Janice on the deck of the ship in 1977.
The family loved participating in everything, and simply sitting back and enjoying the scenery too. Thanks to Martine for sharing her photos of this memorable occasion.
Read more about Martine’s knowledge of the history of the Hunter below…
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Little Captain Josh meets big Captain Josh
The Riordan family had a great trip out with us this week, where their little son Josh got to meet our big captain Josh.
Little Josh LOVED being allowed to take the helm and steer the ship under the watchful eye of big Josh, and we loved making his day!
Phantom Photography Video
We recently hosted Phantom Photography on board and they have now released a great video showcasing just what our reef adventure day trip is all about… check it out!
Extract from Martine Crook’s email to us and her review of the Derwent Hunter experience as it is today
“Good afternoon, I am visiting the the area from Canberra with my husband and daughter, showing them the Whitsundays for the first time. I was searching around for a cruise or reef tour for us to go on and it was with delight that I came across your website.
I grew up in Tasmania and spent a great deal of my early childhood playing on the decks of the Derwent Hunter. My uncle was Bernal Cuthbertson, who bought the Derwent Hunter in 1977 from where she was sitting derelict on the slip in Cairns.
He purchased the ship, married my Aunt Janice on her deck and they and their dog Bosun sailed her from Cairns through the Whitsundays en route to Hobart and her salvation.
Bern saved the Derwent Hunter from complete destruction, she would have rotted away had he not restored her when we got her home, a process which took well over a year.
You can read the story and see Jan and Bern’s 1977 wedding photo on her deck in Bernal’s self published memoir “Small Ships That Shaped My Life”. I would be very happy to arrange a copy for you if you were interested.
Sadly Bern passed away two or three years ago, but Jan is still very much with us. My daughter was very close to her (and my) Uncle Bernal, I think it would be lovely to take her on one of his ships that he so loved, as she never got to know him as a man at sea.
The crew were absolutely amazing, knowledgeable, friendly, incredibly capable and great with the kids on board. We sailed the Whitsundays under sail power on a tall ship, visited two beautiful island beaches and snorkelled on the reef. If you are visiting the Whitsunday Coast I highly recommend this experience.”
– Martine Crook
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Winter Sun Special
Experience the amazing Derwent Hunter reef adventure in our glorious winter sun. It’s a beautiful time to sail and snorkel. The water’s still so warm, the sun is shining, and it’s simply gorgeous!
Just $175 for adults and $155 for concessions!
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“Winter is my favourite season”
-Erin O’Connor
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