Burnie, Tasmania

Burnie's Lord Mayor
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We woke up as the ship was approaching Burnie which is a deep water port on the north coast of Tasmania. Looking out our window as the ship tied up, we could see the Lord Mayor in full regalia, waiting to greet people.

We went for breakfast and about 90 minutes later, we were ready to go ashore. The Lord Mayor and his wife were still on the dock. She was looking very cold as there was quite a stiff breeze blowing and she didn't have the benefit of his ceremonial robes.

They people of Burnie had everything laid on with complimentary bus tours complete with maps, guides and lapel pins. Tim, Peter & Sarah did the tour and had an interesting look around a small pioneer museum with reproduction houses, shops etc.

Woodchips
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The main reason for Burnie seems to be chopping down trees and making either wood chips or paper. On the side of our wharf there are two enormous mountains of wood chips, steaming gently.

We came back to the ship for a late lunch and then played Scrabble for a while. In the late afternoon, Tim, David & Sarah went to one of the bars for Happy Hour cocktails.

In the late afternoon, we set sail for Milford Sound in New Zealand, 1017 nautical miles away. We will be at sea for the next two days, travelling at about 18 knots.

We had dinner in the Rotterdam dining room again, then most of us watched a movie. Jack & Peter went back to the teens area and ended up going to the big show, which this evening was an illusionist which Jack really enjoyed.