Things to do in Captain Cook Cruises Reviews (Sydney, Australia)

Sail on the black swan

ashbourne, United Kingdom

September 12, 2010

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo We decided to take the Captain Cook Swan River Cruise to Freemantle. The boat left at 9.45 and proceeded at a sedate pace along the river towards Freemantle. There was complimentary tea and coffee and other snacks and drinks for sale. The commentary ...Read more We decided to take the Captain Cook Swan River Cruise to Freemantle. The boat left at 9.45 and proceeded at a sedate pace along the river towards Freemantle. There was complimentary tea and coffee and other snacks and drinks for sale. The commentary was quite interesting but there was nothing particularly remarkable along the journey. It was very pleasant seeing all the yacht clubs, scenery and wealthy people’s house but there was no one thing that stood out.

The price of the trip was $49 Australian per adult which was not too bad as it did take over an hour each way and included snacks and the guided commentary on the boat.
We arrived in Freemantle at about 11am and walked round the corner towards where we thought the free CAT bus went. Just as we were going through the car park we noticed a couple of young lads handing out free ice creams – a promotion for Peter’s ice creams which were very nice and refreshing and all the better for being free.

We waited a long 15minutes for the CAT bus which we had planned to use for the entire circuit. Once we were on the bus we realised that really the longer circuit was unnecessary as most of the places of interest were just nearby. We hopped off and wandered along the Cappuccino Strip towards the Freemantle markets.

The cappuccino strip is a road full of cafes there are so many that you are spoiled for choice but having enjoyed our freebie coffee on the boat we decided we didn’t need another so we went into the market. It was very pleasant inside with ethnic clothes and jewellery, lots of fresh fruit and vegetable stalls, various stalls with different foods and you could even sit and have a beer. We bought a small backpack as ours had just broken then some fruit for our breakfasts and some Indian savoury snacks for our meal in the evening.

After this we thought we would make our way down to the Esplanade area where all the seafood restaurants are. It was pretty hot by now so we took a short cut across the park rather than walk all around on the road. The esplanade area was very busy and there were a number of different restaurants to choose from and we plumped for Cicerello’s which claimed to be the first and the best.

There was quite a extensive menu choice from simple fish and chips to mussel and crab in chilli and tomato sauce (my choice) and my husband had a barramundi with chips and salad –he also had quite a bit of my meal too which was delicious but rather messy to eat despite the nut crackers, small pointy fork and bib that I was given. We enjoyed our meal with a Cascade beer. It took me ages to eat my meal despite all the help and I admit I did leave some too but it was a full on eating experience rather than just a meal.

You could eat outside under brollies or inside under fans and we chose the latter. Three huge marine fish tanks separated the diners from the queue to order food. They were amazing, one had small colourful reef fish like Nemo and his friends, and the other two had manta rays and some small slightly mottled sharks with slightly bigger fish. Children were fascinated and many parents and older children spent time wandering up and down with little ones admiring the contents of these tanks.

When you went into the restaurant there was a queue which you joined and ordered your food. They gave you a bell and your receipt and you went to sit at a table to await your order. When the bell buzzed you went up to the collection point to collect it. It worked very well and was an interesting change to water service and also saved the usual need to tip.

After out meal we walked back to the jetty area and went into the Shed Markets. This was obviously for tourists waiting for their boats to go as everything was very expensive. I had a soft serve cone and it was $3.50 and my husband has a small bottle of iced tea for the same price. The size of bottle would have been £1.00 at most back home.

The cruise back to Perth included complimentary wine tasting as well as tea or coffee. No contest here we opted to sample some of Western Australia’s wines. There was a choice of about 4 whites, 4 reds and arose. I only tried the white sauvignon – several times and it was very good. Others said the red cabernet sauvignon was excellent but I’m not a red wine fan as it gives me sinus problems. This was an added bonus and made the journey go very quickly. We joined another English couple who we had sat next to on our way to Freemantle and had an enjoyable conversation with our wine and Ritz crackers and we chose to sit inside in the air conditioning as we had got quite hot walking around Freemantle.

This was a lovely way to spend a day from Perth. It was an interesting experience and not too strenuous despite the fact we did walk quite a way. We got the chance to see another town in Western Australia besides Perth. The boat ‘cruise’ was relaxing and we particularly enjoyed the wine tasting on the way back.
Close

From journal Around Down Under

Captain Cook Cruises Lunch Cruise – Ahoy Mate!

by Carmen

Cary, North Carolina

January 19, 2006

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo PHONE ENQUIRIES CALL 61 2 9206 1122Included in my AAT Kings tour was a lunch cruise through the harbor, and I learned when we arrived at Wharf 6 that it was to be aboard a Captain Cook ship. We were met at the ticket counter by Captain Cook himself ...Read more PHONE ENQUIRIES CALL 61 2 9206 1122

Included in my AAT Kings tour was a lunch cruise through the harbor, and I learned when we arrived at Wharf 6 that it was to be aboard a Captain Cook ship.

We were met at the ticket counter by Captain Cook himself – well, not really, since he was eaten by natives in Hawaii some 200 plus years ago – but a poor suffocating soul dressed as Cook to greet people and help them decide on tickets.

The ship itself was the Sydney 2000, and we entered and climbed to the second floor where our lunch tables awaited us. It was a buffet style lunch – but let me warn those of you who, like me, can’t eat seafood – there wasn’t much else. Oh, there was chicken (dark meat), curry mystery sauce with rice, bread and dessert, but it left a lot to be desired. Though, I will admit, I’m a picky eater, and wasn’t expecting much to begin with.

During the 2-hour cruise, there was a commentator giving a description of what we were seeing and a bit about the history of the city. I think that the Sydney natives are taught to spell and say “Utzon” (the architect of the Sydney Opera House) before they can say much else. Ha.

After lunch was (quickly) over, I climbed to the top deck to take in the sun (a rare sight on this particular Australian trip) and the views of the harbor. I will say that the commentary on top of the ship was hard to hear, as the harbor is quite windy – plus being on a ship made it windier. I didn’t really need to hear as much as I needed to see – the marvelous coastline, the envy-inspiring, Mediterranean-style homes along the shore, the sailboats, etc. And, of course, the view that inspires millions – the Opera House and the Bridge.

I think a cruise on the harbor is a must-do for any Sydney visitor. It’s the life-blood of the city, and it’s likely one of the most distinctive waterways in the world. You have many options of cruise companies, and I’d say Captain Cook Cruises is as good as any. You could save money and take a water taxi, but you’d miss the bad lunch and the commentary, plus, it wouldn’t be as big of a boat.

Oh, and bring your Dramamine, no matter which one you choose.

Since this was included in my tour, I don’t know the exact price, but the web site http://www.captaincook.com.au/sydney/dining.htm indicated a price range of $60-$75 Australian dollars. Close

From journal Sydney - Where Music and Fireworks Float

Captain Cook Cruises

by Slaney

Sheffield, United Kingdom

February 12, 2005

Email
Print

We opted for the evening cruise to see Sydney from the water. We set off during daylight and were able to watch the sun set under the harbour bridge and the lights of the skyscrapers light the city. It also gave us a good view of people on the ...Read more

From journal Australia - The Land Down Under

Captain Cook Cruises

by ggcahill

Mont Albert North, undefined, Australia

April 13, 2004

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo We did the dinner cruise on the first night in Sydney (well, we had to eat and we wanted to see the harbour at night!) and thoroughly enjoyed it. They were offering a $20 reduction in price for the cruise that night (must have been short on ...Read more

From journal Sydney for Easter 2004

IgoUgo

Captain Cook Cruises

Avg. User Rating:

User Reviews

Sail on the black swan

Captain Cook Cruises Lunch Cruise – Ahoy Mate!

Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises

What's Nearby?

Nearby Things to Do

Popular Sydney Hotels

Popular Things to Do in Sydney

Avg. User Rating:

User Reviews

Sail on the black swan

Captain Cook Cruises Lunch Cruise – Ahoy Mate!

Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises