Visiting Australia - boat-related points of interest?

[Glider]

We are going to visit Australia soon (in late March). Among other things (like seeing the Great Ocean Road), we'll have short stays in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

We have some basic ideas about what to do there (standard tourist attractions), but maybe you can recommend some special places/activities for people who like wooden boats? I have been building the boat for more than 3 years now and I need some motivation :)

Also, can you recommend some stores selling shipwrights tools in these cities? Or just some good woodworking tools store? (off topic here, but didn't want to create two threads)

Thank you in advance,
Andrey

[seanz]

To the South of Melbourne is Queenscliff.......a short detour from the start of the Great Ocean Road.
http://www.maritimequeenscliffe.org.au/

A ferry ride from Queenscliff across The Rip brings you close to this (or you can go the long way around Port Phillip Bay and put the car on the ferry at Sorrento)
http://www.woodenboatshop.com.au/

http://www.fortqueenscliff.com.au/
Also worth a look if you're into this sort of thing....originally built to keep the Russians out.
:D

Somebody will be along shortly with directions to the Wooden Boat Center in Docklands, Melbourne....which will be nice, because I couldn't find it last time I looked and I'll be back in Oz in June.
:)

[Pagie]

The other end of the Great Ocean Rd, is Warrnambool. There is an Historic Center there that has some old boats in it. Carbatec is not far from me. They have lots of tools.
http://www.carbatec.com.au/store_select.php

What sort of boat are you building? Should be able to take you out on my 18ft Simmons.

[py]

You'd best drop in and visit Rob at Portland. Quite a few of the little towns along the southern coast have some nice old timber fishing boats. Port Fairy is a nice place to stop. The Coonawarra region makes the best full bodied red wines in the world. There are some good wines also around Margaret River near Perth. The Glenelg River, just near the SA/Vic border is also pretty. Robe is a nice fishing village, but a bit touristy, if you are coming right around the SA coast. Sydney is a big city. A couple of replica tall ships normally to be seen in the harbour, and be sure to take a couple of ferry rides. Get up to the Pitwater if you can, its a bit less frenetic, and jam packed full of boats.

[leaotis]

While in sunny Melbourne you might as well stop by the Wooden Boat Centre at Docklands. Lot's of old and new wooden boat construction and repair. The latest customer is building a Long EZ airplane.

http://woodenboatcentre.com.au/

Map: http://woodenboatcentre.com.au/Contact_Us.htm

Cheers, Mack

[Salty Sailor]

Sydney Maritime Museum is a must and a visit of the James Craig while your there... Also ask where the small Putt Putts and sailing boats are kept. They are not in the main exhibit building and people often don't relise they are there but Its a good collection of boats.

Cockatoo Island would be a fun ride and visit where the ships yards and repair docks are. Not in use but a they are preseved moments of time.

If your not game for the sydney harbour bridge climb, try the Bridge Pylon.
Very cheap at about 10$ last time I went a few years back.
It has a bridge museum inside and its almost as high as the bridge arch so the harbour views are worth a look.

Day trip pass on the public transport includes ferries so Its the best way to view Sydney Harbour. The manly Ferry is a good ride down the Harbour to see the boating perspective and the destination is worth a look.

Have a nice trip...