Wednesday 21st March 2012.. Whale World

Today we decided to go for a nice drive to check out "Whale World" which offers an interactive journey through the former site of Australia’s last operating whaling station, which closed down in 1978


We decided to take out the scooter for a run... I worked it out to only be around 5kms out of town !! WRONG !! it turned out to be around 30kms...long trip for only the second time on scooter... but it was great fun !!!


Once there you are immediately amazed at the original  Whalechaser  the "Cheynes IV"  dock in the beautiful Frenchman's Bay, which we viewed from the cafe where we had a nice coffee and cake before we started the tour..

We met up with Peter our tour guide who took us through the Whaling station history, he was supported by a series of audio visual displays, and artefacts . He told us how they were caught, and brought into the bay ..and how they were then winched up the ramps where they were cut up and sorted and how every part of the whale was used...

There are more than 25 exhibits to view and explore, including stepping aboard the Cheynes IV Whalechaser, viewing the Cheynes III steam engine in operation, walking into a jaw-dropping exhibit of whale skeletons including the state’s largest Pygmy Blue Whale skeleton on display. 

 Great Sperm Whale

 Blue Whale

 Humpback Whale

 Gray's Beaked Whale

Dolphins

Baby sperm whale

The Spectravision display was also very interesting featuring “A day in the Life of a Whaler” presentation. 


Three previously whale oil storage tanks have been converted into movie theatres, showing “Australian Whaling”, “Shark” and three dimensional “Giants Exist”, plus many photo galleries and whaling artefacts to gaze upon. 

Once the tour was over we walked around and checked out the other sites including the original "McBride's Hut" The hut was used by early whaler, sealer and limeburner, William McBride and his wife Lucy and it's been in the McBride family since 1839. Originally located at Goode Beach it was re located as a reminder of McBride's contributions to the history of Whaler's

Next we climb onto the "Cheynes IV" checking out all the decks ...and the living quarters..Great view of the bay from the stern...

Radio room

Captains quarters

Mess Room

Galley

John checked out the engine rooms and the rope section down below... I wasn't going down there !!!

We spent 5 hours walking around and taking in all the history it was amazing...but I'm so glad it's closed down now and no more killing of those beautiful creatures.

Swim in peace