Just in time for the 2019-20 cruise season, the Port of Eden on the NSW South Coast has extended its wharf to cater for larger ships of up to 325 metres in length – a AUD 44 million investment that has drawn praise from the international cruise industry.
The development will help bring further growth in one of Australia’s most successful regional cruise destinations.
Eden is a popular port of call for cruise ships. Vessels due to visit it over the coming summer cruise season include Maasdam, Caledonia Sky, Pacific Explorer, Noordam, Regatta, Norwegian Jewel, Pacific Aria, Silver Muse, Seven Seas Navigator, Explorer Dream, Seabourn Encore and Celebrity Solstice.
The extension of the port’s wharf involved the NSW Government, the Australian Government and Bega Valley Shire Council. It will let big ships visit Eden without having to bring passengers ashore by tender boats.
Visiting Eden for a tourism industry pre-season briefing on Monday night, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said the wharf extension would unlock further tourism benefits for the NSW South Coast.
“There are few communities in Australia with as much passion for cruising as Eden and the surrounding Bega Valley Shire,” Katz said.
“The efforts that local businesses, tour operators, volunteers and regional authorities have invested in cruising has resulted in excellent growth and an impressive rate of return visitation. This can only continue thanks to the new facilities now available for cruise lines.”
A taste of Eden on the NSW Sapphire Coast
The first cruise ship to use the wharf will be P&O Australia’s Pacific Explorer which is scheduled to arrive on 15 September 2019 and will be followed by another 21 cruise ships during the upcoming season.
Other speakers at the industry briefing included Natalie Godward, the Cruise Development Manager, Port Authority of NSW, and Peter Whiter, President of the Eden Chamber of Commerce.
Edited by Peter Needham
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