For a change we were glad the weather forecast turned out to be inaccurate, well for the most part. The weather was beautiful and the Port put on a fantastic show for a wonderful family day out. Definitely recommend going to the Port Festival again when they hold it.
There was lots to see and do there. From guided bus tours and dolphin cruises on the Port River, to artist markets and free entry to the Port's museums. There was lots of food and drinks to buy and taste, discounted pub meals and special "Festival Plates" to try local produce.
It was a long day for us and we enjoyed it thoroughly. We started the day of at the Port Adelaide Visitors and Information Center, where we caught a bus to go on a guided tour of the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) where we learn a lot of information about Submarines and the new Air Warfare Destroyers. Sorry but there are no photos of this tour as we were not allowed off the bus and it is a high security site.
Once we got back to the Port, we had a look around at the stalls on the foreshore and had some lunch.
It was during this time the girls had their photos taken with Thunder, the Port Adelaide Football Clubs mascot. I think Miss 18mo Kaitilyn was a little unsure about him.
After lunch we went on a dolphin cruise around the Port River. Unfortunately some of us didn't get to see any dolphins, but we captured this photo of the "STV One and All". We enjoyed our time on the "Dolphin Explorer" and recommend that if you ever get the chance, you take up the opportunity to enjoy 2 hours of dolphin spotting fun.
We were able to go on board the "STV One and All" after our dolphin spotting cruise and it was great to have a look at what it would be like to be aboard a sailing ship. The above photo was taken by Ashley during our visit on the "STV One and All".
After the dolphin cruise and walk through of the "STV One and All", we went to the Aviation Museum and then had tea at the local KFC (quick, easy and had high chairs for little miss). After tea we went the Maritime Museum. We had a blast looking through the exhibits there and being able to go on the Ketch boat of olden days that have built inside the museum.
Samantha and Kaitilyn (being given a piggy back ride by Sissy in her ERGObaby carrier), went on the surf board as part of the Maritime Museum's "Life's a Beach" exhibit.
By this stage we were all getting rather tired so we headed off to have a look at the light display "Port Inhabited" which depicts the stories of the Port, told through extraordinary light n sound projection on the buildings along historic Lipson street. This was fantastic to see and experience.
This wonderful photo is of the "STV One and All" all lit up after dark. The sheer size of it is amazing and I love the light on the beams.
Of course we couldn't go to the Port and take photos after dark with out capturing the Port Lighthouse with the colourful lights that they use. This is another magnificent sight at the Port. During the day, the Maritime Museum opens the light house up and you can climb through to the top and look out at the Ports sights.
Here are a couple of last photos that we took on our way back to the car. If you visit the Port, be sure to take your camera as there is loads of interesting things to see and do there, and always something wonderful to take photos of.
