"And the stately ships go on, to their haven under the hill"

Last month I told you about the Swirling Sands in the Whitsundays - this is the boat we cruised around on. She is a genuine working Tall Ship called the Solway Lass and she was built in Martenshoek, Holland in 1902 and served both sides during WW1 & WW2! She has served in Holland, Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Fiji and spent 10 years on Sydney Harbour. She was fully restored in the 1990s and has 10 sails and 5500 square feet of sail area. She has had various names during her long history - Stina, Adolf, Dumfries & Bent! During Australia's Bicentennial Year (1988) she took pride of place in the First Fleet reenactment. There is a maximum of 32 guests onboard so you really get to know your fellow passengers and most importantly you don't have to line up for ages to use the Tarzan Rope!! You also have the opportunity to learn to hoist and trim the sails or have a go at taking the helm.

All aboard the Solway Lass