Puffing Billy ‘star of Geelong cruise’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A CRUISE line sending a ship to Geelong is promoting the stopover as an opportunity to ride historic steam train Puffing Billy.
The cruise, “to the Land of the Long White Cloud”, is scheduled to arrive at Cunningham Pier at 8am on December 20.
The cruise line’s website says: “Today you have the oportunity (sic) to take an optional ride on the 100-year-old Puffing Billy steam train from Geelong.
“At the end of your journey you will be transferred to Melbourne by coach where you rejoin MV Spirit of Adventure in the late afternoon.”
Puffing Billy is about two hours’ drive from Geelong in the Dandenong Ranges on the other side of Melbourne.
The 22-night, $6676 cruise starts in Sydney and takes in Tasmania and New Zealand.
A Puffing Billy spokesperson said the train had no booking for the Spirit of Adventure.
“We take bookings for a lot of cruise ships but that’s not one of our normal bookings.
“There could be a booking in the pipeline but it’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to get here, do the ride and get back in time.”
Geelong council tourism portfolio holder Bruce Harwood said Australian inbound operators delivered the tours and activities.
“The fact passengers are located right in the heart of the city and waterfront Geelong is a real advantage we have compared to other ports in Australia and the world, so we can expect many to simply walk off the ship and enjoy Geelong’s attractions and retail areas.
“As for Puffing Billy, that’s up to the inbound operators putting the program together.
“To be frank, it doesn’t make sense for passengers to spend all that shore time on a bus driving to the Dandenongs, as wonderful as Puffing Billy is.
“I’m sure in discussion with the inbound operators a strong local program will be put together for passengers to consider and enjoy.”
A second cruise ship, Regatta, docks in Geelong on February 17 and 18.