2017 Wonderwalls Festival, at Pt Adelaide

Vans the Omega’s ‘Flower’,
on the side of YHA building in Adelaide.

Port Adelaide (South Australia), will once again become a giant, interactive canvas with the return of the hugely popular Wonderwalls street art festival this coming weekend (April 21-23, 2017).

This year will see more art unfold from huge international names such as Fats, Inti, Natalia Rak and Telmo Miel, as well as plenty of exceptional local artists, transforming the Port into an open air gallery with large scale murals, artist talks, live art, guided tours and entertainment during the free three-day festival.

The Wonderwalls Festival brings together the best mural artists from around the world and is presented by Renewal SA and artist collective The Hours and project managers Verb Syndicate, together with City of Port Adelaide Enfield and art suppliers Ironlak and Taubmans. Renewal SA is also working with the community to create a ‘living port’ that celebrates the maritime past while embracing the future.

The Wonderwalls movement was started by The Hours and Verb Syndicate in Wollongong in 2011 and is celebrated as one of the leading street art festivals in Australia.

FESTIVAL MAP

With so much to see and do in just three days, we’ve helped you figure out your every move with our Festival Map. The map features not only this year’s who, what, where and when, but also pinpoints the hot spots from Wonderwalls 2015. Download the PDF Map…

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Telmo Miel, Inti, Natalia Rak, Amanda Lynn, Fats, Georgia Hill, Merda, KAB 101, Masika126, Sam Songailo, Jake Logos, Claire Foxton, Elizabeth Close, Zedr, Fortrose, Jimmy C, Numskull, Muchos, Brigid Noone, Cam Kerr, Epyk, Fuzeillear, James Dodd, Josh Smith, J2SKE, Mimby Jones, Mimi, Rick Hayward, Sam Brooke and Vans The Omega.

Here’s a short promotion video for the event:

IF YOU GO

Friday, April 21

Public opening party, 6pm–11pm

Art exhibition, 6pm–11pm

Saturday, April 22

Canon photo tours, 9am–11.30am / 3pm–5.30pm

Artist talks, 3pm–4pm

Art exhibition, 11am–11pm

Street party, 6pm–11pm

Sunday, April 23

Canon photo tours, 9am–11.30am / 3pm–5.30pm

Artist walking tour, 11am–12.30pm

Art exhibition, 11am–5pm

More Information

InDaily article with images…

A 2015 Wonderwalls Gallery…

Friday Fotos – Port River Craft

...

An afternoon on one of the two Port River dolphin cruises is one of my hidden gems of any visit to Adelaide, and I try and join one of the trips at least once a year. Both the vessels provide commentaries, sell refreshments, and for between $6 and $8 per person, are an absolute bargain in anyone’s language.

...

...

A close up look at the CSL Pacific, seen here loading gypsum (or maybe it’s cement), at Port Adelaide. I happily admit to a bit of a fetish about large industrial machinery and the CSL Pacific, with it conveyor belts and its rust-streaked hull, has it in spades – to coin a phrase.

...

...

The MV Dolphin Explorer, seen here, takes on passengers for the two hour ‘dolphin cruise’ on the Port River. I should point out that these are wild dolphins, and no attempt is made to feed or attract them to the cruise boats during the voyage. If the dolphins feel playful, they may make an appearance to the delight of passengers, but there are no guarantee that you will see them. Having said that, I have joined the cruise on at least four occasions over the years, and each time I have seen some of the 30 Bottlenose Dolphins that have made the river their home.

...

...

Above, the Birkenhead Bridge is one of several bridges that span the Port River, two of which open to let vessels pass beneath them. It may be frustrating for motorists waiting to pass, but it never fails to fascinate those visitors who have time to take in the spectacle of bridges opening and closing their ‘jaws’ like some giant sea creature that has risen from the deep.

See a portfolio of other images on my Twitter stream…

Hello Sailor! SA Maritime Museum, Adelaide

During the recent Port Festival I popped into the South Australian Maritime Museum on Lipson Street, Port Adelaide.
During the Festival, the Museum was offering free entry to all visitors, so camera in hand, I joined the throng and shot some video footage of some of the many displays and exhibitions that can be seen there. But first, a bit of background may be in order.

Housed in the old port Bond Stores, the Museum showcases life on the waves from the early days of exploration to more idyllic times, as Australians developed a beachside culture that is envied around the world.

The Maritime Museum features exhibitions, ships models, interactive displays, an anchor from explorer Matthew Flinders’ ship HMS Investigator, a full sized replica ketch, the Active II, and the largest collection of ships figureheads in the southern hemisphere, among many other delights and maritime curiosities.

Located nearby at Queens Wharf visitors will also find the historic lighthouse from South Neptune Island, and the decommissioned steam tug, Yelta, both of which form part of the Museums extensive collection.

Here, appropriately enough, to the tune of the old sea shanty Bound For South Australia, is my quick tour of the South Australian Maritime Museum:

...

More information:
Address:126 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide
Phone: (08) 8207 6255
Online: www.samaritimemuseum.com.au/
Open daily from 10am to 5pm (ex Christmas Day)

Admission:
Adult: $10 | Concession: $8 | Child: $4.50 | Family: $25 (2 adults & up to 5 children) Groups of more than 10 people: 10%discount, bookings essential
School Groups: $3.00 per student, bookings essential

National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide

~ The National Railway Museum provides affordable family entertainment on two sites: at Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, and on the foreshore at Semaphore.

The Museum is a self-supporting, non-profit enterprise which occasionally receives government grants for special projects. Apart from the duties of two paid staff members, all of its activities are conducted by volunteers.

The Museum is Australia's largest railway museum with over 100 exhibits representing state, Commonwealth and private railway operators on the three major rail gauges used in Australia.

At the Railway Museum you can climb into the cabs of giant steam engines, walk through elegant carriages, and enjoy a free train ride. New displays include the Man In Blue and the Adelaide Railway Station Indicator Board. There is also a new interactive interpretive tour of the famous Tea and Sugar Train (see side bar for more information). Learn about the role of women in railways; trace railway development on the interactive map, and read about the famous Overland sleeping car train that operated for many years between Adelaide and Melbourne.

The National Railway Museum provides more than exhibits. Function and reception facilities cater for corporate events and dinners seating up to 600. The Museum is also a popular location for weddings, social club events, and trade shows, where as an added bonus, guests are able to wander through the exhibits and displays. In fact, trains can even be arranged to transport groups from Adelaide right into the Museum for major functions. More intimate celebrations are catered for in the historic Ghan dining and lounge cars. Finally, children’s parties are a special treat in the Cafeteria Car. Children of course, will love the huge working model railway system at the Museum too.

Location:
Lipson Street, Port Adelaide.
Open daily: 10am to 5pm (except Christmas Day)
PH: (08) 8341 1690

Getting There:
Bus: from city routes 151 or 153 (stops Commercial Road, Port Adelaide)
Train: to Port Adelaide Station (then short walk) Semaphore/Fort Glanville Tourist Railway

The Semaphore and Fort Glanville Tourist Railway operates daily from 11am during school holidays, and every weekend and public holiday from September to May.

The mini steam train follows a two kilometre ride along the dunes from Semaphore Jetty to Point Malcolm and return.

Getting There:
From the Museum: Bus 333 from Commercial Road, Port Adelaide (stops corner Military Road/Semaphore Road).

My Home Town: Port Adelaide

~ Things to do in and around Port Adelaide

Only 30 minutes or so from the centre of Adelaide, is historic Port Adelaide. At its heart is a series of museums that house an amazing collection of historical artefacts showcasing the states long history. Its nearest beach is Semaphore.

Fast becoming the area’s favourite location for rest and relaxation, Semaphore has all the old world charm of a seaside town. It’s broad main thoroughfare, Semaphore Road, stretches for more than a kilometre and is home to a wide selection of cafés and restaurants, small galleries, and all manner of other local businesses.

Of course, no self respecting seaside town would be without its fish and chip shop – and Semaphore has several of them. What better way to end a day at the beach than with a bag of fresh, hot fish and chips, the seagulls wheeling overhead, and a golden sun setting over the ocean. Ah, perfect.

Here is an incomplete list of some of the Port’s many treasures:

• Discover the Port Adelaide State Heritage Area
• Indulge yourself in Semaphore Road’s boutique shops and cafés
• Enjoy informative Guided Walks
• Fly high at the South Australian Aviation Museum
• Cruise for dolphins on the Port Princess or Dolphin Explorer every Sunday
• Relive your childhood at Semaphore’s foreshore attractions
• Explore the Port Adelaide Enfield Museum Trail
• Fish for Snapper and King George Whiting off Semaphore Jetty
• Exercise your mind and body with Blue Water Sea Kayaking
• Examine the trains at the National Railway Museum
• Feast on Fish-N-Chips while a golden sun dips below the horizon
• Amaze yourself at the Seahorse Farm
• Checkmate your Chess opponent, Monday nights at McGowan’s Café (Semaphore Rd)
• Unearth a bargain at the Sunday Fisherman’s Wharf Market (Queens Wharf)
• Delight in the SA Maritime Museum
• Thrill at the miniature steam train ride along the foreshore at Semaphore
• Enjoy an ice cold beer at the Port’s oldest building (Port Admiral Hotel, 1849)
• Climb the Lighthouse (built in 1869) now located on Queens Wharf
• Catch a movie at the Semaphore Odeon Star (just $7.00 all sessions)

Whew! Are you tired yet?

There is so much to discover and enjoy in and around Port Adelaide, that you will need several days to visit even just a few of the places listed above – and that is by no means a full list.

Make sure your first stop is the Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre...

Visit House Carers Online...

Dolphin Cruising at Port Adelaide

~ Port Adelaide is a seaport city, well known for its maritime heritage. Less than a 30 minute drive from Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, it’s also one of Adelaide’s most popular tourist destinations, with many attractions to offer its visitors – wild dolphins being one of those attractions. 

In fact, the Port River is home to around 30 Bottlenose dolphins, making it one of only two places in the world with permanent dolphin pods.

There are two passenger craft offering dolphin cruises on the Port River, the Port Princess Dolphin Cruise..., and the Port River Dolphin Explorer Cruise... 

While there is no guarantee you will see dolphins on your cruise, it is very rare for them not to make an appearance. Whether they are to be seen or not, there is still plenty to take in and enjoy as the each boat cruises the smooth waters of the Port River: the submarine base; old quarantine station; Torrens Island Power Station; pelicans and mangroves, and of course merchant ships entering or leaving harbour.

Both craft operate every Sunday and Monday public holidays, with dolphin cruises varying between 90 minutes and 2 hours each. The cost for the cruise on both boats is only $4 per person. If you prefer, you can also enjoy the cruise and a meal for just $14 per person. On the Dolphin Explorer children can get a meal and cruise combo for just $12.00.

Either way, the Port Princess Dolphin Cruise..., and the Port River Dolphin Explorer Cruise... are among the cheapest boat cruises I know of, and that makes both of them Compleat Traveller Hidden Gems.

More information including downloadable brochures available from Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre...

- o0o -

Updated: May 23, 2017. 

Sad to report that one of the cruise boats mentioned in this post, the Port Princess no longer operates its long-standing schedule of dolphin cruises out of Port Adelaide. Even more distressing is the report that the Port Princess was recently sold to a buyer in another state and that while on its way to its new base it ran into mechanical problems and was eventually swamped and sank at sea.

Thankfully, after they issued a May Day call for assistance, the former owner along with the new owner (as well as two other crew members) were rescued by another vessel that went to their aid.

Below is a screen grab from part of a press report on the sinking. 

- o0o -

 Below: One of four people rescued off Port Macdonnell after the Port Princess started taking on water. Picture: Simon Cross.