The Mole gets up early……….and she’s huge!

The Mole was up very early this morning to witness the not to be missed arrival in Australia through the Heads of the largest ship ever to visit Australia, the Queen Mary 2…………. and what a sight it was!

On a classic Sydney dawn, a red glow on the horizon, waters stiller than most days on the Tasman and between the Heads, known for its rolling swell at entrance at the entrance to the most famous harbour in the world, the glow of the lights of Queen Mary 2 could be seen past North Head, before the massive vessel actually appeared, as she lined up for the grand entry into Sydney Harbour. [Pictured below: Queen Mary 2 entering the Heads – David Bailey I am not!!].

Moving at a crawling pace, as the massive vessel was surrounded by a huge flotilla of smaller vessels, with Police and Waterways trying to keep them away, the QM2 even dwarfed the heads themselves as she slowly moved between them, blasting a warning on her 2.1 metre long signalling horns, audible for 16 kilometres – right across Sydney!

Capable of carrying up to 3090 passengers, the 151,400-ton Queen Mary 2 was no disappointment, being larger than 132 Manly ferries, and more than a third of a kilometre in length, she is the longest, tallest and widest ship in the world and looks it! [Pictured below: Queen Mary 2 heads towards Garden Island]

Queen Mary 2 will be joined today in Sydney by the classic 70,327-ton Queen Elizabeth 2, with both ships sounding their horns as Queen Elizabeth 2 passes Queen Mary 2 in the Harbour at approximately 7pm, with the historic joint visit marked by a spectacular fireworks display on the harbour at 8.40pm prior to Queen Mary 2’s 11pm departure. [Pictured below: Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 their last occasion together at the beginning of their world cruises in Fort Lauderdale.

The Mole will be reporting from the QM2 in tomorrow’s TravelMole, visiting her today for a tour of inspection and also attending Cunard’s celebration at Fort Denison in the middle of the harbour this evening.

The last time two Cunard Queens called at Sydney together was during World War II, when the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth made joint visits as troop carriers in 1941 and 1942.

Full details of the timing of the ships’ historic Sydney visits, the fireworks and vantage points are available on a dedicated website www.queenmary2.com.au

Queen Mary 2 is undertaking an 81-day circumnavigation of the globe for her maiden world voyage and Queen Elizabeth 2 is enjoying her “Silver Jubilee World Cruise” – an exotic 108-day voyage marking her 25th journey around the world.

Sydney will be Queen Mary 2’s only visit to Australia during her voyage, while Queen Elizabeth 2 will also visit Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.

The dual visits are estimated to generate a $3 million tourism bonanza for Sydney, delivering more than 6000 passengers and crew to the city – the equivalent of 17 jumbo loads of tourists.

Queen Mary 2’s many features include 10 restaurants, five pools, the biggest ballroom and the biggest library at sea as well as the first planetarium at sea. Launched in 2004, the liner has just been voted best large cruise ship in the world in Australian magazine Luxury Travel’s prestigious 2007 Gold List.  

Queen Elizabeth 2, ranked third in the same category, offers seven restaurants, two pools and the first sea-going Harrods boutique.

A special Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 report by The Mole