When iconic Australian luxury yacht builder Riviera hosts an Experience event at any of the world’s idyllic destinations, you can be assured it’s going to be one filled with many a special memories, new friendships … and a whole lot of family fun.
This was certainly the case at the recent Port Lincoln Experience, when 37 luxury motor yachts, one amphibious inflatable boat and one helicopter participated in the largest Riviera blue-water cruising-in-company event ever held in South Australian waters.
Hosted by Riviera’s Adelaide-based dealer, R Marine South Australia, the fleet was blessed with superb weather for four days of fun and camaraderie, beginning with dry feet on Friday courtesy of a Sealegs amphibious taxi shuttle to a secluded sunset beach dinner at Fisherman’s Point, in the beautiful Lincoln National Park.
With plenty to see and do – and fish to chase – throughout the day, 100 Experience participants gathered again on Saturday night 5 nautical miles from Port Lincoln at the “Swim with the Tuna” floating pontoon, where they were treated to more fun and live entertainment and a unique experience up close and personal with the fast southern blue fin tuna and a unique collection of other southern ocean marine life.
Sunday saw the Riviera flotilla set their bows toward the Sir Joseph Banks Group of islands – named in honour of the wealthy English botanist who was aboard Captain James Cook’s 1770 Endeavour voyage to track the transit of Venus, which eventually led to the first recorded chart of Australia’s east coast.
It was here, after anchoring in a tranquil cove at Reevesby Island, that Riviera 445 SUV owner Owen Mace had an experience he will remember for a lifetime – his first ride in a helicopter.
“As an ex-engineer I’ve worked on helicopters but I’ve never been up for a flight – it was a real highlight for me. What a fabulous view of the fleet, the bay and the island.” The helicopter flights were an extra feature to the trip, courtesy of an Adelaide-based Riviera owner who didn’t want to miss the Monday afternoon beach barbecue, which was held on Reevesby Island, also in perfect weather.
“But I have to say the entire trip was great,” said Mr Mace, speaking aboard his sporty and adventurous Riviera 445 SUV Esprit (strictly speaking: l’Esprit de la Mare – ‘the spirit of the sea’) as he was cruising with his wife Delia at 21.7 knots from Port Lincoln home to Adelaide, a journey of 162nm.
“Riviera and R Marine South Australia were once again absolutely stupendous – they really do go above and beyond to ensure everyone enjoys themselves. We were lucky enough to have our son, Nicholas, visiting from London and he came along with us for the Experience.
“The level of service I receive from R Marine South Australia is absolutely superb and that was reflected in the Experience trip – we didn’t even get our feet wet on the Friday night barbecue because they picked us up in the Sealegs amphibious boat.”
The second-time Riviera owner – he previously owned a 4000 Offshore – says cruising in company across the blue waters of the Great Australian Bight provides a welcome feeling of security.
“You could say I’ve graduated from sailing to power, so I’m somewhat of a novice,” Owen said. “Having fellow Riviera owners within close proximity as you undertake extended passages is something very reassuring – they are right there if anything did go wrong.”
Many of the Rivieras and owners then returned to Port Lincoln for the annual Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic – also held in great weather – which was keenly contested and resulted in a total of 324 southern blue fin tuna being tagged and released.
Riviera’s Australia-wide R Marine network hosts regular Experience events at locations right around Australia, including voyages to Rottnest Island in Western Australia and extended journeys to the Whitsundays in Queensland and also to discovering the treasures of Tasmania, as well as throughout the Americas and South Africa. Further details are available at the Riviera website www.riviera.com.au.
R Marine South Australia’s next Experience trip is to Kangaroo Island from 3-5 October 2015. For further information, please contact R Marine South Australia via email info@rmarinesa.com.au or phone +61 8 8295 9000.
The Sealegs amphibious RIB ferried people from their yachts up and on to the beach for the sunset barbecue.