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"TUMLAREN"
 | The ‘Tumlaren’ was built in Lavender Bay, Sydney NSW in 1981. She was built by well known Sydney boat builder, Bob Gordon and her design was based on the scaled down version of Dick Smith’s vessel that was taken to Antarctica, also designed by Bob Gordon. Mr Gordon kept the Tumlaren as his personal pleasure/fishing vessel, a true testiment to the functionality and comfort of her design.
The Tumlaren was later sold to a Sydney-sider who had planned to sail around the world, a dream that never came to fruition. She spent the next six years moored under the Gladesville Bridge in Sydney Harbour.
In 1999 Darwin Harbour Cruises had been looking to expand and had been searching for a suitable vessel. After finding the Tumlaren in a significant state of disrepair the owners took on the task of making her sea worthy again and preparing for the journey north. The owners then had the massive task of restoring her back to her former glory.
The Tumlaren is now a beautifully restored 20- metre schooner that comfortably carries up to 45 guests. There is plenty of shaded seating on the open plan deck and the vessel boasts modern amenities to cater for every age of clientele. The ‘Tumlaren’ is rigged to sail and schedules and weather permitting, guests may have the opportunity to experience sailing.
"ALFRED NOBEL"
 | The ‘Alfred Nobel’ is a beautiful 30 metre spotted gum schooner built in Newcastle, NSW and has a superbly colourful history. She was built by the New South Wales government in 1951 as Munitions lighter and after years of service in Sydney harbour ferrying ammunition. She was purchased by the Tucker Family of Tasmania in around 1975 to become a floating cabaret boat. She was then towed to Tasmania for the first of her many restorations.
After a long and arduous attempt to convert her to a passenger vessel, including major structural work, the family sadly had to resort to a secondary plan. The conversion then changed to utilise her as a shark and salmon fishing vessel. They succesfully fished with a crew of seven until the family sold the vessel. She spent the next many years fishing the southern waters until she was sold again and was used as a trading vessel between Tasmania and the Flinders Islands. The details of her work remain shady after then and there were rumours of her gun running in Indonesia and “squidding” off the Victorian coast.
Darwin Harbour Cruises purchased her in February 2004 in Mooloolaba, Queensland as a working Tuna Long Liner. She was then moved to Darwin where her final massive restoration and conversion took place.
After 53 years of continual service in the Australian Maritime industry and 12 months of loving restoration she has retired gracefully to cruise Darwin Harbour. The vessel’s shaded open plan deck and polished timber fit out caters to the most discerning tastes and her modern facilities provide a spectacular platform to enjoy the sites of Darwin Harbour. She is able to seat 70 guests for dinner and is in survey for 100 passengers for corporate or private functions.
If you would like further information regarding either one of our beautiful and much loved vessels or have some details to share please contact our office at info@darwinharbourcruises.com.au
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