Bruce Van Essen's Picture Gallery

Bruce Van Essen contacted me from New Zealand, where he has lived most of his life. When Bruce was 5 years old his Dutch-born parents returned to Holland for a 2 year working holiday. He only remember bits and pieces of the trip on the Australis in 1972. They all returned to New Zealand again in 1974.

His father took many slides with his camera, Bruce knows that his father (who passed away just a few years ago), had hundreds of slides tucked away somewhere. Bruce misses hearing the stories about the ship - including the story about them being the only family who turned up for their evening meal in the dining room, because the sea was so rough and everybody was sea-sick (including some of the waiters).

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Many thanks to Bruce Van Essen for his contribution to the site

Welcome all visitors to the S.S. Australis Website, which has now been online since 1998!

I will continue to update the site if I receive a new story, or if you have interesting photos taken on the ship during your voyage on either the southbound, northbound, or on one of the South Pacific cruises. We used to do those trips several times a year from Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland (New Zealand).

I am deeply moved by the interest and wonderful contributions from the numerous passengers and crew over many years.

You can send an e-mail to me on the link below:

A HUGE THANK YOU

Warm Regards

Ken

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