P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer is featuring on a new Australia Post Norfolk Island commemorative stamp
that celebrates one of the region’s most beautiful cruise destinations with deep historic connections to
Australia’s home-grown cruise line.
In addition to being home to descendants of the HMS Bounty mutiny, Norfolk Island was the signature
port of call on P&O’s first cruise in December 1932 when the mail steamer Strathaird began Australia’s
love affair with cruising.
The stamp issue happens to coincide with the cruise line’s 85th anniversary celebrations while depicting
the contemporary face of cruising with Pacific Explorer, which is shown anchored off Norfolk Island, still
a sought-after tourist destination.
It is the first time a P&O Cruises ship has graced an Australia Post postage stamp, to be used on
hundreds of thousands of letters and packages set to ‘travel’ to ‘destinations’ in Australia and around the
world.
Marking the cruise line’s place in Australia’s rich maritime philatelic heritage, Pacific Explorer sails in
good company with other ships previously represented on Australian stamps, including the First Fleet
and Australia II, the remarkable ‘winged keel’ winner of the 1983 America’s Cup yacht race series.
Pacific Explorer was chosen because of the cruise line’s longstanding connection to Norfolk Island dating
back to the first-ever cruise from Australia, which gave birth to cruise tourism in this region.
Norfolk Island, with its pristine environment in the South Pacific Ocean, has captured the imagination of
generations of Australia travellers. Tourism is vital to the local economy and cruise ship visits are very
much a part of this.
P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said it was a great honour for Pacific Explorer, as the flagship of
Australia’s home brand cruise line, to be portrayed on an Australia Post Norfolk Island stamp.
“It is a perfect combination of Pacific Explorer, a ship that Australian cruise guests have taken to their
hearts, and Norfolk Island, a destination that is so welcoming to visitors with tourism a mainstay of the
island economy,” Mr Myrmell said.
Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said cruise ships were a popular theme for stamp
collectors.
“We have been issuing Norfolk Island stamps for the last few years and are thrilled to feature cruise ship
tourism in our latest issue. Based on real photographs, the beautiful artwork will no doubt appeal to both
cruise enthusiasts and stamp collectors,” Mr Zsolt said.
The $2 stamp was designed by Jamie and Leanne Tufrey and is available from today at participating
Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, while stocks last.
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