Passengers aboard Queen Mary 2 were privy to a unique sight when sailing from Adelaide to Melbourne this week when the liner crossed paths with a replica of Captain James Cook’s HM Bark Endeavour.

With both vessels sailing on an inaugural circumnavigation of Australia, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 took 20 days to complete her voyage, where the Endeavour replica is expected to take 13 months.

The crossing occurred between Cape Nelson and Lawrence Rocks just near the headland of Portland with many of the liner’s 4,000 passengers and crew reportedly lining the decks to see the much smaller vessel which is carrying only 54 people.

“Queen Mary 2’s maiden voyage around Australia has been a fantastic experience for all on board and we have very much enjoyed being part of history,” Cunard Commodore Christopher Rynd said.

“To sail by the Endeavour –  a replica of Captain Cook’s ship – and to see her size really brought home how brave and adventurous explorers were just two centuries ago.”

Over 200 years after the first circumnavigation of Australia by Captain Matthew Flinders, the Queen Mary 2 partnered with the NSW State Library to carry the Captain’s handwritten journal and logbook along with an original copy of his map of Australia first published in 1814.

The Queen Mary 2 arrived in Sydney this morning berthing for the first time at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay and will remain overnight before she continues on her world voyage tomorrow evening.

Originally published for e-Travel Blackboard.