Wheat Loading at Wallaroo Wharf with MV Moonta, 1932
A sepia photograph capturing maritime activity at Wallaroo wharf, South Australia. The scene shows multiple vessels, including an Ellerman & Bucknall City Line cargo ship in the foreground, the MV Moonta in the middle distance, and a sailing ship alongside. Railway carriages loaded with wheat sacks line the wooden wharf, demonstrating the port's important role in grain exports.
The Moonta was a passenger vessel built in 1931 for the Adelaide Steamship
Company's Spencer Gulf service. She became particularly famous for operating the
"Gulf Trip" holiday voyages that were a popular honeymoon destination for South
Australians spanning several decades.
Construction and Specifications
Built by Akt. Burnmeister & Wain in Copenhagen, the Moonta was specifically
designed for Spencer Gulf service. She was a steel motor vessel featuring two
decks and a cruiser stern.
Key Facts
Specification
Details
Built
1931
Builder
Akt. Burnmeister & Wain, Copenhagen
Gross Tonnage
2,696
Net Tonnage
1,538
Length
288.2 ft (87.8 m)
Beam
43.7 ft (13.3 m)
Draught
22 ft 9 in (6.9 m)
Engine
1400 BHP 4 S.C.SA
Base Port
Port Adelaide
Gulf Trip Service (1931-1955)
The Moonta operated the famous "Gulf Trip" service, a six-day voyage that
became a South Australian institution. Initially priced at £5, the fare
gradually increased to £15 by 1955. The service was marketed as "£6 for 6 days"
during the 1930s and 1940s. She was one of three vessels operating Gulf trips,
alongside the earlier and more traditionally Victorian-styled vessels Rupara
and Paringa. The Moonta proved the most popular of the three, offering
entertainment comparable to larger ocean liners. She sailed contemporaneously
with the Minnipa, though the latter didn't operate holiday voyages. Her final
Gulf Trip concluded in January 1955.
Bass Strait Service (1955)
Following her Gulf Trip service, the Moonta briefly served as a Bass Strait
ferry from June to December 1955.
Mediterranean Service and Later Years
In December 1955, the vessel was sold to Hellenic Mediterranean Line and renamed
Lydia. In 1967, French owners acquired the ship, removed her engine, and
berthed the hull in a sand dock at Perpignan, southern France. The vessel was
converted into a nightclub and casino, continuing in this role at least
until 2008.
Cultural Impact
The Moonta left an indelible mark on South Australian culture, particularly as
a honeymoon destination for thousands of locals. Journalist and poet Max Fatchen
wrote extensively about his experiences aboard the vessel, contributing to her
lasting legacy in South Australian maritime history.
Wheat Loading at Wallaroo Wharf with MV Moonta, 1932
A sepia photograph capturing maritime activity at Wallaroo wharf, South Australia. The scene shows multiple vessels, including an Ellerman & Bucknall City Line cargo ship in the foreground, the MV Moonta in the middle distance, and a sailing ship alongside. Railway carriages loaded with wheat sacks line the wooden wharf, demonstrating the port's important role in grain exports.
Wheat Loading at Wallaroo Wharf with MV Moonta, 1932
MV Moonta: The 'Honeymoon Special' of Spencer Gulf
A black and white photograph of the motor vessel MV Moonta at sea. The passenger-cargo ship is shown in profile, with its distinctive single funnel and two masts. The vessel's name "MOONTA" is clearly visible on its hull. Passengers can be seen on deck, and the ship appears to be underway in open waters.
MV Moonta: The 'Honeymoon Special' of Spencer Gulf
SS Moonta at Port Adelaide Copper Company Wharf
A sepia photograph showing the SS Moonta, an Adelaide Steamship Company vessel, berthed at the Copper Company wharf in Port Adelaide. The prominent Adelaide Milling Company flour mill building dominates the background, while smaller sailing vessels are moored in the foreground of the Port River. A wooden dolphin structure is visible in the water.
SS Moonta at Port Adelaide Copper Company Wharf
MV Moonta: South Australia's Beloved 'Honeymoon Special' Passenger Ship
A black and white photograph of the MV Moonta, a passenger vessel decorated with celebratory bunting along its masts. The ship features a distinctive single funnel, multiple cargo handling derricks, and a classic 1930s passenger liner profile. The vessel is shown at rest in calm waters, likely in one of South Australia's gulf ports.
MV Moonta: South Australia's Beloved 'Honeymoon Special' Passenger Ship
Adelaide Steamship Company Gulf Trip Advertisement, 1930s
A vintage travel poster advertising "The Gulf Trip" by The Adelaide Steamship Company Limited. The artwork shows the SS Moonta docked at a wooden pier with passengers observing from the wharf. The poster features an Art Deco design style with bold typography and a dramatic sky backdrop. It advertises "Enchanting Care-Free Holidays for £6" and depicts seabirds flying in the blue sky above the ship.
Adelaide Steamship Company Gulf Trip Advertisement, 1930s
SS Moonta's Purser on Deck at Port Adelaide
A ship's purser stands on the deck of the SS Moonta, dressed in crisp white naval uniform. The photograph shows him posed casually against the ship's railing, with the industrial port infrastructure visible in the background. The wooden deck, metal railings, and ship's rigging are clearly visible in this sepia-toned photograph.
SS Moonta's Purser on Deck at Port Adelaide
Tall Ships and Steamers at Brennan's Jetty, Port Lincoln, 1930s
A historic maritime scene showing multiple vessels moored at Brennan's Jetty in Port Lincoln. The photograph captures the Adelaide Steamship Company's SS Moonta alongside several tall ships including the barques Penang, Pommern, L'Avenir, and Pamir. The image presents an interesting juxtaposition of steam and sail power, with the modern steamer positioned next to the traditional sailing vessels against a backdrop of natural coastline.
Tall Ships and Steamers at Brennan's Jetty, Port Lincoln, 1930s