Our Story
Munro Hardy
Skipper
Grace McLeod
First Mate
At the helm of this unforgettable cruise you’ll find our Skipper - Munro and his First Mate, Grace.
Two intrepid adventurers who have traded their dusty boots for deck shoes and their outback heritage for a life on the open sea.
In June 2024, they took the plunge and bought the Cape Adieu business, steering their ship with a spirit of innovation, a passion for sustainability, and an uncanny knack for crafting unforgettable experiences. Now proudly a couple of “Sea Cockies in the Big Blue Paddock,” they're ready to conquer the ocean and all it’s glory.
Munro, a Nuffield Scholar and a seasoned helicopter-mustering veteran, has a wealth of experience gathered from cattle stations across the Northern Territory. He’s done it all—pearl farming, underground mining, live cattle export, crocodile relocation, and even egg collecting. Despite his extensive land-based exploits, he has always dreamed of a life at sea.
Grace, a cowgirl at heart, with a lifelong love for the bush. Now embracing a new adventure riding waves in the big blue paddock alongside her partner Munro. Her infectious enthusiasm and radiant smile light up any room—or deck, for that matter. Grace's spirit of adventure and love for the outdoors goes hand in hand with their new maritime lifestyle, making every day on the water a new chapter in their story of joy and exploration.
The OG
- Shane -
Shane, a true seaman, founded Cape Adieu Harbour Cruises in 2003. With a rich history of traversing the globe and living the true pirate life, Shane brings a wealth of maritime knowledge and a sense of adventure to every cruise. He has extensive experience in crayfish and shark fishing in the Southern Ocean and Bass Strait, and has spent many years prawn fishing in the Gulf of Carpentaria. He is also a keen surfer, passionate about catching waves whenever he can. His love for the sea and vast experience make every trip on Cape Adieu more than just a cruise—it's an exciting journey packed with incredible stories of life at sea.
Head Chef
- Alberto -
Alberto, our talented chef from a charming farm in southern Italy. His mum's cooking and dad's green thumb instilled in him a deep appreciation for fresh, local produce. Alberto has been in professional kitchens since he was 14, and after graduating from culinary college, he travelled the world. He's worked in 5-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, the USA, and the Middle East before making his way to Australia.
Now, with two wet seasons in Darwin under his belt he's almost a local!
Deck Hand
- Oli -
Oliver, our enthusiastic deckhand and all-round crew member, is from the picturesque county of Gloucestershire, England. Since arriving in Australia in December ‘23, Oliver has been a vibrant part of the Cape Adieu team, joining us in April ‘24. He loves meeting new people every day and never tires of watching the stunning sunsets each night aboard Cape Adieu.
When Oli is not aboard he's found cycling and exploring everything Darwin has to offer. With a passion for adventure, he also plans to pursue a career in aviation in the future (hopefully he can get some hot tips from Munro!). Oli's energy and engagement makes every cruise special and memorable!
Deck Hand
- Veronica -
Veronica, our sociable and friendly crew member originates from a charming seaside town also in Italy. With a passion for nature, Veronica brings a charismatic and positive attitude to everything she does. Having always worked in hospitality back home, she truly enjoys interacting with people from all walks of life.
Working on Cape Adieu allows Veronica to indulge in the beautiful sunsets of the Top End, while connecting with others.
She hopes your experience aboard the Cape Adieu will be as unique and memorable as it is for her. Join us and let Veronica's warmth and enthusiasm make your journey unforgettable.
History
“Cape Adieu” is a custom built, 70 foot (21 metre), steel motor sailer and was designed with versatility in mind. It has the ideal layout for outdoor entertaining as it comes equipped with a vast dining area on the forward and stern decks, as well as an upstairs entertainment & dining area underneath a cool shade awning.
She boasts a generously proportioned open-plan saloon that seamlessly connects with a galley and master suites and heads down below. This design facilitates effortless access for our guests to explore all corners of the vessel.
Originally built for remote cray and shark fishing in the Great Australian Bight, the MV Cape Adieu has a storied history in various fishing operations, including pearling in the Coral Sea, cray & shark fishing in the Southern Ocean and snapper fishing in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Proven to perform in some of Australia's roughest weather conditions, the Cape Adieu has consistently demonstrated its reliability and versatility.
The Cape Adieu has also served as a surf charter vessel in the Spice Islands and remote archipelagos off Eastern Indonesia, conducting dive charters and notably identifying the wreck of the Sanyo Maru off the remote Arnhem Land Coast for the NT Museum.
Since then, Cape Adieu has undergone extensive upgrades to ensure guest comfort, ensuring a luxurious and enjoyable experience on board.
