It was an opportunity for cruise passengers and locals to enjoy a taste of Eden on Sunday, September 15 with the arrival of the first ship at the Eden wharf extension.
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Organised by Cruise Eden the Taste of Eden at Boydtown in the grounds of the Seahorse Inn drew an estimated crowd of around 1000 people to listen to music and sample local produce.
At the wharf things started to get busy by mid morning with shuttle buses kept busy on their journeys to and from Boydtown and visitors happy strolling around the port while Eden's main street was bustling too.
Lyn Kennedy from the Eden Visitors Centre was at the wharf and said she thought being able to get off the ship there had made it a positive experience for the passengers.
Read also: A town of smiles as first ship berths
"It's been a really nice morning, everyone's been so relaxed and receptive."
She said that the cruise passengers, especially the international passengers always commented on the big smiles of welcome from Eden volunteers.
"Eden's got the reputation of giving a very positive reception," Ms Kennedy said.
Jennine and Keith Childs of Wolumla were at the wharf to watch the Pacific Explorer come in.
"We came to see it because we had been on it for a holiday," Ms Childs said of their 18-day cruise which in part followed the route of the Bounty.
At Boydtown there were big smiles everywhere as people enjoyed a large picnic on the beach side close to the Seahorse Inn.
There were queues for coffee and local oysters were in huge demand. At Disaster Bay Chillis Geof Pridge was kept busy as cruise passengers sampled and bought his produce.
"I had a lady here today who said that coming into Eden was like coming into a different country," Mr Pridge said.
Another group of passengers had plenty of praise for Eden too. Linda Van Gils was celebrating her 70th birthday with husband Herb and their family and close friends. Originally it was booked as a surprise birthday treat for Ms Van Gils as a three-day comedy cruise but they were then told they would be stopping at Eden.
"We'd been through it but never stopped before," Ms and Mr Van Gils of Wollongong said.
"When we saw this was on (Taste of Eden) we thought it was a lovely idea and would be a chance to look at the setting.
The family said they would be stopping in town on their way back and would walk back to the ship.
"The food and coffee has been really good quality," they said.