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Waterfall in the Australian outback

Cape York & Arnhem Land

Cairns - Darwin - Example 12 Day Cruise aboard Coral Discoverer
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This magnificent 12-day voyage takes you across the top of Northern Australia and experience cultures unchanged for centuries, world-renowned Indigenous art centres, and some of the continent’s most remote islands. Visit remote Bathurst and Melville Islands and learn of traditional Tiwi culture. This is a land steeped in ancient Aboriginal culture and legends of our pioneering past. 
Rock formations along the coast of KimberlyNightcliff Jetty, Darwin, AustraliaSnorkel the clear, tropical watersLandscape of North AustraliaSnorkel the vibrant waters of the South PacificSnorkel off of Australia's beautiful coastWaterfall in the Australian outback
Highlights
  • Experience the world’s oldest surviving culture in Arnhem Land
  • Explore the beautiful Cobourg Peninsula and its huge variety of wildlife
  • Witness the vibrant culture of the Tiwi people at Bathurst Island
  • Snorkel the clam gardens at Watson’s Bay, Lizard Island
Activities
Places Visited
  • Australia
  • South Pacific
  • Cairns
  • Darwin
  • Cobourg Peninsula
  • Forbes Island
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Gulf of Carpentaria
  • Lizard Island
  • Maningrida
  • Oceania
  • Tiwi Islands
  • Torres Strait
  • Wessel Islands
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Cairns, Australia | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Board Coral Discoverer at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm departure.  Enjoy lunch on board and a chance to meet your fellow travelers as you set sail northwards. This evening join guests and the friendly crew as we enjoy the Captain’s welcome drinks and sit down to the first of many delicious dinners.

Day 2-11: Explore Western Australia

  • Ship
  • 10 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 10 Dinners
Over the next several days, here are some of the locations you will visit:

LIZARD ISLAND
Explore secluded Lizard Island, one of the most beautiful islands on the Queensland Coast, and venture into the crystal clear waters for swimming and snorkelling or take a walk along the white sand beach.  The more energetic may join our guides on a walk to ‘Cook’s Look’ on the island’s peak and the highest lookout on this part of the reef.  From this high point, Captain Cook was able to navigate a safe passage back through the treacherous waters after repairing the HMB Endeavour near Cooktown over 250 years ago. A photographer’s delight, the views from the lookout over the World Heritage-listed reef and surrounding tropical islands are magnificent.

FLINDERS GROUP & DAVIE REEF
Visit Stanley Island in the Flinders Group and view the isolated Endaen Aboriginal rock art depicting the first sailing ships to visit Queensland shores. At Davie Reef, enjoy swimming and snorkeling and observe the large seabird rookery.

FORBES ISLAND
Enjoy a day exploring Forbes Island, an excellent spot for swimming or snorkeling from the pristine sandy beaches. Take a walk to the grave of beche-de-mer fisherman Frederick Lancaster. 

NORTHERNMOST POINT: CAPE YORK 
Cruise to the Tip of Cape York and enjoy champagne while the sunsets.

THE TORRES STRAIT ISLANDS
Anchoring at Thursday Island, learn about the historic pearling fleet and the cultural differences between the Torres Strait and Aboriginal peoples. You may also visit other Torres Strait islands, such as Badu or Moa.

CRUISING​ THE GULF OF CARPENTARIA 
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea, with time to attend informative presentations by the guest lecturers.

HOLE IN THE WALL AND WESSEL ISLANDS
We travel through the narrow channel between Raragala and Guluwuru Islands, known as the ‘Hole in the Wall’.

ELCHO ISLAND: GALIWIN'KU AND GAWA
The friendly locals of Elcho Island proudly welcome us to their community this morning. Meet some of the local artists who have their unique art exhibited in the famous art galleries of the world including the Louvre.
In the afternoon, visit the community and school of Gawa.

MANINGRIDA
Anchor in the mighty Liverpool River and travel ashore to explore the Maningrida Art Centre, museum, and the local boutique, where hand-painted textiles are able to be purchased. 

COBOURG PENINSULA
Discover Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula. Join Park Rangers in Port Essington, famous for the failed Victoria Settlement, and explore the ruins while learning about the fascinating history of this early colonial outpost. 

TIWI ISLANDS
Visit remote Bathurst Island. With local Tiwi guides, learn of the unique culture and visit the art center. Be welcomed with a cultural performance and basket-weaving exhibition before enjoying a traditional Australian afternoon tea of damper and billy tea.

Day 12: Darwin, Australia | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive in Darwin and disembark at 8:30am.

Ship/Hotel

Coral Discoverer

Coral Discoverer

Coral Discoverer

The Coral Discoverer is an expedition style cruise ship large enough to provide all the comforts of a larger cruise ship, yet small enough to enable access reef and island sites inaccessible to other vessels.
Coral Discoverer
Bridge Deck Bar aboard the Coral Discoverer

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$8,920
Important Fare Information: Rates displayed are based on the current exchange rate from the Australian Dollar, and therefore may fluctuate
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Main Deck B
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Three cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin portholes, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Main Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Six cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin porthole windows, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Promenade Deck B
Averaging 160 sq. ft. Four cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
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Promenade Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Eighteen cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Bridge Deck
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Five cabins located on the Bridge Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.

Notes

Solo Travelers:
Solo cabin occupancy is limited and based on availability in Promenade Deck B cabins only. Single supplement is an additional 50%.

Important Fare Information:
Rates are posted based off of the current exchange rates from Australian or New Zealand Dollars. Please contact us for current exchange rates.
Included
  • 11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 11 Dinners
  • 11 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Selected wines, selected beers and house spirits, juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
  • Captain’s welcome and farewell events, and open bridge access
  • Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and kayaks
  • All excursions with our Expedition Team
  • Daily lectures and briefings with Guest Lecturers
  • Use of all onboard facilities, incl. a reference library
  • Your expedition photos captured during the voyage
  • Post-cruise transfers (in most destinations)
  • 24-hour coffee and selection of teas
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Laundry Service
  • Entry visas/Travel permits
  • Alcoholic drinks including beer and wine outside of lunch and dinner service
  • Internet 
  • Pre-cruise transfers
  • Pre and post cruise flights/charter flights
  • Pre and post cruise accommodation
  • Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
  • Optional Extras (in some destinations)
  • Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Passport or Visa fees

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
total score
Based on 174 reviews on
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8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent. Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio. In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day. Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took. Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
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1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
Tina
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2 days ago
Rapid response.
kym
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2 days ago
Jess and her non pushy salesmanship!!!!!
Cristen Crawford
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2 days ago
Mary Curry. And AL’s discount policy.
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