Have questions? We're here.
Landscape of North Australia

Cape York & Arnhem Land

Example 12 Day Cruise aboard Coral Discoverer
Talk with an expert
Customize any aspect of your Australia trip. 1.406.541.2677
Help Me Plan My Trip
Talk with an expert Ask a Question
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. 

Day-by-Day Summary

Day 1 : Cairns, Australia | Embark
Days 2-11 : Explore Western Australia
Day 12 : Darwin, Australia | Disembark

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

Ship

Coral Discoverer

Places Visited

  • Australia
  • South Pacific
  • Cairns
  • Cobourg Peninsula
  • Darwin
  • Forbes Island
  • Gulf of Carpentaria
  • Lizard Island
  • Maningrida
  • Tiwi Islands
  • Torres Strait
  • Wessel Islands

Activities

Trip Type

Activity Level

Relaxed

Trip Snapshots

Snorkel the vibrant waters of the South Pacific Nightcliff Jetty, Darwin, Australia Landscape of North Australia Rock formations along the coast of Kimberly Snorkel the clear, tropical waters

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. Venture into the crystal clear waters for swimming and snorkeling or take a walk along the sparkling white beach. An energetic guided walk leads to Cook’s Look - from this peak, Captain James Cook was able to sight a navigable passage through the treacherous reef after repairing the HMS Endeavour. 

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 snorkelling 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. 

CAPE YORK & ISLANDS OF THE TORRES STRAIT
Go ashore at the northernmost point of the Australian continent as the sun rises, and sip champagne to welcome the new day. Later, anchoring at Thursday Island, learn about the historic pearling fleet and the cultural differences between the Torres Strait and Aboriginal peoples. On our indigenous art themed expedition, visit the art centers at Badu or Moa Islands.

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

WESSEL ISLANDS
Travel through the narrow channel between Raragala and Guluwuru Islands, known as the ‘Hole in the Wall’. The friendly locals of Elcho Island proudly welcome you to their community. Gain insight into their culture, and meet some of the local artists who have exhibited at art galleries around the world. 

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.

Coral Discoverer

Exterior image of the Oceanic 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.
Per person starting at
$7,580
Select a Date
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.
Select a Date
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.
Select a Date
Promenade Deck B
Averaging 160 sq. ft. Four cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
Select a Date
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.
Select a Date
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:
A 50% single supplement is charged or select the “Single Guest Match” program. Single Guest Match is available for guests who have flexible travel dates and are willing to share a cabin with another guest of the same gender. Passengers are placed on a standby list and notified if a match becomes available. Once confirmed, they are charged at the twin-share rate (no single supplement). Cabin category requests are accepted.

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.

Rates Include:
  • All excursions and sightseeing
  • Use of Xplorer and inflatable tender vessels
  • Daily lectures and briefings
  • Small-batch meals prepared by the chef
  • Showcase wines, selected beers, juices, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner 
  • All coffee and selection of teas
  • All entrance fees to National Parks and Ports
Rates Exclude: 
  • Pre and post flights, transfers and hotels
  • Entry visas to Australia
  • Alcoholic beverages outside of lunch and dinner service
  • Telephone and internet services
  • Laundry services
Payment & Cancellation Policies
Kinsey Vetter headshot
Kinsey V

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf

Why Travel With Adventure Life

More Reasons

Awards and Accolades

All News
CatalogPlan My Trip
Kinsey Vetter headshot
Kinsey V
Make an Inquiry
We love travel, talk with an expert 1.800.344.6118