Ancestral Lands and the Great Barrier Reef

The coastal port and gateway to Australia's Northern Territory, Darwin is best known for its parks and gardens. Learn to identify regional flora, tropical plants and orchids at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Discover Aboriginal Art at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, or take a stroll through Old Darwin, past buildings that chart the city’s history from the days when Charles Darwin’s HMS Beagle first visited Darwin harbor in 1839.

With grasslands and mangroves, swamps and coral reefs, the Cobourg Peninsula is a biodiverse hotspot known for fabulous fishing and wildlife. The remote Garig Gunak Barlu National Park carpets the entire peninsula. Here, the last wild herds of the Banteng buffalo roam free. Marine life thrives in the surrounding waters, filled with turtles, dugongs, and dolphins. Learn about the region’s history at Victoria Settlement ruins – a short-lived British settlement from the 1800s.

Tiny, remote Elcho Island sits just off the coast of East Arnhem Land, traditionally known as Galiwin’ku and home to the Yolngu people. Art is at the very heart of this community. For generations, local Aboriginal artists have been using bush materials to create traditional works like bark paintings, woven baskets, didgeridoos, and fiber art. Browse these intricate creations at the island’s locally owned art center, Elcho Island Arts. The string of Wesell Islands in the Arafura Sea is the Northern Territory’s final frontier – wholly rugged, mostly uninhabited, and truly spectacular. Rocky escarpments rise from the sea, giving way to glorious white-sand beaches and cascading waterfalls that tumble right into the ocean. Cool off with a dip at one of the many natural rock pools and remote bays that dot the islands.

On the eastern tip of East Arnhem Land, overlooking the Gulf of Carpentaria, sits Cape Arnhem - or Wanuwuy. This strikingly beautiful peninsula of sandy beaches and vast dunes, some up to 60 m high. The area protects a vast biodiversity of plants, many of which play an important part in ceremonial and ritual aspects of Yolngu life. The coast is also an important nesting site for turtles including hawksbills, green turtles and Olive Ridley turtles.

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Far-flung T.I in the Torres Strait offers a unique mix of culture, history, and stunning natural surroundings. At the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, browse contemporary indigenous art and learn about the ancient traditions of the Torres Strait Islanders. Learn more about the tiny island’s history at the 19th-century Green Hill fort, built to defend Australia against possible Russian invasion. Then say g’day to The Tip. At the northernmost point of mainland Australia, Cape York is a remote slice of wilderness that juts into the Torres Strait and extends its arm towards Papua New Guinea. Experience the ancient traditions of the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. In this rugged landscape of red dirt paths and dramatic waterfalls, discover historic rock art sites and wetlands inhabited by saltwater crocodiles and waterbirds.

Tucked in behind Cape Melville to the east with Princess Charlotte Bay to the west, the Flinders Group National Park Islands are well off the beaten track. The natural features of the Flinders Islands are connected in a rich tapestry of Aboriginal stories and significant places. The island group is part of a cultural landscape that contributes to the identity of the Aboriginal Traditional Owners. These attractive islands feature rocky shores, rugged sandstone cliffs, hills and escarpments, and sand dunes. The island group supports a variety of land and sea birds.

Named for Captain Cook, who came ashore in 1770 to repair the Endeavour, quiet Cooktown saw a boom of activity during the gold rush. The town’s fascinating history is recorded at the James Cook Museum – one of the many beautiful 19th-century buildings around the city. On a day at port, you could also learn about the indigenous Guugu Yimithiir people, or take in panoramic views of the city and the reef from Grassy Hill.

You can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable on-board experts.

With access to both the rainforest and the reef, laid-back, tropical Cairns is an outdoor playground. The magnificent Great Barrier Reef is the region’s main draw. Diving or snorkeling in this vibrant underwater garden is a bucket-list item, offering a chance to see incredible marine life in the world’s largest coral reef. Inland, the Daintree Rainforest is over 100 million years old – a vast swathe of ancient wilderness where you can trek, zipline, spot crocodiles, and learn about Aboriginal culture.