Enjoy the opportunity to explore Australia's northern coastline in this 13-day exploration visiting the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the ‘Tip of Australia’ at Cape York, the Arnhem Land Coast, and the rarely visited Tiwi Islands. Learn of traditional Tiwi culture in the remote Bathurts and Melville Islands, and enjoy the opportunity to swim or snorkel in the clear tropical waters of Lizard Island.
Highlights
Enjoy a gourmet Aussie Beach BBQ as the sun sets over the Arafura Sea
Visit Thursday Island to learn about the cultures of Torres Strait
View indigenous art at the Nhulunbuy art centers and on Echo Island
Explore Lizard Island and the northern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Boarding commences at Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin ahead of a 6:00 pm departure. This evening enjoy the Captain's Welcome Drinks before sitting down to the first of many delicious dinners as the ship crosses the Arafura Sea.
Visit Bathurst and Melville Island and learn from traditional Tiwi people of the unique cultures of the Tiwi islanders. Visit their fascinating art centers and perhaps purchase wonderful screen-printing, art, woodcarvings and pottery. Witness a smoking ceremony, traditional basket weaving, and morning tea with the locals, over freshly-cooked damper and billy tea.
Enjoy a full day to discover the Cobourg Peninsula. Port Essington is famous for its failed Victoria Settlement. Local National Park rangers guide exploration of the ruins. Also visit the Ranger's Interpretation Center at Black Point.
Anchor in the mighty Liverpool River and travel ashore to explore the Maningrida Art Centre, Museum and local ’boutique’, where hand painted clothing and fabrics are offered for sale. Join the Expedition Team on an Xplorer tour of the river before rejoining the Coral Expeditions I.
Be welcomed by friendly locals to their Elcho Island community. Enjoy insight into their culture and meet some of the local artists who have their unique art exhibited in the famous art galleries of the world, including the Louvre. Enjoy a gourmet Aussie beach BBQ on one of the beautiful islands while toasting the sunset over the Arafura Sea.
Depart the Wessel Islands, cruising through 'The Hole in the Wall', Malay Straits and onward to the port of Nhulunbuy (Gove). On disembarking transfer to the Walkabout Lodge, tonight's accommodation.
During the tour of Thursday Island, learn of the history of European settlement and the large pearling fleets. Have the opportunity to observe the distinctly different cultures of the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginals. Following lunch visit the Gab Titui Cultural Center where the children perform traditional dances. Following a short cruise to Cape York go ashore and enjoy the sunset and champagne at the "Tip".
Enjoy the day exploring historic Forbes Island. While the reef offers some fantastic swimming and snorkeling opportunities, also enjoy a short walk to the summit and enjoy the outlook over the surrounding reef and islands.
At Davey Reef and Cay, enjoy swimming and snorkeling and observe the large seabird rookery. Later go ashore at Stanley Island where the Expedition Leader and guides escort a tour of an Endaen Aboriginal rock art gallery depicting sailing ships of the last century. This is a unique art site seldom visited due to its isolated location.
Spend the day at one of the most beautiful islands on the Queensland Coast. Enjoy a climb of Cook's Look, enjoy swimming and snorkeling, and a beach walk. Subject to availability, visit the Lizard Island Research Station and learn more about the research being undertaken to help understand and preserve the Great Barrier Reef.
Visit historic Cooktown where Captain Cook took refuge during his voyage of discovery. This evening join the Captain and crew for Farewell Drinks.
Day 13: Disembark in Cairns
1 Breakfast
Cross Trinity Bay before arriving into the Port of Cairns at 8:00 am. Say farewell to the Captain, his staff, and new friends at the end of this great adventure.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,605
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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.
Initial deposit is 15%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.