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Explore the beautiful coastline of northern Australia

Cape York & Arnhem Land: Darwin to Cairns

Example 12 Day Cruise aboard Coral Expeditions I
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Join the Coral Expeditions I on this incredible 12-day adventure experiencing the very best that Australia's spectacular northern coastline has to offer. Explore the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the rarely visited Tiwi Islands, and meet fabulous artisans in some of the most remote villages in Australia. Reach the northern "Tip of Australia" on the Cape York Peninsula and enjoy the opportunity to swim and snorkel in clear tropical waters and coral gardens.
Discover the beautiful landscape of AustraliaZoom through the Horizontal FallsWaterfall in the Australian outbackSnorkel at exclusive Great Barrier Reef sitesExplore the beautiful coastline of northern Australia
Highlights
  • Learn from the unique Tiwi people and visit their fascinating art center
  • Experience Gove's local culture, industry, and history
  • Explore Lizard Island, one of the most beautiful islands on the coast
  • Spend a day in Cooktown, where Captain Cook took refuge during his voyage
Places Visited
  • Australia
  • South Pacific
  • Cairns
  • Darwin
  • Cape York
  • Cobourg Peninsula
  • Cooktown
  • Elcho Island
  • Forbes Island
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Hole in the Wall
  • Liverpool River
  • Lizard Island
  • Maningrida
  • Nhulunbury (Gove)
  • Oceania
  • Stanley Island
  • Thursday Island
  • Tiwi Islands
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Darwin | Embark

Board Coral Expeditions I at Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf at 7:00am and depart at 8:00am.

Day 2-11: Explore Northern Australia

  • Ship
  • 10 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 10 Dinners
TIWI ISLANDS
Visit remote Bathurst Island. With local Tiwi guides, You will learn of the unique culture and visit the art center. Be welcomed with a cultural performance, and see 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.

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.

LIVERPOOL RIVER AND MANINGRIDA
Anchor in the mighty Liverpool River and travel ashore to explore the Maningrida Art Center, museum, and the local boutique, where hand-painted textiles can be purchased.

ELCHO ISLAND: GALIWIN'KU AND GAWA
The friendly locals of Elcho Island proudly welcome you 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.

HOLE IN THE WALL AND WESSEL ISLANDS
You will travel through the narrow channel between Raragala and Guluwuru Islands, known as the ‘Hole in the Wall’.  Arrive in the port of Nhulunbuy (Gove) and be transferred to the Walkabout Lodge, tonight’s accommodation.

NHULUNBUY (GOVE) AND HORN ISLAND
Join your Expedition Leader to discover this frontier town of Nhulunbuy and experience local culture, industry and history. After lunch, you will visit the renowned Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Center at Yirrkala before transferring to the airport for our charter flight across the Gulf of Carpentaria to Horn Island. Tonight, you will stay at the historic and pioneering Gateway Torres Strait Resort.

THURSDAY ISLAND
Embark on a short tour of Horn Island prior to your transfer by ferry to Thursday Island where you rejoin Coral Expeditions I. Tour Thursday Island, and learn of the history of European settlement and the large pearling fleets. Following a short cruise to Cape York, you travel ashore and enjoy the sunset and champagne at the ‘Tip’ of Australia.

NORTHERNMOST POINT OF CAPE YORK
Go ashore at the northernmost point of the Australian continent, and sip champagne  to celebrate this special moment while the sun rises.

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.

DAVIE REEF AND FLINDERS GROUP
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.

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 HMB Endeavour.

COOKTOWN
Visit historic Cooktown where Captain Cook took refuge during his voyage of discovery. This evening, join the Captain and crew for farewell drinks.

Day 12: Cairns | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive in Cairns and disembark at 8:00am.

Ship/Hotel

Coral Expeditions I

Coral Expeditions I - Open Bridge

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,885

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 Dollars. Please contact us for current exchange rates.
Included
  • 11 Breakfasts, 10 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)
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)

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