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.

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.

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Cairns, Australia | Embark

Accommodation
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

Accommodation
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

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.

Bridge Deck Bar aboard the Coral Discoverer

Dates & Prices

Per person starting at

$8,355 2-3 travelers

Important Fare Information: Rates displayed are based on the current exchange rate from the Australian Dollar, and therefore may fluctuate

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.

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.

Promenade Deck B

Averaging 160 sq. ft. Four cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.

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.

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.

Payment Details

Terms & Conditions

Operated by Coral Expeditions

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)

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)

Map

When to Go

Inquire

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now

Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!