destination
australia
z-The Land Down Under - Sydney to Darwin
trip specifics
price
2010 Rates
|
Superior |
$10,695 |
|
Majestic |
$11,195 |
|
Premium |
$11,895 |
|
Classic |
$12,795 |
|
Explorer |
$14,595 |
|
Grand Titan |
$16,995 |
|
Owners Suite |
$24,695 |
Triple and Single rates available.
Call for details
2011 Rates
|
Superior |
$11,895 |
|
Majestic |
$12,395 |
|
Premium |
$13,195 |
|
Classic |
$14,145 |
|
Explorer |
$16,195 |
|
Grand Titan |
$18,795 |
|
Owners Suite |
$29,345 |
2011 Itinerary subject to change
duration
20 daystrip dates
Coming Soon!trip level
view explanation
highlights
Sydney, AustraliaBrisbane River
Kingfisher Bay, Fraser Island
Lady Elliot Island
Hamilton Island
Whitsunday Islands
Hinchinbrook Islands
Willis Island
Cairnes
Lizard Island
Stanley Island
Flinders Island Group
Wessel Island
Port Essington
Darwin, Australia
accomm types
Coming Soon!activities
Coming Soon!
This cruise is one segment of the year long Voyage of the Great Explorers world cruise and is part of Chapter 5: James Cook — Idylls of the South Pacific. Cruise the South Pacific from Easter Island to Darwin, in waters Captain Cook charted. These five world cruise voyages feature remote islands with pristine beaches, fabulous snorkeling, and fascinating local cultures. Your travels will take you to Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.
Small Ship World Cruises aboard the Spirit of Oceanus
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Day 1 - Sydney, Australia
Arrive in Sydney, Australia and check into your included hotel.
Day 2 - Sydney, Australia
The “Harbour City” is appropriately named for its scenic sail-in landmarks including the iconic Sydney Opera House (a UNESCO site), Harbour (“Coathanger”) Bridge and the modern skyline. Acclaimed by many as the world’s most beautiful harbor, Sydney is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with great shopping, restaurants, parks, beaches and historic tourist attractions. Morning at leisure. Prior to embarkation, enjoy a highlight tour of Sydney en route to the ship.
Days 3 - At Sea
Day 4 - Brisbane River Cruising, Australia
Capital of Queensland state and Australia’s third largest city (after Sydney and Melbourne), the port of Brisbane is centered around the winding Brisbane River. Visitors are drawn to its fine parks and botanical gardens, nature walks, historic and cultural centers, the Portside Wharf, and the world’s first (1927) koala sanctuary. Take a leisurely cruise up the river to the prosperous city of Brisbane, which, in the 19th century, was a penal colony.
Day 5 - Brisbane, Australia
Explore the superb cultural center, historic treasury, and botanic gardens. Or, visit the koala sanctuary to see an iconic Australian animal.
Day 6 - Kingfisher Bay, Fraser Island, Australia
Listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites as the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island. Its Great Walk provides an opportunity to explore the island on foot, past the 100+ lakes among the dunes, especially popular Lake McKenzie, the famed 75-Mile Beach, and the proliferation of indigenous birds and animals. Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. Hike through its dense forests, watch for dingoes, and walk the Pacific beach dunes. (Zodiac landing or touring)
Day 7 - Lady Elliot Island, Australia
Lady Elliot Island is the Great Barrier Reef’s southern-most coral cay, with unrivalled water clarity. Particularly renowned for its snorkeling and scuba diving, the island also offers opportunities for turtle, bird and whale watching. Its landmark 1873 50-foot lighthouse has been superseded by a solar-powered 70-foot steel version. Lady Elliot Island is a coral cay with brilliant coral reefs to snorkel over and fine beach-walking. (Zodiac landing or touring)
Day 8 - At Sea
Day 9 - Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
About halfway along the 1,250-mile Great Barrier Reef lies the collection of Whitsunday Islands off the coast of northeast Australia. The Whitsundays (named for the seventh Sunday after Easter on which they were “discovered”) include Hamilton and Hayman, two of the major islands from which explorations of the GBR are launched. A fast-boat excursion to the “true” offshore barrier reef allows enlightening and exciting underwater exploration. Take a fast boat out to a reef pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef to snorkel. Or view coral and other marine life from a semi-submersible. Ultimate Explorers Experience.
Day 10 - Hinchinbrook Island, Australia
At over 150 square miles, scenic Hinchinbrook Island National Park is Australia’s largest, including the island itself, the adjacent channel and nearby Goold Island. Between the mainland and the Great Barrier Reef, the island’s nature reserve is mountainous and forested, and is refuge to many endangered plants and animals, including fascinating wildlife-rich mangrove environments. Enjoy a local boat excursion or hike the mangroves, forests and fine ocean beaches.
Day 11 - Willis Island, Australia
Welcome to the only permanently inhabited island in Australia’s Coral Sea Islands Territory! Just 500 meters long by 150 meters wide, Willis Island is the site of a weather monitoring station with three weather observers, as well as habitat for such feathered residents as Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Sooty Terns, and Noddies. Enjoy a nature walk on this remote, low coral cay, populated only by shearwaters, sooty terns, noddies, boobies and frigatebirds. (Zodiac landing or touring)
Day 12 - Cairns, Australia
Tropical Cairns has a small city atmosphere, with intriguing attractions nearby, such as a cable-car ride up to the Kuranda plateau with rainforest- and waterfall-viewing, a butterfly sanctuary, a stunning performance of Aboriginal dance theater, or an art gallery stroll in nearby Port Douglas. Take in an Aboriginal dance performance at Tjapukai. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore on your own either in Port Douglas or Cairns.
Day 13 - Cairns, Australia
Take a fast hydrofoil to the reef for snorkeling or ascend by train or cable car to the Kuranda butterfly sanctuary.
Day 14 - Lizard Island, Australiae
At the north end of the Great Barrier Reef, the Lizard Island group was regarded an ancient sacred place of indigenous Aboriginies. Lizard Island itself was discovered by Captain Cook in 1770; he named it after the “only land animals we saw.” Along with three smaller islands, the granite chain surrounds Blue Lagoon, all of which forms a popular national park. Snorkel in crystalline waters, or hike uphill to Cook’s Look, where Captain Cook surveyed the coral reefs ahead. (Zodiac landing or touring)
Day 15 - Stanley Island, Flinders Island Group, Australia
Just off the tip of Queensland’s Cape Melville lies Stanley Island, one of several islands within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Stanley Island features amazing Aboriginal art sites, including the Yintayin Rock Shelter, where red and white ochre drawings of ships from all nations adorn the red sandstone rock walls. Our local Aboriginal hosts guide us to Stanley’s ancient and authentic Aboriginal cave paintings. (Zodiac landing or touring)
Day 16 - Thursday Island / Cape York, Australia
Small Thursday Island is administrative and commercial center of the Torres Strait Islands and was for years the center of the area’s lucrative pearling industry. The island lies a few miles from Cape York, northernmost tip of the Australian continent, at the top of the Cape York peninsula, one of earth’s last remaining wilderness areas with undisturbed rainforests. Thursday Island is a former pearl-diving town. Enjoy Green Hill Fort, a pub experience, and Cape York, mainland Australia’s northernmost point. (Zodiac landing or touring)
Days 17-18 - At Sea / Wessel Island
Day 19 - Port Essington, Australia
Historic Port Essington lies on an inlet among the coastal coves of the Northern Territory’s Cobourg Peninsula. In their attempts at establishing a Singapore-type port in the 1800s for trade with Asia, the Australian and British governments made several attempts at a settlement here. Many factors contributed to the failure, and the site is now famed for its ruins. Explore an abandoned 1830’s British settlement founded as a trading outpost with Indonesia. (Zodiac landing or touring)
Day 10 - Darwin, Australia
Disembark or continue your journey with the next voyage. Capital of the Northern Territory and by far the most populated and largest of the area’s cities, Darwin is situated on a gulf of the Timor Sea, and serves as regional center of the “Top End.” Most modern of Australia’s capitals, Darwin (named after Charles) has been rebuilt twice, once after Japanese bombings in WWII, and again after cyclone Tracy in 1974.
Small Ship World Cruises aboard the Spirit of Oceanus
Extend your trip
Kakadu National Park 3-Night pre- or post-cruise, from Darwin
Head into the wilds of Katherine Gorge, renowned for dramatic geology, indigenous art and Cutta Cutta Caves National Park. Enjoy a breakfast cruise of Nitmiluk Gorge, then on to Kakadu National Park, a treasure-trove of Aboriginal culture.
Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of cruising unique.
Single Travelers: Single and triple are available upon request where applicable. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, our Roommate Share Program guarantees double occupancy rates in Majestic, Premium and Classic category cabins.
Land Cost Includes: One night hotel accommodations is included. All taxes, port charges, fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected. Transportation and shore excursions as indicated on the itinerary and all meals aboard the ship or where indicated.
Not Included: Airfare from your home city or return; passport or visa fees; excess baggage charges; air departure taxes; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind. Fuel surcharges may apply.
Arrival/Departure: Embarkation and disembarkation locations depend on the chosen itinerary. Suggested times for inbound/outbound flights also depend on the itinerary and point of embarkation and disembarkation. Please contact us for further details.
Payment Policy: A deposit of 25% of cruise-tour fare for all Grant Titan and Owner's Suite cabins or 20% of cruise-tour fare for all other cabin categories per person is required to confirm a reservation. Final payment for all Voyages of the Great Explorers cruises my be received no later than 120 days prior to departure, or in full at time of reservation if less than 120 days advance payment period.
Cancellation Policy: Per person cancellation charges for all Grant Titan and Owners Suite cabins:
Anytime 180+ days prior to departure $1000pp*
179-120 days prior to departure full deposit (25%)
119-61 days prior to departure 50% of fare
60-31 days prior to departure 75% of fare
30-0 days prior to departure 100% of fare
Per person cancellation charges for all cabin categories:
Anytime 180+ days prior to departure $200pp*
179-120 days prior to departure full deposit (20%)
119-61 days prior to departure 50% of fare
60-31 days prior to departure 75% of fare
30-0 days prior to departure 100% of fare
*A future cruise credit will be made available, to be applied to future bookings.
Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.
Accommodations Aboard: Your comfortable home-base throughout the Voyage of the Great Explorers is aboard the Spirit of Oceanus. This all-suite vessel accommodates 114 guests. Each suites feature view windows, ample closet space, large marble vanity and sink, a lounge area, bathrobes, spa bath amenities, in-room safe, a chilled refreshment center, and satellite telephone access. Several suites also feature sliding glass doors and private teak balconies. The Oceanus has a dining room, two lounges, sun deck, sports deck, hot tub, library and game room. There is elevator access to all passenger decks. Open dining features continental and regional cuisine.
Qualifications: These trips will be enjoyed by anyone with a love for nature, culture, history and the outdoors.
Photo Credit: Cruise West
General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.
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