Cape York and Arnhem Land - Darwin to Cairns (Coral Discoverer)

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12 days from

£6874.4

* Current p/p indicative rate.

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Highlights

  • Discover Tiwi Islands
  • Enjoy Cobourg Peninsula
  • Explore the Maningrida Art Centre
  • Meet friendly locals of Elcho Island
  • Visit Badu Island

Highlights

  • Discover Tiwi Islands
  • Enjoy Cobourg Peninsula
  • Explore the Maningrida Art Centre
  • Meet friendly locals of Elcho Island
  • Visit Badu Island
Capacity: 72

Explore Northern Australian coastline and immerse yourself in the diverse cultures of Indigenous Australia, with this exclusive Cape York & Arnhem Land itinerary.

This expedition will be focusing on Australian art and curated by traditional artist, Brian Robinson, as we will be taking you into some of the continent’s most acclaimed art centres. On board, you will also have the opportunity to create your own unique piece with an art class hosted by Brian himself.

Sailing aboard Coral Discoverer, this itinerary will follow the coast of the remote and culturally rich Arnhem Land, crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria and into the Torres Strait. Stand at the very tip of Australia at Cape York, before we make our way down through the Great Barrier Reef to Cairns. Experience traditions unchanged for centuries, sacred rock art and remote lands only permitted accessible by a fortunate few.

See how generations have passed on artistic traditions, and how this important cultural legacy is being kept alive today. Visit world renowned art centres in Yirrkala and Nhulunbuy. Watch Elders tell their story through art in Maningrida. See how the women of Tiwi Islands give back to their community through their local fabric printmaking and clothing business.

Join Coral Expeditions on this exciting expedition to the far reaches of Australian’s Northern coastline.

  • Discover Tiwi Islands
  • Enjoy Cobourg Peninsula
  • Explore the Maningrida Art Centre
  • Meet friendly locals of Elcho Island
  • Visit Badu Island
09 October, 2024 to 20 October, 2024 on Coral Discoverer
Prices

Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.

Bridge Deck Balcony
£ 10764 GBP pp
Bridge Deck Balcony
Located on the exclusive Bridge Deck close to the Lounge and Bridge, our five spacious Bridge Deck Balcony staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature private balconies opening out from french windows providing comfortable indoor outdoor living, along with a sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Promenade A
£ 8663 GBP pp
Promenade A
Encircled by a full-ship promenade, our twenty spacious Promenade Deck (Category A) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views, along with a sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Main Deck B
£ 6874 GBP pp
Main Deck B
Located close to the Dining Room, our six spacious Main Deck (Category B) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature twin portholes for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Promenade B Solo
£ 11653 GBP pp
Promenade B Solo
Located in the bow of the ship and encircled by a full-ship promenade, our two Promenade Deck (Category B) staterooms are 15sqm (160 square feet) in size and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
Main Deck A
£ 7467 GBP pp
Main Deck A
Located close to the Dining Room, our six spacious Main Deck (Category A) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature large, twin porthole windows for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
show reverse itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART DARWIN
Board at Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf at 7:00am ahead of our 8:00am departure. Spend time getting to know your fellow travellers and enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Drinks before the first of many delicious dinners
TIWI ISLANDS
Coral Expeditions tiwi islands Visit remote Bathurst Island. With local Tiwi guides, we learn of the unique culture and visit the art centre. Be welcomed with a cultural performance and basket-weaving exhibition before enjoying a traditional Australian afternoon tea of 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.
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 can be purchased.
ELCHO ISLAND: GALIWIN'KU AND GAWA
torres-strait-islands-coral-expeditions 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.
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’.
YIRRKALA ART CENTRE
Visit the spectacular Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre at Yirrkala, outside of Nhulunbuy. Here, the Yirrkala Art Centre represents Yolŋu artists from around the region. Established in 1976 as an act of self-determination, the art centre has forged a vibrant path for Yolŋu contemporary art. A museum built in 1988 houses a collection of works detailing historical artefacts and important moments, including the Message Sticks from 1935 and the Yirrkala Church Panels from 1963.
CRUISING THE GULF OF CARPENTARIA
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with presentations by our guest lecturers. You will hear about the fascinating history of the Macassan traders and early explorers of the Arnhem Land coast.
BADU ISLAND & TORRES STRAIT
Have the unique opportunity to visit Badu Island. Visit the fabulous art centre and enjoy the hospitality of the Badu islanders. We may visit additional Torres Strait Islands, such as Thursday Island and Moa Island.
NORTHERNMOST POINT OF CAPE YORK
Cruise to the Tip of Cape York and enjoy champagne while the sun sets.
FORBES ISLAND
Enjoy a day exploring Forbes Island, an excellent spot for swimming or snorkelling 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 snorkelling 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 snorkelling 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.
DAY 12: ARRIVE IN CAIRNS
Arrive in Cairns and disembark at 8:00am.
Please Note:
This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for unexpected closures, seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.
Coral Discoverer
Yacht-like Coral Discoverer set a new benchmark standard of sophistication in expedition cruising when she was constructed by us in 2005. Coral Discoverer sailed on pioneering expeditions through Pap…

Coral Discoverer

Length 63 metres
Launched/refurbished 2005/2018
Max capacity 72 Passengers

Yacht-like Coral Discoverer set a new benchmark standard of sophistication in expedition cruising when she was constructed by us in 2005. Coral Discoverer sailed on pioneering expeditions through Papua New Guinea, the islands of the South Pacific, Vanuatu, New Zealand, West Papua, and the Spice Islands. She led explorations into remote areas, focusing on destinations that were largely inaccessible to larger cruise ships.

Coral Discoverer is exceptionally nimble and maneuverable, with a shallow draught to get up close to destinations, ocean views from all public spaces, an expansive open-air sun deck, all outside-facing staterooms, and state-of-the-art tools for exploration including the Xplorer, zodiacs, a glass-bottom boat, and kayaks. A full refurbishment in 2018 saw the addition of private balconies, the much-loved Xplorer sundeck bar, and all new furnishings throughout the ship.

Comfortable, reliable, and intimately scaled, Coral Discoverer now conducts expeditions across Australia’s coast – Tasmania, Cape York and Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. Australian flagged and staffed by an Australian and New Zealand crew, your experience aboard Coral Discoverer will be memorable.

Onboard Accommodation

Onboard accommodation comprises 36 spacious modern staterooms. You can select from Bridge, Promenade or Main Deck staterooms offering a choice of twin through to junior king-size doubles. All staterooms have an ocean view, en-suite facilities, settee, large wardrobe, desk, luggage storage, individual air-conditioning control, and are serviced daily.

Onboard Facilities

What you would expect of a much larger cruise ship:

  • Large sundeck
  • Spa Pool
  • Guest computer
  • Comprehensive reference library
  • Phone and fax facilities
  • Lecture lounge with large plasma screen
  • Limited laundry facilities
  • Two fully stocked cocktail bars
  • Boutique and dive shop
  • Air-conditioned public areas

 Coral Discoverer is equipped with the latest technology active stabilizers and is fitted with state-of-the-art safety and navigational equipment and is the only Australian passenger ship registered with full SOLAS compliance allowing opportunities to explore a multitude of international voyages.

Dining

All meals during the cruise are included. Breakfast and lunch are served in the Dining Room located on the Main Deck and are buffet-style while dinner is table d’hote. Coffee and tea is available 24 hours. Standard hours are breakfast from 7:00-8:30am, lunch at 12:30pm and dinner at 7:30pm however meal times may vary according to the day's activities. Meal times will be advised in the onboard daily bulletins.

Excursion Boats And Zodiacs

The "Xplorer" is a specially designed aluminium excursion vessel used for the majority of our excursions. This vessel has high horsepower engines and will accommodate all passengers at one time. The "Xplorer" will be used for landings and for extensive exploration of rivers and tributaries. For your added convenience and comfort, the "Xplorer" is equipped with an awning and toilet.

We also carry two inflatable landing craft (Zodiacs). Designed for expedition work, these large and heavy-duty inflatables are extremely safe. Separate air compartments retain a large reserve of buoyancy even if the boats damaged. The flat bottom design permits these crafts to land directly onto the beaches. Expect nonetheless to wade through shallow water to reach the shore. See photo below (right)

Cabin layout for Coral Discoverer
Overview
Highlights
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Map
Ship

12 days from £6874.4

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