Across the Top End

Itinerary

Cairns to Darwin

Day 1 - Sunday

Cairns

At 3:00pm: board our vessel at Trinity Warf, Cairns for a 4:00pm departure. This evening enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party.

Day 2 - Monday

Lizard Island

Here you explore one of the most beautiful islands on the Queensland Coast. Enjoy swimming, snorkelling and exploring the Blue Lagoon. As special guests of the Lizard Island Research Station you have an opportunity to learn of the research being undertaken to help understand and preserve the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 3 - Tuesday

Stanley Island - Davey Reef

Visit Stanley Island in the Flinders Group to view the Endaen Aboriginal rock art gallery depicting sailing ships of the last century. This is an unique art site seldom visited due to its isolated location. At Davey Reef and Cay you enjoy swimming and snorkeling and observe the large seabird colony.

Day 4 - Wednesday

Forbes Island - Reef

Enjoy the day exploring this historical island. Time for swimming, snorkeling, diving and reef fishing.

Day 5 - Thursday

Cape York - Thursday and Horn Islands

For the early risers go ashore at Cape York and toast the sun as it rises at the “Tip” with champagne, welcoming the new day! Anchoring at Thursday Island where you disembark, learn the history of European settlement and the large pearling fleets. There will also be an opportunity to observe the distinctly different cultures of the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginals. Enjoy a tour of the island and be guests of the local school where the children perform traditional dances. You then transfer by ferry to visit Horn Island and learn of the significance of the Torres Strait Islands during World War II.

Coral Princess: guest overnight at Thursday Island or Horn Island.

Oceanic Discoverer: depart Thursday Island for the Gulf of Carpentaria and Nhulunbuy.

Day 6 - Friday

Oceanic Discoverer: At Sea

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with presentations by our Guest Lecturers, who share with you the fascinating history of the Macassan traders and early discoverers of the Arnhem Land coast.

Coral Princess: Horn Island - Gove

Following a tour of the island board a charter flight across the Gulf of Carpentaria to Nhulunbuy (Gove). Here join a tour of the Nabalco bauxite mine and visit the Nambarra and Yirrkala Arts and Crafts centres. Overnight at Gove.

Day 7 - Saturday

Oceanic Discoverer: Gove - Wessel Islands

Today you join a guided tour of the Nabalco bauxite mine. after which you cruise through the Wessell Islands and weather and tide permitting enjoy a beach BBQ in the evening.

Coral Princess: English Company Islands

This morning you rejoin the vessel and cruise the English Company Islands and Malay Straits. Weather and tides permitting cruise through the unique “Hole in the Wall”. Here, expert guides and lecturers will share with you the fascinating history of the Macassan traders and early discoverers of the Arnhem Land coast, and at the end of the day enjoy a beach BBQ.

Day 8 - Sunday

Elcho Island

Visit the world renowned art centre at Elcho Island. Meet the local artists who have their art exhibited in the famous art galleries of the world, including the Louvre.

Day 9 - Monday

Arnhem Land - Raffles Bay

After cruising the Arnhem Land coast and Bowen Straits, land in Raffles Bay to learn of the Fort Wellington Settlement.

Day 10 - Tuesday

Cobourg Peninsula - Port Essington

Port Essington is famous for the ruins of the failed Victoria Settlement. Here we use the services of the National Park Rangers to guide and help us explore the ruins. We will also visit the Ranger’s Interpretation centre at Black Point.

Day 11 - Wednesday

Tiwi Islands

Visit Bathurst and Melville Island. With traditional Tiwi as our guides we learn of the unique cultures of the Tiwi people and visit their fascinating art centres. There is the opportunity to purchase their wonderful screen-printing art, woodcarvings and pottery. Tonight enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party.