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Guide to:
Cairns
Townsville
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Coral Princess Cruises
Expedition Cruises to the
Australian Outback

Across the Top of Australia

Darwin to Cairns
12 Days / 11 Nights from AUD 6,850*.

Day 1 - 15 Oct 2010 / 22 Oct 2010
07.00am: Board Coral Princess or Oceanic Discoverer at Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory and gateway to the Top End. Depart Darwin at 08.00am for the Tiwi Islands. This afternoon we visit Bathurst and Melville Islands. With traditional Tiwi as our guides we learn of the unique cultures of the Tiwi people and visit their fascinating art centers. There is the opportunity to purchase their wonderful screen-printing, art, woodcarvings and pottery. This evening enjoy the Captain's Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party.

Tiwi Artist (41KB)

Victoria Settlement (79KB)

Day 2
On Coburg Peninsula, 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 Center at Black Point.

Day 3
Having cruised through the Bowen Strait and across the Arnhem Land coast we make landfall on the welcoming island of Milingimbi and later in the afternoon we cruise to Elcho Island. The friendly locals proudly welcome and share with us their culture and offer their art pieces for sale.

Day 4
We explore the beautiful islands of the Wessell Group. Here our expert guides and lecturers will share with you the fascinating history of the Macassan traders and early discoverers. Time and tides permitting we will enjoy a beach BBQ on one of these uninhabited islands.

Expert Guides (53KB)

Day 5- Oceanic Discoverer Learn of the history of World War II at Jensens Bay before cruising through The Hole in the Wall. Join our Guest Lecturer for a discussion on traditional aboriginal philosophy on Wigram Island.

Day 6- Oceanic Discoverer
Our guest lecturers will recap on the voyage and share with us their knowledge of the region as we cross the Gulf of Carpentaria to Thursday Island.

Day 7- Oceanic Discoverer This morning during the tour of Thursday Island we learn of the history of European settlement and the large pearling fleets. We will also have the opportunity to observe the distinctly different cultures of the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginals. This afternoon we are guests of the local school when the children perform traditional dances for us. Following a short cruise to Cape York we go ashore and enjoy the sunset and champagne at the Tip of Australia.

Thursday Island Dancers (54KB)

Day 5: Gove - Coral Princess
We cruise through The Hole in the Wall, Malay Straits and berth in the port of Nhulunbuy (Gove). On disembarking we are transferred to the Walkabout Lodge, tonight's accommodation.

Day 6: Nabalco Bauxite Mine and Horn Island - Coral Princess
This morning we join a tour of the Nabalco bauxite mine and Nambarra Art Centre. After lunch we visit the Yirrkala Arts and crafts centre and transfer to the airport for our charter flight across the Gulf of Carpentaria to Horn Island. Here we enjoy a tour of the island and learn of the significance of the Torres Strait Islands during World War II. Accommodation tonight is at the Gateway Torres Strait Resort.

Day 7: Thursday Island - Coral Princess
This morning we are transferred by ferry to Thursday Island and rejoin Coral Princess. During the tour of Thursday Island we learn of the history of European settlement and the large pearling fleets. We will also have the opportunity to observe the distinctly different cultures of the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginals. This afternoon we visit Gab Titui Cultural Centre where the local children perform traditional dances. Following a short cruise to Cape York we go ashore and enjoy the sunset and champagne at the Tip.

Day 8
Forbes Island and reef: Enjoy the day exploring this historical island. Time for swimming, snorkelling, diving and reef fishing.

Sand Cay (25KB)

Day 9 Davey Reef / Flinders Group of Islands: at Davey Reef and Cay we enjoy swimming and snorkelling and observe the large seabird rookery. We then go ashore at Stanley Island and view the Endaen Aboriginal rock art gallery depicting sailing ships of the last century. This is a unique art site seldom visited due to its isolated location. Time permitting we will also go ashore at Cape Melville famous for its peculiar mass of granite boulders that have tumbled down to the waters edge.

Day 10
Lizard Island: Here we spend the day at one of the most beautiful islands on the Queensland Coast. We have the opportunity to climb Cook’s Look, enjoy swimming and snorkelling and explore the Blue Lagoon.

Day 11
Ribbon Reefs. Enjoy the day snorkelling, swimming and coral viewing on the magnificent Great Barrier Reef. This evening join the Captain and crew for his farewell cocktail party.

Day 12
Arrive into the Port of Cairns at approximately 8.00am.

Please Note: This itinerary is an indication of the reef, islands and coastal areas we visit. While every effort will be made to follow the itinerary we do reserve the right to vary this itinerary to make allowances for weather and tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.

Please note: These cruises are extremely popular and availability is very limited. We strongly recommend to make your reservation at least one year in advance.

Please visit our guide to Darwin and Cairns for more of
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* Cabin fare in AUD, based on double occupancy.

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Last modified: 21 Feb 2010 23:15