At a Glance
Discover Western Australia’s wild and untouched coast, with this exhilarating 13-day expedition cruise from Broome to Freemantle. Highlights include the Dampier Archipelago, Montebello Islands, Ningaloo Reef, Cape Range National Park, the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and the Arbrolhos Islands.
Embarking from Broome, this immersive cruise aboard the Coral Geographer explores one of the world’s most remote coastlines, showcasing uninterrupted stretches of white sandy beaches, colourful coral reefs, breathtaking gorges and brilliant carpets of seasonal wildflowers. With expert guides, discover the coast’s best dive spots, teeming with marine life including tropical fish, dolphins, dugongs, humpback whales and even elusive whale sharks. Visit protected bird areas including the home of 35% of all of Australia’s bird species. Along the way, learn about the fascinating maritime and Indigenous history – from the Malgana ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 12-nights’ accommodation aboard Coral Geographer on a twin share basis
- Expert Expedition Team and Guest Lecturers
- An authentic, flexible expedition itinerary
- Comprehensive and fully guided sightseeing in each destination
- Lectures, workshops and demonstrations onboard
- All meals, chef-prepared on board
- Showcase wines, selected beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner service
- Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Events, and Open Bridge Access
- 24-hour coffee and teas
- Use of all onboard facilities, including a reference library
Itinerary
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All aboard the Coral Geographer for the adventure of a lifetime. Boarding commences at 4:00pm in Broome, where there is time to settle into your stateroom before the 5:00pm departure. Take time to familiarise yourself with all the facilities onboard before meeting your fellow travellers, the Captain and crew for the Captain’s Welcome Drinks. |
Coral Geographer
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Arrive into the Dampier Archipelago, a chain of 42 coastal islands, islets and rocks. Named for English explorer William Dampier who first visited the Cygnet in 1699, the archipelago is a wonderland of coral reefs, sponge gardens and more than 650 species of fish. It is also home to the green, hawksbill, and flatback turtles that nest on its beaches. Dolphins, dugongs and whales have also been spotted in surrounding waters. Spend around 3 days exploring the archipelago including Dolphin Island. Swim in the vibrant blue water or paddle out for a leisurely kayak. Search for Aboriginal petroglyphs on remote island beaches and learn about the Yaburara, the islands’ earliest inhabitants. Birdwatchers will have the opportunity to see several species of migratory waders as well as ospreys and sea eagles. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the elusive Rothschild rock wallaby. |
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Venture to the Montobello Islands, an archipelago of 265 low-lying limestone islands and islets fringed by coral reefs. Like the Dampier Peninsula, the Montes, as the locals call them, are considered an Important Bird Area, as they support over 1 percent of the world populations of fairy and roseate terns, as well as sooty oystercatchers. The Montes also have an ‘explosive’ past. In 1952 and 1956, the British carried out atomic weapons testing on the Alpha and Trimouille Islands – relics of the military operation can still be found on the islands today. You will visit the plinth, which marks Ground Zero, where you now find a haven for wildlife, including the rufous hare wallaby. Nevertheless, the best part of the Montes is in the water. Swim at the beautiful beaches and keep an eye out for large game fish including black and striped marlin and sailfish. |
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Arrive at the crown jewel of the Coral Coast, the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. The crystalline water harbours the world’s largest fringing reef, a 260-kilometre (162mi) long coral reef swarming with turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, humpback whales and the legendary whale shark. Nowhere else on Earth do these majestic creatures reliably congregate in such large numbers as here. Spend time exploring the Muiron Islands, known for their incredible reef, colourful soft corals, an abundance of turtles, schools of fish and even sightings of manta rays. The islands are separated by a deepwater channel known as ‘The Spit’. As you dive this natural gap you will be enveloped by hundreds of tiny baitfish. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a grey nurse shark sleeping peacefully under a ledge. Birdlife is plentiful on shore – look out for wedgetail shearwaters, roseate terns, osprey and black shouldered kites (just to name a few). |
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Delve deep into Cape Range National Park, a spectacular place of rugged limestone ranges, deep canyons and pristine beaches. Lace up your hiking boots for the 1.2-kilometre Yardie Creek Nature Walk famous for its ancient red cliffs and deep blue water. Then, cool off with a swim at Turquoise Bay, named Western Australia’s best beach and 6th in the world. Keen adventurers may hike to Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, one of the few locations in Australia where both the sunrise and sunset can be observed. Alternatively, why not visit the Milyering Discovery Centre to learn more about the National Park and Ningaloo Reef? Built of rammed earth and powered by solar energy, the centre was the first totally environmentally friendly building of its type in Australia. There will also be time to explore the town of Exmouth. |
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Spend 2 days exploring the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, the first location in Western Australia to receive UNESCO World Heritage status in 1991. At the most westerly point of the Australian continent, Shark Bay, with its islands and the land surrounding it, has 3 exceptional natural features: its vast sea-grass beds, which are the largest and richest in the world; its dugong (‘seacow’) population; and its stromatolites (colonies of algae which form hard, dome-shaped deposits and are among the oldest forms of life on Earth). The region is also home to a staggering 35% of all of Australia’s bird species. Visit Dampier’s Landing, where William Dampier came ashore in August 1699, describing the vegetation and making the first scientific collection of Australian plants. He also named Shark Bay, and 300 years later, a plaque was erected at this site in his honour. While in the area, visit Shell Beach, a beautiful snow-white beach made up of billions of tiny shells up to 10 metres deep and stretching for over 70-kilometres. There is no sand, only shells! In the afternoon, snorkel at Louisa Bay on the eastern side of Dirk Hartog Island. Cabbage corals dominate this area, but there are also staghorns and massive pocillopora and pink pocillopora species. Spot reef fish including coral trout, blue-lined emperor, scribbled angelfish and the fully protected potato cod. |
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Your journey culminates with a visit to the Abrolhos Islands, one of Western Australia’s most unique marine areas. Located about 60-kilometres off the coast of Geraldton, this group of 122 islands is clustered into 3 main groups: the Wallabi Group, Easter Group and Pelsaert Group, which extend north to south across 100-kilometres of ocean. Often described as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, the Abrolhos Islands are a haven for fishing, birdwatching, snorkeling and diving. Spend time exploring the brilliant blue waters, looking out for tropical and temperate marine life including sea lions, bottlenose dolphins and green turtles. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a migrating humpback whale. Meanwhile, on land, keep your eyes peeled for Western Australia’s famous quokka as well as more than 90 species of seabird. While in the area, visit Liddon Pearls on Post Office Island in the Pelsaert. Here, you will learn the secrets of the pearling industry including the different shells and pearl categories. You will also gain insight into the renowned crayfishing industry of the island from a 4th generation family. |
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All good things must come to an end! After breakfast, say farewell to the crew and disembark in Freemantle at 7:30am to commence your onward journey. NOTE: The itinerary is indicative. No two expedition cruises will be the same, with each expedition crafted by the experienced Masters and Expedition Leaders. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. We suggest that you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling. |
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Dates & Prices
Please contact us for the available Cabins & Prices. Limited single cabins are available for solo travellers. Please contact us for more information.
More Info
The start point is Broome, Western Australia.
The finish point is Freemantle, Western Australia.
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<li>Pre and post flights, transfers and hotels</li>
<li>Entry visas/travel permits</li>
<li>Travel Insurance</li>
<li>Items of a personal nature including but not limited to phone and internet communications and bar charges (outside of the included drinks package as highlighted), laundry charges and souvenir purchases</li>
</ul>
<p>Tipping is not required. Other cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your account and service charges to your bar invoices. On Coral Geographer the crew has no other agenda than your delight.</p>
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
