"Coral Expeditions" Cape York & Arnhem Land (Cairns - Darwin) 12D11N

All aboard Coral Discoverer for the adventure of a lifetime. Boarding commences at 4:00pm in Cairns, 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 as you sail northwards.

Spend the day exploring Lizard Island, which actress Kate Hudson famously referred to as “the most romantic place on Earth”. The stark, rugged beauty of the Island, rising 359-metres above sea level, contrasts sharply with the sparkling blue waters and surrounding fringing reefs.

Hike to the summit of Cook’s Look and enjoy the same view Lt. James Cook did when searching for safe passage through the maze of coral reefs. Snorkel over giant clam gardens from the beach at Watson’s Bay, relax on the white-sand beach beneath the shady sheoak trees and learn about the tragic tale of Mary Watson, who died of thirst near the Island at just 21-years-old.

There may be an opportunity to visit the Lizard Island Research Station, a coral reef research facility owned and operated by the Australian Museum. The major island-based research facility on the Great Barrier Reef, this research station attracts researchers from around the world – with approximately 100 projects annually.

Come ashore on Stanley Island. Located at the tip of Cape Melville, Stanley Island is an integral part of the mythological complex of the Flinders Group. With a local Indigenous guide, explore spectacular rock art sites, the best known being the huge Yintayin rock shelter (Tindale’s “Endaen”) known as the “Ship” rock shelter. The rock art walls of the Ship shows ships from a number of nations, painted in red and white ochre on the red sandstone. Some construe the images of European vessels with high sterns to be 16th or 17th (Portuguese) ships.

In the afternoon, venture over to Davies Reef, one of the few reefs inside the Great Barrier Reef that has its own Automatic Weather Station (AWS). The diving here is excellent with many different sites: walls, deep gutters and huge pinnacles.

Enjoy snorkelling or glass bottom boat tours over the vibrant fringing reef, or stroll on the cay and observe the resident Brown Boobie colony.

Spend the day exploring Wuthara Island. Wander through the national park and explore pink granite headlands and grasslands dotted with resilient termite mounts. Keep an eye out for abundant birdlife including white-bellied sea eagles, pied imperial pigeons and black naped terns. The beach stone curlew is especially vulnerable.

In the water, spend time swimming, snorkeling and diving or take a glass bottom boat tour. You will hear the story of beche-de-mer fisherman Frederick Lancaster, who inhabited this Island and visit his gravesite.

There is also an opportunity to go beachcombing at a nearby remote island, possibly Magra, Saunders, or Sir Charles Hardy.

As the sun rises, start your day with a glass of champagne at Cape York, the northernmost point of the Australian continent.

Then, leave the mainland behind, and journey north to the Torres Strait Islands. You will anchor at Waiben (Thursday) Island, the administrative centre of the Torres Strait. It is believed the Island got its English name from Captain Bligh, who sailed past it on a Thursday.

Join a fascinating tour of the Island to learn about its pearling history and multicultural influences. You will visit the Green Hill Fort and the cannons that once guarded the Island’s main approaches and have ample time to discover the Island’s other must-see sights including the Torres Strait Historical Museum (located in an underground tunnel) and the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, home to an array of historical artefacts and contemporary Indigenous art.

You may also visit other Torres Strait Islands such as Badu or Moa.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as you cruise across the Gulf of Carpentaria. Listen in to informative presentations by your guest lecturers and take time to laze in the sun, read a book or simply watch the world go by.

Travel through the narrow channel between Raragala and Guluwuru Islands, known as the ‘Hole In The Wall’ or the Gugari Rip. As you cruise through this quirk of geography, learn about the Kentish Affair, which happened in nearby waters: the only time an Australian – and a civilian priest at that – was captured by the Japanese forces in World War II.

In the evening, stop off at Raragala Island for an early evening stroll among the dunes just back from an untouched beach. As you walk, keep an eye out for white-bellied sea eagles, osprey, sooty oyster catchers and more.

The friendly locals of Elcho Island proudly welcome you to their community this morning. After the Goulburn Island mission was set up in 1921, Elcho Island was chosen as the site for a second Methodist overseas mission. Galiwin’ku, the main town on the Island, was established in 1942 as a refuge from possible bombing of the nearby Air Force Base during World War II. Today, Galiwin’ku is the largest aboriginal community in north-east Arnhem Land.

During your time on the Island, meet with local artists who have their unique art exhibited in famous art galleries around the world including the Louvre in Paris, France.

In the afternoon, visit the community and the Gawa Christian School.

Spend the day exploring Maningrida, an Aboriginal community in the heart of Arnhem Land. Pay a visit to the renowned Maningrida Arts & Culture Centre and learn about the local art movement, with its roots in body art, rock art and cultural practices. You will find hundreds of artists’ works at the centre including internationally acclaimed artists including John Mawrundjul, Owen Yalandja, Crusoe Kurddal and Lena Yarinkura. There is a boutique attached to the museum if you wish to make any purchases.

Discover Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula. This was the first national park in Australia to be jointly managed by the Aboriginal traditional owners in conjunction with Parks and Wildlife.

Guided by Park Rangers in Port Essington, famous for the failed Victoria Settlement, explore the ruins while learning about the fascinating history of this early colonial outpost.

Then, if there is time, venture to the world’s first RAMSAR Wetlands Area (wetlands of international importance). Here, you will find a wealth of migratory birds to Australia as well as 6 of the 7 species of marine turtles, dolphins, sharks, crocodiles, stingrays and more.

Cap off your expedition with a visit to the remote Tiwi Islands, known to locals as the ‘Island of Smiles’. With local Tiwi guides, set out to explore Bathurst Island, one of the two main islands. You will be greeted with a traditional cultural performance and basket weaving exhibition before enjoying a traditional Australian afternoon tea of damper and billy tea.

As you explore, you will quickly discover that the Tiwi Islands are famous for their traditional lifestyle, stunning artworks, vibrant fabrics and textiles, plus an exuberant passion for football.

All good things must come to an end! After breakfast, say farewell to the crew and disembark in Darwin at 8:30am 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.