This expedition across the Tip of Australia offers an immersion into the diverse and ancient Indigenous cultures of remote Cape York, Arnhem Land and the Torres Strait Islands. On this small ship voyage into prehistoric landscapes, learn about the song-lines and lore that shaped these ancient cultures, allowing your expert guides to interpret your surroundings including the world`s oldest rock art that shows depictions of extinct animals and tells the stories of seafarers long before British colonisation. You will learn how generations have passed down artistic traditions, and how this important cultural legacy is flourishing at world-renown art centres in Yirrkala and Nhulunbuy. Watch Elders share their story through art at Maningrida before sailing to secluded Lizard Island where you will snorkel in azure waters over giant clam gardens and stroll over the white sand beaches of Watsons Bay before taking a tour of Australia Museum`s Lizard Island Research Station, globally recognised as a world-leading research facility on the Great Barrier Reef. The Cape York and Arnhem Land expedition is a fascinating tapestry that immerses keen explorers in the very best of Australia`s northern coastline.
Highlights:
- Be immersed in the world’s oldest surviving culture in Arnhem Land
- Spend a full day exploring the rugged Cobourg Peninsula for historical ruins and fascinating wildlife
- With a local guide, visit the remote and culturally rich Tiwi Islands
- Learn about Indigenous art at Elcho Island and Maningrida Art Centres
- Stand on the very tip of Australia at Cape York for a champagne sunset
- Visit Thursday Island and learn about the cultures of the Torres Strait
- Explore Lizard Island and the northern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef
- Discover the Arnhem Land coast, once the trading ground of the Makassan people
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DISCOUNTS:
These fares are based on full brochure fare. Please note that the prices shown here are not shown in real time availability or pricing. Please check with your consultant at time of enquiry if your preferred cabin type is available and for your best offer!
Single Occupancy Fares: Coral Expeditions have allocated several staterooms for solo travellers. Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer have two staterooms allocated in each of the Explorer Deck, Promenade Deck and Coral Deck categories. Coral Discoverer has two staterooms allocated in the Promenade Deck Category B. These fares are subject to a sole-supplement.
No Sole Supplement Offers: Occasionally Coral Expeditions run special offers on select voyages so you can enjoy a room to yourself at the twin share rate. For these offers they open additional staterooms beyond the ones allocated for solo travellers. These offers are subject to availability.
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Cape York & Arnhem Land - Cruise only package includes:
- 11 night cruise aboard Coral Discoverer from Cairns to Darwin
- All meals onboard, chef-prepared
- Captain`s welcome and farewell events, and open bridge access
- Selected wines, selected beers and house spirits, juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
- 24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station
- All excursions with our Expedition Team
- Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and kayaks
- Snorkelling equipment
- Daily lectures and briefings with Guest Lecturers
- All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities
- Tips and gratuities
- Use of all onboard facilities, incl. a reference library
- Your expedition photos captured during the voyage
- Wifi Access – Standard speed connectivity enabling email, social image sharing, web browsing and messaging
- Post-cruise transfers (in most destinations)
NOT INCLUDED:
- Pre-cruise transfers
- Alcoholic drinks outside of lunch and dinner service
- Premium Internet services
- Laundry service (available at a cost)
- Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
- Optional extras (ins some destinations)
Note: This itinerary is an indication of the destinations visited and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition changes may be made 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.
Special Conditions
*Conditions Apply: All prices shown here are per person share twin (unless stated as single) in AUD, based on best available cruise fare at time of publication (22Nov23). Some cabins may have obstructed views. All airfares/taxes are due in full 24 hours from reservation and strict cancellation/change fees apply. Selected routing and airlines apply to package offers - any variances requested by guest will incur surcharges. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Travel agent service fees may apply. Special conditions apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Please note that the prices shown here are not shown in real time. While we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ from the prices in our booking system at time of reservation. Transfers only included if guests are arriving/departing by air at specific airports on exact package dates. Offer subject to availability at time of booking. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty.
Special Validity Dates
Special is valid from 24 June 2024 to 25 March 2025 or until sold out/withdrawn.
Cruise Itinerary
Date
Port
Arrive
Depart
1 Apr 2025
Cairns, Qld, Australia
05:00 PM
2 Apr 2025
Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia
3 Apr 2025
Stanley Island, Queensland, Australia
4 Apr 2025
Forbes Island, Queensland, Australia
5 Apr 2025
Cape York, Qld, Australia
5 Apr 2025
Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia
6 Apr 2025
At Sea
7 Apr 2025
Wessel Islands, Northern Territory, Australia
8 Apr 2025
Elcho Island, Australia
9 Apr 2025
Maningrida, Northern Territory, Australia
10 Apr 2025
Port Essington, Cobourg Peninsula
11 Apr 2025
Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia
12 Apr 2025
Darwin, NT, Australia
11 Night cruise departing from Cairns to Darwin onboard Coral Discoverer.
Our expedition across the Tip of Australia offers an immersion into the diverse and ancient Indigenous cultures of remote Cape York, Arnhem Land and the Torres Strait Islands. On this small ship voyage into prehistoric landscapes, learn about the song-lines and lore that shaped these ancient cultures, allowing your expert guides to interpret your surroundings including the world’s oldest rock art that shows depictions of extinct animals and tells the stories of seafarers long before British colonisation. You will learn how generations have passed down artistic traditions, and how this important cultural legacy is flourishing at world-renown art centres in Yirrkala and Nhulunbuy. Watch Elders share their story through art at Maningrida before sailing to secluded Lizard Island where you will snorkel in azure waters over giant clam gardens and stroll over the white sand beaches of Watsons Bay before taking a tour of Australia Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station, globally recognised as a world-leading research facility on the Great Barrier Reef. The Cape York and Arnhem Land expedition is a fascinating tapestry that immerses keen explorers in the very best of Australia’s northern coastline.
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 seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions, and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. Coral Expeditions suggests 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.
Coral Discoverer is our smaller expedition yacht, designed to take you to destinations that are inaccessible to larger vessels. Her shallow draught and manoeuverability make her highly versatile. She boasts ocean views from all public spaces, all outside-facing staterooms (some with balconies), and state-of-the-art tools for exploration including the Xplorer, zodiacs, a glass-bottom boat, and kayaks. Her Xplorer bar and adjacent sundeck lounge with 360-degree views are much-loved features. Carrying only 72 passengers, she offers an intimate expedition experience larger ships cannot replicate.
Coral Discoverer 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.
Ship Profile & Stats
Maiden voyage: 2005
Refurbished: 2016
Tonnage: 1,838 tonnes
Length: 63m
Beam: 13m
Draft: 3m
Speed: 12 Knots
Ship registration: Australia
Passenger capacity (dbl): 72
Crew nationality: Australian
Dining nationality: Australian
Ship Amenities
All Oceanview Cabins
Sitting Area
Individually Controlled Air Conditioning
Private Ensuite
i-Pod Dock
Ship Facilities
Laundry Facilities (Limited)
Gift Shop
Workout Area
Wireless internet available for laptops, PDAs and onboard computer
Xplorer, Zodiacs and Glass Bottom Boat
Phone and fax facilities
Lecture Lounge
Reference Library
Main Dining Room
Sun Deck
3 Cocktail Bars
Started in 1983, our company’s original vessel, Coral Princess, a converted World War II submarine chaser, pioneered and set the standard for small ship expedition cruising in northern Australia with 5-night cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.
Today, the Coral Expeditions’ fleet includes three purpose-built small ships that can be found anywhere from the tropical waters of Australia’s north to the rugged shores of Tasmania, from the coastal villages of Papua New Guinea and the Spice Islands, to sheltered sounds and glacial fiords of New Zealand.
While our range of cruise itineraries has expanded into new regions, we have maintained our home in Cairns and continue to be the only major operator of extended small ship cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.
There are many reasons why our guests return to Coral Expeditions for a truly authentic expedition.
A TRUE EXPEDITION ETHOS
At Coral Expeditions, we pride ourselves on getting our guests up close and personal with stunning landscapes, fascinating history and vibrant cultures. We have deep respect and a strong connection with the places we visit. We maintain flexibility in our planning to make impromptu stops if extraordinary opportunities in nature present. Our expeditions focus on truly experiencing the regions we visit.
OUR HOME TURF
When it comes to expedition cruising, there is no replicating experience. For 40 years, we have steadily accumulated a wealth of local knowledge and contacts in the coastal regions surrounding Australia. Our crew know the charts, the tides and the winds like no other to ensure you are in the right place at the right time. Whether you travel with us in the ancient Kimberley, Tasmania’s wilderness, the frontier lands of Papua New Guinea, or New Zealand’s majestic fiordlands, you will be assured a local perspective, with local guides, authentic interactions, and a true taste of local culture and cuisine.
OUR SMALL SHIPS
At the heart of the Coral Expeditions experience are our purpose-built small expedition ships and unique tenders. In an age of glitzy mega-vessels, our ships are truly intimate, carrying no more than 120 guests. This means that we can navigate into shallow bays, step ashore onto remote beaches and jetties, and visit small villages to make connections without overwhelming a community. We have designed the fleet to explore tropical waters with comfort and ease and to allow you to connect with the landscape we explore.
OUR CREW
Our crew live and breathe our destinations and the opportunity to show you a true expedition experience. We are the modern day seafaring pioneers of Australia, and we are proud to share our knowledge on coastal explorations with guests from around the globe. On our ships, we have no ‘back office’ roles. From our chefs to our engineers, our crew are here because they love to interact with people and show you their world. Join our engine room tours, view our chefs in our galley or chat with our officers on the bridge – they will be delighted to share company with you.
OUR RESPECT FOR COMMUNITIES
We have always made a determined effort to support the communities we visit. Our guests join in enthusiastically. We visit remote villages, participate in art and cultural traditions, and interact in local schools. We initiate and contribute to regional projects to support conservation, provide training and employment, and distribute economic benefit and relief supplies, all with guest support and involvement. It is an enriching and rewarding part of our expedition experience that leaves a lasting joy for us all.
THE FUTURE
As Coral Expeditions enters its fifth decade in existence, we remain true to our pioneering foundations. We have a new fleet of technologically advanced ships that provide many of the comforts of a large vessel, but without the crowds. We have embarked on a series of new adventures exploring the small islands of the world and broadening our footprint around our home shores of Australia. Yet, our purpose remains the same – taking small groups of like-minded explorers to beautiful parts of the world in our uniquely Australian style!
Located on the exclusive Bridge Deck close to the Lounge and Bridge, our six spacious Bridge Deck staterooms are 20sqm (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.
Available now, and brand new, Bridge Deck Staterooms offer guests private balconies opening out from french windows providing comfortable indoor outdoor living.
Encircled by a full-ship promenade, our 19 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.
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.
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.
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.
From
AU $16,990*
per person
*All prices are per person twin share unless stated as solo, triple or quad share.
