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Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 13 Day East Coast Discovery. Discover the beauty of Australia’s East Coast as you sail aboard a small ship from Cairns to Melbourne.
Itinerary
Be met on arrival at Cairns airport and transfer to your expedition ship. This evening, get to know your fellow guests at a welcome dinner and briefing with your Expedition Team. Stay 12 Nights: MS Caledonian Sky (D)
After a morning at sea, arrive at Willis Island, located just beyond the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy the chance to swim or snorkel amid the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands territory. It is an important nesting ground for turtles, so keep your eyes peeled. (B/L/D)
If island hopping is your thing, today will be one to remember. You have a full day to explore the spectacular Whitsundays in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Drag yourself away from secluded beaches and warm turquoise water to go hiking on the islands with your naturalist guides. (B/L/D)
After lunch, you'll dock at Great Keppel Island, one of the 18 islands of the Keppel group. Fringed by turquoise waters, hard coral reefs and beaches, the island is perfect for snorkelling. And with 90% of the island covered in native bushland, you might like to hit the winding walking trails with a guide to look for wildlife. Scan the trees for kookaburras, ospreys, beach curlews and rainbow lorikeets. (B/L/D)
Cruise to Lady Musgrave Island, one of the Great Barrier Reef's most iconic locations. Here you can snorkel and admire the beauty of the world below the surface as you come face-to-face with the remote island's diverse marine life. You can even take the opportunity to swim with the many sea turtles that call the tropical haven home. (B/L/D)
Voyage along the secluded shores of the world's largest sand island, World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. Anchored in Kingfisher Bay, you have the day to explore this natural wonder on an island tour. Wriggle your toes in the sand and head out to explore a patchwork of freshwater lakes, crystal-clear creeks, rainforest and immense dunes of coloured sands. Discover the island's wildlife, including dingoes, take a dip at Lake McKenzie, and look to the ocean to search for dugongs and dolphins. (B/L/D)
Enjoy a restful day at sea as your ship skirts the coast of New South Wales. (B/L/D)
As the journey along the New South Wales coast continues, the captain and Expedition Leader will look for a suitable landing and use Zodiacs to access the beach at Trial Bay. Exploring the Trial Bay Gaol, built in 1886, your thoughts drift between the haunting narrative and stunning coastal views. Afterwards, you might like to walk through Arakoon National Park hoping to spot kangaroos. (B/L/D)
Arrive in Newcastle, gateway to the Hunter Valley. Watch the city fade into lush vineyards as you head for one of Australia's oldest wine producing areas. All will be revealed during an afternoon at a renowned cellar door, tasting the fruits of a fine Hunter Valley harvest. (B/L/D)
Enjoy cruising the Clyde River into Batemans Bay, one of Australia's best-loved holiday towns, located in the centre of the Oyster Coast. Visit the Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens, where you can explore its fascinating collection of regional plants, and keep an eye out for local wildlife amid the forest. (B/L/D)
Arrive into the port of Eden, situated in magnificent Twofold Bay. A morning excursion leads you into Ben Boyd National Park where you have a choice of walks through the coastal landscape. A number of the park's lookouts boast views over the Pacific Ocean where, at this time of year, you might be lucky enough to see migrating humpback whales. With some free time in the town of Eden, perhaps visit the Killer Whale Museum or try some of the region's famous oysters. (B/L/D)
Reach the Gippsland region of Victoria today. Wilsons Promontory, affectionately known as ‘the Prom', is mainland Australia's southernmost national park, an isolated area of granite headlands, unique vegetation and geology. Jump aboard a Zodiac to land on one of the park's beautiful beaches where onboard naturalists will lead a series of nature walks. (B/L/D)
Your cruise ends in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne. After breakfast today, transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Hike through the Whitsundays with a naturalist guide and snorkel in the warm waters
- Be guided around World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, including iconic Lake McKenzie
- Take a Zodiac to Trial Bay for a hike through Arakoon National Park
- Taste some of the Hunter Valley's finest wines on day trip to the renowned wine region
- Experiences in 11 destinations
- Return airport transfers, porterage and cruise gratuities
- Locally inspired dining - a total of 35 meals
- A wide range of onboard beverages
- 12 nights aboard MS Caledonian Sky with daily excursions on Zodiac vessels
- Daily cruise Itinerary and timings subject to change
- Daily inclusions subject to change
- Zodiac Activity – This tour includes the use of Zodiacs for sightseeing or accessing ports
- Prices are for land/cruise only. Flights not included
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by APT. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from APT. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by APT. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from APT. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
