Chairman's Cruise - Australia's West Coast Odyssey

Perth, the sunniest capital city in Australia, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Start your day with a stroll through Kings Park and Botanic Garden, where you'll enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline and the Swan River. The park's diverse flora and tranquil walking trails provide a refreshing escape from the bustling city.

Explore the Perth Cultural Centre, home to the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum, which showcase indigenous and contemporary art and artifacts. For a unique experience, visit the Swan Bells at Barrack Square, a set of 18 bells that you can ring yourself. End your day with a sunset visit to Cottesloe Beach, famous for its golden sands and clear waters.

Ships dock at the Fremantle Cruise Passenger Terminal, which is just a short 15-minute walk from the town centre and approximately a 30-minute drive from Perth. Discover the bustling Fremantle Markets, offering local crafts, fresh produce, and eclectic eateries, or stroll along the iconic Cappuccino Strip for a taste of the city's lively atmosphere. Explore the historic Fremantle Prison, a UNESCO World Heritage site that received its first ship of convicts on 1 June 1850. For a scenic adventure, take a short ferry ride to Rottnest Island, home to adorable quokkas and pristine beaches.

Jurien Bay Marine Park located 150 kilometres north of Perth, was named by Captain Nicolas Baudin aboard the Géographe in honour of the French naval administrator Charles Marie Vicomte Jurien. The marine park surrounds dozens of ecologically important islands that contain rare and endangered animals found nowhere else in the world. The marine park and its immediate surrounds is the only major breeding area for Australian sea lions along the western coast of Australia. It is also a primary breeding ground for seabirds and is populated with a mix of temperate and tropical plants and animals, courtesy of the Leeuwin Current.

Due to the delicate nature of the environment, ships visiting the Abrolhos Islands typically anchor off the coast. Access to the islands is usually via tender boats. These islands provide a perfect opportunity for an immersive nature experience, close yet a world apart from everyday life.

Cape Peron, located in the heart of Shark Bay, Western Australia, is distinguished by its striking red cliffs that contrast dramatically against the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. This cape is part of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, recognized for its extraordinary natural features and biodiversity, including stromatolites, some of the oldest life forms on Earth.

Visitors can explore the Francois Peron National Park, accessible from the cape, which offers a rare glimpse into Australia's native wildlife and ecosystems. The area is also known for its excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, especially dolphins, dugongs, and manta rays. The combination of stunning landscapes and rich marine life makes Cape Peron a captivating destination for nature lovers and photographers alike.

The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area in Western Australia is renowned for its pristine marine environment and diverse terrestrial landscapes. The star attraction is the Ningaloo Reef, one of the longest fringing coral reefs in the world, where visitors can swim with whale sharks, manta rays, and turtles in crystal-clear waters.

On land, Cape Range National Park offers stunning limestone ranges, deep canyons, and an array of wildlife, including kangaroos and emus. Turquoise Bay is perfect for snorkelling, while Yardie Creek provides excellent hiking opportunities. The Ningaloo Coast’s rich biodiversity and unspoiled natural beauty make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.

Murujuga National Park and the islands of the Dampier Archipelago showcase what is thought to be the highest concentration of rock engravings of any known site in the world. Aboriginal people have been living there for more than 50,000 years and the petroglyphs (rock engravings) have been estimated to be as old as 40,000 years. The petroglyphs are diverse, depicting a record of what was meaningful to the Aboriginal people of the Pilbara and beyond. The sacred rock art’s traditional custodians are the Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi, the Yaburara-Mardudhunera and the Woon-goo-tt-oo and you will have the opportunity to visit Deep Gorge with a traditional custodian guide and marvel at the petroglyphs up close.

A pearling town celebrated for its Indian Ocean sunsets and rugged beauty, Broome also serves as gateway to the grand wilderness of the Kimberley region. The town is surrounded by lush green mangroves and mudflats along Roebuck Bay, but the interior is dry and rugged. Ships dock at Broome cruise terminal.

Top Things to Do in Broome:

• visit Willie Creek Pearl Farm
• ride a camel on Cable Beach
• take a scenic flight over the Buccaneer Archipelago and the Horizontal Falls
• visit Gantheaume Point at low tide to see dinosaur footprints