Australia's Great Southern Coastline
with Coral Expeditions
- Relaxed small ship atmosphere
- Learn to shuck your own delicious oysters and come together for a beachside abalone tasting
- Departs 13 February 2024
Set sail on a 14-night adventure into Southern Australia’s rugged coast and enjoy an expedition into the wild nature, rich history and delicious produce of the region.
Cast off from Melbourne to explore the unique natural beauty of Apollo Bay and the famed Twelve Apostles. Learn the history of Port Fairy with its Georgian style merchant homes and visit the character-filled township of Robe. Enjoy many opportunities to sample the freshest produce straight from the source with oysters at Coffin Bay and abalone at Flinders Island. As we round the southwest edge of Australia, enjoy time ashore with sunset drinks at Woody Island, a visit to extraordinary Jewel Cave, swimming with stingrays at Hamelin Bay and walk amongst the vines and sample wines through the Margaret River region.
The fleet
Coral Expeditions' small ships and unique itineraries take you to some of the most beautiful and remote regions of Australia, the Asia Pacific, South Pacific and the Indian Ocean. On board you will discover a personalised style of cruising. With ships carrying only 72 to 120 guests, you can say goodbye to queues, long waits, and assigned seating. Instead, enjoy a relaxed, convivial atmosphere shared with like-minded explorers.
Without crowds to worry about, the chefs can prepare small-batch meals made with Australian ingredients. Where possible, they procure from local food markets. The shallow draft and high manoeuvrability of the purpose-designed expedition ships let you get closer on coastal adventures to explore the sheltered bays and hidden inlets inaccessible to larger ships.
Coral Geographer
Launched in March 2021, Coral Geographer is the newest addition to the fleet, purpose-designed to access remote wilderness shores around the world that are often inaccessible to large cruise vessels. Coral Geographer carries a maximum of 120 guests, delivering Coral Expeditions’ renowned warm Australian hospitality, intimate onboard atmosphere, and world-class expedition experience.
- 120-passenger ship
- 6 bridge deck suites with horizon bathtubs
- 60 spacious staterooms – all outside facing
- Over 1000 square metres of open deck space
- Wrap-around promenade deck with panoramic views
- Shallow draft to access remote destinations
- Two trademark Xplorer tenders
- Six zodiacs for more intrepid exploration
Coral Adventurer
Launched in April 2019, Coral Adventurer is a tropical expedition ship purpose-designed to access remote wilderness shores in Australia and internationally, that are often inaccessible to large cruise vessels. Carrying a maximum of 120 passengers – Coral Adventurer is purpose-built to take you closer to unspoiled vistas in comfort, style, and safety.
- 120 guests
- 2 bridge deck ‘Cairns’ and ‘Darwin’ suites
- 60 spacious staterooms – all outside facing
- Over 1000 square metres of open deck space
- Wrap-around promenade deck with panoramic views
- Shallow draft to access remote destinations
- Two trademark Xplorer tenders
- Six zodiacs for more intrepid exploration
Coral Discoverer
Coral Discoverer is our smaller expedition yacht, designed to take you to destinations that are inaccessible to larger vessels. Carrying only 72 passengers, she offers an intimate expedition experience larger ships cannot replicate.
- 72 guests
- 6 spacious bridge deck balcony staterooms
- 36 spacious staterooms – all outside facing
- Over 1000 square metres of open deck space
- Wrap-around promenade deck with panoramic views
- Shallow draft to access remote destinations
- One trademark Xplorer tenders
- Two zodiacs for more intrepid exploration
Highlights
- Climb Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, the tallest on mainland Australia, to take in the view over the Southern Ocean
- Learn to shuck your own delicious oysters fresh from the waters of Coffin Bay
- Meet with the Woolford’s at Flinders Island for a beachside abalone tasting and learn the history and current conservation projects of the island
- Stroll through breath-taking Jewel Cave at Augusta and learn about its formation over thousands of years
- Relax and enjoy sunset drinks alongside the friendly kangaroos at wildlife haven Lucky Bay
- Swim with the majestic stingrays and eagle rays that swim in the shallows of Hamelin Bay
- Indulge in tasting experiences in the award-winning Margaret River wine country
Inclusions
- All excursions with our Expedition Team
- Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and Kayaks
- Snorkelling & SCUBA equipment (SCUBA diving at an additional cost)
- Daily lectures and briefings with Guest Lecturers
- All meals, chef-prepared on board
- 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 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
- Post-cruise transfers (in most destinations)
Day 1: Depart Melbourne
Board Coral Geographer at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm departure.
Day 2-14: Australia's Great Southern Coastline Cruise
Dirk Hartog Island National Park
Located along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay is part of the Great Otway National Park. Explore the natural beauty of this location by strolling the park to spot the 3 cascades of the Triplet Falls and walk to the lookout for panoramic views of the seascape.
12 Apostles
View the rugged splendor of the renowned 12 Apostles that lie in the Southern Ocean off Victoria’s coast. The limestone cliffs are subject to constant erosion from the impact of storms and winds, which carved the caves in the cliffs. When the caves eroded into arches and collapsed, their 45m high rocky remains were left along the shore.
Port Fairy
Enjoy a walking town tour of this historic heritage settlement. Grand public buildings sit side by side with restored whalers’ cottages and Georgian styled merchant homes. Continue to the infamous Shipwreck Coast. This stretch of coastline is graveyard to around 700 submerged wrecks, leaving behind their fascinating stories. Captain Matthew Flinders notably said he had never seen a ‘more fearful section of coastline’.
Robe
Spend time today in the historic and picturesque town of Robe. Located on the Limestone Coast, it offers incredible views and unique food, drink and shopping opportunities. One of Australia’s most character-filled small towns, Robe is known for its cottage industries. Spend your day exploring through the quaint shops and craft breweries or relax on the beach and watch surfers catching a wave.
Coffin Bay
Here we will hike through the Coffin Bay National Park to get an understanding of the forests and environment – enjoy the interpretation of the heathlands, mallee forest and she-oak woodlands. Discover the tranquil bays and snorkel or kayak with the chance to spot some of the marine life. There is also the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable wild cuisine experience – enjoy a small boat cruise along the oyster beds to collect your oysters and enjoy them fresh from the sea.
Flinders Island
Flinders Island is located about 35km from the Eyre Peninsula Coast and has been owned by the Woolford family since 1979, where they fish for abalone and are working to establish a safe haven for vulnerable native species. Meet Tobin and Jonas Woolford on Front Beach, learn of the island’s history and taste freshly pan-seared abalone. Explore the historic shearing sheds and head to Bryant’s Bay to visit the Kapara shipwreck.
Bunda Cliffs
For 100km along the Great Australian Bight runs these awe inspiring 120m tall white chalky Bunda Cliffs. This 300m thick limestone slab was once part of an ancient seabed, and now forms the Nullarbor Plain, extending far inland many layers containing many fossils. This is a very rarely explored area of the Australian coastline with over 1000 islands and our visit will be an adventurous exploration of the rocky islands and sweeping beaches of the region.
Woody Island
Located just 15km off the coast of Esperance, Woody Island’s stands of tall trees have given it its name. Surrounded by pristine, clear waters, you will have the opportunity to experience the snorkel trail in Shearwater Bay. The cool southern waters provide excellent visibility for your journey of discovery. There is whaling history throughout the area as well as numerous wrecks, including the second-largest diveable wreck in Australia, the Sanko Harvest, which lays between 18 to 40 metres.
Lucky Bay
Along quiet Lucky Bay, kangaroos are known to laze on the whitest sand in Australia. Enjoy time on the beach meeting the friendly wildlife and the turquoise water is wonderful for a quick swim. If time permits, enjoy a walk to Thistle Cove, taking in the peaceful beauty of the national park, which is home to pygmy possums, western grey kangaroos and many colourful native wildflowers.
Albany
Albany is the oldest colonial settlement in Western Australia, predating Perth and Fremantle by over two years. For many years, it was the colony’s only deep-water port, having a place of eminence on shipping services between Britain and its Australian colonies. The town has a role in the ANZAC legend, being the last port of call for troop ships departing with infantry and cavalry horses from Australia in the First World War.
Augusta
Jewel Cave Augusta Margaret River Region
Augusta is the most south-western town in Australia and is nearby to the towering karri timber of Boranup Forest and spectacular Jewel Cave. We will visit Jewel Cave, an awe-inspiring and extremely well decorated cave, containing many beautiful examples of delicate helictites, cave coral, pendulites, a very large stalagmite called ‘The Karri Forest’ and beautiful examples of flowstone such as ‘The Frozen Waterfall’ and ‘The Organ-Pipes’. Remarkably, fossilised remains of several Tasmanian Tigers have been discovered within Jewel Cave.
Hamelin Bay
Located on the southwest coast on a serene open sandy bay, Hamelin Bay is known for the abundance of stingrays which frequent the bay. Snorkel with these friendly giant rays, which can measure up to 2 meters wide, and love to swim up close to snorkellers. Enjoy a guided tour of Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia. Climb the tower to be rewarded with a vast seascape with crashing waves and surrounding wilderness. Walk the grounds and explore the beautifully restored heritage site.
Day 15: Arrive Fremantle
Disembark Fremantle: Arrive in Fremantle at 8:00am as we say goodbye to fellow travellers and crew before a 9:00am disembarkation. A complimentary post-cruise transfers to the airport or CBD will be available.
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 Geographer |
Per person, twin share |
Per person, sole use one way* |
| Coral Deck |
$9120 | $13,680 |
| Promenade Deck | $10,950 | $16,425 |
| Explorer Deck | $14,690 | $22,035 |
| Bridge Deck Balcony Suite | $19,620 | n/a |
*Limited sole use occupancy available.
*Terms & Conditions apply. Prices are per person, listed in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include GST. A non-refundable 20% deposit is required at time of booking, balance of the fare is due 90 days prior to departure. A $500pp date change fee for changes made more than 90 days before departure applies. Date change within 90 days of departure is considered a cancellation and standard Cancellation Policy applies. Further Coral Expeditions terms & conditions apply. Please contact your RAC travel consultant for full terms and conditions.
General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.
