Australia's Great Southern Coastline
with Coral Expeditions
- Relaxed small ship atmosphere
- All meals chef-prepared on board
- Departs 31 January 2025
Set sail on an expedition along Southern Australia’s rugged coast and 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 walks at Woody Island, a visit to extraordinary Jewel Cave, swimming with stingrays at Hamelin Bay and walk amongst the vines and enjoy a wine-tasting at the award-winning Leeuwin Estate in 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 Woolfords at Flinders Island for a beachside abalone tasting and learn the history and current conservation projects of the island.
- View the breathtaking 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 a wine-tasting experience at the award-winning Leeuwin Estate.
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
Arrive at Outer East Station Pier, Melbourne at 4:00pm, where there is time to settle into your stateroom before our 5:00pm departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard before joining your fellow explorers on the Sun Deck for Captain’s Welcome Drinks.
Day 2-14: Australia's Great Southern Coastline Cruise
Apollo Bay & 12 Apostles
Apollo Bay is a charming seaside town situated in the foothills of the Otway Ranges on the Great Ocean Road, surrounded by lush rainforest and towering mountains. Apollo Bay was given its name by Captain Loutit in 1845 after his trading vessel. Around that time the area was frequented by sailors, whalers, sealers, and timber cutters who began coming to the area in the early 1800s. However, settlers didn’t begin building their homesteads in the Apollo Bay area until 1849 – four years after the town was founded. We will visit the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse to sample some of the local tastes of the region. 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
Spend the morning exploring Port Fairy at your leisure. Walk the heritage trail to view grand public buildings which sit side by side with restored whalers’ cottages and Georgian-styled merchant homes. Or visit Griffiths Island: with its colony of shearwater seabirds, winding pathways, and the spectacular lighthouse at the eastern tip, it is a great place to explore. Continue to the infamous Shipwreck Coast. This stretch of coastline is a graveyard of 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.
Kangaroo Island
On the far eastern side of Kangaroo Island, Cape Willoughby juts into the ‘Backstairs Passage’ – the narrow strait between Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula that was named by Matthew Flinders as the ‘private entrance’ to the two gulfs. Lighting this 14km wide strait is the Cape Willoughby Light Station. We will visit the Lighthouse keeper’s cottage, learn of its interesting stories, and have the opportunity to climb the lighthouse itself. On the grounds, we will do a loop walk from the Lighthouse to the beautiful Smuggler’s Cove and often the special Kangaroo Island wallaby is spotted along the way.
Coffin Bay
Bordered by sea and National Parks, Coffin Bay is a stunning destination. The pristine waters of the bays in this area are home to numerous pods of dolphins, sea lions, seals, and many seabirds. Emus and kangaroos roam and the natural beauty of the turquoise sea, white sand dunes, and bright blue sky is a wonderful backdrop to our day’s adventures.
Join a guided tour of a local oyster farm surrounded by crystal-clear water brimming with wildlife. A veteran oyster farmer will share with you the history of oyster farming, and describe how premium Coffin Bay oysters are produced & how the pure Coffin Bay waterways create world-renowned oysters. You’ll also be taught how to shuck like a pro and enjoy fresh oysters straight from the source. Later this afternoon there is time for walks ashore at one of the many pristine beaches of the bay.
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.
Crossing the Great Australian Bight
Spend two days crossing the mighty Great Australian Bight. About halfway through our voyage, the Bunda Cliffs will come into view.
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 with many layers containing many fossils. Depending on sea conditions we will cruise along the cliffs and enjoy a vantage point from sea very rarely experienced.
Woody Island
Today we will explore 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 are several beautiful walks on the island, from easy to moderate, and you will appreciate the spectacular views across the archipelago along the way. For the bird lovers, a wide variety of bird life is sighted on the island, from land dwellers to those dependent on the sea. Spot singing & new holland honeyeaters, silvereyes, red-eared firetails, rock parrots and sacred kingfisher. While along the walk trails catch a glimpse of the golden whistlers, brown quails, spotted pardolalotes, brush bronzewings, raptors and fan tailed cuckoo.
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. Today guests will have the opportunity to visit the National ANZAC centre or Albany’s Whaling Station, exploring an intact whale processing factory and whale chasing ship, fully restored and ready to discover. Guests also have the option to enjoy free time in Albany, with opportunity to view the Museum of the Great Southern.
Augusta
Augusta is the most south-western town in Australia and is nearby to the towering karri timber of Boranup Forest and the 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. We will also visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia overlooking the point where the mighty Southern and Indian Oceans collide.
Hamelin Bay & Margaret River
Hamelin Bay is located on the southwest coast on a serene open sandy bay, famous 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. With clear and calm water, this is a great snorkel spot for all levels to enjoy interesting fish and plant life in the bay. A quintessential Western Australian destination, Margaret River is flanked with national parks including towering forests, pristine coastlines, and rugged granite outcrops. Spend the afternoon savouring a wine tasting at the award-winning Leeuwin Winery, with time to view the art gallery and walk the grounds of this picturesque Estate.
Day 16: Arrive 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 transfer to the airport or Perth/Fremantle CBDs 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.
Departure date: 31 January 2025
| Coral Adventurer |
Per person, twin share one way |
Per person, sole use one way* |
|---|---|---|
| Coral Deck | $10,550 | $15,825 |
| Promenade Deck | $12,660 | $18,990 |
| Explorer Deck | $16,880 | $25,320 |
| Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom | $18,460 | n/a |
| Bridge Deck Balcony Suite | $23,740 | 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.
