Inclusions

• Daily excursions and activities led by expert guides
• Special hosts delivering interpretive programs
• 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
• Premium wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks from 11am - 10pm daily 
• 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
• Wifi Access – Standard speed connectivity enabling email, social image sharing, web browsing and messaging

Day 1: Fremantle 

Embarkation: Welcome to those who have decided to join us on our Great Southern Shores voyage! Your boarding with begin at 2:00pm on 13 November 2025.

Day 2-20: Great Southern Shores

Busselton - Leeuwin Estate Winery of Margaret River

Family-owned Leeuwin Estate is one of five founding wineries of the now famous Margaret River district of Western Australia, under the direction of two generations who work with a team of highly skilled winemakers to consistently produce wines ranking alongside the world’s finest.

Leeuwin Estate combines fine wine and food in a picturesque setting in Western Australia’s Margaret River region. With sweeping views overlooking the majestic Karri Forest, this afternoon we will travel to Leeuwin Estate for a four-course combination of exceptional seasonal West Australian produce, focusing on flavour, texture, and aromas, with current Leeuwin Estate wines.

We will spend the day here for a signature event: specially paired wines and a locally inspired, expertly designed lunch menu.

Augusta

Augusta is the most south-western town in Australia and is nearby to the towering karri timber of Boranup Forest and spectacular Jewel Cave. The south west coast was first seen by explorers in 1622 from the Dutch ship Leeuwin. Then expeditions by French explorers De Freycinet, D’Entrecasteaux, Baudin and Hamelin sighted the coast in the late 18th to early 19th century.

Captain Matthew Flinders charted the south west coast from 1801 to 1803 and proved that Cape Leeuwin was part of the mainland. With the arrival of settlers, Augusta was founded in 1830. The subsequent increase in ship traffic over the next few decades led to the construction of the impressive Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse 1896.

Here, we will climb Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia overlooking the point where the mighty Southern and Indian Oceans collide. We will also 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, more than 3000 years after the thylacine became extinct on mainland Australia.

Albany (Kinjarling)

Western Australia’s oldest colonial settlement lies on the northern shore of Princess Royal Harbour, King George Sound. The area was inhabited by the Mineng Noongar Aboriginal people for some 18,000 years before it was first encountered by Europeans. During the summer they lived along the coast, where they caught fish with stone traps in the naturally broad, deep, sheltered harbour, and in winter they moved inland. The harbour was visited and charted by George Vancouver in 1791. In 1826, the first European settlement in the state, a penal colony called Frederickstown was established.

Cruise into King George Sound, the coastline here is very beautiful and guests enjoy the views from the outer decks. Go ashore in the town for free time to explore. Guests will have the choice to visit the ANZAC Museum, the city of Albany including the Museum of the Great Southern, Brig Amity and the Old Gaol or the Historic Whaling Station. At the ANZAC Centre we will be greeted by staff before wandering around this extensive centre. The highlight of this option is the spectacular view from the lookout back over King George Sound where friends and family would have watched as the ANZACs depart Australia.

At the Whaling Station, you will be guided around to see whale skeletons and a replica of a whaling boat from the 1970s, there is also the option to explore a wildflower garden.

Woody Island, Recherche Archipelago

We enter the Recherche Archipelago, a group of 105 islands and many more rocky outcrops. Here, many species of birds as well as sea lions and fur seals, come to breed. The islands are scattered across the blue water – a beautiful seascape when viewed from shore with turquoise waters washing against grey and tan-coloured granite.

Here, we will land at Woody Island to explore. 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.

For those who aren’t interested in one of the islands walks, we will have the opportunity to enjoy an Xplorer tender cruise along the sheltered side of the island.

Cape Le Grand National Park - Lucky Bay

Cape Le Grand National Park’s massive granite peaks, rolling heathlands and curving white beaches are some of the most spectacular landscapes along the southern coast. Along quiet Lucky Bay, kangaroos are known to laze on the whitest sand in Australia. The turquoise water is wonderful for an invigorating swim, and if time permits, we will enjoy a moderate hike on part of the Le Grand Coastal trail. The Cape Le Grande coastal trail passes through beautiful coastal scenery, and the national park is home to pygmy possums, western grey kangaroos and many colourful native wildflowers.

Two sea days - Bunda Cliff West & Bunda Cliff East

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.

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 conservation projects on the island. There will also be the opportunity to taste freshly pan-seared abalone and explore the historic shearing sheds.

Coffin Bay

On a tour with an experienced local oyster farmer, taste fresh pacific and native Angasi oysters straight out of the sea and learn firsthand how to shuck an oyster. Learn about the history of Coffin Bay and the oyster farming practices of the famous Coffin Bay Oyster. Prepare for a seafood tasting sensation!

In the afternoon, land ashore at one of Coffin Bay National Park’s stunning beaches for beachcombing and walks.

Coffin Bay

At Kangaroo Island guests have the opportunity to choose from a selection of excursion options. Those with an interest in wildlife might like to visit Seal Bay, home of the third largest colony of Australian sea lions in the world. Or delight in some of Kangaroo Islands local produce on a tour to Island Beehive, Emu Ridge Eucalyptus and Emu Bay Lavender. If history and walks are of interest head out to Cape Willoughby, for a tour of the lighthouse.

Adelaide

Arrive to Adelaide early this morning (24 November 2025) for a full day to explore the city at your leisure. There will also be opportunities for guests to visit Geoff Merril Winery through out the day. Coral Adventurer departs late this evening for her next port of call.

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’.

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 have the option to visit the great Ocean Road Brewhouse to sample some local tastes of the region, or take a guided walk at a wildlife sanctuary on the edge of Great Otway National Park.

View the rugged splendour 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.

Phillip Island (Millowl)

Phillip Island, named after the first Governor of NSW Arthur Phillip, is well known for its tourism, agriculture, and fishing industries. This morning, explore the boardwalks of the area with your local guide, surrounded by the internationally important RAMSAR protected ecosystem vital to ocean food production and health – mangroves. This area is thriving with wildlife and birdlife, including a variety of honeyeaters, parrots, thornbills, pardalotes, silvereyes, and other bush birds. After exploring the reserve, wander through a world-renowned habitat for migratory wader birds and other wildlife species at peaceful Rhyll Inlet. You’ll find boardwalks that loop through the tranquil mangroves, saltmarsh, and mudflats, where you’ll spot spoonbills, oyster catchers, herons, egrets, cormorants, short, tailed shearwater, and a range of international waders rarely seen in Australia.

Launceston & the Tamar River

Spend two days cruising the scenic Tamar River – which despite its name is actually a tidal estuary over its entire length. Formed by the confluence of the North and South Esk rivers at Launceston, the river’s banks are peppered with scenic reserves, historical properties and notable vineyards. Explore the historic pilot station at Low Head, discover the charming city of Launceston, and enjoy our signature food & wine event at Josef Chromy Vineyard.

Two days at sea

Enjoy two relaxing days at sea with presentations by our expert Guest Lecturers. For free time, many guests choose to chat with new-found-friends, read a book from our onboard library, browse the art gallery or simply gaze out to sea in serene bliss.

Sydney

Wake early and enjoy a memorable sunrise sail into Sydney Harbour. We will arrive at Port at 6:00am on 3 December 2025.

Disembarkation: Our Great Southern Shores voyagers will bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew, disembarking at 8:00am on 12 November 2025.

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.

Travel dates

2025: 13 November 2025

*Advertised price is based on twin share. Limited sole use occupancy available. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing for higher stateroom categories.

*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. Prices are correct as of 23 June 2025. Pricing and availability subject to change without notice. Please contact your RAC travel consultant for full terms and conditions. 

^RAC members save $500 per person: Discount applies to all voyages with Coral Expeditions. Combinable with Xplorer’s Club benefits only, not combinable with any other offer. Offer ends 01 January 2026.

General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.