Highlights

• Signature Event: Experience a signature Winemakers Dinner at historic Leeuwin Estate featuring the iconic Art Series wines expertly paired with regionally inspired cuisine. 
• Spend a morning whale watching at Flinders Bay, renowned for its frequent whale sightings and explore the sheltered haven of Point Ann in search of Southern Right Whales and their calves
• Enjoy an invigorating swim in the pristine waters of Hamelin Bay surrounded by the curious stingrays and other marine species
• Traversing the scenic coastal vistas on a morning trek along a section of the renowned Cape to Cape trail
• Walk amongst native wildflowers in bloom around the coastal landscapes from Dunsborough to remote Esperance
• Stroll the silica white sands in the company of native kangaroos at Lucky Bay – voted #1 Beach in the world
• Learn about Indigenous coastal culture and traditions of the region and share stories whilst we forage for native tucker on ancestral lands
• Wander the community led Art Trail of Ravensthorpe and hear how collective community engagement has changed the face of this historic goldfield’s town
• Gain valuable insights from onboard Guest Lecturers Micheline and Curt Jenner who will share their scientific and conservation knowledge of whale research in Western Australia

Inclusions

• All excursions with our Expedition Team
• Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and Kayaks
• Snorkelling
• 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)
• Wifi Access – Standard speed connectivity enabling email, social image sharing, web browsing and messaging

Not included

• Pre-cruise transfers
• Pre and post cruise flights/charter flights
• Pre and post cruise accommodation
• Travel Insurance
• Entry visas & travel permits for the country you are travelling to/from
• Alcoholic drinks (including beer and wine) outside of lunch and dinner service
• Internet services (available at a cost)
• Laundry service (available at a cost)
• Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
• Optional Extras (in some destinations)

Day 1: Depart Fremantle (Walyalup)

Arrive at Fremantle Berth C for boarding at 8am, with time to settle into your stateroom before our 9am departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard. As dusk falls join guests and the friendly crew as we enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Drinks and sit down to the first of many delicious dinners.

Day 2-10: Whales & Trails of Western Australia Cruise

Bunbury (Goomburrup)

Located 175 kilometers south of Perth, Bunbury is situated at the original mouth of the Preston River. For approximately 45,000 years, the Noongar people, indigenous to the Southwest region, have gathered in this area, which served as a seasonal meeting place abundant with food sources and ceremonial sites. Throughout history, Bunbury was shaped by Dutch, French, American, and British seafarers, who arrived due to various circumstances such as exploration, trade, and settlement aspirations. In 1800, French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte dispatched the scientific expedition led by Nicolas Baudin to the southern land. The crew of Le Geographe extensively explored the estuary, mapping the southwest and collecting flora and fauna specimens. They named the area Port Leschenault, a name later replaced by the British with the townsite’s current name, Bunbury.

Today we will take a guided tour with descendants of the original inhabitants of the Bunbury Geographe area, the Noongar people, along the 5.3km Mangrove walk. Learn about the bush foods and medicine used in this area as well as Dreaming stories of the region.
This evening enjoy wine tasting from the Bridge Deck Lounge as we cruise around Cape Naturaliste at sunset.

Hamelin Bay

Hamelin Bay beach was a tiny port that serviced timber mills all over the southwest between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. However, people soon came to realise that the waters were far too difficult to navigate and travel with a plethora of wrecks in this area just off the coast.
This morning we will spend time exploring this vast expanse of bright white sand and turquoise waters filled with marine life. The combination of the friendly stingrays, and interesting fish and plant life in the bay make it a great snorkeling spot.

After our morning swim or snorkel there is the opportunity to walk part of Cape-to-Cape trail to Cosy Corner (5km – Easy to Moderate) or Deepdene Beach to view the Elephant Rocks (8km – Moderate to Difficult). With a great biodiversity in the area there will be a plethora of native wildflowers throughout both walks including the chance to see native rose, hovea, old mans beard, pink fairy orchid and more.

These trails involve some sand/beach terrain and some uneven, rocky sections.

Denmark (Koorabup)

This morning we will arrive in Denmark and begin our day with an Xplorer transfer to Madfish Bay, a hidden wonderland of pools and bays in the William Bay National Park. At low tide it is possible to walk directly across to the small island in Madfish Bay, but at high tide the island is completely cut off from the mainland. From here we will take a short coach transfer to Ducketts Mill Winery. Established in 1996 by Ross & Dallas Lewis with the first planting of Riesling and Cabernet, Ducketts Mill Winery is housed in a unique pine-slabbed farmhouse. Enjoy a wine flight tasting accompanied by house-made cheeses with platters of local produce as the dedicated team share their knowledge and pairing suggestions.

Point Ann & Ravensthorpe

Today we cruise into Point Ann, one of the two places in Australia (the other being Head of the Bight in South Australia), where southern right whales come to calve in large numbers in the calm waters of the beautiful bay. Throughout the morning we will anchor in this area and enjoy morning tea onboard as we keep our eyes on the ocean in hope of spotting these incredible creatures.

This afternoon we will arrive at Hopetoun to journey through the community art trail at Ravensthorpe. After a short bus ride, we will explore a section of the trail which was created by local farmers using old machinery and scrap metal to produce large scale sculptures depicting the region’s diverse range of wildflowers and local surroundings. In the heart of the Western Australian wheatbelt region, this expression of art has transformed the economy of these small towns.

Esperance (Kepa Kurl)

This morning we will wake up at Esperance in the goldfield’s region of Western Australia. After a short Xplorer ride to Twilight Beach or Blue Haven Beach we will explore the Wildflower Ocean Walk with options for varied fitness levels. Enjoy the spectacular Esperance coastline from the main esplanade all the way to Twilight Beach. This headland is home to an abundance of birds, wildlife, and wildflowers.

For lunch today we will enjoy the freshest of fish with locally sourced fish from Esperance served as a classic fish & chips onboard. Following our delicious lunch we will visit Lucky Bay in Cape le Grand National Park, voted #1 beach in the world, for a swim and chance to see the local wildlife, including Kangaroos.

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.

Today we will explore the Quaranup Indigenous Walk which follows the paths walked by the Mineng people to Quaranup (Kwooranup – place of brush tail wallaby) with opportunity to see ancient stone structures, waterholes, artefacts, engravings and flora and fauna. We will then travel around the coast of Kinjarling (Albany), to the Quaranup Cultural Site. Walk along the beach or dunes to ancient engravings and tool quarry sites. Tides permitting, there may be a chance to beachcomb and look for shellfish amongst the rocks.

Augusta & Flinders Bay Reserve

This morning we arrive in the waters of Flinders Bay where there will be opportunity for whale watching from the Vista Deck. Coral Adventurer will be passing through Flinders Bay around 6am, a great time to for an opportunity to see whales in a location they frequent.

After lunch enjoy a short Xplorer transfer to Flinders Bay Reserve at Augusta where we will enjoy freshly shucked Margaret River Oysters and complimentary wines. After our beachside tasting experience there will be an optional Coastal Walk (1.7km easy) following the Blackwood River and Augusta coastline. Along this section of the trail, you will be rewarded with stunning views of Flinders Bay and the Great Southern Ocean, and the chance to climb down and explore among the rocky pools and sandy beaches.

Dunsborough (Quedjinup)

The Southwest region of Australia, within which Dunsborough sits, is recognised as one of the oldest continually occupied human habitats anywhere on Earth, with archaeology dating back approximately 40,000 years. Dunsborough itself shares in this history, with multiple sites of Aboriginal importance in and around the town. Prior to European colonisation, several distinct tribes inhabited the land and utilised the waters around Dunsborough. Those living on the coast were called Wardandi (sea people). These Indigenous peoples referred to Dunsborough by the name of Quedjinup, which means “Place of Women”.

This morning we will take a short coach transfer from Dunsborough to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, where we will explore the tip of Cape Naturaliste – Kwirreejeenungup (surrounded by ocean on three fronts) and partake in coastal foraging. A local Wadandi (forest people by the sea) guide will join us, interpreting the landscape and teaching us how the Noongar seasonal calendar influences the knowledge of food sources available throughout the year. Enjoy morning tea including native food tastings.

Signature Dinner Event at Leeuwin Estate

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 evening 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.

Dunsborough (Quedjinup)

After a relaxing morning onboard we will spend the afternoon at Ambergate Reserve, a 75-hectare regional park which protects the remnants of scrubland and woodlands once common along the coastal plains of Busselton.

Over 360 plant species have been recorded here, from tall trees and shrubs such as marri, jarrah, peppermints, banksia, to creepers and ground covers – and 26 species of orchid. Many animal species also inhabit the reserve, including kangaroos, quendas, brush-tailed possums, wallabies, and echidnas. Plus, an enormous variety of birds including tree martins, rainbow bee-eaters, falcons and tawny frogmouths. Alternatively, there will be the opportunity to explore the town of Dunsborough or take a stroll along the coastal walk from Geographe Bay to Meelup (4km one way, Easy) with the opportunity to spot many native wildflowers.

Day 11: Arrive Fremantle (Walyalup)

This morning we arrive into the Port of Fremantle, C Berth, at 7am before disembarking at 8am. There will be post cruise transfers provided to the airport and CBD of Fremantle and Perth.

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: 05 October 2024

*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.