Matthew Flinders & The Land Down Under

Sydney to Darwin

You’ll cruise up the Brisbane River, visit a koala sanctuary, take a cable car to the Kuranda rainforest, and watch for saltwater crocodiles. You’ll also have a chance to explore Aboriginal culture through art, music, dance and a historic overview provided by local guides. Add to that snorkeling, swimming and beachcombing, and you have a voyage of discovery and pleasure.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Sydney, Australia
Arrive in Sydney, Australia and check into your included hotel.

Day 2 - Sydney, Australia
Morning at leisure. Prior to embarkation, enjoy a highlight tour of Sydney en route to the ship.

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - Brisbane River Cruising, Australia
Take a leisurely cruise up the river to the prosperous city of Brisbane, which, in the 19th century, was a penal colony.

Day 5 - Brisbane, Australia
Explore the superb cultural center, historic treasury, and botanic gardens. Or, visit the koala sanctuary to see an iconic Australian animal.

Day 6 - Kingfisher Bay, Fraser Island, Australia
Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. Hike through its dense forests, watch for dingoes, and walk the Pacific beach dunes. (Zodiac landing or touring)

Day 7 - Lady Elliot Island, Australia
Lady Elliot Island is a coral cay with brilliant coral reefs to snorkel over and fine beach-walking. (Zodiac landing or touring)

Day 8 - At Sea

Day 9 - Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Take a fast boat out to a reef pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef to snorkel. Or view coral and other marine life from a semi-submersible. Ultimate Explorers Experience.

Day 10 - Hinchinbrook Island, Australia
Enjoy a local boat excursion or hike the mangroves, forests and fine ocean beaches.

Day 11 - Willis Island, Australia
Enjoy a nature walk on this remote, low coral cay, populated only by shearwaters, sooty terns, noddies, boobies and frigatebirds. (Zodiac landing or touring)

Day 12 - Cairns, Australia
Take in an Aboriginal dance performance at Tjapukai. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore on your own either in Port Douglas or Cairns.

Day 13 - Cairns, Australia
Take a fast hydrofoil to the reef for snorkeling or ascend by train or cable car to the Kuranda butterfly sanctuary.

Day 14 - Lizard Island, Australia
Snorkel in crystalline waters, or hike uphill to Cook’s Look, where Captain Cook surveyed the coral reefs ahead. (Zodiac landing or touring)

Day 15 - Stanley Island, Flinders Island Group, Australia
Our local Aboriginal hosts guide us to Stanley’s ancient and authentic Aboriginal cave paintings. (Zodiac landing or touring)

Day 16 - Thursday Island / Cape York, Australia
Thursday Island is a former pearl-diving town. Enjoy Green Hill Fort, a pub experience, and Cape York, mainland Australia’s northernmost point. (Zodiac landing or touring)

Day 17 - At Sea / Wessel Island

Day 18 - At Sea

Day 19 - Port Essington, Australia
Explore an abandoned 1830’s British settlement founded as a trading outpost with Indonesia. (Zodiac landing or touring)

Day 20 - Darwin, Australia
Disembark or continue your journey with the next voyage.

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All rates are per person, double occupancy. Port charges, Government taxes and fees are additional. Limited availability and based on minimum fares for select departure dates. Other dates may be higher. These rates are for new, individual bookings only. Not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply.