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Peregrine Travel Centre

Australia’s Island Outposts with Christmas & Cocos

Australia’s Island Outposts with Christmas & Cocos

From AUD $21,990

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Description

Join us aboard Coral Geographer for a 29-night voyage to the island outposts off Australia’s west coast. Spend 4 relaxed days discovering the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and 3 days exploring the dramatic forests and underwater wonders of Christmas Island, before sailing toward Singapore via Krakatoa, Batavia, and Belitung. With a maximum of 120 guests, Coral Geographer’s comfortable and intimate atmosphere provides the perfect home-base for this unique expedition.

Set sail from Fremantle to explore the farthest reaches of the Australian territories and beyond. Take in the Abrolhos Islands and swim with inquisitive sea lions. Explore the turquoise waters, islands and red sand country that the indigenous Malgana people of Shark Bay have inhabited for tens of thousands of years. At Cocos (Keeling) Islands, relax on Australia’s best beach, drift snorkel or kayak on a turquoise lagoon and admire the comical antics of Red-footed boobies. Wildlife abounds and astounds at Christmas Island, with famous red and robber crabs and tropical waters filled with extraordinary marine life. Continue on towards Singapore, discovering Indonesian culture and appreciating the colonial Dutch architecture of Batavia.

In between exciting excursions ashore, enjoy onboard activities and presentations and indulge in relaxing days at sea. Discover the history of early explorers and the fascinating maritime history of shipwreck and mutiny. Throughout the voyage you will enjoy the company of guest nature photographer Chris Bray, who will capture the voyage and lead workshops and presentations to help develop your photography skills.

Trip Name
Australia's Island Outposts with Christmas & Cocos
Days
30
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Passenger Capacity: 120 Built: 2020 Expedition capabilities > Two trademark Xplorer tenders seat all passengers and facilitate comfortable shore excursions > Six zodiacs for more intrepid exploration > Lecture lounge for daily expedition briefings and expert presentations > Small onboard library featuring books on destinations and wildlife > Shallow draft and advanced navigation and propulsion systems allowing access to locations closed to large cruise ships Marine immersion > Navigator lounge in the bridge > Over 1000 square metres of open deck space including a wrap-around promenade deck with panoramic views > Engine room tours and a high level of crew interaction with guests Food and wine features > Single seating dining with communal table serves buffet breakfast and lunch, and multi-course table d’hote dinners > Showcase galley with viewing window creating fresh small-batch cuisine featuring Australian and local produce > Multiple indoor and outdoor bars, including our Explorer bar on the sundeck for sunset drinks > Curated wine cellar featuring boutique wines and exceptional vintage Australian reds Guest comfort > All outside-facing guest cabins with en-suite bathrooms; the majority have a private balcony > Active stabilisers to dampen sea motion > Well-equipped gym > Passenger elevator > Wi-Fi available in all guest areas

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: DEPART FREMANTLE
Board Coral Geographer in Fremantle where there is time to settle into your cabin before our 9:00am departure. Spend the day exploring Coral Geographer and become acquainted with our advanced expedition ship and all her facilities including wrap-around Promenade Deck, Open Bridge with Navigator Lounge, Vista Deck, Lounge, Gym and Cocktail Bars.As dusk falls meet your fellow travellers, the Master and crew for the Captain’s Welcome Drinks.
Day 2 - ABROLHOS ISLANDS
This low-lying archipelago is the resting place for legendary Dutch shipwreck Batavia. Experienced divers may explore the wreck of the Batavia, while world-class snorkelling sites abound. The sea life is astonishing, as the Leeuwin current brings together temperate and tropical waters. Inquisitive sea lions frequently frolic with swimmers and the islands offer excellent birdwatching. Experience history at the ‘island of angry ghosts’ – Beacon Island, where the worst of Batavia’s mutiny and massacre took place.
Day 3 - SHARK BAY & DIRK HARTOG ISLAND
Shark Bay is recognised as a World Heritage site and is known for its colourful landscapes and rare flora and fauna. It is home to 35% of Australia’s bird species! Explore this remarkable destination and visit Dirk Hartog Island. Here, we will learn about the Return to 1616 Ecological Restoration project, and explore the rock pools and remote beaches. Snorkelling at Sandy Point reveals a diversity of staghorn and plate coral gardens, while you may spot sharks schooling in the shallows of Surf Point.
Day 4 - MUIRON ISLANDS
The waters surrounding the uninhabited Muiron Islands are vibrating with marine life. These remarkable islands are home to an incredible reef where schools of fish hide in soft corals and swim-throughs. You might even spot a manta ray along the protected reef. Onshore, birdlife is abundant, with the opportunity to spot wedge-tail shearwaters, roseate terns, osprey and black-shouldered kites on a beach walk with our Expedition Team.
Day 5 - MONTEBELLO ISLANDS & TRYAL ROCKS
As we approach the Montebello Islands, discover the first fascinating piece of their history at Tryal Rocks, where the first shipwreck on Australia’s coast occurred in 1622 – 2022 is the 400th anniversary of The Tryall. Following an explosive past where the islands were used as an atomic weapon testing site during the 1950s, they are now a conservation park and a renowned wildlife sanctuary. Explore the archipelago of 250 limestone islands, spotting Green, Hawksbill or Flatback turtles, along with dolphins and dugongs. Onshore, enjoy birdwatching and spotting the rare rufous hare-wallaby and lagoon rays basking in the shallows. We will also visit Ground Zero for the atomic blast at Trimouille Island.
Day 6 - COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS
Spend four days exploring the stunning Cocos Keeling Islands. This horseshoeshaped atoll trimmed by powder-soft sand appears adrift upon a turquoise lagoon. At Direction Island, relax on Cossies Beach, named the best beach in Australia. The lagoon is home to turtles, rays, reef sharks, dolphins and tropical fish, and provides remarkable diving and snorkelling. You can explore around the islands with birdwatching, kayaking, and nature hikes – the unspoiled islands are quiet and safe,with a population of only 650. Learn the fascinating history of the Clunies-Ross dynasty, spend free time relaxing or wandering the villages on Home and West Islands, and enjoy a round of golf on the palm-fringed, nine-hole golf course.
Day 7 - CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Christmas Island, the flat-topped summit of a 4,500m underwater mountain, is a extraordinary scuba diving destination, and the coral reefs and marine life surrounding the island are breath-taking. We will spend three full days exploring this nature-lover’s paradise. 60% of the island is protected due to its unique flora and fauna. Nature walks take you into the forest to look for rare birds like the endangered Abbott’s booby and Christmas Island frigate birds, before enjoying a refreshing swim in the crystalline waters. We will also enjoy an experience of the delicious Malay influenced cuisine, with an island feast during our visit.
Day 8 - BATAVIA
Batavia is the old Capital of the Dutch East Indies company. In the oldest part of the old city, we will visit Jakarta History Museum, Maritime Museum and other old Dutch buildings. This is the site from where Tasman began his two famous voyages of 1642 and 1644, and our visit brings to life the connection with the early history of the West Coast islands and the shipwrecks we have visited.
Day 9 - BELITUNG
Lengkuas Island, Belitung is a very pretty little island with a lighthouse. Guests can climb all the way to the top and enjoy the beautiful view. Visit a local eatery and be welcomed by local dancers or rock-hop the beach boulders and explore the beachfront of this beautiful idyllic island.
Day 10 - AT SEA
This itinerary includes up to 10 days at sea to reach these destinations. During sea days, relax or join our Expedition Team for a fascinating program of interactive workshops and informative presentations.
Day 11 - DAY 30: ARRIVE SINGAPORE
Coral Geographer arrives into Singapore at 8:00am. Farewell your Master, crew and fellow guests at disembarkation at 9:00am.
Day 12 - Please Note:
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.This trip is suitable for passengers of all fitness levels, though reasonable mobility is required to enjoy all it has to offer. For shore excursions, our hydraulic lowering Xplorer tenders permit easy boarding without climbing any stairs. Where possible we split groups to suit easy and moderate walkers. Guests are welcome to opt-out of any excursion and relax onboard. As the itinerary covers remote regions, it is not suitable for passengers with serious medical conditions.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
23-11-2024AUD $0-
16-03-202214-04-2022AUD $21,990Coral Deck
16-03-202214-04-2022AUD $24,990Promenade Deck Stateroom
16-03-202214-04-2022AUD $29,990Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom
16-03-202214-04-2022AUD $32,985Coral Deck
16-03-202214-04-2022AUD $37,485Promenade Deck Stateroom Solo
16-03-202214-04-2022AUD $39,990Bridge Deck Balcony Suite
16-03-202214-04-2022AUD $44,985Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom Solo
23-11-2024AUD $0-

Inclusions

    • Explore the site of the Batavia mutiny, and swim with inquisitive sea lions at the Abrolhos Islands
    • Learn about the west coast’s fascinating maritime history – the wrecks of the Barque Stefano (Exmouth), the Tryall (Montebello Is), and the Batavia (Abrolhos Is)
    • Wonder at the marine life of Ningaloo Marine Park at the Muiron Islands
    • Experience the Cocos Malay culture of the Cocos Keeling Islands and discover world class diving, snorkelling and kayaking with 4 days at this far-flung, palm-fringed atoll
    • Discover the biological diversity that makes Christmas Island so unique, with 3 days of exploring, snorkelling, birdwatching in the National Park, and a local feast
    • Explore the historic Dutch buildings of old Batavia, and discover local culture at Belitung
    • Enjoy the company of guest nature photographer Chris Bray, who will capture the voyage and lead workshops and presentations to help develop your photography skills

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