Description
What is the best way to see Australia? To us the answer is simple, by sea. After all the vast majority of interest to see is either on Australia’s islands, coast or immediate hinterland, and travelling by sea on a small ship with a fleet of Zodiacs opens up the area in the most perfect way. The next big question, is which itinerary, the country is so large it’s impossible to include all points of interest unless you are prepared to invest a number of months. We believe the best option is an itinerary that takes you from the extreme north of Queensland to the far south in the state of Victoria. After this the decisions come a little easier. Do we plan a mixture of the usual cities, towns and tourist haunts or do we concentrate our time on Australia’s unique natural world. Our view is most certainly the latter, so much about this fascinating country’s wildlife, geology and culture is unique and we have therefore designed this expedition to incorporate remote islands, natural parks and stunning landscapes allowing us to begin to understand what makes this vast New World so endlessly fascinating.
We will travel from the very top of Australia to its bottom. A momentous voyage along the entire length of its Pacific Ocean coast. Just beyond Cape York, the most northerly point of Australia is Thursday Island where our expedition begins. Here in the Torres Strait islands archipelago, Australia’s most northern frontier, life moves slowly and centuries old cultures are passed down in song. From Cape York we journey south visiting remote communities each with their own culture, seeing indigenous rock-art and exploring some fascinating national parks.
Our Zodiacs will be so valuable as we explore the off shore islands of the Great Barrier Reef, landing on remote beaches and taking in the sights which have not changed since Captain Cook landed here in the 18th century. There will be so many intriguing places to see as we make our way south, Dunk Island with its spectacular rainforest, the pristine Whitsundays in the heart of the Barrier Reef and Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Leaving the Queensland coast we enter New South Wales, a state with an equally splendid scenery and wildlife as well as some famous vineyards and botanic gardens, and lastly on to the state of Victoria. Here, Wilson’s Promontory awaits, Australia’s most southerly national park and a drive along the Great Ocean Road, surely Australia’s most scenic journey. Our journey ends in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, having taken us some 2000 miles by sea. Travelling with our team of experts and being joined by guides and naturalists along the way, will make for a magical and enlightening experience ‘Down Under’.