Expedition Cruise - Whales and Trails of Western Australia

Arrive at Fremantle Berth C for boarding at 8:00am, with time to settle into your stateroom before our 9:00am 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This morning we arrive into the Port of Fremantle, C Berth, at 7:00am before disembarking at 8:00am. There will be post cruise transfers provided to the airport and CBD of Fremantle and Perth.