The Great Barrier Reef - Cairns to Newcastle cruise

Why Join This Cruise:

• Leisurely cruise through some of Australia's most paradise cruising grounds, from Cairns through The Whitsundays to Newcastle


• The chance to really experience one of the true wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef


• Plenty of opportunity to explore by zodiac and snorkel in these idyllic waters
• Incorporate this cruise into a longer tailor-made tour of Australia

Trip Overview
Stunning 6 night Great Barrier Reef voyage down the east coast of Australia from Cairns in the north, via The Whitsunday Islands to Newcastle, just north of Sydney. A leisurely cruise through some of the world's most spell-binding cruise grounds.



Daily Itinerary

Day 1 Cairns
Arrive into Cairns, the focal point for the magnificent World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and surrounded by tropical rainforests. Embark the ship

Day 2 At Sea

Day 3 Hardy Reef & Hayman Island (Whitsundays)
Exploration by zodiac today of these jewels in The Whitsundays crown.

Hayman is nestled in the spectacular Whitsunday Islands, close to the Great Barrier Reef, off Australia's north Queensland coast. Hayman is the most northerly of the 74 Whitsunday Islands named by Captain James Cook as he sailed his Endeavor through the passage on Whit Sunday of June 1770.

The paradise of pure silica-white-crystal beaches and swirling sand shoals, luminous blue water and eucalypt forests that Cook discovered, exists to this day, because most of the Whitsundays are inhabited and preserved as national parks. Hayman is Australia's most celebrated private island destination, beautifully situated in the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and presenting fantastic diving and snorkelling opportunities.

This 960-acre hilly isle surrounded by fringing reef and covered with "bush" - native forests of eucalypts, cycads and hoop pine - is only a 15 minute boat ride from the outer reefs

Day 4 Percy Island
The explorer Matthew Flinders visited the Percy Isles in September 1802 and described one of the coves as "one of the prettiest little places imaginable". Enjoy an idyllic day on an isolated and beautiful island with perhaps only the occasional passing yacht for company.

What more perfect way to spend your afternoon than to while it away in the shade or in the shallows with a glass of wine in your hand? For the energetic, the isles invite exploration by kayak, and the snorkelling is wonderful at the nearby Pine Islets.

The Percy Isles were first settled in 1870 and the homestead dating from that time is currently being restored by the island group's only residents. Middle Percy, the largest of the three islands, is a favourite stop for cruising yachtsmen en route between the tropical north and southern seas.

Days 5 & 6 At Sea

Day 7 Newcastle/ Disembark

Arrive into Newcastle, your gateway for Sydney.

Disembarkation and transfer to the airport for onward travel



The Boat
The following boat operates this particular cruise:

Orion

Cruise dates for 2009

10th - 16th November

Guide Price

Prices from:
Stateroom B	£2,125pp
Stateroom A	£2,460pp
Junior Suite	£2,910pp
Deluxe Suite	£5,185pp
Balcony Suite	£3,795pp
Owners Suite	£4,400pp

*Please note that these prices are subject to exchange rate fluctuations

What's included?

• 6 day cruise based on full board basis


• All guided land and sea based excursions, unless otherwise stated


• On board lectures

What's not included?

• All flights and travel arrangements getting to and from the points of embarkation/ disembarkation


• Optional add-on excursions and flights during the cruise


• Drinks & Gratuities

Single Supplements on board
For those who require their own cabin, please contact the office for a quotation.

Pre/ post Cruise Extensions
For those wishing to extend their stay in Australia and explore further, this cruise can be incorporated into a longer tailor-made itinerary.

Please visit the Australia section on our website for further journey ideas.


To discuss this trip, for further details or to check boat availability, please either:

Call 01285 880981
Email voyages@steppestravel.co.uk

Steppes Travel cruise destinations include: Alaska, Amazon, Antarctica, Arctic, Baja Mexico, Galapagos.