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8 Days$4190USD

Activities
  • 7 days expedition cruising with hiking
Accommodation
  • 7 nights aboard Coral Discoverer
Meals
  • 7 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts
 

Trip highlights


  • Spend two full days immersed in the untouched wilderness of Port Davey & Bathurst Harbour
  • Scenic walks in Freycinet National Park and along Wineglass Bay
  • A section of the iconic Three Capes Track
  • Encounters with wombats, wallabies, and rare birdlife on Maria Island
  • Majestic sea views of the southern hemisphere’s tallest cliffs
  • Sip sundowners and relax onboard our comfortable floating basecamp at night

Step aboard the Coral Discoverer and venture north on a 7-night expedition to the far reaches of the Great Barrier Reef, where nature writes its own rhythm and time slows with the tide. This is where the reef feels untouched—remote cays, vibrant coral gardens, and uninhabited islands invite exploration far from the usual paths. Each day offers the freedom to roam and the quiet beauty of wild places. Snorkel among the spectacular marine life of Osprey and Ribbon Reefs, where pelagic wonders glide through turquoise waters. Watch seabirds wheel overhead and pause to take it all in from the deck or beneath the surface. On land, walk in the footsteps of explorers and Traditional Owners at historic Cooktown, a place rich in story and significance. Challenge yourself with the trek up to Cooks Look, and be rewarded with sweeping views and a deeper sense of place. As the day ends, wade ashore to Sudbury Cay—a strip of sand in a sea of blue—for sundowners served with salt on your skin and the sun dipping into the horizon. Life onboard is laid-back and welcoming. With just 72 guests and a crew of passionate experts, including a Marine Biologist, you’ll be in good company. The small ship is built for adventure, with shallow draught, advanced navigation, and agile Xplorer tenders that take you where few can go. In between excursions, relax with a glass of local wine and enjoy seasonally inspired meals crafted from the best regional produce. Whether you’re sharing stories over dinner or spotting reef life from the deck, you’ll feel part of something special—connected to the sea, the landscapes, and the people around you.

Trip Code: CDE

Arrive at your advised check-in location for boarding at 4:00pm, with time to settle into your stateroom before our 5:00pm departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard before meeting your fellow travellers, the Captain and crew for the Captain’s Welcome Drinks. *These are expedition itineraries covering remote regions. Your Captain and Expedition Team will make changes to the daily schedule when necessary to maximise your experience. These itineraries are indicative - some variation may occur due to weather conditions, safety or local community requirements. This itinerary is a selection of the key destinations we visit.

Meals:  D

On the edge of the world in southwest Tasmania, the landscape here is about as wild as it gets. Raw, craggy-peaked mountains and drowned river valleys. Wild rivers and rivulets carved by an eternity. Where tannin-rich freshwater sits atop saltwater, tinting the ocean the colour of tea. With no road access, the logical way to explore this wilderness is by small expedition ship. Guests will have the option of: MOUNT BEATTIE 256m above sea level – The Mt Beattie track starts from a jetty at Claytons Corner where the historic. Claytons Hut is located, it travels steady uphill through native forest then opens out to button grass, open windy areas which are often muddy on the trail to the summit. It offers stunning views of the whole Port Davey area in particular Bathurst Harbour. Walk Details: › Distance: 3 hours return › Grade 3 walk – some bush-walking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. › Prepare with: A raincoat, woolen jumper or polar-fleece jacket, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat. MOUNT MILNER 180m above sea level – This hike begins with getting your feet wet in the shallow bay, the hike begins by slowly gaining height before reaching a short but very steep section which quickly gains height before leveling off and an easy up and down section to the lookout over the Break Sea Islands. Walk Details: › Distance: 2 hours return › Grade 3 walk – some bush-walking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. › Prepare with: Sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.

Meals:  B,L,D

At Adventure Bay on the east coast of Bruny Island, we walk along the dramatic coastal cliffs of Fluted Cape and hope to see Bennett’s Wallabies which are endemic to Bruny Island. Learn about the rich maritime history of Adventure Bay, and explore the history of old whaling stations on the way to Grass Point. FLUTED CAPE WALKWAY 240m above sea level – This is a moderately challenging track which has a very well-maintained loop track with several short steep sections, and gradual inclines. It begins at the beach and is a flat easy walk to grassy point (1.5km) where the steep uphill section begins, it levels off at the lookout sections (1.5km) and them traverses down through the forest area, this can be slippery and muddy if rainfall has occurred. Walk Details: › 3 hours return loop (5.5km) › Grade 3 walk – There is one very steep section on this track that requires good fitness but in general it is a steady climed to the summit lookout area before it is mostly downhill to the beach. › Prepare with: Water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.

Meals:  B,L,D

The Tasman Peninsula is known for its fascinating geological formations like the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, and the soaring 300 metre high dolerite sea cliffs of Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy – the tallest in the southern hemisphere. We will visit Fortescue Bay, where guests will have the option of: CAPE HAUY (part of the Three Capes Walk) 180m above sea level elevation gain – It features many steps along the way over 1000 on the way down and 800 to the junction lookout – good fitness and balance required. It starts from the boat ramp and undulates through woodlands and heath; it then drops down a steep set of steps before ascending to the Cape. Walk Details: › Distance: 4 hours return (4.4 km one way) › Grade 3 walk – Some bush-walking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. › Some hazardous cliffs and unprotected track edges › Prepare with: A raincoat, woolen jumper or polar-fleece jacket, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat. CANOE BAY TO BIVOUAC BAY Stroll along the shoreline looking for local wildlife as we beachcomb from Canoe to Bivouac Bay

Meals:  B,L,D

The Freycinet Peninsula is a dramatic headland dominated by a pink-hued granite mountain range called the Hazards. Blessed with picturesque sweeping bays with white sand beaches like famed Wineglass Bay, much of the peninsula is designated as Freycinet National Park. Guests will have the option of: HAZARD LOOP 204m elevation – From Wineglass Bay across the Isthmus track and walk down Hazards Beach before joining onto the Hazards track looping onto the start of the Wineglass Bay lookout walk from Coles Bay. Walk Details: › 3.5 – 4 hours return (12 km loop) › Grade 3 walk – Undulates up and down a steady track then a rocky track with built in steps. The walk over to Wineglass has many steps over 500 on the way down. › Prepare with: Water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat. ISTHMUS TRAIL An easy flattish walk that undulates between Hazards Beach and Wineglass Bay on a well-formed trail can be walked either way. It features both sand and dirt tracks as well as a selection of boardwalks. Walk Details: › 30 minutes return (2 km) › Grade 2 walk – There are some ups and downs bust mostly an easy enjoyable walk. › Prepare with: water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat. WINEGLASS BAY LOOKOUT 204m elevation – One of Tasmania’s celebrated walks, it is a very well-constructed walkway passing through the coastal woodland and striking granite boulders to the lookout. It is a steep uphill climb featuring many individual steps (more than 500) before reaching the lookout summit, as we cannot land on the Coles Bay side this is a return from Wineglass Bay. Walk Details: › 2 hours return (3 km) from Wineglass Bay › Grade 3 walk – It is a steady and sometimes steep walk up featuring more then 500 steps integrated into the walkway. › Prepare with: water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.

Meals:  B,L,D

Maria Island can be referred to as a Noah’s Ark for native Tasmanian species. The Maria Island National Park provides an ideal sanctuary, and is one of the best places in Australia to observe endemic birdlife as well as wombats, Cape Barren geese, Forester Kangaroos, Bennett’s Wallabies, and pademelons Guests will have the option of: BISHOP AND CLERK 620m above sea level, this hike climbs through grasslands, open forests, tall woodland, to rocky slopes towering dolomite columns of the summit. It involves steep up and down sections, and an extensive field of boulders with a short climb to the summit. Walk Details › 4-5 hours return › Grade 4 walk – Bush-walking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough, and steep. Signage may be limited. Hazardous cliffs, unprotected track edges, rock screed scramble › Prepare with: A raincoat, woolen jumper or polar-fleece jacket, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat. Other recommendations may include: Thermal pants, warm gloves, and woolen beanie. FOSSIL CLIFFS LOOP 54m elevation – This is a loop walk starting at the jetty and finishing at the Darlington Settlement. It follows gentle but uneven grass areas and well-maintained tracks it is mostly gentle ups and downs but does feature one steep hill climb. It visits the old buildings and the fossil cliffs where fossils were deposited some 300 million years ago. Walk Details › 2-2.5 hours loop return (4.5km) › Grade 2 walk – Mostly on a well maintained track. plenty of places to rest and feature only one steep hill climb. › Prepare with: Water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat. PAINTED CLIFFS 56m elevation – A relaxing loop return coastal walk that features the stunning painted cliffs at Hopground beach, best done on a low tide to allow safe access to the rock platform beneath the cliffs. Walk Details › 2-2.5 hours loop return (4km) › Grade 2 walk – It is mostly flat with only gentle incline along the trail. The rock platform at the painted cliffs require care as it can be slippery. › Prepare with: Water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.

Meals:  B,L,D

Our Tasmania adventure concludes in Hobart this morning as we bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew, disembarking at 8:00am. A complimentary transfer is provided to CBD hotels, or the airport is included.

Meals:  B


Inclusions

  • All excursions with our Expedition Team
  • Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and Kayaks
  • Daily lectures and briefings with Guest Lecturers
  • All meals, chef-prepared on board
  • Captain’s welcome and farewell events, and open bridge access
  • Selected wines, selected beers and house spirits, juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
  • 24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station
  • Basic toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and hand soap will be provided in your cabin. Shaving kits and dental kits are available on request. Hairdryers and separate towels for swimming and bathroom use are provided.
  • All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Use of all onboard facilities, incl. a reference library
  • Expedition diary, along with a photo and video gallery documenting the highlights of your voyage
  • Post-cruise transfers
  • Wifi Access – Standard speed connectivity enabling email, social image sharing, web browsing and messaging

  • Pre-cruise transfers
  • Pre and post cruise flights/charter flights
  • Pre and post cruise accommodation
  • Travel Insurance
  • SCUBA Diving
  • Entry visas & travel permits for the country you are travelling to/from
  • Alcoholic & non alcoholic specialty beverages outside of lunch and dinner service
  • Laundry service (available at a cost)
  • Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
  • Optional Extras (in some destinations)

What to Know Before You Join Us

Our voyages are designed for curious travellers — not just passengers. While our itineraries offer a range of activities, from gentle zodiac cruises to more challenging hikes and paddles, it’s important to understand the nature of this experience before you join us. These expeditions are suitable for most travellers with an adventurous spirit, good health, and the ability to move confidently around a vessel — especially in variable weather and sea conditions. Some shore landings and excursions may involve uneven terrain, wet landings, or light scrambling. Boarding zodiacs and navigating the boat may require balance and agility, though our experienced team is always on hand to assist. Each trip may include a variety of optional activities, most of which require no prior experience. Of course, all activities are optional — you’re always welcome to stay aboard and enjoy the ship at your own pace. Not sure if this trip is right for you?

Get in touch with our team — we’re here to help you choose the experience that best suits your interests, comfort, and curiosity.


Vessel


Cabins


Departure dates


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Priceper person from

$4190USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Main Deck (Category A) StateroomUSD$4600
  • Promenade Deck (Category B) Stateroom - SINGLE OCCUPANCY ONLYUSD$5040
  • Promenade Deck (Category A) StateroomUSD$5460
  • Bridge Deck Balcony StateroomUSD$5790
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Tasmania Hiking Expedition – Wild Coastlines & Iconic Trails trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The vessel is air-conditioned throughout and passengers are able to modify room temperature in their cabin. Please note, for safety reasons the windows and portholes do not open.

Voltage onboard Coral Discoverer is 220/250v, 50Hz AC (standard Australian 3 pin plug). A slanted 2-pin adapter plug will work while onboard, however, with the 3rd pin missing, the item will not be grounded. For our international guests, a limited number of adapters are available onboard but we recommend you bring your own if required. Please check your equipment to be sure you bring what is necessary for your personal needs. Bathrooms onboard Coral Discoverer are equipped with both 110V and 200/240V outlets for electric shavers only.

While travelling through remote areas, you may not have access to Internet/mobile reception through your own provider for extended periods of time. Our fleet is equipped with advanced satellite and 4G broadband connectivity providing reliable and high-speed service when exploring remote areas. Complimentary access to standard WiFi will be available to all guests as part of their fare inclusion, enabling email, social image sharing, web browsing and messaging. There is also the option to purchase a package upgrade enabling access to higher bandwidth. In addition, to help you keep in touch with news from home, we subscribe to a daily news service, and copies of this publication are made available to guests each day. Note: Internet access on the ship is contracted to an external industry service provider and is a satellite connection. While every effort is made to ensure uninterrupted service, from time to time there may be disrupted service due to lack of satellite coverage or other technical issues that are beyond our control. Internet access is best in public areas but not guaranteed in staterooms due to the steel structure of the ship.

Upon embarkation, we automatically open your personal onboard account. For your security, we ask that you sign for your orders from our bar, shop, or make any other onboard purchases. At the end of the voyage your account may be settled in AU$ cash; by Visa, MasterCard or American Express (we regret no Travellers Cheques).

Prevention is key – you should discuss appropriate measures with your doctor or pharmacist prior to travel. If you do become seasick, please advise the Purser so they can attend to your needs promptly and appropriately. A variety of seasickness preventions and treatments are available onboard.

Basic toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and hand soap will be provided in your cabin. Shaving kits and dental kits are available on request. Hairdryers and separate towels for swimming and bathroom use are provided.

We recommend that you arrive to the embarkation port on the day prior to departure incase of any flight delays or issues. Ask our staff for flight and accommodation options.

No. There is no elevator or passenger lift aboard Coral Discoverer. There are approximately 12-13 steps on each flight of stairs.

The atmosphere onboard is casual and relaxed. There is no formal dress code, and ‘smart casual’ attire is suggested for dinner. A suggested packing list is included in your documents.

Limited laundering services are available onboard. Laundry bags and forms are stored in your wardrobe for collection by Cruise Attendants. Charges for this service will be posted to your onboard account. As the service is for laundering only, ironing services are not provided. Mini ironing boards and irons are available from the Reception desk.

Yes. There is a resource library onboard with an excellent selection of books covering natural history, geology, local cultures, and flora & fauna, as well as fictional novels and games to enjoy.

No. There are no luggage restrictions on Coral Discoverer, and there is ample room to store luggage in your cabin under your bed or in the wardrobe. Please note any airline restrictions when packing if travelling by air to or from your cruise.

No. The laws governing our liquor license prohibit alcohol being brought onboard by guests.


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Small ships, big experiences

Explore places the big ships can’t with the widest selection of genuine small-ship, activity-first cruising. On Water Expeditions offers exceptional value, quality services, no hidden costs, and plenty of inclusions.

More time ashore

Don't watch the action sail past your window, dive into it! Designed for active travellers, these itineraries give you more time to adventure off the boat.

Real exploration

Activity is built into every journey. From paddling to hiking, enjoy a basecamp-style experience that injects fun, meaningful connections and thrilling adventure into it.

Handpicked, sustainable adventures

Each voyage is thoughtfully selected for low-impact exploration, supporting genuine conservation and sustainability while respecting local communities and environments.

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