Duration
8
Nights
Great Barrier Reef Conservation Expedition
Cape York to
Cairns
Start your adventure in Cairns
Overview
Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Cairns
After collection from your hotel, our attentive crew members will escort you onboard our chartered aircraft for the short flight to Horn Island – gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Visit iconic destinations such as Whitehaven Beach, the Whitsundays and Moreton Island. Drink-in some of Australia’s most treasured tropical island scenery and snorkel the revered Great Barrier Reef. Try your hand at catching a monster mud crab or something even more delectable for the dining salon! Sample the chef’s beach-cooked delights and indulge with a glass of champagne as the sun sets on beautiful Whitehaven Beach. Take a dive on the magnificent Flinders reef, and leave your journey truly understanding why The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is one of the natural wonders of the world.
ITINERARY
Thursday Island
Start your adventure in the northernmost tip of the Great Barrier Reef at Thursday Island in the Torres Strait Islands. The Torres Strait is a vast geography that is home to beautiful islands, seagrass meadows, pristine and rarely visited coral reefs and the world’s oldest continuous culture. Our adventure will commence with a unique cultural ceremony and Welcome to Country with Traditional Owners, as we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the Sea Country of the Northern Great Barrier Reef which we will be travelling through on our voyage and their special connections to this majestic Sea Country. We will then set sail and visit Cape York at sunset.
Raine and Moulter Cay
Wake in the backdrop of the tropical waters of the Raine Island National Park. Over the last six years the Great Barrier Reef Foundation has led a conservation program to restore this critical turtle nesting area and seabird habitat. The qualified and experienced crew will be on-hand to personally introduce everyone to the delights of this remarkable place. Dependent on conditions, the trip may include a visit to Raine Island which has been transformed from a former guano mine to a thriving turtle nursery through the world’s largest effort to restore a critical green turtle nesting site. On a single night, tens of thousands of turtles make their way onto the beach to nest. There may also be an opportunity to contribute to scientific knowledge as we search from the skies for the illusive omura whale aggregation which has recently been discovered.
Wreck Bay and Whale Sharks
Wreck Bay is a beautiful site for exploring caves, ledges and bommies, and swimming amongst corals, clown fish, turtles and gropers. Spend the morning with researchers who are tagging whale sharks or jump in a helicopter in search for whale sharks, Omura whales and Oceanic manta rays from the sky. Once tags are applied you will be able to snorkel with the whale sharks. Today we will showcase some of the technologies that are being used to research large marine mammals, helping to guide management and conservation decisions being made by Reef managers. Divers are in for a treat! Afternoons will be spent moored up behind Wreck Bay where there are numerous spots for snorkelling and diving.
Sandbanks National Park
By now you will be addicted to the Great Barrier Reef! Today we will snorkel and explore reefs as we visit Sandbank No.8. known for the beautiful coral reefs, vibrant fish, turtles, and reef sharks that live below the surface. The Sandbank is also a vital nesting site for turtles and seabirds. Adventurers will be able to view the turtle nesting sites and witness one of the great marvels of the natural world as thousands of baby turtles start their lives in the sands and waters of this part of the Reef.
Lizard Island
This morning we will wake to see Lizard Island, which is surrounded by beautiful fringing reefs teaming with marine life. As well as snorkelling and diving to see marine life under the water including the giant clams of the Clam Gardens, guests will be able to tour the Research Station. The Research Station is a world-leading supplier of on-reef facilities for coral reef research and education and is celebrating its 50th Anniversary year since it was founded by Frank Talbot. Lizard Island was the ground zero for the bleaching events of 2016, which saw as much as 40% of corals in nearby waters show signs of bleaching, alongside an invasive Crown of Thorns outbreak which devastated the local coral populations. The Island has become a key site for restoration activities and scientists from all over the world have been pioneering solutions to replanting heat tolerant corals at scale and how to best respond to Crown of Thorn starfish outbreaks. Optional Lizard Island Resort stay.
Arrive Into Cairns
The True North II will make its way to Cairns for disembarkation by 10am.
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