Along Australia’s South Coast with Ponant

Description

Embark on an epic exploration of Australia’s wild and varied Southern coastline for a taste of the many faces of this beautiful country.

Starting in the heritage city of Fremantle, head South down the coast of Western Australia to the city of Albany, with its whaling, convict and settler history.

Beach and nature lovers will be in paradise at Esperance, with squeaky-clean beaches, turquoise waters, untouched islands and colour-filled wildflower country, including Australia’s whitest beach – Lucky Bay!

Discover the beauty of the Recherche Archipelago, a biodiversity hotspot filled with marine life, breeding colonies of Australian fur seal, New Zealand fur seal and the Australian Sea Lion, as well as an abundance of bird species.

Sample and savour the exceptional seafood of South Australia’s Port Lincoln and the famous wine and gastronomic experiences of McLaren Vale.

Continue on to Tasmania, including King Island’s beautiful beaches, delicious food (from succulent beef and rich gourmet cheese, to crayfish plucked from the Island’s crystal clear waters), great nature walks and unique wildlife. What better way to round out an unforgettable voyage than with a visit to the Tamar Valley, known for its award-winning wines and considered one of the world’s top 10 wine routes!

You’ll then disembark in Hobart – Tasmania’s capital, where its captivating history, picturesque waterways and rugged mountains will make sure you never want to leave.

Trip Name

Along Australia’s South Coast with Ponant

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 Built: 2013 Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 132 staterooms and suites, with balconies, joined in 2013. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the luxury yachting world, with fluid lines and a modern colour scheme combining natural wood with shades of grey and white. A refined ambience is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat's hull, while the central scuplture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonomous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 FREMANTLE

The vibrant city of Fremantle blends the old with the new, creating an enriching cultural experience. Maritime, convict and colonial history can be explored in one of the best-preserved examples of a 19th century port streetscape on Earth, while buzzing markets, lively bars and casual street cafés give you a taste of 21st century life with the locals. If you're hitting the heritage trail, be sure to include a visit to the Western Australian Maritime Museum, World Heritage listed Fremantle Prison and Western Australia's oldest public building, the Roundhouse.

Day 2 - Day 2 AT SEA

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Day 3 - Day 3 ALBANY

The breathtaking beauty of Albany's rugged coastline creates a fitting backdrop to a dramatic whaling, convict and settler history and a sensational south coast adventure. This charming city marks the spot where the first European settlers set foot in Western Australia, and much of their legacy remains today. You can also follow the extraordinary stories of the first convoy of ANZACs departed for the battlegrounds of the First World War in the National ANZAC Centre. You'll also find some of the town's biggest tales in the Historic Whaling Station, the only museum of its kind to be housed in a former whaling station. The industry met its end in 1978, creating a safe port of call for migrating humpback, southern right and blue whales.

Day 4 - Day 4 ESPERANCE

Esperance was named for the French frigate Espérance captained by Huon de Kermadec on Antoine Bruni d'Entrecasteaux's 1791 expedition to find the lost ships of Jean-François de La Pérouse. It is located 720 kilometres east-southeast of Perth and has a population of just over 12,000. Regarded as a beach and nature-lover's dream, Esperance is blessed with squeaky-clean beaches, turquoise waters, untouched islands and colour-filled wildflower country. Among its most famous beauty spots is Australia's whitest beach, Lucky Bay - set against a stunning seascape of 110 islands of the Recherche Archipelago.

Day 5 - Day 5 RECHERCHE ARCHIPELAGO

The Archipelago of the Recherche, known locally as the Bay of Isles, is a group of 105 islands, and over 1500 rocky outcrops off the southern coast of Esperance, Western Australia. The islands stretch 230 kilometres from East to West and to 50 kilometres offshore. The area is a biodiversity hotspot partly due to the influence of the Leeuwin current which supports a rich diversity of marine life. Breeding colonies of Australian fur seal, New Zealand fur seal and the Australian Sea Lion have been recorded on various islands including Cooper and Salisbury Islands. The archipelago has also been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) supporting over 1% of the world populations of flesh-footed shearwaters, along with breeding colonies of the endemic Recherche Cape Barren goose, sooty oystercatchers and fairy terns. If time and weather permit, you will have the opportunity to explore the coastal environments and view the wildlife from our fleet of zodiacs.

Day 6 - Days 6 - 7 AT SEA

Day 7 - Day 8 PORT LINCOLN

With a population of approximately 14,500 and situated on Boston Bay – one of the largest protected natural harbours in the world – Port Lincoln is the seafood and aquaculture capital of Australia. Home to the country’s largest commercial fishing fleet, renowned for its southern bluefin tuna, King George whiting, Western King prawns and Southern Rock lobster. The pristine waters of the Eyre peninsula are home to thriving aquaculture industries for Kingfish, Mussels and the famous Coffin Bay oysters. The Eyre Peninsula also boasts a boutique food industry producing honey, olives, fudge, dried fruits, sea salts and capers, just to name a few. With more than 2000 km of pristine coastline, quality seafood is the region’s hero.

Day 8 - Day 9 FLEURIEU PENINSULA

Victor Harbour overlooks the beautiful Encounter Bay and is the Gateway to the Fleurieu Peninsula offering some of South Australia's finest coastal, scenic and culinary experiences. The region is home to the internationally renowned McLaren Vale - the home of sustainable wine production, world-renowned labels and unparalleled gastronomic experiences. At the heart of one of Australia’s oldest and most acclaimed wine regions, McLaren Vale boasts more than 100 cellar doors and a multitude of culinary offerings from handmade cheeses and chocolates to olives and almonds. You will have the opportunity to take a tour showcasing the regions fine wines and gourmet produce.

Day 9 - Day 10 AT SEA

Day 10 - Day 11 KING ISLAND, TASMANIA

King Island is anchored in the middle of the Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania’s NorthWest coast. Surrounded by some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, King Island imports the world’s best surfers and exports produce sought by the world’s top chefs : succulent beef, rich gourmet cheese and crayfish plucked from the Island’s crystal-clear waters. It's quiet and easy going here, but there's something interesting at every turn – from a lighthouse and offshore shipwrecks – to the island's great nature walks and unique wildlife. You will have the opportunity to uncover the island's stories at the museum and cultural centre in the town of Currie or to take a guided trail of the island's produce, culture, history, flora and fauna.

Day 11 - Day 12 TAMAR VALLEY, TASMANIA

Tasmania is a land that should be savoured slowly…with a glass of fine wine in hand and friendly locals to guide you on your way. The Tamar Valley Wine Route is regarded as one of the world’s top 10 wine routes with over 32 wineries to explore. Showcasing some of the finest award winning wines. The unique cool climate location produces elegant wines of exceptional quality. There is so much more to the Tamar Valley than just wine. There’s the Tamar Valley Arts Trail, a unique space where you can meet the artist in their studio. The Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre, which shows the workings of the old mine, recalls the boom days of gold, the events of the 2006 mine rescue and Tamar Valley history.

Day 12 - Day 13 AT SEA

Day 13 - Day 14 HOBART, TASMANIA

Hobart occupies a wonderful location at the mouth of the Derwent River, overseen by majestic Mt Wellington and surrounded by natural bushland. The Tasmanian capital is Australia's second-oldest city, after Sydney, and the picturesque waterfront is bordered by 19th-century warehouses and colonial mansions. Salamanca Place is packed with shops, galleries and restaurants and the fascinating Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is a short ferry ride from the quay. Hobart is within easy reach of some of Tasmania's best-known destinations, from historic Port Arthur and the rugged Tasman Peninsula to Bruny Island, the Huon and Derwent Valleys and Mount Field National Park.

Day 14 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Visit the remarkable national ANZAC centre and whaling museum in Albany.
Discover the pristine scenery of Esperance and the Recherche Archipelago.
Savour the delights of Port Lincoln, the seafood and aquaculture capital of Australia.
Experience one of Australia’s oldest and most acclaimed wine regions, McLaren Vale.
Enjoy King Island’s exceptional produce, culture, history, flora and fauna.
Sample the gourmet produce and world renowned fine cool climate wines of the Tamar Valley.
Hear tales of convicts, mariners and miners in Northern Tasmania.