West Coast Explorer to Adelaide

Itinerary

Day 1 

Darwin, Australia | Wed, November 5 | 00:00 - 19:00

Australia's capital of the north is a uniquely tropical city, and a historically isolated outpost of this vast, diverse country. Reaching up towards the equator, a full 2,000 miles from Sydney and Melbourne, the city was named in honor of Charles Darwin by the British settlers who established a frontier outpost here. With a unique history, beautiful islands nearby, and a palette of sizzling Pacific flavors, colorful Darwin is an enchanting and exotic Australian destination. Crocodiles patrol the jungled waterways and tropical rainforests around Australia's gateway to the Top End. Explore via airboat to look down on the veiny waterways of the mist-laced Kakadu National Park. The sounds of chattering birdlife and the gentle splash of fountains and waterfalls will fill your ears in George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Soak it all in, before kicking back and relaxing with a picnic and a crackling barbecue. The sunshine and famous tropical pink sunsets mean many visitors naturally gravitate to the city's soft sands to relax at spots like pretty Mindil Beach, as evening approaches. The adjoining market is filled with souvenirs and crafts stands and is the perfect place to enjoy some fiery Asian flavors. Stroll the stalls, grab some food, and crack open an ice-frosted beer as the sunset show begins. It may be remote, but Darwin found itself on the front line during the Pacific War, as the Japanese air force unloaded their bombs onto the city in 1942. This relaxed unassuming city has a deeply resilient backbone, however, and you can explore the museums to learn more of the war's impact on Darwin, as well as the devastating effects of one of Australia's worst natural disasters, Cyclone Tracy in 1973.

Day 2 & 3

Day at sea | Thu, November 6 - Fri, November 7

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Day 4

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia | 18 Excursions | Sat, November 8 | 08:00 - 00:00

Bali. A.k.a. Island of the Gods, Land of a thousand temples, or the World's last paradise. As superlative as these monikers may sound, they do not do justice to the actual reality of the island. Bali is as good as everyone says - verdant mountains with terraced rice fields in one direction, black sand beaches in another, and captivating people that will leave even the most seasoned traveler humbled. If you're looking for a Garden of Eden that really does have everything, Bali ticks all the boxes. The rich and diverse culture of the island is what sets Bali apart from Indonesia's (many) other tropical paradises. The country's estimated 10,000 Buddhist-Hindu temples, with their daily offerings of lotus flowers and fruit, are a testament to the gentleness of the islander's belief. Then there is the vibrant arts and crafts scene, notably in Ubud in the center of the island, but prolific everywhere. Ideal souvenirs to bring back range from gorgeous silver jewelry to intricate wood carvings. Additionally, do try to see a traditional dance if possible, particularly if accompanied to local gamelan music. No one could mention Bali without mentioning the food. Dishes range from elaborate meals to street food bites, but all are without exception ambrosia. Do not miss out on tasting a succulent chicken satay, betutu (apparently the King's favorite meal), and sambal matah. But whatever you decide to discover, you can be assured of a taste sensation that will remain with you long after you have returned home.

Day 5

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia | 5 Excursions | Sun, November 9 | 00:00 - 14:00

Bali. A.k.a. Island of the Gods, Land of a thousand temples, or the World's last paradise. As superlative as these monikers may sound, they do not do justice to the actual reality of the island. Bali is as good as everyone says - verdant mountains with terraced rice fields in one direction, black sand beaches in another, and captivating people that will leave even the most seasoned traveler humbled. If you're looking for a Garden of Eden that really does have everything, Bali ticks all the boxes. The rich and diverse culture of the island is what sets Bali apart from Indonesia's (many) other tropical paradises. The country's estimated 10,000 Buddhist-Hindu temples, with their daily offerings of lotus flowers and fruit, are a testament to the gentleness of the islander's belief. Then there is the vibrant arts and crafts scene, notably in Ubud in the center of the island, but prolific everywhere. Ideal souvenirs to bring back range from gorgeous silver jewelry to intricate wood carvings. Additionally, do try to see a traditional dance if possible, particularly if accompanied to local gamelan music. No one could mention Bali without mentioning the food. Dishes range from elaborate meals to street food bites, but all are without exception ambrosia. Do not miss out on tasting a succulent chicken satay, betutu (apparently the King's favorite meal), and sambal matah. But whatever you decide to discover, you can be assured of a taste sensation that will remain with you long after you have returned home.

Day 6 - 8

Day at sea | Mon, November 10 - Wed, November 12

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Day 9 & 10

Fremantle (Perth), Western Australia, Australia | 12 Excursions | Thu, November 13 - | Fri, November 14

Coming in at number seven on Lonely Planet's list of best places to live, Fremantle has finally begun to shake off the shadow of neighboring big brother Perth. With just 20 kilometers separating the two cities, Perth, with its happy hippie vibe has long been the big pull for visitors to the region. But Fremantle's colorful past and bright future gives Perth as good as it gets. The coastal city has undergone a complete revamp since the America's Cup thrust Fremantle into the spotlight in 1987. Over AUS$ 1,3 billion has been poured into revamping the city, and the fruits of the city's labor are ripe for picking. Investment in the arts has brought Fremantle to the fore of thriving urban culture, while generous grants for small businesses have led to groovy live-music rooms, hipster bars, boutique hotels, left-field bookshops, craft-beer breweries, Indian Ocean seafood shacks amid the buskers and beaches. If that doesn't sound like your glass of beer, we guarantee a stroll along the wooden riverside walkway will change your mind. The city also enjoys another, rather different status. Fremantle was one of Australia's penal cities, vestiges of which can still be found in Fremantle Prison. Almost 10,000 convicts were condemned to life imprisonment here between 1850 and 1868, but the prison remained in use until 1991. Today, the memorable sandstone building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and at just 15 minutes from port is well worth a visit. Just don't forget your get-out-of-jail-free card.

Day 11

Busselton, Australia | 6 Excursions | Sat, November 15 | 08:00 - 18:00

Bordering the Indian Ocean, Geographe Bay’s Busselton has a Mediterranean-style climate. The region features national parks, towering forests, caves, historic lighthouses, and some of the best surfing beaches in the country. Other attractions include wineries and micro-breweries in the Margaret River wine region to the south. Busselton’s iconic jetty - at over 1.8 km, the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere - has an ‘Underwater Observatory that descends 8 meters to the ocean floor via a spiral staircase to see tropical and sub-tropical corals, sponges, fish, and invertebrates.

Day 12

Day at sea | Sun, November 16

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Day 13

Albany (Western Australia), Australia | 6 Excursions | Mon, November 17 | 08:00 - 17:00

At 400 kilometers southeast of Perth, Albany is often overlooked in favor of the bigger city. This is of course a mistake as Albany and its gorgeous surrounding region have much to offer. The city is the oldest settlement in Western Australia, beating Perth and Freemantle by over two years (Albany was founded in late 1826, the others in June 1829). At the time of its foundation, the city was used as a military outpost as part of a plan to prevent invasion, particularly by the French who had taken a shine to the region. With its excellent - and unusually deep - harbor, Albany was seen as the jewel of Western Australia and there are reminders of the city's colonial past all over the city. The arrival of Europeans in the region led to Albany becoming a major player in the whaling industry. This only ceased in 1978 and the Historic Whaling Station, a museum dedicated to the city's industrious past, now honors the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of a business that once supported an entire community. If that does not sound like your cup of tea, then do not miss a trip to the Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum for a glimpse of Albany's ANZAC History at the excellent National ANZAC Centre. However, like much of Australia's west coast, the real beauty of Albany lies in Mother Nature. Walk to the top of Mount Clarence and view the magnificent Kinge George Sound from above or take a stroll along the coastal path and enjoy vistas of some of Australia's most rugged and spectacular scenery.

Day 14

Esperance, Australia | 4 Excursions | Tue, November 18 | 08:00 - 18:00

Esperance and the Recherche Archipelago sheltering Esperance Bay received their name in 1792, when a French expedition under d’Entrecasteaux looked for shelter from a storm. Ten years later Matthew Flinders took refuge at Lucky Bay, some 30 kilometers southeast of Esperance near Cape Le Grand, another feature named during the French visit. It was not until the 1860s that settlement began and by the 1890s Esperance was known as the “Gateway to the Goldfields” further inland. Today some 12,000 residents live in Esperance. The town is southeast Western Australia’s only port and as such quite important for grain and mineral exports. Tourism is a major factor as Esperance and its surrounding area has such unusual attractions as a museum featuring debris from Skylab’s 1979 return to earth, a full-size replica of Stonehenge, the Pink Lake – which formerly used to be pink - an IBA for Hooded Plovers and Banded Stilts, several national parks and some of the whitest beaches in Australia. Lucky Bay is one of the iconic places, as kangaroos are regularly seen on the beach sunbathing.

Day 15 – 16

Day at sea | Wed, November 19 - Thu, November 20

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Day 17

Port Lincoln, Australia | 6 Excursions | Fri, November 21 | 08:00 - 18:00

Known as the seafood capital of Australia, Port Lincoln is a foodie paradise. Home to Australia's largest fishing fleet, numerous seafood restaurants, and a prized local wine region, this is one destination where it pays to travel with your taste buds. The city’s traditional name in Barngala is "Kallinyalla" (pronounced Galinyalla), literally translating to "sweet waters". That should give you some indication of how seriously the ocean is taken in these parts – it provides employment, entertainment, and experiences that are just unseen in other parts of the country. Add in a contrasting coastal landscape that ranges from quiet coves to surf-happy beaches to rugged oceanic coastline, and you’ll soon see why Port Lincoln is fast becoming one of Australia’s favorite places. The city is located on the lower Eyre Peninsula, on the shore of Boston Bay. Discovered by Matthew Flinders in 1802, Port Lincoln was once under consideration to become the state’s capital. However, a lack of freshwater mired that idea, forcing settlers to look 280 kilometers east, to Adelaide. While European discovery is fairly recent, historians should note that the region had been inhabited by Aboriginal groups including the Nauo (south-western Eyre), Barngarla (eastern Eyre), Wirangu (north-western Eyre), and Mirning (far-western Eyre) for over 40,000 years. For those who want to look beyond the city boundaries, Port Lincoln is home to some extremely diverse and abundant nature, and a trip to the National Park is well worth it.

Day 18

Adelaide, Australia | Sat, November 22 | 08:00 - 00:00

Adelaide is a thriving urban city with bright, leafy alleys that beg to be explored. The city's labyrinthine lanes and alleys are bursting with bars and eateries, serving everything from local craft beer to modern Australian cuisine. Uber aware of their carbon footprint, Adelaideans like to keep things close to home, so expect lots of local produce, which is abundant, fresh, and delicious. Unsurprisingly, Barossa wine from the neighboring valley features prominently on wine lists everywhere. Naturally, a lot of life centers around the lovely beaches, which are home to surfers, sheltered waters, and wide boulevards. The coast is blessed with acres of parkland, perfect for lazing the afternoon away. Many of Australia's most beautiful (and historic) buildings can be found within the boundaries of the city including the handsomely restored former Railway Building, numerous stately Colonial buildings, St. Peter's Cathedral, the grand old Parliament Buildings and nearby Government House, which all make a worthy addition to any visit. Adelaide is of course known for its wide diversity of faiths, and as such carries its nickname "the city of churches" with pride. Contrary to other Australian penal settlements, Adelaide was a free settlement. This meant that it was also a state free from religious persecution, leading rise to the construction of many churches.