Experience an unforgettable 4 day Southern Great Barrier Reef Cruise aboard a Coral Expeditions luxury small-ship, plus enjoy a 3 day stay in Cairns. Discover the wonder of expedition adventure cruising and some of the most colourful marine life of the Great Barrier Reef as well as included shore excursions to Sudbury Sandy Cay, Dunk Island, Fitzroy Island among others. This is truly an experience of a lifetime. Themes include: Test, Queensland, Departs from Cairns, Small Expedition Ship, Returns from Cairns. + Show more

Package Includes

4 Day Coral Expeditions Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Return Flights to Cairns (pricing options below)
3 Nights Twin Cabin Accommodation aboard the Coral Expeditions II
3 Nights Accommodation in Cairns
All meals aboard the Coral Expeditions II, 24 hour coffee and tea, FREE Guided Glass Bottom Boat Tours, FREE Snorkeling and Introductory SCUBA Session, All Entrance Fees
Cairns & Surrounds Tour
Meet and Greet Personalised Return Transfers (Airport, Port and Hotel)
FREE DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Bonus Voucher Book ($500 Value discounts and bonuses in Queensland)

Highlights

Cairns Great Barrier Reef Thetford Reef Coates Reef Nathan Reef Sudbury Sandy Cay Hinchinbrook Channel Dunk Island Fitzroy Island Nudey Beach Great Barrier Reef Glass Bottom Boat Tour Gourmet Aussie Beach BBQ Snorkelling Kayaking Bush Walk Special Seafood Buffet Dinner Mangrove Tour Giant Clam Garden Great Barrier Reef Marine Biology Presentations Rusty's Weekend Markets Palm Cove Beach Surprise Creek Falls Barron Gorge National Park Cairns Northern Beaches St Monica's Church Cairns Central Shopping Centre Cairns Night Markets

Quick Jump

Prices

Departure Dates

Book Now

Ask A Consultant

Descriptions

Day 1 Fly to Cairns

Feel the warmth of Tropical North Queensland, as you arrive smell the sweet scent of the wet tropics and see expansive mangroves on your way into Cairns. You will be personally met at the airport by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the airport to your hotel. You can relax and use the rest of the day to explore your hotel and its facilities, perhaps take a stroll around the neighbourhood and central Cairns.

Meet and Greet Personalised Arrival Transfer, Overnight Cairns Accommodation.

Day 2 Cairns Town Tour

Discover tropical Cairns after being picked up by your friendly driver for your half day tour of Cairns. Visit St. Monica's Cathedral, which features the world’s largest, themed stained glass windows. Enjoy afternoon tea of scones and jam at the Flecker Botanical Gardens, renowned for having one of the best exhibitions in Australia of tropical plants. Take in spectacular views of Cairns from various vantage points and lookouts before touring to Barron Falls in the Barron Gorge National Park for a walk to the stunning Surprise Creek Falls in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wet Tropics.

Later, visit idyllic Palm Cove in Cairns’ Northern Beaches and enjoy a stroll along the beach or a walk to the end of the jetty to watch the sun set behind the mountains before being returned to your Cairns hotel.

Half Day Cairns Town Tour with Hotel Pick Up, Afternoon Tea, Overnight Cairns Accommodation.

Day 3 Explore Cairns

Spend the day exploring Cairns at your own pace. Perhaps take the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway through the Wet Tropics or the Skyrail Cableway for remarkable views of Cairns, the tablelands, mountain ranges and the Coral Sea before descending through the rainforest canopy. You may also visit the beautiful Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation where the rainforest meets the ocean. Alternatively, you may choose to relax and stroll around the many cafes and shops or the beautiful waterfront in Cairns. The choice is yours..

Overnight Cairns Accommodation.

Day 4 Board Coral Expeditions II and Cruise to Sudbury Sand Cay

Begin your 4 day adventure in the Southern Great Barrier Reef this morning. You will be personally met at your Cairns hotel by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from your hotel to the Cairn’s Cruise Liner Terminal to board the Coral Expeditions II . Cruise through Trinity Bay as you enjoy views of scenic Port Douglas. Soon you arrive at your first exclusive mooring site. Cruises alternate between Thetford Reef, Coates Reef and Nathan Reef. You may get off the vessel to snorkel or SCUBA Dive or alternatively if you don’t want to get your feet wet you may enjoy a glass bottom boat tour, view a fish feeding display or an onboard presentation by a Marine Biologist.

This evening, enjoy welcome sunset drinks on the deserted Sudbury Sand Cay before enjoying a special seafood buffet dinner back on board the Coral Expeditions II.

Meet and Greet Personalised Port Transfer, Lunch, Snorkelling, Diving, Glass Bottom Boat Tour, Sunset Drinks, Special Seafood Buffet Dinner, Overnight Accommodation onboard the Coral Expeditions II.

Day 5 Cruise Hinchinbrook Channel

This morning, cruise the spectacular Hinchinbrook Channel that separates Hinchinbrook Island from the mainland. Look out for crocodiles, dolphins, whales, turtles and dugongs as you cruise through the Channel. Enjoy a tour of the surrounding mangroves as you take in the interpretive commentary and breathtaking views.

Enjoy time on a tropical island where you will enjoy a guided bushwalk, a gourmet Aussie beach BBQ and the chance to snorkel or dive over the island’s fringing reef which showcases a magnificent garden of giant clams.

You also have the chance to kayak, take a glass bottom boat tour or relax on the beach before returning to the Coral Expeditions II for the night.

Breakfast, Mangrove Tour, Guided Bushwalk, Aussie BBQ Lunch, Snorkelling, Diving, Glass Bottom Boat Tour, Dinner, Overnight Accommodation onboard the Coral Expeditions II.

Day 6 Explore Dunk Island & Nathan Reef

Today, after breakfast, enjoy a rainforest walk on Dunk Island with your naturalist guide. Look for the fabulous electric blue Ulysses butterflies before spending the afternoon exploring the colourful Nathan Reef. You have the opportunity once again to snorkel, SCUBA dive or enjoy a glass bottom boat tour.

Experience an interactive marine biology presentation at the onboard display tank.

Breakfast, Lunch, Snorkelling, Diving, Glass Bottom Boat Tour, Marine Biology Presentation, Dinner, Overnight Accommodation onboard Coral Expeditions II.

Day 7 Explore Fitzroy Island, Return to Cairns & Fly Home

Discover Fitzroy Island this morning. Take beautiful bushwalks and hikes, snorkel over the fringing reef and enjoy beachcombing on the white sand of Nudey Beach as well as the chance to enjoy the resorts facilities. You will return to Cairns this afternoon and you will be personally met at the cruise terminal by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred to Cairns Airport for your flight home.

Breakfast, Bushwalks, Hikes, Snorkelling, Meet and Greet Personalised Departure Transfer.

Flights Included

This package includes all flights as detailed below in the price section (including all fees, levies and taxes). However, we can tailor this package to include our special discounted 'package only' airfares from anywhere. Simply let us know.

Cairns Accommodation Included

You have 3 choices of accommodation in Cairns. Our "Good Standard" central Cairns hotel has great facilities, a comfortable room and friendly service (typically 3.5 stars). Alternatively, why not treat yourself? The "Deluxe" hotel has superior facilities, stylish room and first class service (typically 4 stars). The “Luxury” hotel is upscale with a more luxurious feel for the discerning traveller and great for celebrating an anniversary (typically 5 stars).

The package is priced on the "Good Standard" option. See Optional Upgrades below for more details, or simply ask.

Airport and Port Transfers Included

You will be personally met by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the airport to your hotel, from your hotel to the cruise liner terminal and from the cruise liner terminal to the airport for your flight home.

DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Bonus Voucher Book

You’ll receive the FREE DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Bonus Voucher Book that includes $500 value of discounts and bonuses throughout Cairns and Queensland at shops, restaurants attractions etc. It’s a great way to save even more on your Queensland holiday.

Coral Expeditions in Detail

Use this tool for full details and images on Coral Expeditions:

Overview Coral Discoverer Coral Adventurer Coral Expeditions I

Coral Expeditions II On Board Facilities Dining & Lounge Inclusions

Shore Excursions Coral Expeditions Details

+62 more images

Overview

For 33 years, Coral Expeditions has focused on small ship expedition cruises to faraway lands. The fleet of three (soon to be four) Australian-flagged and crewed ships were purpose-built for exploring. The fleet of three expedition style cruise ships has been specially designed and purpose-built to our exacting standards. With no more than 120 guests, there are no queues. The cuisine is small-batch, our wines are Australian artisanal, and the service is personalised. Come explore your world with Australia’s pioneering cruise line.

Large enough to provide all the modern amenities and comforts of larger cruise ships, yet small enough to enable us to access reef and island sites inaccessible to other vessels. Australian registered and staffed, whichever Coral Expeditions small ship you choose to cruise aboard, you are assured of a personalised and unique adventure.

Videos & Images

Prices flying from

4 Day Great Barrier Reef Southern Expedition Cruise with Cairns Stay

7 Day Cruise Package

$ 2519 *

*Starting holiday costs per person, two share, for low seasons (A$). Seasonal surcharges apply outside of low season. As prices vary based on travel dates, be flexible with dates to get the best deals! Itinerary and vehicle types subject to change without notice. Subject to limited availability at these prices, after which higher prices apply, book now. See Important Information before booking. © DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Booking Code: mp348

Departures Departs: Any day

The 4 Day Great Barrier Reef Southern Expedition Cruise with Cairns Stay is very popular. Many dates book out well in advance, please book soon.

Call 1800 73 2000 or

click to ask a Specialist Consultant.

Book Now

Download Now

You can also instantly download a brochure now

Any Questions? Open

Please complete as much as you can to help your Specialist Consultant provide the best response.

Your Preferred Travel Dates?
Dates You're Unable to Travel?
Number of Passengers?
(any consessions or children)
Special Requests?
Title

First Name

Last Name
Email Address

Telephone
Details for your FREE brochures

Country

Suburb

Address

State

Postcode
How did you first hear of DISCOVER AUSTRALIA?

Subscribe to dealsAlert Privacy Statement
Incomplete Fields, See Above

Sending Enquiry. . .

Thank You - Booking Enquiry Received

Your Specialist Consultant will respond soon.