* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Cabin Pricing
Ports
Cairns
The picturesque town of Yorkey's, dominated by its dramatic headland, is your gateway to Cairns, one of Australia's hottest vacation destinations, which basks in tropical sunshine with balmy breezes that waft in from Trinity Bay.
The city's graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to the gold fields of North Queensland. Cairns boasts three of Australia's great natural wonders: the Great Barrier Reef and 16 miles of superb beaches that stretch to the north of the city to the famed Marlin Coast. Inland lies the immense Daintree National Park. Discover the rainbow of sea life, marvel at the rain forest or relax along the long stretch of sunny coastline.
Country - Australia Distance from port to City - 17kms Distance from port to Airport - 10kms Currency - Australian Dollars (AUD)
Places of Interest Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda
Dunk Island was named by Lt. James Cook in 1770 after Lord Montague-Dunk, the Earl of Halifax, as he sailed along the Great Barrier Reef, remarking at the time that it was a “tolerable high island”. Aboriginal people had of course inhabited the island for a long time prior to 1770, and they called the island Coonanglebah which loosely translates as place of peace and plenty.
Edmund James Banfield, easily the islands most notable resident, settled on the island in 1897 and remained there until his death in 1923. Banfield came to the island after his doctor told him he had only months to live, believing the island lifestyle would aid his health, he lived for a further 26 years! Banfield, an author and what we today would probably call an “alternative lifestyler” described the island as his Isle of Dreams—this unkempt, unrestrained garden where the centuries gaze upon perpetual summer. Banfield wrote several books whilst on the island, including Confessions of a Beachcomber, and wrote regular articles for the press on Dunk Island establishing it as a very early tourism attraction on the Queensland Coast.
By 1934 Banfield’s Cottage was being operated as a resort, with tourism taking a break during WWII as the Royal Australian Air Force occupied the island as a radar and radio station. Avis Rent-a-car built the first real resort in 1956 which eventually lead to the resort that exists on the island today.
Part of the Family Island’s National Park, the beautifully landscaped resort facilities and swimming pools complement the natural beauty and lush rainforest of the island. Walking trails take you through the resort and the National Park and all the way to the top of Mt Kootaloo if it is desired.
Source: www.orionexpeditions.com
Hardy Reef
Country - Distance from port to City - Distance to Airport - Currency -
Places of Interest
Percy Island
Percy Island Latitude: 21°39'S Longitude: 150°15E
The explorer Matthew Flinders visited the Percy Isles in September 1802 and described one of the coves as "one of the prettiest little places imaginable". Middle Percy, the largest of the three islands in the group, is a favourite stop for cruising yachtsmen en route between the tropical north and southern seas. An A-frame hut on the beach is decorated with memorabilia and souvenirs from these yachts. Middle Percy was first settled in 1870 and the homestead dating from that time is today occupied by the island caretakers.
What more perfect way to spend your day than to while it away in the shade or in the shallows with a glass of wine in your hand? A sumptuous beach BBQ is provided today, our fleet of sea kayaks will be available for you to explore the coast and estuaries of Middle Percy (tide and weather permitting) and the island has a series of walking trails where you may come across resident population of Emu and other native and introduced wildlife.
Source: www.orionexpeditions.com
Brisbane
Once considered the "country cousin" of Australia's cities, Brisbane is today the nation's third largest metropolis. Lying on the banks of the Brisbane River, this cosmopolitan city boasts elegant 19th century sandstone buildings, a lively cultural scene and superb parklands. Brisbane is also the gateway to adventures with a uniquely Australian flavour, whether it is to a wildlife park, the rain-forested Mount Tamborine plateau, or the dazzling beaches of Queensland's fabled Gold Coast.
Country- Australia Distance from port to City - 10kms Distance from port to Airport - 10kms Currency - Australian Dollars (AUD)
Places of Interest Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Gold Coast, Australia Zoo
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Orion Expedition Cruises
Founded in early 2004, Australian owned and operated, Orion Expedition Cruises has developed voyages to encourage guests to become a part of the region they are discovering.
Orion is a purpose built vessel designed to access the inaccessible, all in 5-star luxury. The ship combines the best and the latest in design with maritime and environmental technology, comfort and casual elegance. From the ice-strengthened hull to the chilled champagne and superb cuisine, this is expedition cruising at its finest.
Described as the latest in the quest to build the perfect expedition vessel * , all Orion’s staterooms feature ocean views and offer internet access, flat-screen TV, DVD/CD, a choice of twin and queen sized beds, a sitting area and marble bathrooms. Other on board amenities include a health spa with gymnasium, sauna, sun deck Jacuzzi and a stern marina platform.
Orion offers a range of included and optional Shoreside Expeditions designed to enhance the destination exploration for our guests. From Mallard sea plane flights and outback 4WD tours, to snorkeling over pristine coral formations, there are many unique opportunities for guests to visit areas of Australia that even most Australians don’t get to see. As part of our commitment to offering guests an enriching experience, on board speakers have been selected for their knowledge and expertise on the regions they visit. Guests are invited to attend presentations in the 90 seat Lecture Theatre.
Our innovative expeditions are year-round and vary with the seasons: - Winter (May to September) in the Kimberley, Top End, East Timor, Arnhem Land and Komodo - Spring (October, November) and Autumn (March, April) in remote and unspoilt parts of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait Islands and Papua New Guinea - Summer (December, January and February) in the Tasman Sea, Tasmania and Antarctica.
We would be delighted to have you join us on a voyage to some of the most wonderful but rarely seen places on earth.
Ship info
Orion
Orion is a purpose built vessel designed to access the inaccessible, all in 5-star luxury. The ship combines the best and the latest in design with maritime and environmental technology, comfort and casual elegance. From the ice-strengthened hull to the chilled champagne and superb cuisine, this is expedition cruising at its finest.
