Cruise and Maritime Voyages

Enjoy an orientation drive of the beautiful Brisbane city before heading to join a leisurely exclusive cruise along the Brisbane River aboard a majestic paddle wheeler, a unique way to enjoy the city and its scenery.
At the boat pier, you will board the ‘Mississippi’ style paddle wheeler for a cruise along Brisbane River, through the heart of Brisbane and the Wharf Area. Listen to the informative commentary that will introduce you to the city’s landmarks, its culture and people. View the multimillion-dollar mansions on the river at Norman Park, the historic building of Shafston House at Kangaroo Point and the Story Bridge. Marvel at the eclectic mix of historic and modern architecture, and travel past the extensive South Bank Parklands, developed on the site of the 1988 World Expo. During your cruise, savour tea or coffee and cake.

By coach/paddle-wheeler boat/on foot, subject to minimum 40/maximum 80.
Please note: There is very little walking on this tour. The river cruise duration is approximately 2 hours. There is a walk of approximately 450m from the coach to join the paddle-wheeler and approximately 3 steps to board the vessel. If you wish to access the sun deck a further 10 steps will need to be negotiated. There are toilet facilities on board the Paddle Wheeler.

Experience one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef.  Larger than the Great Wall of China, this amazing reef system is the only living thing on Earth visible from space. This flourishing living Reef was formed millions of years ago and is now home to hundreds of different types of colourful fish and coral.
From the ships’ berth you walk to the catamaran to join your adventure (approximately 650m) which starts with a 1½ hour scenic cruise to a Reef Pontoon. On arrival at the floating pontoon of the Outer Barrier Reef, you will have access to one of the most pristine sites available. During a 4½ hour stay, you will have a chance to snorkel, swim or take a ride on a semi-submersible with views of the incredible world below.                      
For your comfort and convenience, coffee, tea and cookies are included on the Catamaran during the transfers. There is also a licensed bar should you wish to purchase additional refreshments. An extensive tropical buffet lunch is included during your stay on the floating pontoon. Aquatic life is located just metres away from the floating pontoon.

By catamaran, subject to minimum 20/maximum 100.
Please note: This excursion is not exclusive to Cruise & Maritime Voyages guests. To join the vessel guests will be required to walk approximately 650m to the embarkation point. The transfer out to/from the Great Barrier Reef will take approximately 1½ hours each way. The open water journey to and from the Reef can lead to rough seas. If you are prone to motion sickness, please consider taking a seasickness tablet prior to participating in the journey. This tour will operate in all weather conditions. Cancellation is at the discretion of the supplier for safety reasons. No compensation will be given due to inclement weather, temperature of the Tropical climate or guests affected by sea sickness. Please do not bring valuable items such as jewellery as there are no security lockers available on the catamaran or the pontoon.
Before you book this excursion, you must refer to the General Shore Excursion Information & Conditions, in particular the paragraph ‘Activity & Water Based Excursions’. You must also ensure that your travel insurance extends to cover the activity. It is your responsibility to obtain adequate insurance. This may include an additional premium. Alcohol must be avoided before any water activities and no responsibility will be taken for participants who choose to consume alcohol prior to water activities. Participants must be in good physical condition and must be competent swimmers. Guests with cardiac conditions, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, other heart or respiratory conditions, or any other medical conditions should take particular caution if wishing to participate in the water activities. Guests who have concerns should consult with their personal physician before booking this excursion. Unfortunately this tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or who are full time wheelchair users.
As this excursion includes water based activities you should bear in mind that the sea is unpredictable and so please exercise caution. All water activities undertaken are at your own risk. Please wear your swimwear, sunscreen and take a towel.  The fare for this tour includes a fee which goes towards the management and protection of the Reef. There are approximately 10 steps to access the catamaran, semi-submersible and viewing chamber. There is a no smoking policy on the Catamaran and pontoon. Independent suppliers at the pontoon may offer water sports such as scuba and guided snorkel tours, these are provided by parties unconnected to CMV and are payable direct. Qualified scuba divers require proof of certification. Please remember to carry a credit card or local currency for any additional purchases.

Visit the World Heritage Listed, Daintree National Park and the site of Mossman Gorge. Crystal clear water cascades over large granite boulders in the Mossman River Gorge and lush rainforests cloak steep mountainsides from the river banks up to the rugged eastern slopes of the Main Coast Range.
An hour and a half’s drive will take you along one of the country's most scenic coastal routes.  Upon arrival at Mossman Gorge you will transfer to the visitor centre for some free time.  Then, journey into the lush rainforest of Mossman Gorge and experience the wonders as you embark on a 30-minute guided walk along the rainforest paths to enjoy the beauty of the area. The crystal-clear water of the Mossman River cascading over granite boulders forms watering holes surrounded by lush green rainforest. These sheltered retreats offer the perfect location for a refreshing dip to break up your walk through the Gorge. Let the troubles of the daily grind float away in the tranquil surroundings and take the time to appreciate nature at its best.
After your visit you transfer to the lovely town of Port Douglas where they will be approximately one hour of free time to explore independently. This picturesque seaside town is set alongside the spectacular Four Mile Beach and holds a vibrant atmosphere of tropical style and sophistication.

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 35/maximum 80.
Please note: This tour involves approximately 30-45-minutes of walking along dirt paths and uneven ground during the guided tour. Sturdy footwear is essential and we recommend you carry water with you. Those guests who wish to participate in a swim should bring/ wear their swim attire and carry a towel. 30 minutes has been set aside for those who wish to partake in a swim. There are no changing facilities. This tour does not include lunch or refreshments; they may be purchased at your own expense during the visit to Port Douglas.
IMAGE CREDIT: TOURSIM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Closer to Indonesia than to any other Australian city, Darwin is the capital of the remote, vast Northern Territory. As you take a leisurely drive around the city you will pass such highlights as Christchurch Cathedral, Government House, Old Admiralty House and the 34 hectare Botanical Gardens containing over 400 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants. Further on is the beautiful Fanny Bay and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory where a visit is included. Feel free to peruse the excellent collection of Aboriginal, South-East Asian and Oceanic Art as well as a permanent collection of major Australian fine art and Northern Territory natural science.
Your next stop will be Crocodylus Park, famous for its crocodile research and conservation. Get close to the large reptiles in the lagoon and their pens as you witness their feeding. Crocodylus Park plays host to over 1,000 crocodiles from 30cm long hatchlings to massive adults measuring over 4.8m and weighing more than half a ton. There is also an opportunity to have a photo taken with a juvenile crocodile and for the more adventurous to hold one.

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 35/maximum 80.
Please note: To fully enjoy the tour there is approximately 2 hours of walking over mainly even ground. Comfortable, flat shoes are recommended.
IMAGE CREDIT: Tourism Australia

Home to more than half of the Territory's population, Darwin boasts a colourful history. During World War II the Japanese bombed the city and threatened invasion. This tour will focus on the war history and show you the sights of the city. See the War Memorial along the esplanade, view remains of the WW2 Air strip and visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory which features collections of the region's art, natural science, history and culture.
A stop is also made at the Darwin Military Museum where you can see displays and gun emplacements which were built to protect Australia during the time of war. The Defence of Darwin Experience provides visitors with an interactive, multimedia experience and tells the story of Darwin's role in World War II. The exhibition includes iconic objects from that time and firsthand accounts.
Afterwards, transfer to the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre which features an impressive collection of the Territory's aviation history from the aviation pioneers and record breakers to the Territory's frontier role in World War II. There is a B52 Bomber, Mirage and Sabre jets, a Spitfire replica and Wessex and Huey Cobra helicopters. The development of the jet age is depicted through displays and photographs and the Bombing of Darwin exhibition.

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 35/maximum 80.
Please note: To fully enjoy the tour there is approximately 2 hours of total walking much of this is at guest’s discretion during the visits to the Museums.

The island of Bali embodies the very essence of the exotic and mysterious East. Steep hillsides of tropical green reveal terraced rice paddies while plantations of coffee, banana, cacao and fragrant spices line the roads. Traditional villages produce intricate batik, superb jewellery and beautiful paintings. For all Bali's scenic beauty, the Island has weathered great natural disasters, from the 1963 eruption of Mt. Agung to a massive earthquake in 1976. The Island emerged relatively unscathed from the great tsunami of 2004.
From the pier you drive towards the interior of the island and your first stop will be at a Batik Factory, where you can see the making of the famous ‘batik’ through the traditional wax-resist dye technique and industrial techniques such as the stamp.  From here you drive to Neka Museum which is located near the artists' hub of Ubud. The Museum was opened in 1982 and is named after a Balinese teacher Suteja Neka who collected paintings as a means of artistic documentation. There is a great selection of works from many famous Balinese artists and expats who have lived here and influenced local artists.
The fine art of woodcarving was once reserved exclusively for royal families and religious purposes and during a visit to Kemenuh Village you will be able to observe craftsmen turning slabs of wood into beautiful carvings.
During your tour, you will also learn about Bali's Hindu Dharma religion. This unique blend of Hinduism, Buddhism and ancestral worship has evolved over the centuries, and today combines outside influences with its ancient rites and practices.  
A typical Balinese set-menu lunch, including a choice of a soft drink or beer, will be served at a local restaurant before you continue to Kehen Temple. This 12th-century Temple dedicated to Shiva rises up the mountainside and culminates in an 11-tier shrine. Through an ornate entrance, a courtyard shelters a giant holy banyan tree and a bell tower used to summon villagers for ceremonies. The main shrine sits on a cosmic turtle, symbolising the spiritual world, entwined by serpents, symbolising the material. This is the state temple of the Bangli kingdom. This Temple is often described as the miniature version of the Pura Besakih. Built in the 11th century, the Kehen Temple is the largest temple in East Bali and considered to be the finest.
The last stop on your Bali discovery will be at Kertha Gosa in the city of Klungkung, the ancient Court of Justice at Semarapura, which features exquisitely-painted ceilings. Kertha Gosa Pavilion was first built in the early 18th century by Dewa Agung Gusti Sideman. The first function of the Pavilion was for the court of law in 1945. It was repainted in the 1920’s and again in the 1960’s.

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 25/maximum 150.
Please note: This tour involves approximately 30 minutes walking at each of the sites visited and so there is a total of approximately 2 hours of walking, including steps. Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. US$ are accepted for any purchases.

The Balinese are surrounded by arts and crafts. They make art out of the most basic necessities in their daily lives, and Artistic knowledge is open to everyone at all levels. Painting, sculpture, carving and music have traditionally been the province of men, while women channelled their creative energy into creating lavish offerings to the gods. It is incredible to see so many people pour so much energy into creating beautiful things and this tour will give you a glimpse of the arts and crafts Bali has to offer.
Your first stop will be at the Bali Orchid Garden. This beautifully landscaped Garden which opened in 1999 has orchids which bloom throughout the year as well as many tropical plants from Indonesia and other countries. The Garden provides a beautiful, relaxing tropical haven where you can stroll amongst a wide variety of tropical flowers, foliage plants and the exquisite orchid collection.
This tour also includes a visit to a Balinese House Compound which consists of three areas. First is the house compound which usually has at least four pavilions plus a complex containing the family Temple. Second is a stand-alone house with a separate pavilion for the kitchen. Third is a complex, where rows of houses which belong to different families stand opposite one another on both sides of a plot of land. Each building has its own function and such compounds are rarely found in modern Balinese life. 
Afterwards, at Peliatan Village you will visit a Semar Kuning painting Gallery. At the entrance hall, painters are busy working on their masterpieces. Take a closer look at their work which is a wide collection from traditional to modern and contemporary. These amazingly professional paintings are placed in various exhibition rooms. Your tour concludes with a visit to Celuk Village, home of silver and gold jewellers.  In workshops behind the stores, you can watch artisans working the silver and setting semiprecious stones. Filigree pieces with detailed, imaginative designs—ships, flowers, butterflies—are among the many items you can see or purchase. Enjoy a light snack with tea or coffee before you rejoin your coach for the return journey to Benoa.

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 25 /maximum 150.
Please note: This tour involves a total of approximately 45 minutes walking at the Orchid Garden, 30 minutes at the House Compound, 45 minutes at Peliatan and 30 minutes at Celuk. Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

From the pier you travel to Celuk village, home of silver and gold jewellers.  In workshops behind the stores, you can watch artisans working the silver and setting semiprecious stones. Filigree pieces with detailed, imaginative designs—ships, flowers, butterflies—are among the many items you can see or purchase from Silver and Jewellery shops.
Continue to Ubud, a quiet cultural centre in Bali, famous for its handicraft. The bus will drop you off at Ubud’s soccer field parking area at Monkey Forest Road. You will have two hours free time to discover Ubud’s village and market.

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 25/maximum 200.
Please note: The drive to Celuk will take approximately 45 minutes depending on traffic. The drive back from Ubud will take approximately 1 hour depending on traffic. There is approximately 45 minutes of free time at Celuk and 2 hours at Ubud. This tour is unguided and does not include entrance fees or refreshments. There will be an English speaking escort travelling with you on the transfers. The local currency is the Rupiah and it is required for entrance fees to most venues. Currency exchange is available in the city at major hotels. Please ensure that you note the coach departure time and meeting point and arrive in good time for the return.

Depart the harbour and after a 45-minute drive you arrive at The Banjar Bali Spa, especially designed for those who want a unique spa experience. Included in your spa visit is a Foot Bath Ritual (5 mins), Body Massage (100 mins) and Aromatheraphy Floral Bath (15 mins).
Before returning to Benoa, you will transfer to Jimbaran Bay to enjoy a sunset dinner. Eating seafood on the beach in Jimbaran is a quintessential part of many trips in Bali. A wonderfully calm golden beach, Jimbaran sweeps gently from the airport south towards the Bukit. Tables are set up right on the sand and the sea breeze is cool, the sunsets are beautiful and the whole area is lit by candles and oil torches after dark. It's a lovely experience to eat fresh seafood with your toes in the sand while the waves of the bay lap the shoreline.

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 25/maximum 100.
Please note: The transfer to the Spa will take approximately 45 minutes each way. Spa treatments will last approximately 2 hours. Depending on your booking and availability, there can be a single or couples room booked. Please note that the Spa has female therapists only. The Spa will provide disposable underwear, a kimono, towel, shampoo and soap for showers. There is no elevator and approximately 15 steps to each level of the Spa.
The Spa want you to have the most enjoyable experience possible. Although most treatments are suitable for all guests, we recommend that you check that the treatment will not affect you or cause you discomfort. It is your responsibility to check this prior to participating. For those guests who are allergic to jasmine or lavender, baby oil will be used as an alternative. This excursion is not recommend for guests who have open cuts, abrasions or acne, hypersensitivity to heat, high blood pressure, recent operations, severe varicose veins, undiagnosed oedema, infectious skin diseases including conditions aggravated by moisture or heat, severe sunburn, chronic or inflamed back conditions, nerve damage, diabetes, pregnancy, auto-immune dysfunction, skin allergies, in cancer remission or if you are taking strong medication.

Port Hedland was first sighted by Europeans in 1628, when Dutch explorer Gerrit Frederikson De Witt ran his ship Vyanan aground on the sandbars in the tidal inlet. Supporting inland gold-mining, Port Hedland was named a town in 1896. In the mid twentieth century it was discovered that the Pilbara highlands were rich in iron ore and in 1960 the Commonwealth lifted its restrictions on the trading of iron ore due to international demand for the resource. Port Hedland was expanded with major infrastructural developments to cater for this new industrial imperative. Port Hedland today operates one of the world's largest tonnage ports, handling over 100 million tonnes of product worth over $3 billion a year.
Enjoy a guided tour of BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s Nelson point facility based on a 320 hectare site, in the heart of the port and the town. This tour allows you to see the workings of the mining giants’ operations first hand and is conducted with a local Miner host. You are given exclusive access to view the Port Hedland stage of iron ore on its journey from Newman and other mine sites inland to its final destination with steel producers overseas. Your host will explain the processes as you follow the ore, through the stages of dumping, stockpiling, reclaiming and loading onto the gigantic iron ore carriers. The tour also features information about the worlds’ longest train and world rail track laying record. 

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 40/maximum 160.  
Please note:  There is no walking on this tour as it is conducted entirely by coach.

Leaving the Marina, your tour proceeds to the Communication Towers at the Harold Holt Naval Base. Here you will also see the One Man Submarine used during World War II, one of only a few remaining in the world. You then continue on to Vlaming Head Lighthouse from where there are magnificent views over the ocean, and Exmouth Township.        
Then, you visit Jurabi Turtle Centre, an interperetive educations facility where you can take a closer look at the life cycle of the endangered turtles of Ningaloo. After a quick stop at Bundegi Beach for a photo opportunity you return to Exmouth township for a short panoramic coach tour around the town to hear about the history behind some of the names of places and streets in and around the sleepy little town with a population of approximately 2,500.  From here you ascend to the top of Cape Range to see the rugged ridges of Charles Knife Gorge and the sprawling views across to the Exmouth Gulf.

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 20/maximum 80.
Please note: This tour is operated using a driver guide. This tour involves walking over dirt and uneven paths during the stops at the beach and Lighthouse. Much of this is at guests’ discretion and optional.
IMAGE CREDIT: TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA