Welcome onboard Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht. Settle into your luxurious suite and enjoy the first destination of this incredible journey: Cairns, the gateway to tropical north Queensland. This is the only place on Earth where two World Heritage sites collide – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

Please book your flight to arrive into Cairns prior to 02:00 PM.

The Coral Sea Islands Territory extends east and south from the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, covering 51 islets and cays, alongside 30 separate reefs and atolls. Willis Island is the only permanently inhabited island, with four staff employed at the weather monitoring station, which was established in 1921 to provide a cyclone early warning service for Queenslanders. Coral Sea Marine Park, one of the world’s largest marine parks, protects 16 different seafloors, 15,000 km² of reef systems and an abundance of corals, fish, sea stars, clams and sea cucumbers.

Discovery: Explore this fascinating island on a Zodiac tour. Alternatively, at your leisure, go kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or snorkelling in the reef’s crystal-clear waters.

Enjoy a leisurely day to take advantage of the luxurious onboard facilities of your Discovery Yacht. Relax on your private verandah; indulge at the Senses Spa with a massage or yoga class; or learn about Australia’s history, flora and fauna from your expert Discovery Team’s enrichment programs.

Lizard Island, the northern most island resort on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, is uniquely placed at the centre of the inner and outer reef systems as well as fringing reefs. An amazing range of marine animal and plant life can be found within this extraordinary eco-system.

Discovery: Snorkel with your Discovery team to see the Clam Gardens, home to many different types of clams, or stand-up paddleboard in the tranquil waters of Anchor Bay. Alternatively, follow in the footsteps of Captain Cook to Cook’s Look, the highest vantage point on the island.

Creech Reef, on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, is 60 kilometres from the mainland of Queensland’s Far North. Coral reefs spread 40 kilometres wide, comprising some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. The secluded Sandy Cay is like your own private, tiny island in the middle of the Coral Sea.

Discovery: Go kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or snorkelling around this unforgettable reef.

At the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, see indigenous art exhibitions, shop for authentic souvenirs and enjoy a cultural performance by the local children. As we sail towards Horn Island, hear about the significance of the Torres Strait Islands during World War II from a Discovery Team expert.
Join a tour of Thursday Island, home to indigenous Torres Strait Islanders, whose culture is distinctly different and fascinating. Learn about the history of British settlement and the region’s pearling fleets. Reaching the northernmost part of the mainland, Cape York, witness a sunset at the ‘tip of Australia’ from the deck of your ultra-luxury yacht.

With another day at sea, it’s the perfect opportunity to relax at one of our bars, where premium beverages are included; or take in the ocean view through the Swarovski telescopes in the Observation Lounge.

Pass the picturesque Wessel Island and sail through ‘The Hole in the Wall’, a narrow channel north of Arnhem Land, to the port of Nhulunbuy (Gove).

Arrive at the remote Cobourg Peninsula, in the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, the site of three failed attempts by the British to settle north Australia. Walking inland, our Discovery Team experts and rangers will interpret the history of the eerie stone ruins, now largely reclaimed by nature. Visit the Ranger’s Interpretation Centre at Black Point to learn about the region’s indigenous heritage, its Macassan traders and European pioneers.

The area of more than 1000 hectares is part of a national park and borders a marine park. Visitors leave nothing behind except perhaps a few footprints on the shell-strewn sandy beaches. They only look and take in the rare beauty of this wild part of the Cobourg Peninsula. Walking inland, our Discovery Team experts and rangers will interpret the history of the eerie stone ruins, now largely reclaimed by nature. Visit the Ranger’s Interpretation Centre at Black Point to learn about the region’s indigenous heritage, its Macassan traders and European pioneers.

Freechoice: Over the next two days, join your experienced local guides to learn about the bush tucker found in the coastal estuaries and mangroves, which are ideal for mud crabbing, or explore the remains of Victoria Settlement, where a group of British soldiers arrived with their families in 1838 and spent 11 years at Port Essington. Alternatively, explore the rugged Cobourg Peninsula by open back 4WD safari, including visits to Rainbow Beach, Vashon Head and Nipa Palm Gallery. Garig Gunak Barlu National Park is a protected Ramsar conservation site and a unique wetland of biological diversity. More than 200 species of bird populate the marshes and forests and make for incredible birdwatching.

Discovery: The National Park consists of a mosaic of sandy beaches, dunes and associated coastal grasslands. Explore the flora and fauna of this World Heritage Listed habitat on guided nature walks.

Disembark in Northern Territory’s multicultural capital city, in the ‘Top End’ of Australia, distinguished by its friendly, laidback lifestyle. This is the end of your incredible Discovery Voyage through the unspoiled northern parts of Australia. Bid farewell to your Captain, crew and new friends.

Please book your flight to depart out of Darwin after 12:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.