State: Northern Territory
Operator: North Star Cruises
Minimum Price: AUD $ 13,995

Join our legendary crew on a unique voyage of discovery………experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, the rainforest fringed coastline of Cape York, some of Australia’s most remote island communities and the rugged “Top End’’ – all in a single cruise and all whilst enjoying the ultimate comfort of the True North.

Welcome Aboard!

The True North allows discerning adventures to experience wilderness in surroundings more akin to one of the world’s most exclusive hotels!

Passengers are able to take advantage of a number of lavish vantage points including a sundeck, a forward observation lounge, a ship’s lounge and an alfresco bar. The ship’s naturalist presents interpretative information on plasma screens and, an internet café enables convenient communication with the outside world. A popular venue on any North Star cruise, the lower deck dining room offers the ultimate in comfort and uninterrupted vista - large panoramic windows ensure that passengers never miss any of the action, even when they are enjoying the ‘finest in fine dining’.

All cabins feature enhanced décor, en-suite facilities, in-house entertainment and satellite telephones. The Explorer Class staterooms and the River Class cabins offer king size beds that can be converted to singles and the Ocean Class twins feature roomy single beds.

Multiple expedition boats allow passengers to do “what they want, when the want” and, to add yet another dimension to adventure, the True North is the only Kimberley adventure-cruise ship that sails with it’s own helicopter!

The purpose built True North is able to explore the upper reaches of shallow river systems – passengers need only step out of their cabins to experience wilderness and, the latest in computer controlled motion stabilizers ensures a comfortable ride.

The True North – one of the finest adventure-cruise ships in the world!

 

Night 1	Your “welcome aboard” the luxurious True North is in the frontier city of Darwin. Embarkation is at 1700 – time for a cocktail with your fellow adventurers before departure at approximately 1800. Dinner is served shortly after leaving port and then it’s an overnight steam to Bathurst Island.
Day 1	We start our cruise activities with an introduction to the unique culture of the Tiwi Island people - participate in a ‘smoke ceremony’ and view rarely seen local art. Then relax on-board as we cruise through the Clarence Strait. Take in the rugged beauty of Australia’s remote top end, enjoy sumptuous fine dining in True North’s spacious dining saloon, try your hand at light game fishing from the convenience of our sports deck or, join the more adventurous for some up-close sightseeing in one of our expedition boats. Our on-board helicopter will provide unique opportunity to view coastal areas,wetlands and the vast grazing plains of the “top end”. Then, at the end of the day,True North’s open-deck bar will be the perfect spot for an ‘outback sunset’.
Day 2	This morning the True North’s favourite tender will provide “not to be missed” opportunities to visit spectacular wetlands adjacent to the world-famous Kakadu National Park. The intrepid ‘heliexplorers’ will also join a guided tour of local rock-art sites! Back on the water there will be some hot fishing action in our “other tenders” for both the novice and experienced angler alike – reef fishing, mud crabbing and, of course, barramundi fishing are all on the agenda! If you’ve never heard of the elusive barramundi before – you’ll soon know everything there is to know about this revered sport fish! A hard-hitting tenacious fighter prone to leaping from the water, the barramundi is equally respected for its fine eating qualities, and, you’ll find that our fishing guides are never short of barramundi stories! Just ask them! Don’t forget to keep an eye out for those pesky saltwater crocodiles because you won’t want to miss dinner tonight! A crisp white from True North’s very own label will be the perfect accompaniment to barramundi cooked just the way you like it!
Day 3	Today we wake off the Coburg Peninsular and the helicopter presents yet another “not to be missed” opportunity – this time we explore the ruins of the ill-fated Victoria Settlement. The outgoing flight also visits “Frenzy Creek” where sharks, eagle rays, dugong, turtles and crocodiles can all be seen in shallow waters and, on the way back we search for banteng cattle – they can only be found in the local wetlands! Our shore parties will also visit the remote Black Point ranger station and interpretation centre. Join a walk to the nearby wetland - our guides will help you to identify some of the 85 species of mangrove found in Australia and bird watchers will encounter species of every imaginable colour. Squeeze in some more fishing time and sample mouth-watering oysters straight from the rock – they don’t get any fresher than this! Oh yeah mate! Our evening meal tonight will be traditional ‘Aussie Fare’ in honour of the settlers!
Day 4	Spend the morning exploring the picturesque Goulburn Islands. There will be numerous opportunities for reef fishing, bird watching and beachcombing on your very own island! Then enjoy a leisurely lunchtime cruise as we move the True North back to the coast for some more hot barramundi action! Visit sites frequented by the Macassans – fisherman from Celebes (Sulawesi) that came in search of prized trepang (sea slugs) long before the arrival of English settlers, explore the many mangrove creeks in the area or join the helicopter for an exhilarating view of a spectacular coastline. Finish the day with a cocktail and a sunset cruise before yet another unforgettable evening meal!
Day 5	The barra will be “on the bite” early this morning and there will also be opportunities for a scenic flight to the nearby aboriginal communities of Milingimbi and Ramingini – here you will be able to view unusual ‘totem art’ and there might also be an opportunity to meet with local ‘movie star’ David Gulpilil! Lunchtime will herald another leisurely cruise - this time to the Crocodile Islands. The afternoon is set aside for exploring this remote island group and, for more epic battles with the areas abundant reef fish!
Day 6	Everyone on-deck for “action stations” as we navigate the True North through the “Hole in the Wall” – a spectacular tidal surge that’s sure to get the adrenalin pumping! Then some light game fishing for mackerel and other surface predators will keep the tempo up! Join the crew ashore for an island picnic and explore the outer reaches of the Wessel Group in the helicopter. Perhaps the highly prized ‘red emperor’ will be on the menu tonight and then join in the fun at the infamous Captain's Party”!
Day 7	This morning we go ashore at Wigram Island to meet Arnhem Land’s most colourful character – local elder Terry Yumbululu. Enjoy morning tea with Terry and his wife Clely in the garden surrounds of their beach house “in the middle of nowhere”.This morning is also your last chance to catch “the biggest one so far” before we leave the sparkling waters of the Northern Territory. Our helicopter expedition today will take in the spectacular English Company Islands and Nhulunbuy – including the vast infrastructure associated with the Nhulunbuy bauxite mine. Now it’s time for an ocean cruise - across the Gulf of Carpentaria!
Day 8	Today we are on passage across the Gulf. Time to recharge the batteries, update the travel log, enjoy on-board activities and of course, indulge in some more gastronomical delights!
Day 9	We arrive early at Thursday Island and join a coach tour of the island. There will be opportunities to meet the local people and to shop for Aboriginal artefacts and, to just ‘wander around’ this idyllic island community! Then it’s back on-board for an afternoon cruise and sunset shore excursion to Cape York - a not to be missed photo opportunity on the northern most tip of the Australian mainland!
Day 10	This morning we wake off Forbes Island and spend the whole day relaxing on this beautiful and pristine coral atoll. Enjoy a picnic lunch, snorkel in crystal clear waters, visit nearby sand cays and join-in the beach activities.
Day 11	Our next stop is Flinders Island – here we go ashore to see aboriginal paintings and by now everyone will also want to spend as much time in the water as possible! The delights of the Great Barrier Reef are just a ‘fin kick’ off the beach and in swimming pool like conditions you will be astounded by the colour of corals and fish alike!
Day 12	Down the rainforest-fringed coast to Lizard Island – here a hike up to Cook’s Look is a must! There’s also more world-class snorkelling including the ‘giant clam gardens’. Beautiful palm fringed beaches, rainforest, breathtaking coral gardens – does it get any better! Yes it does –something very special this afternoon - we visit the famous “Cod Hole” and everyone gets an opportunity to hand feed giant potato cod! Then we’ll swim and fish our way around Direction Island before sunset drinks on the beach and an overnight cruise to Cooktown.
Day 13	Tour this historic frontier town and the surrounding mountains in our coach before spending some free time shopping for gifts and getting to know the locals, then it’s back on-board for a farewell dinner and the overnight steam to Cairns.
Day 14	Early morning arrival in Cairns and disembark at 0800 hours. Transfer to the airport or your accommodation – a voyage on the True North need only be the start of your Aussie Adventure!

Notes:

Special Departure Dates: Cruise 1 13 October – 27 October Darwin – Cairns
Trip Duration: 14 days
Departs from: Darwin
Tour Ends: Cairns
All Prices: $13,995 per person Ocean Class Twin $16,995 per person River Class Double $19,995 per person Explorer Class Stateroom