PONANT announces new luxury expedition itineraries exploring Australia’s own backyard in 2021.

For Australians eager to explore our own backyard, PONANT has announced the return of two of its modern fleet of small luxury expedition ships, Le Lapérouse and Le Soléal, to Australian waters in 2021, with the announcement of an exciting new collection of eight immersive ‘must-do’ itineraries featuring Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland coasts.

Australia for Australians, these new itineraries – each offering tempting back-to-back voyage opportunities – showcase the fascinating and multifaceted diversity of wilderness, wildlife, heritage and cultural encounters, many unique, found along Australia’s coastline.

Each voyage captures the heartbeat of Australia. From early maritime encounters along the west coast, aptly exampled by visits to Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay and the Abrolhos Islands, to ancient cultures stretching back much further in time, some 40,000 years or more, the petroglyphs of Murujuga (Dampier archipelago) the largest, densest and most diverse collections of rock art in the world, these luxury expeditions reveal multiple facets of the Australian continent that will surprise.

Whether photographing rare Australian sea lion colonies, experiencing the emotive National ANZAC Centre in Albany, exploring the penal colony at Maria Island or viewing Australia’s highest sea cliffs at Cape Huay, this range of 7 to 15 night itineraries, created by PONANT’s highly regarded Australian expedition leader and marine biologist Mick Fogg, showcases the coastline of his homeland.

“Most people don’t realise that 45% of our birds, 83% of our mammals and more than 90% of our amphibians, reptiles and fish are only found in Australia, that makes us pretty unique. Add to that the age of the landscape, diversity of habitats and the world’s oldest continuing culture and you have the perfect recipe for creating remarkable immersive experiences as encapsulated in this collection of voyages,”

– Mick Fogg – Expedition Leader, Ponant

Deb Corbett, PONANT’s General Manager Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific, offers a further dimension, “Visits to Port Lincoln, regarded as Australia’s seafood capital, famed for its abalone, tuna, lobsters and oysters, exploring the acclaimed wineries of McLaren Vale, or enjoying the award winning wines and cheeses of Tasmania’s Tamar Valley will complement the fine world class cuisine and inclusive wines that showcase PONANT’s relaxed yet luxurious French ambiance on board.”