Coral Adventurer, New Zealand Sounds and Stewart Island ex Bluff return

DAY 1: DEPART BLUFF | MOTUPOHUE
Your journey begins in Queenstown, where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and expedition team at the QT Queenstown hotel (formerly Rydges Lakeside) from 10:30am for check-in and a warm welcome, with tea, coffee and morning tea.

From here, we will travel south to Bluff – the southernmost settlement on New Zealand’s mainland and gateway to Stewart Island. Alternatively, a Bluff pickup can be arranged. Please speak to our reservations team for more information.

You’ll board Coral Adventurer in the afternoon and settle in before setting sail along the rugged southern coastline. This evening, enjoy Captain’s welcome drinks and take in views of Stirling Point, marking the start of your journey.

STEWART ISLAND | RAKIURA
Known in Māori mythology as Te Punga o Te Waka – Stewart Island (Rakiura) is New Zealand’s little-known ‘third island’. Apart from the communities on the island, many people never venture to this remote corner of the world. For the next three days, we will truly connect with nature. Enjoy a guided walk led by the expedition team at the Ulva Bird Sanctuary, which offers a predator-free environment for rare and endangered birds, and visit the remains of the Norwegian Whaling Base. Spend the day on a guided hike on a section of the Rakiura trail (conditions permitting) and a local bus tour of Oban and its surrounds.

DUSKY SOUND | TAMATEA
Spend two days exploring Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage site once described as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. Discover the remote wilderness of Dusky Sound (Tamatea), first sighted by Captain Cook in 1770. With sheer cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and a dense rainforest reflected in glassy waters, this vast fiord offers spectacular scenery and a rich history. Join our
expedition team for zodiac and Xplorer trips to hidden inlets and wildlife colonies. We will then land at Astronomer’s Point, where Cook’s crew once charted the stars. Take part in guided walks,
waterfall viewing, kayaking, and a cold-water swim to uncover the true remoteness of this region.

DOUBTFUL SOUND | PATEA
Wake to the silence of Doubtful Sound (Patea), where this deep, long and narrow inlet, with cliffs, has been formed by glacial erosion over millions of years. We are currently in one of New Zealand’s most pristine environments. Cruise past the outer Seal Islands and spot dolphins, fur seals, and possibly the elusive Fiordland crested penguin or join a guided hike between Deas
Cove and Neck Cove and take a swim in the cool, clear and shallow waters.

MILFORD SOUND | PIOPIOTAHI
Encounter breathtaking views as we enter the Milford Sound (Piopiotahi), heading towards the famous Stirling Falls. You will have a chance to feel the spray from Stirling Falls and get a close-up view in your designated Zodiacs/Xplorers. Witness the world-famous view of Mitre Peak, rising some 1,682 meters. Its triangular silhouette rises opposite the beautiful Stirling Falls, falling from the top of a 162m-high cliff between two towering ridges into the water’s deep shades of turquoise and emerald.

SOLANDER ISLAND | HAUTERE
Spend the day cruising through the Solander Islands (Hautere), a trio of uninhabited volcanic islets that lie just beyond New Zealand’s South Island. Aboard the Endeavour, Captain James Cook spotted the islands in early 1770, and was named after a Swedish scientific crew member on board, Daniel Solander. The islands have only been known to be inhabited briefly due to marooning or shipwreck. With one third of the wildlife on the islands being incredibly rare, it is likely that you will spot fernbirds, snipe and white-fronted terns. The island has been declared an important Bird Area as it is a breeding site for common diving petrels and Buller’s albatrosses amassing some 5000 pairs.

DAY 9: ARRIVE BLUFF | MOTUPOHUE
Prepare for disembarkation as the ship arrives into Bluff Port, followed by farewell to the crew and new-found friends at 8:00am. Enjoy a complimentary transfer by coach to Queenstown hotels
or airport after disembarkation.

Note: This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions, and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. Coral Expeditions suggests that you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling.

Launched in April 2019, Coral Adventurer is a tropical expedition ship purpose-designed to access remote wilderness shores in Australia and internationally, that are often inaccessible to large cruise vessels.

Coral Adventurer features spacious and vibrant living spaces created by Brisbane interior design firm, Arkhefield, inspired by the company’s Australian ethos and the wide-open spaces the ship visits. The ship’s lightweight dual Xplorer expedition tenders, another trademark feature of all Coral Expeditions vessels, extend the capabilities of the ship by allowing deeper exploration on shore excursions. These ‘safari jeeps’ of the sea are fast, sturdy, and comfortable and developed to allow easy boarding from the ship and walk-off disembarkation onto remote shores.

The perfect balance between being large enough for ocean voyaging in comfort yet creating the intimate and relaxed atmosphere for which Coral Expeditions is renowned, Coral Adventurer embodies our Australian philosophy of adventure, relaxation, generosity, storytelling, and appreciation for the great outdoors. Carrying a maximum of 120 passengers – Coral Adventurer is purpose-built to take you closer to unspoiled vistas in comfort, style, and safety.

Started in 1983, our company’s original vessel, Coral Princess, a converted World War II submarine chaser, pioneered and set the standard for small ship expedition cruising in northern Australia with 5-night cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.

Today, the Coral Expeditions’ fleet includes three purpose-built small ships that can be found anywhere from the tropical waters of Australia’s north to the rugged shores of Tasmania, from the coastal villages of Papua New Guinea and the Spice Islands, to sheltered sounds and glacial fiords of New Zealand.

While our range of cruise itineraries has expanded into new regions, we have maintained our home in Cairns and continue to be the only major operator of extended small ship cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.

There are many reasons why our guests return to Coral Expeditions for a truly authentic expedition.

A TRUE EXPEDITION ETHOS At Coral Expeditions, we pride ourselves on getting our guests up close and personal with stunning landscapes, fascinating history and vibrant cultures. We have deep respect and a strong connection with the places we visit. We maintain flexibility in our planning to make impromptu stops if extraordinary opportunities in nature present. Our expeditions focus on truly experiencing the regions we visit.

OUR HOME TURF When it comes to expedition cruising, there is no replicating experience. For 40 years, we have steadily accumulated a wealth of local knowledge and contacts in the coastal regions surrounding Australia. Our crew know the charts, the tides and the winds like no other to ensure you are in the right place at the right time. Whether you travel with us in the ancient Kimberley, Tasmania’s wilderness, the frontier lands of Papua New Guinea, or New Zealand’s majestic fiordlands, you will be assured a local perspective, with local guides, authentic interactions, and a true taste of local culture and cuisine.

OUR SMALL SHIPS At the heart of the Coral Expeditions experience are our purpose-built small expedition ships and unique tenders. In an age of glitzy mega-vessels, our ships are truly intimate, carrying no more than 120 guests. This means that we can navigate into shallow bays, step ashore onto remote beaches and jetties, and visit small villages to make connections without overwhelming a community. We have designed the fleet to explore tropical waters with comfort and ease and to allow you to connect with the landscape we explore.

OUR CREW Our crew live and breathe our destinations and the opportunity to show you a true expedition experience. We are the modern day seafaring pioneers of Australia, and we are proud to share our knowledge on coastal explorations with guests from around the globe. On our ships, we have no ‘back office’ roles. From our chefs to our engineers, our crew are here because they love to interact with people and show you their world. Join our engine room tours, view our chefs in our galley or chat with our officers on the bridge – they will be delighted to share company with you.

OUR RESPECT FOR COMMUNITIES We have always made a determined effort to support the communities we visit. Our guests join in enthusiastically. We visit remote villages, participate in art and cultural traditions, and interact in local schools. We initiate and contribute to regional projects to support conservation, provide training and employment, and distribute economic benefit and relief supplies, all with guest support and involvement. It is an enriching and rewarding part of our expedition experience that leaves a lasting joy for us all.

THE FUTURE As Coral Expeditions enters its fifth decade in existence, we remain true to our pioneering foundations. We have a new fleet of technologically advanced ships that provide many of the comforts of a large vessel, but without the crowds. We have embarked on a series of new adventures exploring the small islands of the world and broadening our footprint around our home shores of Australia. Yet, our purpose remains the same – taking small groups of like-minded explorers to beautiful parts of the world in our uniquely Australian style!

Select the Deck to view detail.

Coral Adventurer - Coral Deck

Coral Adventurer - Promenade Deck

Coral Adventurer - Explorer Deck

Coral Adventurer - Bridge Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Bridge Deck Balcony Suite

The two Cairns and Darwin suites are spacious and elegant retreats after a busy day ashore. Suites are equipped with a lounge area, minibar and personal coffee machine. They have special King sized beds which can be separated into two singles. An 8 sq m private balcony has an outdoor daybed and lounge chair for two. A unique outside-facing bathroom with picture windows, bath and separate shower complete the suite experience. A complimentary minibar is replenished daily.

Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom

The two Bridge Deck staterooms are comfortably furnished with a junior King size bed which can be separated into two singles. A wardrobe, desk and arm chair are included. A compact en-suite has a toilet, shower and ample storage. French windows opening to a balcony with seating for two gives you a private perch to watch the panorama unfold outside. These staterooms are located on the bridge deck with superb views and adjacent to the Cairns and Darwin suites.

Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom

Explorer Deck staterooms are comfortably furnished with a junior King size bed which can be separated into two singles. A wardrobe, desk and arm chair are included. A compact en-suite has a toilet, shower and ample storage. Your private balcony has seating for two from which to view the passing coastal vistas. These staterooms are located on the Explorer deck.

Promenade Deck Stateroom

Promenade Deck Staterooms are located below the Explorer deck and furnished with a junior King size bed which can be separated into two singles. A wardrobe, desk and arm chair are included. A compact en-suite has a toilet, shower and ample storage. A large picture window gives you wide views of the world outside.

Coral Deck Stateroom

Coral Deck Staterooms are identical to the Promenade Deck Staterooms except for their location one deck below. These staterooms have twin portholes rather than picture windows.