Grand Australia Circumnavigation

Discover life beneath the waves during a guided tour of the Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory. Board your jetty train for the transfer along the longest wooden pier in the Southern Hemisphere; it stretches 6,000 feet into Geographe Bay. Upon arrival at the Underwater Observatory, descend more than 25 feet below the water’s surface for 360-degree views of a vibrant coral reef. Admire the brightly colored corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates in their natural habitat through the 11 viewing windows of the observation chamber. Learn how life here changes with the seasons and listen to the sound of crashing waves through an underwater microphone. At the end of your tour, you can walk back across the jetty or board the Stocker Preston Express electric jetty train to return to your ship.

Learn about local marine life and heritage during visits to a marine education center and the Busselton Museum. Meet your guide and set out on foot for the Marine Discovery Centre, an education space dedicated to Western Australia’s oceans. Step inside to explore multimedia exhibits, listen to ambient whale song and gain insight into Geographe Bay’s diverse ecosystems as you view underwater footage. After, continue to the Busselton Museum, housed in the heritage-listed Old Butter Factory Complex beside the Vasse River. Here, nine themed rooms showcase Busselton’s development through photographs, artifacts and machinery from the dairy, timber and maritime industries. Explore the exhibits with your guide, including a reconstructed settler’s cottage, a schoolhouse and a replica of the Busselton Jetty Rotunda. After time to discover more on your own, return to your awaiting ship on foot.

Explore one of Busselton’s most impressive natural landscapes and learn about the Cape region’s maritime history. Travel to the northernmost point of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park in Western Australia’s stunning South West region to visit Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. Learn about the fascinating maritime history of the area as you explore a working lighthouse with spectacular panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Visit the on-site museum housed inside an original lightkeeper’s cottage, to hear stories of the region’s past, shipwrecks and the people who have protected the coastline since 1904. Then, head to Ngilgi Cave to walk along an interactive boardwalk that reveals the geologic and cultural history of the area, as you make your way to the heart of the karst cave. You will see stunning stalactites, stalagmites and more as you explore, before returning to your ship.

Taste several wines on a sightseeing exploration of the renowned Margaret River wine region. Travel to the untouched Margaret River wine region, surrounded by the ocean on three sides. Though one of the world’s youngest wine regions, you will learn why its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay have already achieved international acclaim. Upon arrival, call at a picturesque winery, where you will enjoy a tasting of local wines with a cheese pairing. Then, pause at Canal Rocks to see spectacular ancient granite formations stretching into the Indian Ocean. Thousands of years of waves crashing against the coastline have worn a narrow channel here. A wooden bridge allows you to stand in the center of it all with incredible views. Cap your excursion with a stop at a second winery, before returning to your ship.

Immerse yourself in the world-renowned Margaret River wine region on a tasting tour with an intimate group. Embark your motor coach with your guide and travel to the untouched Margaret River wine region, which is surrounded by the ocean on three sides. Though it is one of the world’s youngest wine regions, its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay have already achieved international prestige and acclaim. Learn about the region’s rich cultural history as you see landmarks and sights of interest along the way. You will stop at three premium boutique wineries to taste a variety of wines while you learn about each venue’s specific viticulture and history. A cheese pairing will accompany one of the wine tastings. Afterward, you will return to your waiting ship.

Embark on a cruise through the scenic landscapes of Geographe Bay, home to a diverse array of marine wildlife. Meet your guide and take a short walk to board your vessel. After a short safety briefing, you will set out across Geographe Bay. During your cruise, learn about the region's marine life, coastal caves and sea lion colonies. Visit the wreck site of the ex-HMAS Swan, a naval vessel scuttled in 1997 to create an artificial reef—today, it is one of the largest artificial reefs in the Southern Hemisphere. Continue toward Cape Naturaliste and watch for sea lions near the tip of the cape. View Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, limestone cliffs and sea caves from the water, then trace the coastline past beaches and search for the dolphins who often swim in these waters. At the end of your excursion, you will return to your awaiting ship.