Grand Australia Circumnavigation

Cruise the sheltered waters of Oyster Harbor and meander up the ancient Kalgan River on board a riverboat. This is a magical cruise with a highly entertaining captain and his colorful commentary. At a local tea room on the banks of the Kalgan, you will be treated to authentic billy tea and damper bread—two traditional foods of Australia. Back on board your boat, you may even catch sight of the giant spotted eagle ray, a cousin of the manta ray. The striking, black-and-white ray has been known to grow up to 17 feet in length and weigh upward of 500 pounds. After this glorious engagement with the river’s natural beauty, your boat returns you to Emu Point Boat Harbor, where the famous bronze statue of Sammy the Seal sits. After your excursion, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Delight in the stunning scenery and magnificent forests on this treetop walk in the Valley of the Giants. Your day starts with a panoramic ride through Albany, with spectacular coastal views along the way. Then, continue to the Valley of the Giants, where a raised walkway takes you into the lush forest canopy on a 1,800-foot loop, with structures 120 feet above the ground at the highest point. Time permitting, you can walk the Ancient Empire Trail and see the ancient red Tinglewood trees that grow only here. Some trees are more than 51 feet in circumference. After taking in the breathtaking panoramic views, stop for a delicious lunch at a local winery that offers scenic vistas across the lake. Your appetite sated, enjoy the beautiful scenery along Mount Shadforth Scenic Drive on your way back to your ship.

Discover the culture of a cliffside harbor town, where the first European settlers landed in Western Australia. Start in the heart of Albany’s retail district at the Albany Visitor Centre, where you will meet your local guide. Walk to Alison Hartman Gardens in the town square, to learn about the Indigenous history of the area through the story of Mokare, a Noongar Aboriginal man from the Minang clan who helped early settlers coexist peacefully with his people. Admire two large Norfolk Island pine trees and an English oak, planted during the 1890s. Continue your stroll along streets lined with historic buildings that lead to a calm harbor, set amid a rugged coastline, as you hear about the city’s history and the experiences of Australians and New Zealanders who sheltered here before departing for battle during World War I. Afterward, walk back to the pier and your awaiting ship.

Explore a restored whale chasing ship and intact processing factory for a glimpse of Australia’s history. Visit the world’s only complete whaling station during a guided walk through the former Cheynes Beach Whaling Station. Built in the 1950s, this state heritage site was once used to process whales caught in the region for oil, until 1978 when commercial whaling was outlawed, and the station was closed. Delve into the storied history of this defunct industry, while you learn about its cultural and social importance to Australia. Inside the museum, watch a series of short films and view a giant blue whale skeleton, admire precious scrimshaw etchings on whalebone and then climb in the world’s only preserved whale chaser ship, the Cheynes IV. Following free time to experience the site at your leisure, you will head back to your awaiting ship.

See the site where military troops departed for World War I and spectacular nature in an iconic national park. Drive to Albany’s National Anzac Centre, a museum commemorating the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps participation in WW I, that overlooks the harbor where more than 41,000 men and women sailed to battle. Set within the state heritage-listed building, Princess Royal Fortress, its state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits depict stories of real soldiers and nurses, alongside historic artifacts. You may also follow the Convoy Walk featuring battery guns which culminates in a lookout point, offering spectacular panoramic views of King George Sound. Next, head to Western Australia’s most popular national park, Torndirrup, where centuries of the Southern Ocean's pounding waves have eroded the coastline to create impressive rock formations. Afterward, you will return to your ship.

Hike a stretch of one of the world’s great long-distance trails. Take a scenic drive to Albany Wind Farm, where giant wind turbines generate green energy for the city. This is the start of your three-hour guided hike along a stretch of the famed Bibbulmun Track—a 620-mile trail from Albany to the Perth Hills. You will walk along 3.75 miles of boardwalk, sand and gravel as you wind along ancient sand dunes overlooking the Southern Ocean. Learn about the history of the landscape and see ancient forests, rugged cliffs and endemic wildflowers in beautiful bushland. Named for the early Indigenous inhabitants of southwest Australia, the Bibbulmun Track provides visitors with access to one of the world’s richest reserves of plant life on earth. After time for a snack and refreshments, return to base and journey back to your awaiting ship.

Taste award-winning wines at a sustainable boutique winery on Western Australia’s untouched southern coast. Depart on a scenic drive through Albany’s verdant countryside to Oranje Tractor Wine, a small, regenerative vineyard and orchard, established around the owners’ energy efficient homestead. Known for their commitment to the planet and earning Net Zero Now status since 2021, Oranje Tractor produces unique and terroir-specific, small-batch natural wines that have earned acclaim for their quality as much as their sustainable aims. You will meet the owners and take a walk to explore the grounds, learning about their permaculture practices while taking in the organic gardens and orchards that grow a wide range of fruit and vegetables. Then, enjoy a full wine tasting, paired with a tapas lunch, prepared using fresh, local produce in a relaxed, farmhouse setting.