Day 1: Darwin, Australia

Darwin is Australia’s closest city to the equator and the gateway to the Top End. Following the bombings during World War II, Darwin was more a frontier town of crocodile and buffalo shooters and pioneer cattlemen. After the city was wiped out by Cyclone Tracy in 1974, it was rebuilt as Australia’s cosmopolitan and northernmost tropical capital. Beyond the city lies Litchfield National Park (about 2 hours drive) and to the south-east the teeming wetlands of Australia’s largest national park, Kakadu. Much architecture remains from the city’s early periods such as museums, markets and an incredible diversity of restaurants to keep visitors entertained. The harbour foreshore area is a great place to discover the city’s maritime links. Take a relaxing cruise on an old pearl lugger, a thrilling flight in a seaplane or a gentle hovercraft trip. Spend a day out fishing for barramundi, jewfish, golden snapper and threadfin salmon, or go for the adventure of scuba diving around shipwrecks. At sunset, savour a taste of Asia’s night markets at Mindil Beach, where you can browse the food stalls for a picnic dinner on the beach.

Day 2: At Sea

Day 3: Kisar, Maluku - Wet Landing

The Maluku region, probably more familiar to most as "the Moluccas" (as the area was previously known) is truly a collection of forgotten islands just north of Australia sitting between New Guinea and Timor. The south west corner of Maluku, part of the predominately Christian area of Indonesia, is virtually inaccessible but is home to numerous stunning islands with fringing reefs and ancient cultures. Very few outsiders have ever set foot on these islands and thus, a unique experience is guaranteed as we discover the "Forgotten Islands" of Maluku. We will continue onto a part of Wallacea, the legendary deep water area that separates the Australian and Asian continental plates.

Our tour rests on the tiny island of Kisar, which serves as our official entry point into the archipelago. Kisar has over 400 years of European history and despite being only a few hundred miles off the coast of Australia, the European history is virtually unknown in Australia.

Day 4: Sangliat Dol & Weluan Beach, Yamdena Island - Wet Landing

This traditional village in the Tanimbar islands of Maluku is the centre of the ancient "boat" culture of Maluku. In the centre of the village is a stone boat. Not a boat that was ever meant to float, but a boat built to symbolise the arrival from the sea of the original inhabitants of Maluku. Most villages simply abandoned their giant stone boats and the culture that was attached when they were moved to the coast. But Sangliat Dol was different. Although on the coast, a steep rise starting immediately from the foreshore meant that the original village, built for safety and security on the hill top, was already close to the coast. The village of Sangliat Dol was therefore not required to move during the colonial period and the legacy of that is retained in the giant stone boat and the culture associated with it remains intact today. A giant stone stair case leads from the beach to the hill top ceremonial area.

The village structure still follows the organisation of a boat today. The village head is perceived as the Captain or Master "steering" the direction of the village. Many other positions of the village basically translate as "helmsman" "harpooner" "bailer boy" and other boat related names. There are two further figures in the structure the "herald" or "speaker" who is the father of the village and speaks for the village (traditionally basically in times of war) and the "sacrificer" or mother of the village. The mother and father of the village represent the cooperation similar to a marriage to ensure the continuing existence of the village. For our visit and for other important events, a massive ritual takes place surrounding the stone boat. Traditionally all village decisions would revolve around such a ceremony. 

After the ceremony, the six host families will take their adopted guests on a mini-tour of the village, including seeing the host families housing and cooking areas, an ikat weaving display, and a market area selling ikat weavings, wooden carvings very similar to those found in new Guinea and possibly, old Dutch artefacts such as plates and coins. 

At the end of the morning, as guests finish at the markets, they will descend the staircase. Once again with dozens of locals assisting us back to the beach and the zodiacs, we will head to the ship for lunch.

Day 5: Aru - Wet Landing

Sitting in the underbelly of the island of New Guinea and part of Maluku lie the Aru Islands. Over 90 islands, many quite small, make up the Aru group. The islands lie on the Australian - New Guinea continental plate, and where once on the land bridge that connected New Guinea to Australia before the end of the last ice age when the sea levels rose, flooding the plains and leaving only the high mountain peaks remaining to become the Aru Islands.

The islands were first colonised by the Dutch in 1623, though initially the Dutch East India Company was one of several trading groups in the area with limited influence over the islands' internal affairs. In 185, the famous naturalist Alfred R Wallace visited the islands. His visit later made him realise that the Aru islands must have been connected by a land bridge to mainland New Guinea during the ice age. In the nineteenth century, Dobo, Aru's largest town, temporarily became an important regional trading centre, serving as a meeting point for Dutch, Makasarese, Chinese, and other traders..

Our visit will explore these Australasian islands with their Australian Flora and Fauna. Join the expedition team to explore the environment with time for a swim and a snorkel as well.

Day 6: Agats, Asmas - Wet Landing

On the island of New Guinea many regions compete for the title of being most respected for their carvings and artefacts, but the Asmat region of Papua will always be high on the list of contenders. The Asmat region spreads over an area of shallow mud flats and extensive mangroves with village houses built on stilts and wooden walkways, raised above the mud linking one village area to the next. The Agats museum, in the regions capital, holds many fine examples of the regions carvings; examples of these carvings will certainly be available to purchase.

Our visit will involve cultural performances from the local people as well as visits to the Agats Museum and opportunities to purchase the local artefacts.

Day 7: At Sea

Day 8: Thursday Island, Torres Strait - Dry Landing

Thursday Island (traditionally known as Waiben) is recognised as one of the last frontiers in Australia, as it holds some great Australian history. At the Torres Strait Museum, learn about the feared Russian invasion of 1898. Had it eventuated, the invaders would have been greeted with a salvo from the 6-inch guns which still peer out over the ocean approach from Green Hill Fort, now home of the museum. Wander through pearlers’ cemeteries where stories of this once dangerous occupation are revealed. Alternatively, take in brilliant panoramic vistas of the surrounding islands and tropical seas from Lions Lookout.

The Gab Titui (Star of our Journey) Cultural Centre is a place where Orion guests can discover the rich diversity of the Torres Strait Islander people. It is the region’s first public keeping place for historical and cultural artifacts and tools, as well as both modern and traditional art.

Day 9: Orion Reef - Wet Landing

Orion will take position at Orion Reef affording guests a unique and spectacular opportunity for a swim, one that will stay with you for the rest of your life. You will be landed ashore by Zodiacs onto a white sand spit. From here you can swim and snorkel over a pristine and seldom visited section of the reef alive with corals and teeming with myriads of tropical fish.

Day 10: Lizard Island - Wet Landing

Orion will drop anchor in the beautiful blue lagoon for a day of island-based relaxation. Spectacular opportunities for underwater exploration abound around this Marine National Park. Snorkellers are rewarded for little effort with coral gardens, brightly coloured tropical fish and giant clams just moments from the island's beaches. Discover pristine beaches with perfect white sand sloping gently away from shore.

Day 11: Cairns, Australia

The Cairns region is internationally recognised for worldclass attractions, superb natural features and friendly north Queensland hospitality. It is the focal point for the magnificent World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and is surrounded by tropical rainforests. Visitors enjoy browsing at indigeneous art galleries, shopping at the night markets and dining out on multicultural cuisine in the many restaurants along the esplanade.