8 Night The Chairmans Voyage East Coast Islands and Reefs Cruise from Newcastle

Embark in Newcastle, one of Australia's hippest destinations, and the second-largest city in New South Wales after Sydney. Once known for its steel production industry, the city's old wharves and warehouses have been transformed into the lively Honeysuckle precinct, which buzzes with waterfront cafes, restaurants, and hotels. Within easy reach are six stunning beaches, the world-renowned Hunter Valley wine region and Australia's largest coastal saltwater lake, Lake Macquarie. Please book your flight to arrive into Newcastle prior to 2 PM.

Settle into yacht life and enjoy the services and activities onboard. Indulge in the Senses Spa, cool off in the pool, or relax with a drink as we spend a leisurely day sailing north.

Stretching 123 kilometers long, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest sand island in the world. Anchoring near Kingfisher Bay Jetty, we will be joined by local indigenous guides on our fleet of Zodiacs for a natural culture expedition along the western side of Fraser Island and through the marine reserve of the Great Sandy Strait. Visit the historic Central Station, where you can walk along the peaceful banks of Wanggoolba Creek as it flows through the rainforest. Stroll along the foreshore or swim in the clear waters of Lake McKenzie, famous for its pure white silica sand.

Gladstone is the southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the world. This dynamic regional city is a perfect base for snorkeling day trips, boating, canoeing, and fishing. Further south, surrender to the slower pace of the coastal communities of Tannum Sands, 1770, and Agnes Water, or witness turtles hatching at Deepwater National Park.

Only accessible by light plane or ship, the Percy Islands are known for the isolated anchorages surrounded by forest. On Middle Percy, the A-frame hut beneath the coconut palms at West Beach hosts an eclectic collection of flotsam and jetsam donated by visiting sailors. Have fun browsing the boat name plaques, flags, buoys, and driftwood.

The gateway to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach is a coastal town with palm-fringed beaches, eternal summer, and a laid-back vibe. It is an essential stop on any east-coast voyage.

Enjoy the many scenic trails, including the Forts Walk, to almost certainly spot a koala resting in the trees overhead. For a more relaxed pace, spend the afternoon at Horseshoe Bay, with ample time to soak up the sun on the beach and visit the local art galleries.

The Coral Sea Islands Territory extends east and south from the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, covering 51 islets and cays, alongside 30 separate reefs and atolls. Willis Island is the only permanently inhabited island, with four staff employed at the weather monitoring station, which was established in 1921 to provide a cyclone early warning service for Queenslanders. Coral Sea Marine Park, one of the world's largest marine parks, protects 16 different seafloors, 15,000 square kilometers of reef systems, and an abundance of corals, fish, sea stars, clams, and sea cucumbers. Landings are prohibited, but if time and weather permit, you will have the opportunity to explore the Willis Islets on a Zodiac tour.

Disembark in Cairns, the only place on Earth where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites collide - Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Please book your flight to depart out of Cairns after 12 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above.