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In a masterpiece of recovery after the debacle it very unfairly endured in New Zealand recently, which we will not talk about now [!], PONANT appears to have amazingly

quickly turned everything around with for Australians eager to explore our own backyard, PONANT has announced the return of two of its modern fleet of small luxury expedition ships, Le Lapérouse and Le Soléal, to Australian waters in 2021, with the announcement of an exciting new collection of eight immersive ‘must-do’ itineraries featuring Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland coasts.

Themed Australia for Australians, these new itineraries offer very tempting back-to-back voyage opportunities – showcase the fascinating and multifaceted diversity of wilderness, wildlife, heritage and cultural encounters, many unique, found along Australia’s coastline.

PONANT says that each voyage captures the heartbeat of Australia, from early maritime encounters along the west coast, aptly exampled by visits to Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay and the Abrolhos Islands, to ancient cultures stretching back much further in time, some 40,000 years or more, the petroglyphs of Murujuga (Dampier archipelago) the largest, densest and most diverse collections of rock art in the world, these luxury expeditions reveal multiple facets of the Australian continent that will surprise.

They add that guests can photograph rare Australian sea lion colonies, experience the emotive National ANZAC Centre in Albany, explore the penal colony at Maria Island or view Australia’s highest sea cliffs at Cape Huay, during this range of 7 to 15 night itineraries, created by PONANT’s highly regarded Australian expedition leader and marine biologist Mick Fogg, showcasing the coastline of his homeland.

Fogg said, “Most people don’t realise that 45% of our birds, 83% of our mammals and more than 90% of our amphibians, reptiles and fish are only found in Australia, which makes us pretty unique”, adding with a deserved sense of pride, “Add to that the age of the landscape, diversity of habitats and the world’s oldest continuing culture and you have the perfect recipe for creating remarkable immersive experiences as encapsulated in this collection of voyages.

Deb Corbett, PONANT’s General Manager Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific, offers a further dimension, saying, “Visits to Port Lincoln, regarded as Australia’s seafood capital, famed for its abalone, tuna, lobsters and oysters, exploring the acclaimed wineries of McLaren Vale, or enjoying the award winning wines and cheeses of Tasmania’s Tamar Valley will complement the fine world class cuisine and inclusive wines that showcase PONANT’s relaxed yet luxurious French ambiance on board.”

She added, “Sales are now open, however I recommend interested parties contact their travel agents or PONANT as soon as possible to secure space as we have already received an extraordinary response from people earlier registering expressions of interest for our ‘at home’ voyages”, urging that acting promptly, “will secure access to the widest range of available accommodation on each of the eight differing itineraries as well as the highest PONANT Bonus advance purchase incentive – currently as much as 30% savings.”

To start planning CLICK HERE with an overview of the eight new itineraries below:

  1. Jewels of the West Coast – Broome to Fremantle / 22 September 2021 / 10 nights / Le Soléal / Highlights include Rowley Shoals, Montebello Islands, Ningaloo and Shark Bay.
  2. Highlights of South Western Australia / Fremantle – Fremantle  2 October 2021 / 8 nights / Le Soléal / Highlights include Albany, Esperance, the Recherche Archipelago and Busselton.
  3. Australia’s West Coast / Fremantle – Fremantle / 10 October 2021 / 7 nights / Le Soléal / Highlights include Shark Bay, Dirk Hartog Island, Abrolhos Islands and Jurien Bay.
  4. Along Australia’s South Coast / Fremantle – Hobart / 17 October 2021 / 13 nights / Le Soléal / Highlights include Esperance, Recherche Archipelago, King Island and Port Lincoln.
  5. Tasmania Circumnavigation / Hobart – Hobart / 30 October 2021 AND 8 November 21 / 9 nights / Le Soléal / Highlights include Port Davey, Maria Island, Tamar Valley and Albatross Island.
  6. Queensland’s Islands & Reefs / Cairns – Brisbane / 8 December 2021 / 7 nights / Le Lapérouse / Highlights include Willis Island, Percy islands, Hardy Reef, Lady Musgrave Island. From $4,670 per person in a Deluxe Stateroom.
  7. Highlights of Australia’s East Coast / Brisbane – Hobart / 15 December 2021 / 15 nights / Le Lapérouse / Highlights include Hawkesbury River, Eden, Maria Island, Fortescue Bay. From $5,330 per person in a Deluxe Stateroom.
  8. Food, Wine & Yacht Race in Tasmania / Hobart – Hobart / 23 December 2021 / 10 nights / Le Lapérouse / Highlights include Maria Island, Ile des Phoques, the Tamar Valley, King Island, Hobart(Sydney to Hobart Race arrival + NYE celebrations). From $8,290 per person in a Deluxe Stateroom.

PONANT says that many of these all-new itineraries visit World Heritage listed areas and Marine Parks including coastlines and reef areas that large ships simply cannot manage yet are perfectly suited to Le Lapérouse and Le Soléal, their compact dimensions and manoeuvrability allowing access to the tightest places with the Hawkesbury River, for example, as well as some of Australia’s world famous tropical reef areas including Rowley Shoals and Ningaloo, and parts of Queensland’s 3,000 coral reefs and 2000 or so islands.

Information on PONANT’s 3-Shield Covid-safe protocol is available here.

A report by John Alwyn-Jones