17-night Northern Explorer Cruise

Exmouth, Australia, which is a small town of about 3,500 people situated just north of the Tropic of Capricorn has an average winter temperature of 77 degrees farenheit, while the summer averages 95 degrees. Luckily, Exmouth has no wet season, so the summer days are low in humidity. In 1967 Australia and the US established a communications base in the area and in the same year the town of Exmouth was gazetted as the supporting town to the base.

Welcome to Broome - the gateway to Australia's last frontier of pristine wilderness, the Kimberley. From its rough and tumble, romantic pearling history to the cosmopolitan character of Chinatown, to the turquoise waters, red sandstone cliffs and the endless expanse of white sand at Cable Beach....the colors and moods of Broome will capture your soul.

From the stunning sweep of its 4 Mile Beach to the wilderness of Dicksons Inlet, the world famous seaside village of Port Douglas has become an international holiday mecca. Port Douglas has a distinctive "laid back" low rise tropical old world charm, with an extensive range of accommodations and international shops and restaurants. It also offers extensive touring and cruise options with its magnificent marina and close proximity to world heritage rainforests. In Port Douglas you can also chose from activities and attractions such as bicycle riding, swimming, relaxing on magnificent 4 mile beach, shopping the exotic and colorful Sunday markets, the Shipwreck museum, the award winning Rainforest Habitat with its unique native flora and fauna, and a ride on the old sugar cane train. The Port Douglas hinterland extends to the sugar cane town of Mossman with picturesque golf course, rainforest walking tracks and swimming in the cool mountain streams of Mossman Gorge.

Willis Island has several birding opportunities, as well as a weather station with some amenities.