Keeping it local

Ponant showcases Australia in eight new journeys.

19 February 2021

Ponant has announced the return of Le Lapérouse and the Le Soléal to Australian waters in 2021 – key members of its modern fleet of small luxury expedition ships.

Given the natural beauty that surrounds this country, the itineraries of these two ships are designed specifically for Australians to experience our country’s coast.

These adventures include early maritime encounters along the West Coast with expeditions to visits to Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay and the Abrolhos Islands, to viewings of the ancient petroglyphs of Murujuga, found within the Dampier archipelago — the largest, densest and most diverse collections of rock art in the world.

Whether it’s photographing rare Australian sea lion colonies, experiencing the National ANZAC Centre in Albany, exploring the penal colony at Maria Island or viewing Australia’s highest sea cliffs at Cape Huay, the entire coastline is yours to explore and admire. And with the option to choose between a seven and 15-night itinerary, the adventure is completely up to you.

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.

These locations are perfectly suited to Le Lapérouse and Le Soléal, their compact dimensions and manoeuvrability allow access to the tightest places – 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 roughly 2,000 islands.

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. From $8430 per person in a Deluxe Stateroom.

Highlights of South Western Australia

Fremantle – Fremantle / 2 October 2021 / 8 nights / Le Soléal

Highlights include Albany, Esperance, the Recherche Archipelago and Busselton. From $6,630 per person in a Deluxe Stateroom.

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. From $5,800 per person in a Deluxe Stateroom.

Along Australia’s South Coast

Fremantle – Hobart / 17 October 2021 / 13 nights / Le Soléal

Highlights include Esperance, Recherche Archipelago, King Island and Port Lincoln. From $10,780 per person in a Deluxe Stateroom.

Tasmania Circumnavigation

Hobart – Hobart / 30 October 2021 and 8 November 2021 / 9 nights / Le Soléal

Highlights include Port Davey, Maria Island, Tamar Valley and Albatross Island. From $7,480 per person in a Deluxe Stateroom.

Queensland’s Islands and 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.

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.

Food, Wine and 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.

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