Viking Oceans Cruises – Komodo & the Australian Coast (Indonesia, Australia) 17 Days

Bali (Benoa), Indonesia
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. With a thriving arts scene, lush beauty and magnificent seaside vistas, Bali has long beckoned travelers in search of ultimate beauty. The island’s rich Hindu culture has forever held that gods live in all things natural—from mountains to streams to pebbles on the beach—lending the island a peaceful air. Denpasar is the island’s thriving capital. Founded as a market town, it still bustles with colorful stalls and vast emporiums selling bright sarongs and intricately patterned batik.

Lombok, Indonesia
Lombok exudes a relaxed atmosphere in a tropical setting. Wood carvers, potters and other artisans keep artistic traditions alive, finding endless inspiration in the lush forests, the soothing sands and the soaring peak of Mt. Rinjani, the nation’s second-tallest volcano. The crafts of the island are steeped in the artistry of the indigenous Sasak people. The island is also home to pearl divers who pluck these treasures from the sea and offer them for sale. On the western shore, Senggigi is home to the island’s best beach, stretching several miles along a lush, green coast.

Komodo National Park (Slawi Bay), Indonesia
Komodo is one of the world’s most unique and prehistoric-feeling national parks with a magnificent menagerie of wildlife. Its most famous denizen is the legendary Komodo dragon, the largest lizard in the world. These breathtaking creatures can grow up to ten feet long and typically weigh about 150 pounds. Gentler-looking animals also roam, including the island’s graceful Timor deer, beautiful wild horses and stout little boars. Resident giant fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are a sight to behold with their jet-black capes.

Shore Excursions – Komodo National Park
Duration: 2 hours
Encounter the rare and fearsome Komodo dragon in its natural habitat during this trek on Komodo Island. This National Park, encompassing 26 islands, is home to about 5,700 of these legendary creatures that exist nowhere else on Earth. Relatives of the dinosaur, they are the world’s largest reptiles, able to reach lengths of over ten feet and typically weighing about 150 pounds. Learn about the behavior of these dappled giants, whose tails are as long as their bodies, as you trek among the tamarind and palm trees of the Tamarind Woods. After, browse for mementos before returning to your ship. Note: Guests who have any open wounds or are on their menstrual cycle must inform the guide before departing on the tour. Komodo dragons have an exceptional sense of smell, and although the risk to guests is minimal, the park ranger may request that you stay by their side for the duration of the tour.

Sail the Timor Sea
Follow in the footsteps of Indonesia’s indigenous people and sail the Timor Sea. This stretch of water shares its name with the independent state of East Timor, which lies to its north. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

Darwin, Australia
Darwin is the cultural hub of the continent’s northernmost region. The laid-back city got its name after the HMS Beagle sailed into the harbor during a surveying expedition in 1839. The famed naturalist Charles Darwin was so esteemed that its captain named this newest discovery for him. Today, it is the largest city in the thinly populated Northern Territory state. It boasts a rich and lively arts and culture scene, much of it centered on the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Its collection of art and artifacts reflects the region and its indigenous people.

Shore Excursions – Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Duration: 2 hours
Enjoy a panoramic tour of one of Australia’s most successful and engaging multicultural cities. The largest city in the continent’s thinly populated Northern Territory, Darwin is a modern tropical capital with an intimate feel, set on a harbor twice the size of Sydney’s. Its colorful past will enrich your understanding of the Aussie spirit. Meet your guide and drive to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Here, you will enjoy free time to independently explore a collection of artifacts and exhibits that showcase Darwin’s history. Learn about Aboriginal culture and wildlife as well as the role the town played during World War II. Discover the story behind the devastating cyclone that struck Darwin in the 1970s, and how this event shaped the future of the museum that stands here today. After your visit, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Darwin, Australia
Darwin may be far removed from Australia’s other provincial capitals, but it is proudly cosmopolitan. Its varied museums highlight the rich history and abundant marine life. The Royal Flying Doctor Service museum chronicles the organization’s part in World War II and illuminates its current role in the bush. On the waterfront, the Indo-Pacific Marine Exhibition recreates various underwater ecosystems, each one self-sustaining with no feeding or filtration, providing unique insight into fascinating aquatic worlds.

Shore Excursions – Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Duration: 2 hours
Enjoy a panoramic tour of one of Australia’s most successful and engaging multicultural cities. The largest city in the continent’s thinly populated Northern Territory, Darwin is a modern tropical capital with an intimate feel, set on a harbor twice the size of Sydney’s. Its colorful past will enrich your understanding of the Aussie spirit. Meet your guide and drive to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Here, you will enjoy free time to independently explore a collection of artifacts and exhibits that showcase Darwin’s history. Learn about Aboriginal culture and wildlife as well as the role the town played during World War II. Discover the story behind the devastating cyclone that struck Darwin in the 1970s, and how this event shaped the future of the museum that stands here today. After your visit, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Sail the Arafura Sea
Trace the route of early civilizations as you sail the Arafura Sea. During the Ice Age, entire populations were once able to walk between continents, exchanging languages and customs. Meet fellow guests and listen to the soothing sounds of classical music in the Living Room, an ideal setting for relaxation. Enjoy a cup of coffee or sip on a refreshing cocktail. 

Thursday Island, Australia
Thursday Island was once home to a thriving pearl fishing industry. From the late 19th century, divers came from Japan, Malaysia and India to harvest these precious stones. The diving has declined, but traces of Asia’s diverse influences remain. The island’s Green Hill Fort was built during the 1890s with growing concerns of a potential Russian invasion. The fort was shut down just 30 years later and reactivated during World War II as a wireless station. Many islanders, still to this day, abide by a no-footwear policy out of respect for the spirits of their ancestors.

Shore Excursions – Thursday Island Independent Exploration
Duration: 2 hours
Explore Thursday Island in the manner that suits you. Known affectionately as “T.I.,” Thursday Island is among the smallest of the Torres Strait Islands. Some residents own automobiles, but they are largely unnecessary, setting a relaxed and unhurried tone in day-to-day living. Others choose to be carless and to walk without footwear out of respect for the spirits that they believe live amid the natural world. You will tender ashore and spend your time as you please. Take a walk among its lush scenery and enjoy sweeping ocean views. Or, discover the island’s fascinating history and pearl-diving legacy as you stroll through this colorful paradise. Set your watch to “island time” and mingle with locals; perhaps sample a taste of the local creole cuisine at a beachfront eatery as you watch the world go by.

Sail the Coral Sea
Traverse the mineral-rich waters of the Coral Sea, where the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef welcomes divers to explore its spectacular marine life. Admire the views as you sail today and enjoy an al fresco dining experience. The Aquavit Terrace serves a range of International fare and casual dining favorites, as well as a range of superb cocktails inspired by our destinations.

Cairns, Australia
Queensland’s seaside resort town, Cairns is the gateway to a rich array of natural beauty onshore and off. Catamarans take marine lovers to the Great Barrier Reef; stretching for 1,400 miles, it is the largest continuous coral reef system on Earth. Inland, the wet tropics have given rise to Daintree and Kuranda National Parks, vast rainforest systems of extraordinary biodiversity and a profusion of birdlife. For all its appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, Cairns’ thriving culture is a pleasure to absorb from the outdoor cafés or along the scenic waterfront promenade.

Townsville, Australia
Townsville is the unofficial capital of North Queensland and a favorite cultural center. The city’s location on the banks of the Ross River and along the shores of Cleveland Bay hints at the local love of outdoor life. Riverway, a path-lined green park that traces the Ross, leads walkers and joggers past scenic views and the city’s original wharves and ports. Nearby, The Strand, a tranquil walkway, follows the long tropical beach. And no matter which corner of Townsville you are exploring, the red sandstone monolith of Castle Hill is always in view.

Shore Excursions – Townsville Orientation
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Get to know this culturally rich city on Australia’s northeastern coast—North Queensland’s unofficial capital. Meet your knowledgeable guide and drive through Townsville, admiring its mix of old and new architecture along the way. Arrive at Castle Hill viewpoint, a pink granite monolith that dominates the city’s skyline. Here, enjoy sweeping vistas of the city before heading back into Townsville. Continue your panoramic sightseeing drive, passing city landmarks such as the Strand, a popular 1½-mile-long shoreline development lined with walkways, restaurants and cafés. Enjoy free time for independent exploration at the Strand, whose long strip of tropical beach and lush gardens make it a favorite place for locals to walk and jog, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Whitsunday Islands, Australia
The Whitsunday archipelago emerges from the Coral Sea amid the Great Barrier Reef. The seafaring Ngaro people called this paradise home until 1870 and hunted these waters in bark canoes. Nature’s brushstrokes are astonishing here: pure-white sands meet cerulean waters, swirling together at sandbars to merge into a palette of turquoise, cream and emerald-green hills. Glassy, invigorating and impossibly blue, the waters provide the ideal oasis for relaxing and idling away a few hours on the beach.

Shore Excursions – Sailing The Whitsundays
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Whitsunday Islands on board a chartered catamaran. Board your air-conditioned vessel and settle into your seat as you set out for a journey through the Whitsundays. Based on the weather and water conditions at the time of your visit, your knowledgeable skipper will plot the best course to showcase all the islands have to offer. You will pass iconic resorts and stunning natural scenery, as well as the fringe reefs found around some of the region’s 74 islands. Sip on a complimentary fruit punch while listening to your knowledgeable crew point out historic sites, secluded inlets and impressive rock formations. Keep watch for local wildlife sightings as you learn more about the history and heritage of the islands. At the end of your cruise, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Sail the Australian Coast
Trace the scenic Australian coastline, indigenous people inhabited the continent for 60,000 years prior to European discovery. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

Brisbane, Australia
The capital of Queensland, Brisbane is situated on its namesake river and spreads over picturesque hills rising from Moreton Bay. One of the oldest cities in Australia, its first European settlers were the secondary offenders from the Sydney penal colony. In addition to its riverside skyscrapers, the city is host to some decidedly less dramatic architecture: the quaint Queenslander homes characterized by their terraces and raised living spaces. Art galleries, museums and beloved musical venues also make the city one of Australia’s most vibrant and active cultural centers.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Brisbane
Duration: 3 hours
Delight in the many sights of Brisbane and its surrounding areas during a scenic motor coach drive. The capital of Queensland, Australia’s third-largest city is also the state’s historic and cultural mecca, and a major seaport. The winding Brisbane River, lush inner-city parks and eclectic blend of distinctive Queenslander and modern architecture combine to make Brisbane a vibrant city. Your expansive tour will take you past historic Parliament House, the Treasury Building, the old Customs House, the Victorian-era Botanic Gardens and more. Venture beyond the metropolitan and urban areas for an ascent up picturesque Mt. Coot-tha (“Honey Mountain” in the local Aboriginal language). Enjoy panoramic views as Brisbane and its surrounding suburbs spread out 755 feet below you. After time to soak in the sights and take photos, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Sail the Australian Coast
Follow the route of English explorer James Cook, who famously laid eyes on Australia’s “Sunshine Coast” from the deck of the HMS Endeavour. As you sail, explore our well-curated Library, tucked in a private alcove of the Living Room, and select from a broad range of titles. Read a book by the Main Pool, a calming oasis in any weather with its retractable roof, allowing for year-round swimming.

Newcastle, Australia
Newcastle boasts some of the most picturesque coastal vistas in Australia. The city was built on coal export and remains a major exporter. But locals care more about soaking up the spectacular outdoors. High cliffs, well-kept green parks and long stretches of beach grace these shores. And the people of Newcastle know how to keep connected to their breathtaking surroundings: They have built ocean baths along the shore that collect sea water during high tide. Nearby, in one of the country’s first wine regions, the vintners of Hunter Valley bottle some of the coast’s favorites.

Shore Excursions – Blackbutt Nature Reserve
Duration: 3 hours
Observe Australian wildlife along nature trails during a self-guided tour of the Blackbutt Nature Reserve. Set amid natural bushlands a short distance from downtown Newcastle, this 450-acre reserve is focused on the protection and rehabilitation of injured animals. Upon arrival, you will receive a brief orientation of the facilities, then set out to explore on your own. Stroll along the nature trails through the different habitats and ecosystems, stopping at the exhibits that interest you. Blackbutt is home to an array of species, including koalas, wombats, emus, kangaroos and native birds, as well as roaming peacocks and brush turkeys. At a predetermined time, you will meet up with your escort and return to your ship.

Shore Excursions – Winemaker’s Classroom
Duration: 4 hours
Immerse yourself in the art of wine tasting during a visit to Hunter Valley, Australia’s famous wine country. Hunter Valley is the birthplace of Australian wine and the country’s oldest wine region, renowned for its exceptional varieties of Semillon and Shiraz. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach inland to Hunter Valley Resort, a family-owned and operated estate nestled among an old vineyard on 100 acres of wide-open space in the secluded heart of the region. Upon arrival, head to its Wine Theater, where your cellarmaster will guide you through an informative tasting of four wines. You will learn how to taste front-palate sweetness, acidity and back-palate tannins, as well as how to appreciate a wine’s individual bouquet. Afterward, you will have free time to explore the vineyard and farm or browse for a bottle of your favorite varietal before returning to your ship.

Sydney, Australia
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.