Despite twelve deaths and the grounding of HMS Pelorus in a ferocious cyclone, Port Essington was rebuilt and continued to struggle against the elements for a further ten years before the inevitable. In 1849, the tragic settlement was abandoned.
Port Essington, or Victoria Settlement, is located on the rugged Coburg Peninsula, part of the Northern Territory's Arnhem Land and all that remains of the ambitious mid-19th Century village is a few stone ruins.
An excursion and exploration of this poignant site is part of North Star Cruises' annual "Over the Top" itinerary, exploring some of the lesser-known, more adventurous destinations our great country has to offer.
Departing Darwin on 18 October, the journey can be experienced as a single 14-night adventure or as a 6-night expedition beginning in either Darwin or Thursday Island. Either way, the cruise culminates in Cairns on November 1.
Other highlights include helicopter flightseeing from the ship's own helicopter (extra cost), Great Barrier Reef snorkeling or scuba diving, great fishing, guided nature hikes and, of course, North Star Cruises' famed cuisine.
Prices for either of the 6-night itineraries start from $8,995 per person, twin share and from $13,995 per person for the full 14-night adventure.
Bookings can be made by contacting North Star Cruises on (+61 8) 91921 829 or by email to reservations@northstarcruises.com.au. Website: www.northstarcruises.com.au
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For more information, images or brochures, please contact North Star's Adventure Partners.
Ph: (+61 8) 91921 829 E: cruise@northstarcruises.com.au
About North Star Cruises
Broome-based North Star Cruises is a wholly Australian owned company operating the 840 tonne, 36-passenger luxury expedition yacht, True North. The multi-award-winning company operates exclusive adventure cruises along the West Coast, the Kimberley, across the Northern Territory to Cape York, Papua New Guinea, Sydney and Adelaide. Apart from ecologically sensitive shore excursions and activities, guests can also indulge in fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving. True North is one of the very few such vessels to operate with its own helicopter on selected itineraries.
Ken Duncan, widely regarded as Australia's premier panoramic landscape photographer, will be joining Orion's specialist Antarctic Expedition Team for a 16 night Antarctic Continent expedition to Commonwealth Bay, home to the site of the historic Mawson's huts built for his 1911 Antarctic expedition.
Although panoramas are his signature style, Ken Duncan is also an expert in using a multitude of different formats and media and he will be sharing his expertise with Orion's guests to help them make the most of capturing the myriad of photo opportunities afforded on this Antarctic voyage.
With convenient embarkation in Bluff, New Zealand, Orion will head south with her 100 passengers (and 75 crew) to visit remote sub-Antarctic Snares and Auckland islands en-route to World Heritage listed Macquarie Island, with its vast breeding grounds of penguins and seals. The remnants of the old whaling station provide a dramatic photographic contrast to the wildlife in this remote sanctuary.
Orion is scheduled to cross the Antarctic Circle and head further south to Cape Denison located at 67 degrees south. Time ashore, weather permitting, will provide guests with a rare chance to visit Mawson's huts and have a look inside this icy time-capsule, left as-is after Mawson's departure.
New found photographic skills promise great opportunities to record the extensive wild life, huts, and historic debris and artifacts still to be found here.
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Ken Duncan has produced numerous books and received many awards for his work. He has been published by National Geographic and Time magazines and he has undertaken assignments for The Passion of The Christ and World Vision.
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Fares Guide:
16 nights Antarctic Continent – Commonwealth Bay departs Bluff (Invercargill) NZ 11th December 2008, arriving in Hobart 27th December 2008. (Ken Duncan voyage)
Fares begin from $15,790per person twin share for an ocean view Category B stateroom
Suites begin from $21,775 per person twin share for a Junior Suite
Owners' Suites with French Balcony are $33,055 per person twin share
Ranked #2 expedition cruise ship in the world in the current Berlitz Cruise Guide, Orion is the world's latest purpose-built luxury expedition cruise ship, featuring an unmatched range of onboard facilities.
With 75 crew and a maximum of just 100 passengers for Antarctic expeditions Orion offers the highest staff to guest ratio and guest to public space ratio of any ship based in Australian waters.
Further information on all Orion Expedition Cruises to Antarctica, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, Asia, New Zealand, the Kimberley and Arnhem Land can be obtained by visiting the website www.orioncruises.com.au
Orion Expedition Cruises has been included in the current edition of the US travel magazine Islands inaugural Blue List of the top 100 tourism products from around the world that best represent responsible tourism.