
Luxury Australia for Australians
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. The itineraries will cover Australia for Australians.
These adventures include early maritime encounters along the west coast, such as visits to Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay and the Abrolhos Islands, through to viewing the petroglyphs of Murujuga (Dampier archipelago) the largest, densest and most diverse collections of rock art in the world.
Whether 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, this range of 7 to 15 night itineraries, showcases the coastline of Australia.

Overview of the eight new itineraries:
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 $8,430 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 21 / 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 & 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 & 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.
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 – 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.

Contact your preferred travel agent, or PONANT Consultants on 1300 737 178 (Australia) or 0800 767 018 (New Zealand), or email reservations.aus@ponant.com to obtain assistance and information.
For more personalised information tips and advice, or to book an incredible holiday contact your local TravelManagers’ personal travel manager here.