LE SOLEAL HIGHLIGHTS OF SOUTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA

8 Night Ponant Cruise - Le Soleal - Fremantle to Fremantle

LE SOLEAL map HIGHLIGHTS OF SOUTH WEST AUSTRALIA

PONANT CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS - FREMANTLE RETURN

Explore the breathtaking sights along the South coast of Western Australia on this brand new 9-day itinerary with PONANT. Onboard Le Soléal the coast will reveal to you breathtaking views of its rugged coastline, charming cities, untouched lands, turquoise waters and a range of historic museums, statues, and towns.

Your voyage will begin in the vibrant city of Fremantle, where the old blends with the new, creating an enriching cultural experience.

The beauty of Albany’s rugged coastline creates a fitting backdrop to a dramatic whaling, convict and settler history and a sensational South coast adventure. Follow extraordinary stories of the ANZAC’s through the National ANZAC Centre's state-of-the-art interactive displays.

Regarded as a beach and nature-lover's dream, Esperance is blessed with squeaky-clean beaches, turquoise waters, untouched islands and colour-filled wildflower country. Among its most famous beauty spots is Australia's whitest beach, Lucky Bay - set against a stunning seascape of 110 islands of the Recherche Archipelago.

The Archipelago of the Recherche, known locally as the Bay of Isles, is a group of 105 islands, and over 1,500 rocky outcrops off the Southern coast of Esperance, Western Australia. In this biodiversity hotspot, you will have the opportunity to spot breeding colonies of the Australian Fur Seal, New Zealand Fur Seal and the Australian Sea Lion as well as an abundance of land and marine birds.

The town of Augusta is a well-kept secret which lies as far South West as you can go in Australia. It is home to the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australian at Cape Leeuwin and the largest show cave in WA, Jewel Cave.

Busselton lies sheltered along the shore of Geographe Bay and is the gateway to the Margaret River Wine Region. This famous wine region produces more than 25 percent of Australia’s premium wine from more than 200 vineyards. The exceptional soils give rise to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc varietals with the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay globally recognised amongst the top ranking in the world.

On your return to Fremantle, you will have the opportunity to experience this truly enriching small town. With strong Maritime, convict, and colonial history, buzzing markets, lively bars and casual street cafes, it will give you a taste of 21st century life with the locals.

DAY 1 - FREMANTLE

The vibrant city of Fremantle blends the old with the new, creating an enriching cultural experience. Maritime, convict and colonial history can be explored in one of the best-preserved examples of a 19^th century port streetscape on Earth, while buzzing markets, lively bars and casual street cafés give you a taste of 21^st century life with the locals. If you're hitting the heritage trail, be sure to include a visit to the Western Australian Maritime Museum, World Heritage listed Fremantle Prison and Western Australia's oldest public building, the Roundhouse.

LE SOLEAL HIGHLIGHTS OF SOUTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA

DAY 2 - SEA DAY

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

LE SOLEAL ESSENTIAL KIMBERLEY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

DAY 3 - ALBANY

The breathtaking beauty of Albany's rugged coastline creates a fitting backdrop to a dramatic whaling, convict and settler history and a sensational south coast adventure. This charming city marks the spot where the first European settlers set foot in Western Australia, and much of their legacy remains today. You can also follow the extraordinary stories of the first convoy of ANZACs departed for the battlegrounds of the First World War in the National ANZAC Centre. You'll also find some of the town's biggest tales in the Historic Whaling Station, the only museum of its kind to be housed in a former whaling station. The industry met its end in 1978, creating a safe port of call for migrating humpback, southern right and blue whales.

DAY 4 - ESPERANCE

Esperance was named for the French frigate Espérance captained by Huon de Kermadec on Antoine Bruni d'Entrecasteaux's 1791 expedition to find the lost ships of Jean-François de La Pérouse. It is located 720 kilometres east-southeast of Perth and has a population of just over 12,000. Regarded as a beach and nature-lover's dream, Esperance is blessed with squeaky-clean beaches, turquoise waters, untouched islands and colour-filled wildflower country. Among its most famous beauty spots is Australia's whitest beach, Lucky Bay - set against a stunning seascape of 110 islands of the Recherche Archipelago.

DAY 5 - RECHERCHE ARCHIPELAGO

The Archipelago of the Recherche, known locally as the Bay of Isles, is a group of 105 islands, and over 1500 rocky outcrops off the southern coast of Esperance, Western Australia. The islands stretch 230 kilometres from East to West and to 50 kilometres offshore. The area is a biodiversity hotspot partly due to the influence of the Leeuwin current which supports a rich diversity of marine life. Breeding colonies of Australian fur seal, New Zealand fur seal and the Australian Sea Lion have been recorded on various islands including Cooper and Salisbury Islands. The archipelago has also been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) supporting over 1% of the world populations of flesh-footed shearwaters, along with breeding colonies of the endemic Recherche Cape Barren goose, sooty oystercatchers and fairy terns. If time and weather permit, you will have the opportunity to explore the coastal environments and view the wildlife from our fleet of zodiacs.

DAY 6 - SEA DAY

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

DAY 7 - AUGUSTA

The town of Augusta is a well-kept secret which lies as far South West as you can go in Australia. It is home to the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australian at Cape Leeuwin and the largest show cave in WA, Jewel Cave. Historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse stands at the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet and is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia. It was one of the last manually operated in the world until it was converted to electricity in 1982. Jewel Cave comprises three chambers showcasing a millennia of nature’s finest art, including cave coral, and beautiful examples of flowstone. The nearby Boranup forest is a spectacular showpiece of towering Karri trees, some over 60m in height and provides an insight into the Southwest Australia Biodiversity hotspot. You will have the opportunity to take a coach tour showcasing the regions history and scenery.

DAY 8 - BUSSELTON

Twice voted Western Australia's Top Tourism Town, Busselton lies sheltered along the shore of Geographe Bay and is the gateway to the Margaret River Wine Region. The planting at Vasse Felix in 1967 signalled the beginnings of a wine industry in the region. Today, Margaret River is one of the nation’s largest wine regions, producing more than 25 percent of Australia’s premium wine from more than 200 vineyards. The exceptional soils give rise to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc varietals with the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay globally recognised amongst the top ranking in the world. The more than 120 cellar doors range from boutique and cosy affairs to impressive large-scale operations. You will have the opportunity to take a coach tour showcasing the regions world class wineries, craft beers and gourmet produce.

DAY 9 - FREMANTLE

The vibrant city of Fremantle blends the old with the new, creating an enriching cultural experience. Maritime, convict and colonial history can be explored in one of the best-preserved examples of a 19th century port streetscape on Earth, while buzzing markets, lively bars and casual street cafés give you a taste of 21st century life with the locals. If you're hitting the heritage trail, be sure to include a visit to the Western Australian Maritime Museum, World Heritage listed Fremantle Prison and Western Australia's oldest public building, the Roundhouse.