We officially made landfall in Australia today! Our journey Down Under started with a bang as we made sure our ship was squeaky clean with biosecurity protocols to protect the stunning ecosystems we're about to explore. During a quick pit stop in Darwin to clear customs, we were blown away by the warm welcome from Goyma Gondarra's family, our incredible Cultural Specialist. Now, we are setting sail southward towards our first stop in the Kimberley, gearing up for the breathtaking King George Falls!
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 01 Jun 2024
Darwin, Australia, 6/1/2024, National Geographic Orion
- Aboard the National Geographic Orion
- Australia and New Zealand
Rachel Crane, Undersea Specialist
Rachel is a Marine Ecologist, Master Scuba Instructor, and USCG 100-ton licensed Captain. She grew up homeschooled on an alpaca farm in Upstate NY, where her passion for the outdoors was initially cultivated. After attending a marine science summer c...
Read MoreShare Report
Kimberley Expedition: Northwest Australia & Indonesia
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
7/31/2024
Read
National Geographic Orion
Komodo National Park
As the sun rose, we boarded our Zodiacs and made the short trip to the long-anticipated land of dragons. On a trip bookended by giant reptiles, a visit to Komodo National Park proved to be one of the highlights on a trip full of spectacular sights. Our onshore orientation was quickly interrupted by an appearance by one of the hulk lizards that make this park famous. As we strolled through the forest, we encountered multiple Komodo Dragons and learned a little more about their lives on the island with each encounter. The forest also brimmed with other wildlife from Timor deer to ornate sunbirds. In the afternoon we traded the wildlife above water for those below. Snorkeling off a gorgeous pink beach was an unforgettable experience. The reef teemed with life in abundance and variety that is truly hard to comprehend. It was a true privilege to experience a prime example of what the Coral Triangle has to offer.
7/30/2024
Read
National Geographic Orion
Sumba Island, Indonesia
This morning, we arrived at the beautiful beach of Puru Kambera on the north coast of Sumba Island. Guests were treated to some beautiful snorkeling among some relatively healthy coral and many schooling fish. It was also a great opportunity for us to take a walk along the beautiful sandy beach and up into the dry forest behind it to do some birdwatching. Over lunch, the ship repositioned into the port of Waingapu where we disembarked National Geographic Orion and boarded buses for an afternoon of culture. The people of the village were incredibly warm and welcoming and put on a great performance of song and dance. After the performance, we had an opportunity to do some shopping for souvenirs, as there were many beautiful Ikats on display for sale.