The maiden voyage of Aurora Expeditions’ new expedition ship, Douglas Mawson, in December, 2025, will take adventure seekers on a nine-night circumnavigation of Tasmania embracing wild, deserted places, spectacular scenery, rich wildlife and far-flung islands.
To inspire Australians to be the first aboard on the Australian brand’s new ship, Australian small ship cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller, is offering extensive savings on an exclusive, 10-night, fly, stay and sail package for the 2025 circuit of Tasmania on Douglas Mawson and an identical sailing on sister ship, Greg Mortimer in December, 2026. Savings of up to A$8850 per couple and A$3960 for solos are available.
Named after the legendary Antarctic explorer and carrying just 154 guests, Douglas Mawson will boast a sea-level Zodiac launching platform, a pool and two Jacuzzis on the top deck, expansive observation decks, plush lounges and a gym, with all staterooms offering ocean views. The ship will also boast 36 dedicated solo staterooms – a first for Aurora Expeditions to meet growing demand from solo travellers.
Cruise Traveller’s 10-night ‘Tasmania Temptations’ fly, stay and sail package is available for Douglas Mawson’s debut sailing in December, 2025, and again in December, 2026, for an identical itinerary and package aboard the 160-guest Greg Mortimer, launched in 2019, with each journey enhanced by Tasmania’s long December daylight hours stretching into late evening.
Cruise Traveller’s package for 2025 begins on December 1, 2025, with a free flight from Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide to Hobart for a night’s stay in a hotel before guests board Douglas Mawson the next day for the nine-night round-Tasmania expedition which will see the vessel act as a moving, floating base camp from which guests will go ashore regularly to explore on foot wild and pristine regions of Tasmania and its surrounding islands.
From Hobart, the shiny , new Douglas Mawson will chart a course to beautiful Bruny Island, the remote Maatsuyker Islands south of Tasmania – home to Australia’s southern-most lighthouse – and right along Tasmania’s wild west coast to the Hunter and Kent Islands in Bass Strait – places rich in birdlife. The sapphire waters, untouched beaches, rocky peaks and tiny villages of Flinders Island are next on the journey as well as the iridescent-blue waters and pristine white beaches of the Freycinet Peninsula and the fur seal colonies around the Schouten Islands.
Douglas Mawson will continue the circling of Tasmania with a visit to Maria Island – home to an abundance of native wildlife including wallabies, wombats, pademelons and Tasmanian devils. Spectacular Cape Pillar and the historic convict ruins of Port Arthur complete the adventure before guests disembark in Hobart and take a free flight back to Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide. Return flights to Hobart from Perth and Brisbane are also available for a surcharge.
Snapshot of inclusions and features – ‘Tasmania Temptations’ package
* Two identical 10-night packages, starting December 1, 2025 aboard Douglas Mawson, or December 2, 2026, aboard Greg Mortimer
* Free return flight from Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide to Hobart, with surcharge from Perth and Brisbane
* One night in Hobart pre-cruise
* Nine-night round-Tasmania voyage from Hobart, aboard Douglas Mawson or Greg Mortimer
* Onboard beverages with dinner and Zodiac and land excursions are included in the cruise
* 2025 departure – Dec 1, 2025 – The 10-night fly, stay and sail package aboard Douglas Mawson is available from A$13,035 per person, twin-share, in an ocean-view Aurora Stateroom – a saving of A$3360 per person. For solos, fares are available in a single, ocean-view Aurora Stateroom from A$15,835 – a saving of A$3960.
* 2026 departure – Dec 2, 2026 – The 10-night fly, stay and sail package aboard Greg Mortimer is available from A$13,270 per person, twin-share, in an ocean-view Aurora Stateroom – a saving of A$4425 per person.
For the free flights and savings, book by December 30, 2024.
Call Australian small ship specialist, Cruise Traveller, on 1800 507 777 or visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/
