About Us
About Top End Saltwater Adventures
Australian Sailing Experiences (ASE) trades with 2 business names, as City of Darwin Cruises or Top End Saltwater Adventures ASE is an established Darwin family owned sailing business providing a range of eco-cruise options on Darwin Harbour and beyond. ASE has two trading names which represent the 2 parts of the Business, one, the in- the-harbour eco-cruises (CODC),and two, focuses on the out-of-harbour overnight (can be many night) eco-adventure (TESA).
City of Darwin Cruises has been operating daytime and sunset cruises and overnighters on Darwin Harbour since February 2003 on their sailing catamaran EcoVenture, a SeaWind 1000.
In March 2004, Les Reif and Leslee Hills purchased a 38 foot Crowther Seafire sailing catamaran named Cherry Pie which has a C class survey (max 20 on and outside Harbour on day trips and 8 plus 2 crew for overnight trips), meaning that travellers to the Top End can know experience the Top End’s coastline and closest Islands -visit the Tiwi Islands, or Vernon Islands - historic Escape Cliffs, Cape Hotham, on two day Seafaris and further away Cape Don, Coburg and the Wessels Islands on 5 or longer day adventures. The Top End’s offshore islands and remote coastline have been utilised for many years by a number of Fishing Tour operators, however, the market has mainly target the male fisherman and not mainstream tourists!
Now families and travellers wishing to experience a level of comfort combined with a wildlife experience can explore places such as Bynoe Harbour and Bare Sand Island. Bare Sand Island is a major flatback turtle nesting ground as well as providing bird lovers with a photographic smorgasbord. Two day cruises have commenced to Bare Sand Island, Vernon Islands/Escape Cliffs and Bynoe Harbour.
The owners have chosen their vessels to suit the Top Ends conditions. Both catamarans are of a tropical design, provide a large amount of deck space, and offer people of all ages and abilities a level and comfortable sailing experience. The beauty of the Catamarans is that they don’t sail sideways, like single hulled sailing vessels!
Top End Saltwater Adventures
This product provides a great family getaway, for either locals wanting some time out, or for the traveller wanting to enjoy the Top End coastal areas and Islands. An ideal destination is Bare Sand Island, the major Flatback turtle nesting ground in Northern Australia. Nesting occurs generally between the months of April-September, and there is no where in Australia except in the Northern Territory where you can still ‘touch’ a turtle. The birdlife is also amazing, and is something to be seen.
Note: TESA follows all Turtle and Dugong codes of conduct guidelines. TESA is a member of AUSTURTLE, and regularly communicates with the Charles Darwin University Flatback Turtle Scientific Team.
Member of home stay Assoc
Austurtle 10 memberships
Discounts available
· Pay before you cruise and get 10% discount
· Senior cards 20% discount
· API members Discount of 20%
· Totaltravel 10%
· Underwater.com 20%
· Defence and Territory Locals 20% Plus an extra 10% if you pay by credit card (as above). (Show drivers licence)