Australia’s Kimberley Expedition Cruise from Darwin
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Prices:
- On request
FIRST-CLASS | CRUISE: A 10 night exploration voyage to the Kimberley has many highlights. Visit 300ft waterfalls, 20,000 year old Aborginal outdoor artwork and explore a maze of natural sandstone caves. Begin in Darwin, gateway to the magnificent Kimberley wilderness and enjoy a cruise to the remote Australian Outback.
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Few trips to Australia let you unlock the secrets of Western Australia’s Kimberley region, but that's what you'll be doing on this thrilling 10-night cruise, available in either direction between Darwin and Broome.
You’ll visit King George River and its spectacular 300ft high falls, the tallest single-drop waterfalls in Western Australia. See the wreckage of a US Air Force DC3, which crashed here during WWII. On JarIsland, visit a 20,000 year old outdoor art gallery. You will drop anchor in Winyalken Bay to explore Hathaway’s Hideaway, an astonishing maze of natural sandstone caves. Or take an optional scenic flight over Mitchell Plateau for a view over the spectacular Mitchell Falls.
Watch birds, sea turtles, reef sharks and other life descend upon Montgomery Reef as it slowly rises from the ocean with the fleeing tide. Visit the Buccaneer Archipelago for an exhilarating ride through the Horizontal Waterfalls, and meet the abundant bird life of the Lacapede Islands, believed to include up to 18,000 breeding pairs of Brown Boobies and Roseate Terns, along with pelicans, frigatbirds, and even the Green Turtle.
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Prices:
- On request
Itinerary View Trip Map
Depart Darwin
08:00am: Boarding commences for a 9:00am departure. Farewell Darwin Harbour, we cross Cambridge Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters. This afternoon join our Expedition Staff for an informative introduction to the Kimberley before meeting your fellow travellers and friendly crew at the Captain's Welcome Drinks.
| Meal Plan | Lunch and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10 Nights |
| Accommodation |
Coral Adventurer |
| Location | View map |
-
Coral Adventurer
Built to take you closer to unspoiled vistas in comfort, style and safety. A culmination of two years of design and three decades of passion for expedition cruising.
Built to take you closer to unspoiled vistas in comfort, style and safety. A culmination of two years of design and three decades of passion for expedition cruising.
Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Bar
- Gym
- Library
- Lounge
- WiFi
Photo gallery
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King George River and Falls
Today we discover the first of the Kimberley's 'big' rivers, the mighty King George. Aboard Xplorer, our specially designed excursion vessel, we'll explore scenic gorges, and in our inflatable Zodiacs we'll cruise close to the base of magnificent King George Falls, the tallest waterfalls in Western Australia towering some 80 metres above the river below. Later, we visit Tranquil Bay for beach walking and exploration.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Vansittart Bay C53 and Jar Island
Join our Expedition Leader on a walk across salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force C53 which crash landed on the beach during WWII. Later, visit Jar Island and discover the island's outstanding rock art gallery. Our Guest Lecturers will point out fine examples of the Kimberley's mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion), dating back some 20,000 years.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Hathaway's Hideaway and Mitchell Falls
After anchoring in Winyalken Bay we travel ashore aboard Explorer to explore the maze of natural sandstone caves known as Hathaway's Hideaway (if no optional Heli Flights over Mitchell Falls are booked).
Helicopters are available for optional scenic flights over the Mitchell Plateau for close up views of the mighty four-tiered Mitchell Falls. This evening, enjoy a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset as we indulge in a gourmet Aussie Beach BBQ.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Bigge Island and Careening Bay
Guided beach walk and then discover the rock art gallery on Bigge Island, featuring fine examples of both Wandjina and Contact art. Explore Careening Bay which was named by Phillip Parker King after his ship 'HMC Mermaid' was careened during his second voyage of discovery in the Kimberley. Our lecturers lead us to the site of a large boab tree bearing the inscription "HMC Mermaid 1820", still clearly visible almost 200 years later.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Prince Regent River and King Cascades
We cruise the mighty Prince Regent River aboard Xplorer to breathtaking King Cascades, an unusual and picturesque waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations. Enjoy a picnic lunch at beautiful Camp Creek, where there is time for a leisurely swim in the fresh water pools. The more adventurous may wish to join a nature walk, keeping an eye out for native Kimberley bird life.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Montgomery Reef and Doubtful Bay
Today savour a truly unforgettable moment as Montgomery Reef 'rises' out of the ocean as the tide ebbs. Join our Expedition Staff aboard the Explorer and zodiacs to experience this natural phenomenon up close and discover the reef's diverse marine life including turtles,and reef sharks.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Raft Point
Cruising through Kuri Bay, home of the south sea pearl industry, travel ashore at Raft Point and visit a secluded and very interesting Aboriginal rock art gallery to view Wandjina art and the mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Horizontal Falls and Buccaneer Archipelago
Cruise through the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to over 800 islands. In Talbot Bay, the region's 12 metre tides create an amazing spectacle, the unique Horizontal Falls, described by legendary naturalist David Attenborough as "one the greatest natural wonders in the world". Board the zodiacs for an exhilarating, ride through the falls. Later, explore Silica Beach on Hidden Island with its stunning white sands and crystal clear waters.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Lacepede Islands
Cruise through Pender Bay and, subject to weather and tides, visit the Lacepede Islands, a series of low islands consisting of coarse sand and coral rubble lying atop a platform reef. This nature reserve has been identified by Bird Life International as an Important Bird Area as it supports up to 18,000 breeding pairs of Brown Boobies and Roseate Terns, possibly the largest such population in the world. Board the zodiacs and explore the island's lagoon, keeping an eye out for many species of marine birdlife including Australian Pelicans, frigatebirds, egrets, gulls and terns. The islands are also renowned as Western Australia's most significant breeding grounds for the Green Turtle, often seen nesting on the islands. This evening you farewell new-found friends as you enjoy the Captain's Farewell Cocktails.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Disembark
At 8:00am your unforgettable cruise along the Kimberley coast concludes in Broome.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2022 Adventurer: Aug 1, 22
2023 Adventurer: Apr 28; May 19; Jun 9, 30; Jul 21; Aug 11
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Accommodation charges on board
- Captain's Welcome and Farewell Cocktails
- Services of expedition staff including lectures
- Briefings, slide/film presentations, and other group activities
- Group transfers during the cruise
- All meals
- 24-hour tea/coffee station
- Landing fees
- Australian Government Goods and Services Tax
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Fuel surcharges
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry services
- Beverages, alcoholic and otherwise
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees if applicable
- Gratuities
OTHER INFORMATION:
This itinerary is an indication of the destinations the ship visits and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition changes may be made to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
11 Aug 2023
