Australia's Kimberley Expedition Cruise from Broome
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Prices:
- On request
Few trips to Australia reach the unique natural sights of the Kimberley. Begin in Broome, gateway to the magnificent Kimberley wilderness and enjoy a cruise to the remote Australian Outback.
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Few trips to Australia truly let you unlock 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
Board in Darwin at 8:00am for a 9:00am departure.
COVID pre-screenings will occur prior to boarding - please refer to final cruise documentation for location/timing details.
| Meal Plan | Lunch and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10 Nights |
| Accommodation |
Coral Discoverer |
-
Coral Discoverer
Built for comfort and safety, the Coral Discoverer provides the luxury and convenience of larger cruise ships, yet with just 72 passengers, is small enough access sites beyond the reach of larger vessels. The Coral Discoverer features plenty of open deck space and air-conditioned lounge …
Built for comfort and safety, the Coral Discoverer provides the luxury and convenience of larger cruise ships, yet with just 72 passengers, is small enough access sites beyond the reach of larger vessels. The Coral Discoverer features plenty of open deck space and air-conditioned lounge areas for guest comfort. There are outdoor and indoor bars and single-seating dining indoors. Its 2016 refurbishment has brought on board amenities to an even higher level -- the Sun Deck is a new social space and hub of on board community, underneath of which is a covered deck area complete with round bar, a sundeck with lounges and an area for outdoor exercise equipment. Our captain welcomes you on the bridge to observe ship operations and have a friendly chat. Coral Discoverer excursions are made on board the specially-designed excursion vessel 'Xplorer', and a fleet of inflatable Zodiacs.
Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Bar
- Gift Shop
- Laundry Facilities (Surcharge)
- Library
- Lounge
- Scuba Diving
- Spa/Jacuzzi
- Sundeck
- WiFi
Photo gallery
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King George River and Falls
Fed by the King George River draining across the Gardner Plateau, 80m tall King George Falls are the highest twin falls in Western Australia. Cruise through steep-sided gorges carved many millions of years ago to reach the base of the falls. In waterfall season, cruise under the mist of the falls by Zodiac, while in later months view the honeycomb erosion patterns of sandstone cliffs up close.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Vansittart Bay
Vansittart Bay is home to many cultural and historically significant sites like the remarkable Jar Island Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art galleries estimated to be up to 20,000 years old. Nearby on the Anjo Peninsula, you explore the well-preserved wreckage of a US Air Force C-53 Skytrooper aircraft.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Mitchell Falls, Winyalkan and Swift Bay
Carved through layers of sandstone, Mitchell Falls descends over four tiers, creating pools of emerald green on each level. An optional helicopter flight will provide a breathtaking view. At the top of the falls, sandstone terraces form a lookout from which to savour the serenity of this ancient landscape. Alternatively explore the sandstone caves of Wollaston Bay or Wollaston Creek, a maze of weathered tunnels, arches and columns that was once an Aboriginal midden. Swift Bay reveals a series of fine Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock art galleries.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Prince Frederick Harbour
Prince Frederick Harbour is one of the Kimberley's most spectacular locations. The harbour is dotted with islands lined with mangroves and monsoon rainforests, set against a backdrop of ochre-hued escarpments.
White-bellied sea eagles and other birds of prey are often seen here, and at low tide, expansive mudflats reveal large populations of mud-skippers and mangrove crabs. Cruise up Porosus Creek to spot wildlife and later explore rock art sites.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Prince Regent River and Careening Bay
Running on a fault line, this straight river is a haven for native species. Here you will visit the beautiful King Cascade, a terraced waterfall. Falling from a considerable height and around 50m across, water tumbles down a staggered terrace of Kimberley sandstone, surrounded by grasses, mosses and ferns.
See the National Heritage Listed 'Mermaid Tree' at Careening Bay. It still bears the name carved by the carpenter of Phillip Parker King's ship HMC Mermaid when the ship was repaired here in 1820.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Montgomery Reef
Montgomery Reef is a biologically diverse area covering over 300 sq km. Twice daily, as the sea recedes in mammoth tides, Montgomery Reef rises from the ocean in a cascade of rushing water, revealing a flat-topped reef. Opportunistic birds take advantage of the marine life left exposed in rock pools, while turtles and larger marine life may also be spotted. Get up close to witness the spectacle, as your Expedition Team share their knowledge on the reef and wildlife that surrounds you.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Doubtful Bay
Raft Point guards the entrance to sheltered Doubtful Bay, which harbours significant sites such as the ancient Wandjina rock art galleries. Doubtful Bay is the traditional country of the Worrora people who follow the Wandjina, and these stories, knowledge and culture have been recorded in stone for millennia.
Visit Red Cone Creek, which flows gently downstream until it meets Ruby Falls. Climb up rock formations like building blocks, to reach the freshwater swimming hole. Other sites you may visit in Doubtful Bay include the mighty Sale River and Steep Island.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Horizontal Falls and Buccaneer Archipelago
Due to the mammoth tides for which the Kimberley is renowned for, the Horizontal Falls are created as the ocean thunders through a narrow gorge in the McLarty Ranges. As the tide changes, water is forcibly pushed through the bottleneck, creating a rushing horizontal waterfall of swiftly flowing seawater. Experience a heart-pumping ride through the rapids aboard the Zodiacs.
In the spectacular Buccaneer Archipelago, you will see evidence of massive geological forces in the ancient rock formations as you cruise through the Iron Islands, past Koolan Island, and enjoy sunset drinks at Nares Point.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
The Lacepedes
A Class-A nature reserve, these islands are a rookery for brown boobies and roseate terns as well as other species of birds. The four low-lying islands are also an important breeding and nesting habitat for green turtles, which are commonly spotted. If tidal conditions allow, explore the lagoons by Zodiac.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Disembark
At 8:00am your unforgettable cruise along the Kimberley coast concludes in Broome.
A post cruise transfer to the city or airport is included.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2022 - Coral Discoverer: Aug 19; Sep 9
2023 - Coral Discoverer: Apr 4; May 5, 26; Jun 16; Jul 7, 28; Aug 18; Sep 8
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Accommodation as indicated
- Services of expedition staff including lectures, briefings, slide/film presentations and other group activities
- Captain's welcome and farewell cocktail functions
- Group transfers during the cruise
- Meals as indicated
- 24 hour tea/coffee station
- Landing fees
- Australian Government Goods & Services Tax
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Visa fees if applicable
- Meals and beverages not specifcally indicated
- Items of a personal nature
- Arrival and departure transfers
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 enquire.
8 Sep 2023
