10 Night Broome to Darwin (or Darwin to Broome) Luxury Cruise
Day 1: Depart Broome Or Darwin
DARWIN Departures: Arrive at 7:00am for SailSAFE check-in. Board your Coral Expeditions ship in Darwin at 8:00am where there is time to settle into your cabin before our 9:00am departure. Spend a luxuriant sea day at leisure as we cruise across Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters.
BROOME Departures: Arrive at 3:00pm for SailSAFE check-in. Board your Coral Expeditions ship in Broome at 4:00pm where there is time to settle into your cabin before our 5:00pm departure.
Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard and join our Expedition Team in the Lounge for an insightful introduction to the Kimberley. As dusk falls meet your fellow travellers, the Captain and crew for the Captain’s Welcome Drinks.
Day 2: 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 Birdlife 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, frigate birds, 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 afternoon join the Expedition Staff in the Lounge for an interesting introductory presentation to the Kimberley.
Day 3: Horizontal Falls and Buccaneer Archipelago
This morning travel ashore to Hidden Island for a walk on the fine white sands of Silica Beach. Then, 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.
Day 4: Ruby Falls and Raft Point
This morning, explore Red Cone Creek and enjoy a cooling dip at Ruby Falls. Cruising through Kuri Bay, home of the south sea pearl industry, travel ashore at Raft Point and visit a secluded Aboriginal rock art gallery to view Wandjina art and the mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion).
Day 5: Doubtful Bay and Montgomery Reef
Cruise through scenic Doubtful Bay before savouring a truly unforgettable moment as Montgomery Reef ‘rises’ out of the ocean as the tide ebbs. Join Expedition Staff aboard the Xplorer and zodiacs to experience this natural phenomenon up close and discover the reef’s diverse marine life including turtles, manta rays and reef sharks.
Day 6: Prince Regent River and King Cascades
Cruise the mighty Prince Regent River aboard Xplorer to breathtaking King Cascades, an unusual and picturesque waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations. Enjoy refreshments at beautiful Camp Creek, where there is time for a leisurely swim in the freshwater pools.
Day 7: Careening Bay and Bigge Island
At Careening Bay lecturers lead us to the site of a large boab tree baring the inscription “HMC Mermaid – 1820”, still clearly visible almost 200 years later. Then, discover the rock art gallery on Bigge Island, featuring fine examples of both Wandjina and Bradshaw art.
Day 8: Hathaway’s Hideaway and Mitchell Falls
After anchoring in Winyalken Bay, travel ashore aboard Xplorer to explore the maze of natural sandstone caves known as Hathaway’s Hideaway. Later, 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 you indulge in a gourmet Aussie Beach BBQ.
Day 9: Vansittart Bay DC3 and Jar Island
Join Expedition Leader on a walk across salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force DC3 which crash landed on the beach during WWII. Later, visit Jar Island and discover the island’s outstanding rock art gallery. Guest Lecturers will point out fine examples of the Kimberley’s mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion), dating back some 20,000 years.
Day 10: King George River and Falls
Visit Tranquil Bay for beach walking and exploration. Later discover the last of the Kimberley’s ‘big’ rivers, the mighty King George. Aboard Xplorer, a specially designed excursion vessel, you’ll explore scenic gorges, and in the inflatable zodiacs you’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.
Day 11: Depart in Darwin or Broome
Our incredible adventure along the Kimberley Coast concludes. Bid farewell to new-found friends, the Captain and crew. A post-cruise transfer to Broome CBD or Airport is included.
BROOME Arrival: Arrive in Broome this morning at 8:00am. A post-cruise transfer to Broome CBD or Airport is included. If you’re not transferring directly to the airport why not spend the day visiting world-famous Cable Beach or stroll the historic streets of Chinatown in central Broome.
DARWIN Arrival: Arrive and disembark at Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf at 8:30am. Post cruise transfers to CBD hotels or the airport are included. If you’re not transferring directly to the airport why not spend the day enjoying the tropical city of Darwin with its landscaped waterfront and harbourside Wave Pool.
This itinerary is an indication of what destinations are usually visited and activities are usually 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.
Please note: The Uunguu Visitor Pass (UVP) is required for all visitors along the Kimberley coastline. This fee is paid to the Uunguu native title holders, also known as the Wunambal Gaambera people for access along the coastline and onto their land. The fee will be collected by Coral Expeditions and passed directly on to the Uunguu native title holders and is included in cruise costs.