Join us for a showcase of the Kimberley’s best. Visit World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, journey by 4WD along the rugged Gibb River Road and visit El Questro Wilderness Park. Then embark on a cruise along the Kimberley coast, taking in King Cascades, Horizontal Falls and more. Experience Australia’s last undiscovered region in style, enjoying exclusive wilderness camp stays, stylish cruising, amazing wildlife and breathtaking scenery.
Day 1. Broome, Boab Prison Tree, Gibb River Road, Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge.
This morning visit the Boab Prison Tree, which is believed to be more than 1,500 years old. The tree is a registered Aboriginal Site. Continue via the Gibb River Road, a remote highway which stretches between Broome and Kununurra, to Tunnel Creek and wade through its cool waters. Then travel on to Windjana Gorge. Look out for freshwater crocodiles along the banks of the Lennard River.
Day 2. Bell Gorge, Hiking and Swimming.
Back on the Gibb River Road this morning, journey into King Leopold Range National Park, home to Bell Gorge, where stunning cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. Take a relaxing swim below the waterfall, which feeds the lower pool, or perhaps go bird-watching. There are also a number of hiking opportunities to choose from.
Day 3. Galvans Gorge, Durack River.
Today, travel to the secluded Galvans Gorge. A short walk leads to a waterhole and rare rock art on the gorge walls. Perhaps take a leisurely swim here. After, rejoin the Gibb River Road and ford the mighty Durack River. Then ford the Pentecost River into El Questro Wilderness Park – one million acres in the Kimberley wilderness. Tonight enjoy a dinner at Emma Gorge Resort.
Day 4. El Questro, Emma Gorge, Zebedee Springs.
Today you have the whole day to discover El Questro Wilderness Park. This morning, walk to Zebedee Springs and soak in its natural thermal pools. Then, join a local guide and cruise Chamberlain Gorge, a waterway fringed by tropical vegetation and rugged escarpments. Later, you may like to join a hike into Emma Gorge, for a swim.
Day 5. World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park.
Farewell El Questro this morning and journey to Purnululu National Park, one of Australia’s most fascinating landmarks. The national park is home to the famed black and orange striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range. Hike along a Livistona palm-fringed trail, into Echidna Chasm, a spectacular cleft in the rock massif. During your time here, marvel at the domes from afar, then step inside the range to discover a plethora of gorges, pools and fauna.
Day 6. Piccaninny Creek, Cathedral Gorge.
Today walk along Piccaninny Creek, a winding gorge within the Bungle Bungle domes. Your next stop is the natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge. You may like to take the opportunity to enjoy an optional scenic helicopter flight over the domes (own expense). As the sun begins to set over the range, enjoy a complimentary drink and savour a truly magnificent sight.
Day 7. Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing.
Farewell the Bungle Bungle Range and visit Halls Creek. See the unusual China Wall, a natural quartz formation, which rises from a creek and up over a small hill. Continue to Fitzroy Crossing, a small settlement, which is situated on the Fitzroy River.
Day 8. Geikie Gorge Cruise, Broome.
This morning journey into Geikie Gorge National Park and explore Geikie Gorge, located at the junction of the Oscar and Geikie ranges. During your time here, board a unique cruise through this stunning gorge and learn more about its surrounding flora and fauna. After lunch return to the old pearling town of Broome. .
Day 9. Board Ship, Welcome Cocktail Party.
After a morning at your leisure, board your ship and tonight enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party.
Day 10. Lacepede Islands, Turtle Nursery.
Cruise through Pender Bay and visit the remote Lacepede Islands, home to colonies of booby birds and frigate birds, as well as being a breeding ground for green turtles.
Day 11. Crocodile Creek, Talbot Bay, Horizontal Falls.
Visit Crocodile Creek and enjoy a refreshing swim in its freshwater pools. Then cruise to Talbot Bay and see the spectacular Horizontal Falls, a natural phenomenon caused by a rapid tidal flow between two narrow gorges.
Day 12. Buccaneer Archipelago, Montgomery Reef.
Explore the remote Buccaneer Archipelago, a group of strikingly rugged islands, which feature white sandy beaches. Here you’ll experience vast tidal ranges. Walk onto Montgomery Reef this morning and then head ashore at Raft Point to visit an Aboriginal rock art gallery.
Day 13. Camp Creek, King Cascades.
Cruise up the Prince Regent River to Camp Creek. From here, journey upriver to the magnificently tiered King Cascades waterfall, in the Prince Regent Nature Reserve. Look out for saltwater crocodiles here.
Day 14. Careening Bay, Kuri Bay.
Cruise to Careening Bay, the site of a large boab tree of historic significance, inscribed with the name Lieutenant Philip Parker King, HMC Mermaid – 1820. Then continue to Kuri Bay, home of the South Sea pearling industry and the first cultured pearl farm.
Day 15. Prince Frederick Harbour, Naturalist Island.
Journey to Prince Frederick Harbour and witness outstanding coastal scenery here. Then anchor at Naturalist Island for the day. Perhaps take a scenic helicopter flight (own expense).
Day 16. Bigge Island, Gwion (Bradshaw) Art.
Cruise to Bigge Island, which is the second largest island in the Bonaparte Archipelago. Here take the time to explore ancient Aboriginal rock art sites, which feature a natural gallery of Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art paintings.
Day 17. Vansittart Bay.
Explore the expansive and untouched beauty of remote Vansittart Bay. Discover some of its many small islands and secluded coves and keep an eye out for interesting birdlife.
Day 18. King George River, Tranquil Bay.
Journey along this magnificent waterway fringed by rugged scenery and cruise close to the base of the King George Falls. Later, enjoy time to explore Tranquil Bay. Then, this evening, enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party.
Day 19. Disembark Ship, Depart Darwin.
This morning arrive in Darwin where your tour-of-a-lifetime concludes.
