Depart Darwin on the Oceanic Discoverer for a luxury small ship cruise of the Kimberley region. Then travel to Perth on a journey seeing bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia, the landscapes of Karijini National Park and Nambung National Park.
Day 1: Depart Darwin
Depart Darwin 10:00am: Board Oceanic Discoverer for an 11:00am departure. Departing Darwin Harbour we cross Cambridge Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters. This evening meet your fellow travellers and friendly crew as we enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktails.
Day 2: King George River
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.
Day 3: Bigge Island and Aboriginal Art
This morning we visit the sea bird rookeries on Low Rocks, followed by a stop at Cape Voltaire for a swim and beach exploration. This afternoon we discover the amazing rock art gallery on Bigge Island.
Day 4: Prince Frederick Harbour
Cruising into Prince Frederick Harbour we anchor at Naturalist Island. We have helicopters 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.
Day 5: Careening Bay
Careening Bay was named by Phillip Parker King after his ship, ‘HMC Mermaid’, was careened during his first voyage of discovery in the Kimberley. Our lecturers lead us to the site of a large boab tree baring the inscription “HMC Mermaid 1820”, still clearly visible almost 200 years later. This afternoon we cruise into the very scenic Prince Regent Basin.
Day 6: 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 birdlife.
Day 7: Kuri Bay and Raft Point
Today we cruise through Kuri Bay, home of the south sea pearl industry. Travelling ashore at Raft Point we visit a secluded and very interesting Aboriginal rock art gallery to view Wandjina art and the mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion), thought to be the world’s oldest indigenous art, dating back over 20 000 years. Enjoy time to discover one of the bay’s many uninhabited islands and enjoy a cooling dip in the freshwater pools.
Day 8: Montgomery Reef and Horizontal Falls
Today we cruise through the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to over 800 islands, and experience two of the unforgettable highlights of the Kimberley Coast. See Montgomery Reef ‘rise’ out of the ocean as the tide ebbs, before joining a reef walk and marine life study. In Talbot Bay, the region’s 12 metre tides create an amazing spectacle, the unique Horizontal Falls. Board the zodiacs for an exhilarating, up-close view of this natural phenomenon.
Day 9: King Sound and Crocodile Creek
Cruising through King Sound we witness the effects of the iron ore mining operations on Koolan and Cockatoo Islands. We visit Crocodile Creek to enjoy exploration and fresh water swimming.
Day 10: Lacepede Islands
Cruising Yampi Sound we visit the Lacepede Islands. These islands are situated well off shore and are known for the turtle nestings and booby and frigate bird colonies. This evening we farewell new found friends as we enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party.
Day 11: Depart the Oceanic Discoverer, Broome
Our unforgettable cruise along the Kimberley coast concludes in Broome this morning. Day at leisure in Broome. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 12: Cape Leveque Day Tour
Depart early this morning for a 4WD tour of picturesque Cape Leveque and Aboringal culture tour, includes a picnic lunch. (This tour is operated by Kimberley Wild)
Day 13. Broome, Pardoo Station
Depart Broome this morning aboard your Coastal Explorer tours and take in the vast expanse of the Great Sandy Desert, a flat area roughly the same size as Japan and stretching from the Kimberley to the Pilbara, as you travel to Pardoo Station. Learn about station life this afternoon before relaxing around the campfire.
Day 14. Millstream-Chichester National Park, Hamersley Gorge
Discover Millstream-Chichester National Park, homeland of the Yindjibarndi people. Framed by rocky escarpments and spinifex-covered hills, the park’s rock pools and gorges make charmingly refreshing sights. From here, head to Karijini National Park and spend time at Hamersley Gorge, a waterhole with a stunning backdrop. Continue to Karijini Eco Retreat, your home for the next two nights. After dinner, relax in your eco tent, safe in the knowledge that your ecological footprint will be minimal.
Day 15. Karijini National Park
Discover the landscapes of Karijini National Park. Here, the ever-changing light, colours and reflections highlight the complex geological structures of the park. Spectacular gorges, waterfalls and rockpools provide luscious scenery compared to the surrounding arid landscapes of the Pilbara. Visit Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls and Oxers Lookout. Perhaps walk to see the water of Joffre Falls tumbling down the red rocks of Joffre Gorge.
Day 16. Tom Price, Exmouth
Travel through the mining town of Tom Price, located at the base of Mt Nameless, and take in the horizons of the Pilbara. Continue to Exmouth, on the North West Cape, where you’ll be based for two nights as you explore this uniquely diverse region.
Day 17. Cape Range National Park
Today enjoy a full day to explore Cape Range National Park’s rugged limestone ranges, breathtaking deep canyons and pristine beaches. The national park, which encompasses Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, is famous for the striking contrast of the turquoise waters of the nearby bay with the rocky topography of Cape Range itself. During your time in the park, you’ll enjoy a cruise on Yardie Creek through Yardie Gorge. See reflections in the water of the canyon’s multi-coloured bands and watch for the wallabies that live in small caves on the cliff faces.
Day 18. Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef Marine Park
Journey to Coral Bay, located in Ningaloo Reef Marine Park. Ningaloo Reef is Australia’s longest continuous fringing coral reef, and is the closest to land. On arrival at Coral Bay, join a cruise aboard a glass-bottom boat to view the colourful tropical fish and forests of corals that make up this reef. Depending on season, look out for the famous whale shark, as well as dolphins, dugongs, manta rays and humpback whales. After the cruise, continue on to the lovely coastal town of Carnarvon and settle into your accommodation before dinner.
Day 19. Hamelin Pool, Shell Beach, Seafood Feast
Visit Hamelin Pool to see the stromatolites, dome-like structures that are the world’s oldest known living organisms. Continue to Shell Beach, one of only two beaches in the world made up of billions of non-fossilised shells. The 200 kilometre stretch of beach is covered in metres-deep layers of coquina shells, creating a stunning vista of snow white shores lapped by azure waves. Tonight enjoy a delicious seafood dinner at the relaxing and isolated Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort.
Day 20. Monkey Mia Wild Dolphins, Denham, Shark Bay
This morning at Monkey Mia, see the famous wild dolphins that swim close to shore (subject to appearance). From here, continue to Denham, situated along the Peron Peninsula. Enjoy time at leisure to explore this World Heritage-listed region, one of the earth’s greatest wilderness treasures. The shallow waters of the Shark Bay area are divided by striking banks, peninsulas and islands, including Dirk Hartog Island, discovered almost four hundred years ago, in 1616. Shark Bay is a region of major zoological importance, home to around 26 species of mammal threatened with extinction.
Day 21. Murchison River Region, Wooleen Station
Today veer away from the coast and travel inland to the Murchison River region, the only shire in Australia without a town. On arrival at Wooleen Station, enjoy a delicious home-style lunch. In the afternoon enjoy free time to wander around and explore this former sheep and cattle station. Late this afternoon, join a tour to a special visiting area to witness the dramatic sunset and enjoy a talk from your host about this special part of Western Australia.
Day 22. Mullewa
Enjoy time at leisure this morning before journeying to Mullewa, situated on the mid-west ‘Wildflower Way’. From July to September, stunning pink, white and yellow everlasting flowers carpet the plains in a spectacular display. Continue to Kalbarri National Park to discover its dramatic red
rock gorges, coastal cliffs and lookouts.
Day 23. The Pinnacles, Perth
Travel to Nambung National Park, home to the famous Pinnacles. These eerie limestone pillars rise up to six metres from the shifting yellow sands and are a popular spot for photographs. Continue further south to Western Australia’s capital, Perth, where your tour concludes on arrival.
