Cruising the Kimberley

Day 1 - Arrive Cairns

Check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2 - Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef

Take a full day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef with Quicksilver Cruises. Visit Agincourt Reef, a magnificent ribbon reef where you can experience first-hand the magic that is the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 3 - Cairns, Cape Tribulation & The Daintree

Take a full day excursion to explore the ancient rainforests of World Heritage listed Cape Tribulation and the Daintree National Park. Discover the secrets of the rainforest at Mossman Gorge and spot wildlife along the Daintree River Cruise.

Day 4 - Cairns - Darwin

Take the flight to Darwin. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 5 - Darwin

A full day at leisure to explore Darwin, ask your consultant for details on optional excursions

Day 6 - Depart Darwin with Coral Expeditions

Board your ship at 8.00am for a 9:00am departure.  As you cross Cambridge Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters, join our expedition staff in the lounge for an informative introduction to the Kimberley.  Meet and mingle with fellow guests and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Drinks.

Day 7 - King George River and Falls

At over 80 metres, King George Falls are the highest twin falls in Western Australia. Feel humbled by nature’s awesome force as thousands of tonnes of water cascade over the ancient sandstone cliffs. Early in the season, you may cruise under the mist of the falls, while in later months you get up close to the sandstone walls to view the honeycomb erosion patterns.

Day 8 - Vansittart Bay

Vansittart Bay contains many sites of cultural and historical significance. Here we have opportunity to view the remarkable Gwion Gwion galleries and Macassan sites at Jar Island. On the Anjo Peninsula, discover the wreckage of the downed C-53 Skytrooper, well-preserved since it crashed in 1942. With a Guest Lecturer, see fine examples of the Kimberley’s mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion Gwion), dating back some 20,000 years.

Day 9 - Mitchell Falls, Winyalkan & Swift Bay

Carved through layers of sandstone, Mitchell Falls descends over four tiers, creating pools of emerald green on each level. The option to take a scenic helicopter flight will give you a breathtaking view, or alternatively explore the sandstone caves of Hathway’s Hideaway. Swift Bay reveals a series of fine Wandjina art galleries. This evening enjoy a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset as you indulge in a gourmet BBQ on the sundeck or the beach.

Day 10 - Prince Frederick Harbour

At the southern end of the York Sound lies one of the most spectacular locations in the Kimberley: Prince Frederick Harbour. It is home to many islands, mangroves and monsoon rainforests, set against a backdrop of steep red escarpment. White-bellied sea eagles and other birds of prey are often seen here, and at low tide expansive mudflats reveal large populations of various mudskippers and mangrove crabs. Spot massive saltwater crocodiles on a cruise up Porosus Creek, visit art sites, and marvel at rock formations.

Day 11 - Prince Regent River & Careening Bay

Running on a fault line, this straight river is a haven for native species. If the tide is right, there may be an opportunity for swimming at Camp Creek (Note: swimming at freshwater swimming holes is subject to group size and local conditions), and here we visit the beautiful King Cascade. See the National Heritage Listed ‘Mermaid Tree’ at Careening Bay. It still bears the name carved by the crew of Phillip Parker King’s ship HMS Mermaid when the ship was careened here for repairs in 1820.

Day 12 - Montgomery Reef

Montgomery Reef is a biologically diverse area covering over 300 sq km. Named by Phillip Parker King, this marvelous reef is home to several species of marine turtles, dolphins, dugongs, and crocodiles. As the reef emerges from the sea at low tide, you get up close in the Xplorer and inflatables to witness the spectacle. The guides will share their knowledge on the formation of the reef and the myriad wildlife here.

Day 13 - Doubtful Bay

Raft Point guards the entrance to this iconic area, with a host of destinations such as the mighty Sale River, Steep Island and Ruby Falls at Red Cone Creek. There may also be an opportunity to meet the Worrora people and experience the wonderous Wandjina art of Raft Point.

Day 14 - Horizontal Falls & Buccaneer Archipelago

The visual delight of the Buccaneer Archipelago reveals Talbot Bay. Here we find the natural wonder of the Horizontal Falls. The changing tide thunders through narrow gorges in the McLarty Ranges, and you can experience the thrill of traversing the falls at high speed aboard inflatable tenders. At Cyclone Creek, view evidence of massive geological forces in the impressive rock formations, or take an Xplorer cruise through the Iron Islands, past Koolan Island, before enjoying sunset drinks at Nares Point.

Day 15 - The Lacepede Islands

Subject to weather and tides, we 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 here.  This evening enjoy the Captain’s farewell drinks.

Day 16 - Arrive Broome

The adventure along the Kimberley Coast concludes in Broome this morning at 8:00am.  Check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure

Day 17 - Broome

A full day of leisure in Broome

Day 18 - Broome

A full day of leisure in Broome

Day 19 - Broome to Perth

Take the domestic flight from Broome to Perth, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure

Day 20 - Perth

Take a day tour to nearby Rottnest Island. Enjoy the short ferry transfer and a 90 minute tour of the island. Make sure you return with a “Quokka Selfie”!

Day 21 - Perth

A full day of leisure in sun kissed Perth

Day 22 - Depart Perth