Kimberley expeditions

Your Kimberley crusie from Broome begins today from the beautiful pearling town of Broome. We will arrange a charter bus to pick you today at around 9am and transport you to board the vessel from Gantheaume Beach. This is the first of many beach landing, tender rides you will encounter on your 11 day expedition.

Our crew will welcome you aboard and after a safety briefing, an introduction and a light brunch we’ll depart Broome’s Gantheaume Bay and cruise up the Dampier Peninsula heading into the heart of the Kimberley overnight.

Ashore for a morning walk on one of the many beautiful Kimberley islands. The squeaky clean white sands caress your feet while the morning bird call welcomes you ashore. Cruising through Yampi Peninsula we will witness the past effects of the iron ore mining operations on Koolan and Cockatoo Islands. We’ll visit a freshwater swimming hole to enjoy a safe swim.

Tonight we’ll arrive in Talbot Bay, the region’s 12 metre tides create an amazing spectacle. You’ll know you’re in Kimberley country now.

This morning we can experience the awesome power of the Horizontal Falls. On a trip through the falls our attention will be taken by the incredible geology that abounds this area.

Our cruise director will point out the changes that have occurred in this region over the last 2000 million years to form the water ways we now enjoy. The adventurous can cling on to the rails during an optional fast boat ride through the falls. The tour is included in your cruise package.

We head off to see Montgomery Reef ‘rise’ out of the ocean as the tide ebbs. Join the excursion vessel for a reef cruise to study the marine life of Turtle Gully, described by many of our guests as the most memorable moment of their Kimberley experience. On the high tide we explore Red Cone Creek for a refreshing swim in the water hole of Ruby Falls.

After a healthy breakfast you will be taken ashore for a solid morning walk which reveals another spectacular Kimberley view. At the top of our trail we visit a hidden and very interesting Aboriginal Wandjina rock art gallery.

We’ll then hop on the outgoing tide and cruise out of Collier Bay to Hall Point to try our luck at fishing or exploring the beaches.

On the high tide we take our vessel many miles up the Prince Regent River to discover a picturesque waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations. We can nose the bow of our expedition tender under the cascading falls to indulge in an unforgettable wash in the cool fresh water.

This afternoon a steep climb up the banks of the river will reveal a perfect fresh water swimming hole fringed with blue gums and pandanus.

Today we admire the work of an early European explorer P.P. King. King explored and chartered the Kimberley in 1820-22. His detailed and accurate charts form the basis of our modern electronic plotters, allowing us to safely cruise these waters. Unfortunately his early exploits didn’t come without problems as we’ll discover. 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 Itinerary crew will lead you to the site of a large boab tree bearing the inscription “HMC Mermaid – 1820”, still clearly visible almost 200 years later. This afternoon we explore the famous Porosus Creek and its wildlife. This ecosystem is a favourite for bird watchers. We have a chance to spot a Great Billed Heron, or a Chestnut Rail. On the turn of the tide fishermen can try their luck for a giant thread fin salmon.

Today we explore Bigge Island.

This afternoon our crew will lead you to a stunning display of the distinctive and relatively modern Aboriginal rock art in beach caves. The paintings include examples of first contact with sailing ships and pipe-smoking European seafarers of the 19th century. Keep an eye out for small rock wallabies and large salt water crocodiles.The lack of feral predators makes the Kimberley islands an ideal habitat for vulnerable mammal species. Tonight we steam to Vansittart Bay.

Here your guides will escort you ashore to a small island with some fabulous examples of mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion Gwion), thought to be some of the world’s oldest indigenous art, dating back over 20,000 years.

A short cruise across the bay and we’ll take an easy walk to witness the site of a crashed WW2 transport plane. Well preserved in the Kimberley bush, your guides will recall the fateful day in early 1942.

Tonight we cruise to the mouth of the King George River.

The best of the Kimberley ‘big’ rivers, the mighty King George. While entering King George River on the high tide we can enjoy the soaring cliffs and two breath taking falls of mammoth proportions. The best views are from the upper deck and bow.

Feel the spray mist produced from billions of litres of water falling hundreds of feet as MV Reef Prince is steered expertly to the base of the majestic falls. Climb the escarpment to take in the views from above and take some fantastic photographs of the vessel and falls in the backdrop.

This morning the Vessel Master sneaks us out of the King George River over the shallow sand banks. Relax while the amazing coastline disappears as we start our journey across the Bonaparte Gulf and sail into Northern Territory waters overnight.

Farewell your fellow travellers and swap details. Sadly its the end o your Kimberley Cruise from Broome. We disembark Darwin at around 10am and say goodbye to the crew. Guests can be transferred to their hotel of choice in the Darwin CBD.

Your Kimberley Cruise from Darwin begins today. A charter coach will pick you up in the morning and transport you to board your vessel MV Reef Prince. Our crew will welcome you aboard, introduce you to your cabin and give you a detailed briefing. After a tasty morning tea we’ll wave good-bye to the city of Darwin.

This evening as we steam towards the setting sun, you can meet your fellow travellers and friendly crew as you enjoy the view from the decks and the fresh sea air.

Relax while the Northern Territory coastline disappears as we start our journey across the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters.

Wake in the tranquil setting of Koolama Bay. Over breakfast we’ll discuss the days activities. On the high tide we’ll enter the first of the Kimberley’s ‘big’ rivers, the mighty King George. Within the King George River we’ll marvel at the soaring cliffs leading to two breath taking falls of mammoth proportions. The best views are from the upper sun deck and bow. Feel the spray mist produced from billions of litres of water falling hundreds of feet as MV Reef Prince or its expedition tender is steered expertly to the majestic falls.

Those after a challenge may wish to climb the escarpment to take in the views from above and take some unforgettable photographs of the vessel and falls below.
Well enjoy a night anchored at the base of these perfect falls.

With our movements governed by natures time keeper – the sun and moon will allow us to catch the high tide out over the sand bars.

We sadly depart the amazing King George River this morning.

Within Koolama Bay lies many hidden treasures for us to explore. A fascinating mangrove system brimming with life or an idyllic fresh water pool for a dip or perhaps a morning walk on the first of many isolated Kimberley Beaches.

Departing Koolama we cruise through the night on calm waters to arrive at our next destination.

Our crew will lead you to several stunning displays of the distinctive Aboriginal rock art in beach caves. These easily accessible paintings are very early Bradshaw art, now known to be around 20,000 years old.

Within Vansitart Bay lies a more recent reminder of our past. After running out of fuel on its way to Broome in 1943 a DC 3 crashed. Well go ashore to explore this well preserved site.

Departing Vansittart Bay we’ll cruise west within a multitude of Kimberley Islands.

We awake at the northern end of Bigge Island. When the tide allows, we can go ashore to visit a very significant aboriginal art galley on Bigge Island. Here we will discover examples of the first contact with sailing ships and pipe-smoking European seafarers of the 19th century. Keep an eye out for small rock wallabies and large salt water crocodiles. The lack of feral predators makes the Kimberley islands an ideal habitat for vulnerable mammal species.

Departing Bigge Island we cruise into Prince Fredrick Harbour then further up into the Hunter River and Porosus Creek. On the low tide we can all investigate the ecosystems hidden within the mangroves and mud flats from the comfort of our 11m expedition tender – “Regent”. This ecosystem is a favourite for those who enjoy our native birds. We have a chance to spot a Great Billed Heron, White bellied sea eagle or a Chestnut Rail. For the keen fisherperson, the chance to flick a lure into the low tide run offs.

Enjoy the solitude as the Kimberley sun rise over the spectacular sandstone cliffs and invites you to share another day in Kimberley Country. This morning we move a short distance to Naturalist Island. Many try their luck in our favourite fishing patch on the incoming tide. Departing after lunch we steam for Carreening Bay.

Careening Bay was named by an early explorer Phillip Parker King after his ship, ‘HMC Mermaid’, was careened for repairs during his first voyage of discovery in the Kimberley. Our crew will lead you ashore to the site of a large boab tree, inscribed by the ships carpenter “HMC Mermaid – 1820”, still clearly visible almost 200 years later.

This evening we enjoy yet another Kimberley sunset as we cruise towards The Prince Regent River. Awaiting the incoming tide we anchor in St George Basin for the night.

On the high tide we take our vessel Reef Prince many miles up the Prince Regent River to discover a spectacular waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations. We can nose the bow of our expedition tender Regent, under the cascading falls to indulge in an unforgettable wash in the cool fresh water.

This afternoon opens many other option for us. We may choose to explore another hidden water fall further up the Regent or take a steep climb up the banks of the river to reveal the mysterious Aboriginal Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion Gwion), thought to be some of the world’s oldest indigenous art, dating back 20 to 60, 000 years or climb to the top of King Cascades water fall – the choice is ours. Tonight we ride the tide out of the river to anchor just off a perfect little Kimberley beach.

Within Collier Bay lies many Kimberley gems for us to enjoy. We’ll plan our day around the huge 12m tides rising and falling every 6hrs. On the mornings low tide, after a healthy breakfast, we can stretch our legs and walk to the top of an escarpment to view a special gallery of modern Wandjina style art. Some may like the optional Indigenous tour were local aboriginals will welcome you to their land with a smoking ceremony and ochre face painting followed by story telling and a walk to their significant cyclone cave. Register your interest upon booking.

On the high spring tide we can explore Red Cone Creek for a refreshing swim within Ruby Falls. Red Cone Creek may also entice us to try our luck for a mud crab or barramundi.

Within the heart of Collier Bay lies 400 square kilometres of Kimberley Reef System. Many consider Montgomery Reef to be their most memorable experience during their Kimberley Expedition. Join a reef cruise in our expedition tender to study the marine life.

Leaving Montgomery we cruise to Talbot Bay for the evening, the location of the commanding Horizontal Falls.

After we drop anchor we’ll be greeted by our resident tawny nurse sharks who come for a friendly snuffle at our transom.

Within Talbot Bay, the region’s 12 metre tides create an amazing spectacle.

This morning we’ll experience the awesome power of the Horizontal Falls. On a trip through the falls our attention will be taken by the incredible geology that abounds this area. Our cruise director will point out the changes that have occurred in this region over the last 2000 million years to form the water ways we now enjoy.

Cruising through Yampie Sound witness the effects of the iron ore mining operations on Koolan and Cockatoo Islands. Visit Crocodile Creek to enjoy a fresh water swim under a cool water fall. Finally we toast to our Kimberley Expedition and enjoy afternoon drinks as the sun sets over the Buccaneer Archipelago.

We’ve made some great new friends. Unfortunately today is the end of your Kimberley Cruise from Darwin and we disembark in Broome at around 10.00am. We will arrange transfers to your hotel.

To undertake some of the shore based excursions you will need to have a moderate level of fitness. You are however, quite welcome to enjoy the views from the vessel without going ashore. Please call us to discuss your requirements further.