Essence of the Kimberley with Kimberley Coastal Expedition

Departures & Pricing

Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Arrive Darwin, Embark Ship

   Today, we’ll meet you at the airport before welcoming you aboard your expedition ship. The Seabourn Pursuit is the newest and most luxurious ship on the Kimberley coast, boasting incredible facilities, delectable dining options and personalised service. You might like to admire the views from the panoramic balcony of your spacious suite, sip champagne on the outdoor deck, take a dip in the infinity pool or share stories of your adventures with your newfound friends in one of the luxurious shared spaces. A relaxed dinner this evening gives you the chance to meet your fellow travellers and sets the tone for the next nine nights on board.

2. 2

   King George River and Falls

   Today, your ship cruises into Koolama Bay. Hear how this bay was renamed following the Japanese bombing of the MV Koolama in 1942. Join your Expedition Team aboard a Zodiac to meander through King George River’s gorge system, passing mangrove-fringed coves and sheer red cliffs. This evening, enjoy a Captain’s welcome dinner.

   Signature Experience - King George Falls

   Get up close and personal to the magnificent King George Falls, where the King George River tumbles 80 metres down from lofty sandstone cliffs. You’ll be able to experience its power as your Zodiac creeps close to the iconic waterfall.

3. 3

   Vansittart Bay

   This morning, join your Expedition Team on an intriguing discovery. Walk across salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force C-53, which crash-landed near Vansittart Bay during World War II. Later, we reposition in the bay to visit Jar Island and discover the island’s outstanding rock art gallery. During your exploration here, you’ll see fascinating examples of Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, dating back more than 20,000 years.

4. 4

   Ashmore Reef

   Enjoy a relaxed morning aboard your luxurious ship. This afternoon, pay a special visit to Ashmore Reef Marine Park. Located in the Timor Sea and spanning 583 square kilometres, the reef is a sanctuary for many marine species. Every year, more than 100,000 seabirds breed here, including crested terns, white-tailed tropicbirds and great frigatebirds. In addition to the prolific birdlife, beneath the clear tropical waters, the coral reefs, seagrass meadows, sandflats and lagoons of Ashmore Reef are home to a colourful array of marine life. 255 species of reef-building coral dwell here - the greatest number of any reef on the West Australian coast. Our visit to Ashmore reef is required to ensure we comply with Australian government regulations. Pending favourable weather and sea conditions, you’ll explore this sanctuary via Zodiac with your Expedition Team.

5. 5

   Swift Bay

   Travel to Swift Bay, home to some of the oldest and most significant Indigenous rock art in the Kimberley. Here, you'll encounter unique rock art etched into cave walls and on cliffs, depicting Wandjina figures. These powerful, ancestral spirits are associated with rain, clouds and the creation of the land and people, deeply rooted in the Dreamtime stories of the Kimberley.

6. 6

   Hunter River, Mitchell Falls

   You are transported to Prince Frederick Harbour today, home to the towering red cliffs and tangled mangroves of Hunter River and Porosus Creek. With its extreme tides and pristine ecosystems, the bay and its waterways are rich in wildlife including mudskippers and saltwater crocodiles. Porosus Creek takes its name from the scientific name for the saltwater crocodile, a good indication of what we’re looking for today. Keen birdwatchers should keep a careful eye out for kingfishers, egrets, herons and white-bellied sea eagles. To enhance your day, you might choose to set out on a thrilling helicopter flight to see the Mitchell Falls in all its splendour from above (flight at own expense).

   Enrich Your Experience - Mitchell Falls Helicopter Flight

   Soar over the incredible and breathtaking Mitchell Falls on a scenic helicopter flight experience.

7. 7

   Montgomery Reef, Freshwater Cove

   Today, visit Montgomery Reef and Freshwater Cove, where you will enjoy two Signature Experiences.

   Signature Experience - Montgomery Reef

   Following your visit to Freshwater Cove, depart with your Expedition Team to discover Montgomery Reef by Zodiac. Soak in the amazing scenes aboard a Zodiac as Montgomery Reef dramatically rises out of the ocean as a result of the region’s strong tides. Cruise through narrow channels between the world’s largest inshore reef as you admire the spectacle and the incredible wildlife exposed by the cascading water.

   Signature Experience - Arraluli Heritage Exploration

   Experience a Welcome to Country and an immersive smoking ceremony conducted by the Arraluli people, the traditional custodians of the land. Then, embark on a guided hike led by the Expedition Team to explore a mesmerising rock art site where your Aboriginal guide will offer an interpretation of the rock art. This Signature Experience offers a profound connection to the rich cultural heritage and timeless traditions of the Arraluli people.

8. 8

   Horizontal Falls

   Explore Talbot Bay and Cyclone Creek. Accompanied by your Expedition Team Leader, you’ll weave nimbly past the dramatic folds of rock formations, keeping a look out for local wildlife.

   Signature Experience - Horizontal Falls

   Today, your ship cruises through to Talbot Bay, known for its massive 12-metre tides that create the unique Horizontal Falls. Subject to tidal conditions, board a zodiac with your Expedition Team to view this natural phenomenon.

9. 9

   Buccaneer Archipelago, Lacepede Islands

   There’s promise of turquoise waters today as your ship arrives in the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to more than 800 islands. Cruise to the Lacepede Islands and join your Expedition Team for an exploration of this remote coastal area by Zodiac. Known as Western Australia’s most important breeding site for Green Turtles and also named by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA), the islands host one of the world’s largest brown booby colony, alongside up to 20,000 roseate terns and a wealth of other seabird species.

10. 10

    Disembark Ship, Broome

    After arriving in Broome this morning, say goodbye to your ship and be transferred to the Cable Beach Club, where you have the remainder of the day free to explore.

11. 11

    Broome, Gibb River Road, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek

    Visit the Boab Prison Tree before traversing the Gibb River Road to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek. Back on the Gibb River Road, travel into Wunaamin Miliwundi Range National Park. Later, arrive at your lodge for dinner.

12. 12

    Bell Gorge

    Back on the Gibb River Road, travel to Bell Gorge, where stunning cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. Sitting approximately 300 metres above sea level, Bell Gorge is an idyllic natural spot for swimming and photography. Here you can also enjoy a spot of birdwatching. If you are feeling particularly energetic, you can hike to the lower pool of the gorge and take a relaxing dip below the cascading waterfall.

13. 13

    Galvans Gorge, El Questro

    Travel through the heart of Kimberley cattle country to discover some of the region's most secluded gorges. At Galvans Gorge, a short walk leads to a picturesque waterhole where boab trees cling to the escarpment above. Indulge in a leisurely swim or simply relax in this veritable oasis. Enjoy an outback lunch en route to Emma Gorge Resort, where you'll stay in safari-style tented cabins. Emma Gorge is part of El Questro, an incredible cattle station come nature reserve covering a staggering 700,000 acres in the heart of the Kimberley.

    Enrich Your Experience – Upgrade Your Stay

    Upgrade your stay at El Questro with an all-inclusive two-night stay at The Homestead, a secluded oasis perched above the Chamberlain River. Be treated to a stay defined by exceptional dining, curated experiences, and access to some of El Questro's most breathtaking landscapes.

14. 14

    El Questro, Emma Gorge

    This morning, hike to Emma Gorge where you'll be rewarded with a swim beneath a towering droplet waterfall. Enjoy lunch, before relaxing at Zebedee Springs. Dinner this evening is back at Emma Gorge Resort.

    Signature Experience – Zebedee Springs

    Head to Zebedee Springs, a permanent natural thermal spring tucked away in a secluded pocket of rainforest. Relax as you soak in the hot springs and leave feeling revitalised. Cross the Pentecost River into El Questro, covering a staggering 700,000 acres.

15. 15

    El Questro, Ord River, Lake Argyle, Kununurra

    Travel to Kununurra, the gateway to the eastern Kimberley and home of the Ord River Scheme, and the majestic Lake Argyle, the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Join a spectacular wildlife cruise on the mighty Ord River. From modern shaded vessels, discover a fascinating ecological system that has developed from the damming of the Ord River at two locations to create an area rich in wildlife, flora and undeniable beauty. Enjoy a mesmerising sunset while cruising on the tranquil Lake Kununurra.

16. 16

    Purnululu National Park, Echidna Chasm

    Depart Kununurra and journey to Purnululu National Park, one of Australia’s most stunning natural landscapes. The park is home to the famed black and orange striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, ascending to 578 metres above sea level. Standing over a grass-covered plain, steep cliffs form the western face. Created by the constant erosion of river movements over a staggering 20 million years, the range has both geological and Indigenous cultural significance. It is an imposing sight and one that you are sure to remember forever. Join a hike along a Livistona palm-fringed trail into Echidna Chasm, a spectacular natural cleft in the rock. Settle into the tranquil ambience of the Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, located in the heart of this stunning national park. Enjoy a delicious dinner and share your adventures with your fellow travellers.

17. 17

    Piccaninny Creek, Cathedral Gorge

    Explore the magic of Purnululu for yourself and discover the depth of the Bungle Bungle Range. Walk along Piccaninny Creek, a winding gorge within the Bungle Bungle domes. Your next stop is the natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge, a spacious cavern where the acoustics are astounding. Marvel at the majestic beehive domes as your guide brings the natural history of the range to life. You may like to experience an optional scenic helicopter flight over the domes.

    Signature Experience – Sunset Drinks at the Bungle Bungle Range

    There's no better way to end a day of discovery than by watching the sunset over the Bungle Bungle Range. With a glass of sparkling in hand, see the massive beehive-shaped domes cast in a golden glow at this time of day.

    Enrich Your Experience – Bungle Bungle Helicopter Flight

    Experience breathtaking views of World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park from above on a scenic helicopter flight (own expense).

18. 18

    Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing

    Travel towards Fitzroy Crossing today and enjoy your Signature Experience.

    Signature Experience - Nyanyjili Footprint Tour

    Be joined by an Indigenous Australian Traditional Owner guide on your Nyanyjili Footprint Tour. Become immersed in the stories, history and culture of Bunuba country and its people. Take the opportunity to ask questions and connect with your guide on this intimate tour.

19. 19

    Fitzroy Crossing, Broome

    Today, sit back and relax as you soak in the iconic scenery of the Kimberley on your return journey to Broome.

20. 20

    Depart Broome

    Your journey comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Accommodation

Book this cruise

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

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