With an estimated population of 150,000, this remote city contains most of the Northern Territory population. Its rich history and heritage come alive with a visit to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory; marvel at ancient Aboriginal artifacts and explore the region's storied past. Walk along the Bicentennial Park and gaze upon the Eternal Flame, commemorating the lives of servicemen and women lost in wartime, and absorb the tranquility of the lush gardens surrounding the Government House. History buffs won't want to miss the iconic WWII Oil Storage Tunnels - a vital piece of Darwin's wartime history. Visitors to the Mindil Beach Sunset Market are rewarded with mouthwatering dishes and tantalizing aromas featuring local Australian produce, exotic international cuisine, and delectable seafood – all within a stone's throw of the alluring sunsets across the Arafura Sea. Glimpse the abundance of diverse flora and fauna offered by Darwin's lush wilderness, including the saltwater crocodiles of the Adelaide River. The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens showcases a breathtaking variety of native plants, rainforest walks, and exotic orchids. Darwin has been rebuilt almost entirely four times, following cyclones and Japanese air raids in World War II. Explore the marrying of old and new as you navigate through this tropical city.

Spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available.

Kuri Bay holds a unique cultural significance with its deep ties to the indigenous Bardi and Jawi people. Discover the awe-inspiring Wandjina rock art, showcasing the ancient spirituality of the Indigenous people while reveling in the serenity of the surrounding landscape. The bay whispers tales of its past right at your fingertips. The bay's waters are rich in pearls, playing a vital role in the community’s growth. Here, you can even find acclaimed chefs turning exquisite pearls into culinary art. The region is named after Mr. Kuribayashi, the principal of the first pearl farm in the Kimberley, a joint venture between Australia and Japan. The venture eventually became part of the Paspaley operation, known around the world as the producer of the world’s finest quality pearls. Cruises with a lust for the road less traveled will want to explore opportunities to visit Kuri Bay’s large yet elusive school of Tawny Nurse Sharks, also known as Sleepy Sharks.

Surrounded by some of Kimberley’s most spectacular landforms, rivers, and, Wyndham in many ways is the gateway to the Kimberley region. Unravel the cultural tapestry woven throughout the streets of Wyndham by visiting the ancient Aboriginal rock art at Munurru, which provides a fascinating glimpse into the rich history of Australia's indigenous people. Explore the remains of Wyndham's Old Port district, where the town's pastoral and gold-rush heritage comes alive. Be captivated by the notable landmarks, including the enormous Big Crocodile Sculpture and the Five Rivers Lookout, where the enticing panoramas of the Kimberley region deliver an unparalleled visual feast. The frontier township of Kununurra, about an hour’s drive inland and the green capital of the north, owes its verdant surrounds to the largest manmade lake on the Australian mainland; the nearby Lake Argyle and the smaller Lake Kununurra. While impressive in its own right, Wyndham serves as a jumping point for you to Kununurra, El Questro National Park, and the Bungle Bungles.

Vansittart Bay is home to breathtaking beaches, historic aircraft wrecks, and famously - the mesmerizing Gwion Gwion rock paintings. As guests of the Traditional Landowners, enjoy the opportunity to view the aboriginal artwork of the Wandjina, a true testament to the richness of Aboriginal culture. Estimated to be over 17,000 years old, these ancient artworks offer a rare glimpse into the lives and traditions of the First Nations people. According to Aboriginal legend, the art was created by birds. It was said that these birds pecked the rocks until their beaks bled, and then created these fine paintings by using a tail feather and their own blood. Continue your exploration of this remote bay with a stroll along endless stretches of white sand beaches, or dive into the crystal-clear waters brimming with colorful marine life, creating lasting memories over enchanting coral gardens and vibrant wrecks. Your journey to Vansittart Bay promises to exceed your wildest dreams, elevating your travel experiences to new heights. Don't miss your chance to uncover this hidden gem of Australia – book your journey of a lifetime now and experience the true essence of sophistication, culture, and luxury.

SERVICE CALL, NO DESTINATION ACCESS

Nestled in the heart of Australia's wine country, the Hunter River region is a haven for wine and food aficionados, as well as a treasure trove of history and culture. It is home to world-renowned vineyards, such as the iconic Tyrrell's Wines Estate, with the stunning Kimberley landscape as its backdrop. The enchanting town of Morpeth is beautifully preserved with colonial buildings and a rich heritage. The Maitland Regional Art Gallery houses an impressive collection of works from local and international artists, showcasing the region's vibrant creative scene. Adventure beckons in the picturesque Hunter Valley Gardens, where you can immerse yourself in 60 acres of lush greenery and explore themed gardens that transport you around the world. Hot air balloons can be commonly found floating above, while those riding them spot kangaroos in the wild while floating through the sky. For an unconventional experience, follow the Convict Trail and unearth hidden stories of Australia's convict past. Mitchell River National Park is one of Kimberley's two national parks, residing in some of the most inaccessible terrain in Australia. The 115,300 hectares-sized park lies in a remote part of the Kimberley and contains some of the region's scenic jewels. The Mitchell Plateau is one of the most scenic and biologically important areas of the state; small patches of rainforest grow around the margins of the plateau, where they are protected from fire and receive additional moisture The river is home to a large mangrove estuary, that forms part of Porosus Creek (Crocodile Creek) and home to several bird species, Osprey, Brahminy Kite, and White-tailed Sea eagles. 

This lovely bay is located in the remote fjordlands of Australia’s northwest Kimberley region, some 140 miles from the nearest town of Derby. The name springs from the fact that the bay houses Australia’s first pearl farm, started in 1956 by Tokiuchi Kuribayashi, who perfected the techniques of cultivating silver-lip pearl oysters in the warm Indian Ocean waters after Australia authorized the production of cultured pearls. Today the aquatic farm is operated by the Paspaley company, and at one time produced about 60% of the world’s large white South Sea pearls. The bay is alive with other sea life, including sharks, turtles, and huge saltwater crocodiles. It is part of the Prince Regent Nature Reserve, as well as the Kumunya Aboriginal Reserve. The nearby Camden Sound Marine Reserve is the most important humpback whale calving grounds in the world, attracting up to 1,000 whales during the season from October to June. Another famous sight is the “horizontal waterfalls” created by the huge Montgomery Reef, Australia’s largest inshore reef, when the 10-meter tide change creates immense cascades of water off the sides as the reef-top “island” appears above the receding sea. A visit to Sheep Island reveals the ruins of a 19th-century settlement, along with the graves bearing silent witness to the settler’s failure. The rugged cliffs glow red at sunrise and sunset.

Vibrant wonders await at the vast Montgomery Reef, formed some 1.8 billion years ago. This ancient reef is recognized today as one of the most significant geological marine environments in the Kimberley.

Experience the mesmerizing allure of the largest inshore reef in Australia as it magically rises from the ocean during the tidal shifts, revealing a kaleidoscope of marine life. Observe the captivating sight of cascading waterfalls, formed as the reef drains during low tide, which is unmistakably a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, exclusive to this part of the world.

Let the stories of this rich cultural heritage unfold before your eyes, through the natural marvels or perhaps through centuries-old Indigenous rock art that adorns the ancient cliffs.

As your time in Montgomery Reef progresses, be sure to immerse yourself in activities that showcase this unique destination's unparalleled natural beauty. Bear witness to marine life, such as playful dolphins, serene dugongs, and curious sea turtles, thriving in their natural habitat. For bird lovers, revel in the sights of rare species including the white-bellied sea eagle and osprey as they gracefully soar the skies. A 14-meter tidal change makes this an unbelievable zodiac experience.

Delve into the stories of its First Nations heritage and marvel at the ancient rock art found throughout Talbot Bay, where extreme natural wonders await exploration. Explore its rocky shores and steep cliffs, which are comprised of deformed quartz sandstones blended with volcanic rock. Or investigate the diverse seabeds, which can dramatically transform from 100-foot deep channels to exposed rock formations. Water enthusiasts will also want to explore Turtle Reef, named for its abundance of turtles on the reef, and home to coral reefs and crocodiles. The pinnacle of this great region is the iconic Horizontal Falls, a jaw-dropping natural wonder, hailed by Sir David Attenborough as 'Australia's most unusual natural feature.” The effect of the waterfalls is created by the rapid tidal fall on the ocean side of gaps in the sandstone cliffs. Waters on the inland side of the gaps cannot escape fast enough, resulting in a “horizontal waterfall” created by the cascades, with water levels differing sometimes by several meters on either side of the gaps.

Isolated on the farthest northwest corner of the continent, Broome thrived from its founding in 1883 based on the bounty of South Sea pearls found in offshore oyster beds. Even today, the pearling industry is active here, though most are now cultured. But Broome has grown into one of Australia’s premier holiday destinations, offering an amazing variety of attractions and activities for visitors. It boasts a splendid, 14-mile strand of soft white sand at Cable Beach, where people flock to enjoy sunset camel rides. And with 2,600 islands in the area and warm seas, it is a sportsman’s paradise. But the unique allure of the region is the unspoiled expanse of bizarre geological formations, waterways, and ancient Aboriginal lands called the Kimberley. Corrugated with red-hued cliffs and escarpments, and laced with pristine waterways, swimming holes, and waterfalls, the Kimberley is unlike any other landscape on Earth. It invites visitors to cruise the coast, fly over the ranges, and explore the rugged terrain in 4WD vehicles. The only difficulty is deciding which adventure to partake of next.