Darwin to Broome

Arrive in Darwin, Australia’s tropical gateway to the Top End. Meet the local representative and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Settle into comfortable accommodation offering modern amenities and a convenient base to explore the city. Spend the afternoon at leisure or begin exploring Darwin’s highlights, from the lush George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens to the lively Mindil Beach. Discover the city’s history through its World War II sites and museums, or enjoy local markets and waterfront dining. Optional excursions include airboat tours to Kakadu National Park. End the day with a relaxed evening in this vibrant coastal city.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Lost in the immensity of the Indian Ocean and situated 630 km off Broome, Ashmore Reef Marine Park is an Australian External Territory that covers 583 square km. With its diverse shades of blue, its underwater wonders, and feathery friends, this protected area is one of Australia’s most beautiful natural treasures. The three tiny islands and their surrounding waters are home to an oasis of flourishing wildlife. Ashmore Reef is known to be the favorite place of more than 40 bird species. 100,000 seabirds breed there every year, including crested terns, white-tailed tropicbirds, and greater frigatebirds. The islands are also a haven for thousands of migratory shorebirds like curlew sandpipers, bar-tailed godwits, and great knots – some of them coming from very far places like Siberia! On the ocean side, the colorful reef is home to around 500 species of fish but also marine turtles, dugongs, and many playful dolphins. 

INCLUDED ACTIVITY: Zodiac Cruise with the Expedition team
Activity Level: Moderate

This activity is conducted by the Expedition Team and is depending on the weather and the sea condition of the day. More specific information and logistics will be communicated on board.

Days at sea offer time to relax and recharge while enjoying the ship’s facilities. Stay active at the gym, visit the spa, watch for whales, read, or simply unwind under the sun. These peaceful sea days provide a balanced contrast to the more active days spent exploring ashore.

Wyndham is a small settlement with the spirit of a Kimberley outback township. It was established in 1886 with the Halls Creek gold rush and sits on the Cambridge Gulf where several rivers converge. Today Wyndham has a population of roughly 900 people and operates largely as a port exporting cattle, servicing the mining industry and hosting a few small ships. For these vessels, Wyndham is a gateway to the breathtaking Bungle Bungle mountain range and the nearby Ord River. 

INCLUDED EXCURSION

El Questro Station Experience with Lunch
Ord River Cruise with Lunch
Historical Wyndham & Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve
Lake Argyle Cruise with Lunch

Where the Outback meets the ocean, the King George River offers one of the Kimberley’s most striking and immersive experiences. Departing from historic Koolama Bay—named after the vessel that sought refuge here during a World War II air raid—guests will board Zodiacs for an unforgettable journey through winding channels framed by towering red cliffs and ancient geological formations. This exclusive cruise offers a front-row seat to the raw, untamed beauty of the region, where saltwater crocodiles bask along the banks and Brahminy Kites soar overhead. It’s not just a scenic ride—it’s a voyage through deep time, rich in history and natural wonder, revealing the wild spirit of Australia’s remote northwest.

INCLUDED ACTIVITY: Zodiac Cruise with the Expedition team

Vansittart Bay is located near the northern tip of Western Australia. The bay was named by Phillip Parker King during one of his four surveys of Northern Australia during the early 19th century. Interesting parts of the bay include Jar Island and the opportunity to view Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) and Wandjina styles of rock art. For these two different rock art styles there are two sites in close proximity. An area with an example of a more recent history is the Anjo Peninsula. A beach landing and a short hike across a lagoon or - depending on the tides - a walk around the lagoon will lead to a World War II site. An almost intact wreck of an old airplane, a C-53, can be seen lying there.

INCLUDED ACTIVITY: Hiking with the Expedition team

The Hunter River is home to an immense mangrove system surrounded by soaring red sandstone cliffs. Narrow mangrove channels shelter numerous bird species, mudskippers, fiddler crabs, and the infamous saltwater crocodile; the most aggressive crocodile species known to man. Naturalist Island at the mouth of the river has a stunning stretch of sandy beach that makes a perfect landing site for small helicopters that can pick up visitors wishing to explore some of the Kimberley's vast interior. The highlight inland is the famous Mitchell Falls where four tiers of waterfalls plunge into deep pools that flow out into the mighty Mitchell River. The headwaters of the falls are cool and a dip in the fresh water is a welcome reprieve from the heat of the heartland.

INCLUDED ACTIVITY: Zodiac Cruise with the Expedition team

Set off the coast of Western Australia, the Buccaneer Archipelago is one of the Kimberley's finest secrets. The Archipelago, 50 square kilometers (19 square miles), is made up of around 800 islands and protects the mainland from the huge 12-metre tides and astonishing speed of the Yampi (or, in traditional Aborigine, “Yampee”) Sound. The speed and power of the water may not make for pleasant bathing, but do however result in fantastic natural phenomena. One fine example is the horizontal reversible waterfall in Talbot Bay. The tidal pull is responsible for the “reversible” nature of the falls, however, this also hides narrow gaps between the islands, making for treacherous sailing conditions. The scenes that unfold during a visit to Montgomery Reef are also very much tide-depending. We hope to witness this astonishing marine spectacle, as the world's largest inshore reef, is transformed by some of the biggest tidal changes on Earth. Montgomery Reef, which is some 300 square kilometers in size, can show an amazing tidal change of up to 4 meters. When the tide drops, the reef seems to rise out of the water. At low tide a river is exposed that allows access to an amazing semi-submerged world. When the tide continues to ebb, Zodiacs will be used to make the way to the edge of the reef where one is surrounded by cascading waterfalls up to 3 meters high. Continuing up the river one is able to look at the abundance of reef birds and sea creatures including turtles and manta rays. Adjacent to Montgomery Reef, but on the mainland, Freshwater Cove – locally known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Aboriginal guides will welcome guests with a traditional ochre welcome on the beach. The rock formations that can be seen along the shore represent spiritual ancestors relating to the great Wandjina battle. Caves with rock art are found in the vicinity, but can only be visited with local guides.

INCLUDED ACTIVITY: 
Zodiac Cruise with the Expedition team
Hiking with the Expedition team

Gateway to the oldest and most elusive of all Australia’s nine regions, Broome is where your Kimberley adventure begins. The ancient landscape has long held travellers spellbound: The Kimberley is three time larger than England but has a population of just 35,000, is over 65,000 years old and is home to 2,000 km of coastline. Almost impenetrable, incredibly remote, the red baked earth, prolific wildlife, majestic canyons and swimming holes are the stuff of Australian wilderness dreams. English explorer William Dampier was the first explorer to set foot in Broome in 1668. However, the land had long been used as a trading route between east and west Kimberley for Aboriginal families. These semi-nomadic tribes respected strict unwritten rules regarding ownership of the land. The Yawuru people remain the Native Title holders for the township of Broome to this day.

Broome itself has over 84 Aboriginal communities affiliated to it, 78 of which are considered remote. The city grew from its nascent pearling industry of the late 19th century. Pearl diving was dangerous in the waters surrounding Broome and for many years divers were limited to Aboriginal slaves, skin divers who faced cyclones, sharks, crocodiles, ear and chest infections in order to bring up as many pearl shells as possible for their masters. Natural pearls were rare and extremely valuable, and when found, were placed in a locked box. At the peak of its industry, around 1914, Broome was responsible for 80% of the world’s pearl trade.