Kimberley Coastal Expedition with Kimberley and the Top End

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.

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.

This morning, join your Expedition Team on an intriguing discovery. Walk across salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force DC-3, 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.

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.

Today, enjoy a Signature Experience on Bigge Island.

Signature Experience - Bigge Island Aboriginal Rock Art

See incredible galleries of ancient Wandjina rock art in the many caves of Bigge Island. Some of the artworks are thought to have been repainted annually by the Wunambal people for up to 5,000 years.

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 breakthtaking Mitchell Falls on a scenic helicopter flight experience.

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.

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.

There’s promise of turquoise waters today as your ship arrives in the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to more than 800 islands. Cruise to Adele Island and join your Expedition Team member for an exploration of this remote coastal area by Zodiac. The island is surrounded by Adele Reef, teeming with an array of coral and marine life, including reef sharks and stingrays.

Arriving into Broome this morning means it’s time to say goodbye to your expedition ship. Be transferred to the iconic Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa, where you'll enjoy dinner.

In Derby, visit a local art gallery to view indigenous art from across the Kimberley before joining the Gibb River Road to Windjana Gorge, where sheer cliffs tower above pristine white sands and fossils lie embedded in the gorge walls.

Back on the Gibb River Road, travel to Bell Gorge, where stunning cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. You might like to hike to the lower pool of the gorge and enjoy a dip in the waterfall below. Alternatively, relax in the shade and enjoy a spot of birdwatching.

Travel through the heart of Kimberley cattle country to Galvans Gorge, where a refreshing swim awaits. Then, continue to the beautiful Manning Creek, where you'll enjoy lunch before arriving at the historic cattle station of Drysdale River Station.

Explore the Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art galleries of the Mitchell Plateau before a swim in the clear waters of the King Edward River.

Signature Experience – Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) Rock Art

Admire ancient Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art that dates back thousands of years at a gallery in Mitchell Plateau. This artwork stakes a claim as some of the earliest figurative art, distinguished by its depiction of stick-like human figures.

A world of waterfalls awaits your discovery today. Begin with a guided hike to Little Mertens Falls and view rarely seen rock art. See Big Mertens Falls, then enjoy an included helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls.

Signature Experience – Mitchell Falls Scenic Helicopter Flight

Set out on a thrilling helicopter flight to see Mitchell Falls in all its splendour from above. By gaining a bird’s-eye view of this remote region, you’ll not only see this iconic four-tiered Kimberley attraction, but also the surrounding gorges, emerald water pools, and soaring red cliffs.

Bidding the Mitchell Plateau goodbye, rejoin the Gibb River Road and ford the Durack and Pentecost rivers on the towards El Questro, an incredible cattle station and nature reserve that covers a staggering 700,000 acres.

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

Signature Experience – Zebedee Springs

Venture through a pre-historic forest of Livistona and pandanus palms before arriving at a true oasis, Zebedee Springs. This permanent natural thermal spring is tucked away in a secluded pocket of El Questro’s wilderness. Enjoy time to relax as you soak in the hot springs and leave feeling refreshed.

Journey into Purnululu National Park, home to the famed black and orange striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range. Travel the Spring Creek Track before hiking to Echidna Chasm, a natural cleft in the rock. Later, arrive at your lodge in the heart of the national park.

Explore the magic of Purnululu for yourself and discover the depth of the Bungle Bungle Range. Created by the constant erosion of river movements over 20 million years, the range has both geological and Indigenous cultural significance. Start with a walk along Piccaninny Creek, before stopping at Cathedral Gorge.  

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 Heli Flight

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

Travel along the Spring Creek Track to Kununurra, known as the gateway to eastern Kimberley.

Travel to Lake Argyle today, the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere. From here, set out on a wildlife cruise along the mighty Ord River. Explore this ecological system, which has developed from the damming of the river to create an area rich in native wildlife and flora.

Cross the border into the Northern Territory on the way to Nitmiluk National Park. This evening, be treated to canapes and drinks on arrival at Cicada Lodge, followed by a three-course dinner showcasing local produce. 

After breakfast, set out on a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge, as you learn about the music, stories and ways of the local Jawoyn people. Next it's on to Kakadu, Australia’s largest national park. Here, enjoy a Signature Experience, then journey to Nourlangie Rock. See its ancient rock art, dating back some 20,000 years.

Signature Experience – Yellow Water Billabong Cruise

Enjoy a relaxing cruise on Yellow Water Billabong, home to incredible landscapes and wildlife. Here, you’ll find over 60 species of bird, from whistling ducks to magpie geese and eagles . Keep watch for the crocodiles that frequent the area, and the buffalo that graze by the floodplains.

A local guide will join you today as you cross the East Alligator River into spiritual Arnhem Land. Experience the ancient art and natural beauty of this special place. This afternoon, return to Kakadu to discover the rock art and billabongs of Cannon Hill and Hawk Dreaming (please note Arnhem Land may be inaccessible for cultural reasons or when tides prevent the crossing of the East Alligator River).

Located within Kakadu National Park, visit the sacred site of Ubirr and explore its galleries of ancient Indigenous rock art. There are some works that have been continuously painted and repainted since around 40,000BC. Later, travel to Darwin, where the time has come to look back on the journey as you enjoy a farewell dinner.

Your epic adventure draws to a close today as you are transferred to Darwin Airport for your onward flight.