EXPLORE THE KIMBERLEY

Welcome to Broome — a pearling town turned tropical outpost where red pindan cliffs meet turquoise Indian Ocean waters. Check into your 4-star hotel and spend the afternoon exploring Cable Beach, one of Australia’s most spectacular stretches of sand. If you arrive early enough, the camel rides along the beach at sunset are iconic Broome.

Your second day in Broome is ideal for discovering the town’s rich pearling history at the Pearl Luggers museum, browsing the galleries and shops of Chinatown, or visiting the Staircase to the Moon lookout at Town Beach. The local food scene punches above its weight — freshly shucked oysters and barramundi are essential.

Transfer from your hotel to port and board Coral Geographer, your home for the next 10 nights. At just 120 guests, this is intimate expedition cruising — meet your expedition team, attend the safety briefing, and settle into the relaxed onboard atmosphere as you sail out of Roebuck Bay. The Captain’s welcome event sets the tone for the voyage ahead.

Witness the rushing waters of Horizontal Falls on Zodiac tenders, classed among the most incredible natural wonders. Then cruise the rugged Buccaneer Archipelago, visiting the Iron Islands before enjoying sunset drinks aboard the ship.

Deep in the heart of the Kimberley coast, Doubtful Bay opens up a world of mangrove-lined waterways, hidden creeks, and towering red rock escarpments. Your expedition team will take you by Zodiac through the Roe River system and into freshwater pools beneath the cascading Roe River Falls. Keep your eyes on the muddy banks — saltwater crocodiles are commonly spotted here, along with ospreys, white-bellied sea eagles, and mangrove kingfishers.

One of the Kimberley’s most extraordinary natural spectacles — as the tide drops, Montgomery Reef appears to rise from the ocean, with water cascading off its surface like a waterfall in reverse. The reef is home to turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, and dugongs, all visible from the Zodiacs as your expedition team navigates the channels. It’s a moment that stays with you long after the voyage ends.

A small, secluded bay steeped in maritime history — this is where the HMC Mermaid was beached for repairs in 1820, and the boab tree carved by the ship’s carpenter with the vessel’s name and date still stands today, over 200 years later. A short walk through monsoon vine thicket takes you to this remarkable living artefact. The bay itself is fringed by mangroves and rich with birdlife.

Cruise deep into the Prince Regent River, one of the Kimberley’s most pristine waterways, to reach the magnificent King Cascade — a wide, tiered waterfall that tumbles over moss-covered sandstone ledges into the river below. Depending on conditions, you may be able to swim in the freshwater pools at the base. The river banks are home to saltwater crocodiles, so your expedition team will assess safety before any water activity — that’s the reality and the thrill of expedition cruising.

Prince Frederick Harbour is one of the Kimberley’s hidden gems — a vast natural harbour surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs and ancient rock art sites. Bigge Island is home to some of the region’s most significant Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock art galleries, painted by Aboriginal peoples tens of thousands of years ago. Your expedition team and cultural guides will bring these extraordinary artworks to life.

The multi-tiered Mitchell Falls are among the most iconic natural landmarks in the Kimberley — a series of cascading waterfalls that drop through pools of deep emerald green, surrounded by ancient Livistona palms. Reaching the falls requires a helicopter transfer (weather permitting and at additional cost) or a guided walk with the expedition team. The aerial perspective is breathtaking. Wollaston Bay, nearby, may also be explored depending on conditions.

A remote bay with powerful wartime history and some of the Kimberley’s finest rock art. The remains of a DC-3 aircraft that crash-landed on the mudflats during World War II are still visible at low tide — an eerie and fascinating sight. Nearby, the Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art figures are among the oldest and most debated artworks in Australia, predating many European cave paintings by thousands of years.

The tallest twin waterfalls in the Kimberley, King George Falls plunge over 80 metres down sheer sandstone cliffs into the river gorge below. Approaching by Zodiac through the narrow King George River with the red cliff faces towering on either side is one of the most dramatic experiences in Australian cruising. After heavy wet-season rains, the falls are at their most spectacular — a thundering curtain of water that you can feel from the Zodiac.

Arrive into Darwin and disembark Coral Geographer after 10 extraordinary days on the Kimberley coast. Check into your 4-star hotel and spend the evening exploring Darwin’s waterfront precinct — the Stokes Hill Wharf sunset markets are a great way to ease back into civilisation with fresh seafood, local beer, and live music.

A full day to explore the Top End capital. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is excellent — its Cyclone Tracy exhibit is profoundly moving. Crocosaurus Cove in the city centre lets you get face-to-face with enormous saltwater crocodiles, and the Mindil Beach Sunset Market (seasonal) is a Darwin institution. If you want to venture further, Litchfield National Park with its swimming holes and termite mounds is an easy day trip.

Your Kimberley adventure comes to an end. If your flight allows, a morning walk along the Esplanade or a final coffee at the waterfront is a lovely way to reflect on one of Australia’s most unforgettable journeys.