North America toll-free: 1-888-538-8652
Europe & ROW: WhatsApp & Mobile: +372 52 99 832
 

SHMinerva - Guests

The Kimberley Horizons

Darwin to Broome

Discover ancient landscapes on our exceptional 11-day voyage exploring Kimberley, Western Australia’s most sparsely settled northern region. Your journey around this precious coastal wilderness is defined by azure blue seas, tiny islands, fjordlands and extraordinary high tides. Inland, Aborignal art daubs towering sandstone cliffs and caves, while the scraggy eucalypt savannah is home to crocodiles and rock wallabies. Get your camera ready as we sail through humpback whale calving grounds, as boobies, egrets and Eastern ospreys take to the skies. With some areas only accessible by sea, cruising this revered land on our luxury, boutique ship will leave lasting memories.


 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture as you get up close to ancient Wandjina art figures on cliffs and in caves
  • Keep an eye out at sea for breaching humpback whales and brown boobies overhead
  • Spot crocodiles basking along mangrove-lined rivers and creeks
  • Witness gushing waterfalls and the extraordinary tidal phenomenon of Horizontal Falls
  • Learn more about this remote Western Australian region from our on board team of experts

DATES / RATES

Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD
Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD


ITINERARY

DARWIN
DAY 1
The coastal port and gateway to Australia's Northern Territory, Darwin is best known for its parks and gardens. Learn to identify regional flora, tropical plants and orchids at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Discover Aboriginal Art at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, or take a stroll through Old Darwin, past buildings that chart the city’s history from the days when Charles Darwin’s HMS Beagle first visited Darwin harbour in 1839.


AT SEA
DAY 2
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.


WYNDHAM
DAY 3
The ‘Aussie Outback’ at its finest, Wyndham is one of Australia’s most remote outback towns and the most northerly in the Kimberley. Given their rugged existence, the small population of locals are considered ‘colourful.’ Huge saltwater crocodiles laze on the mudflats as the tide goes out, and you often see endangered, rainbow-coloured Gouldian finches around town. Visit the ‘big crocodile’ statue, the Bastion viewpoint overlooking five rivers flowing into the Gulf, or head out to the unusual rockform Bungle Bungles.


KING GEORGE RIVER
DAY 4
Heading along the King George River towards King George Falls is one of the highlights of our Kimberley cruise. The river weaves past mangrove forests and towering sandstone cliffs that become more spectacular the further we go. Watch for crocodiles basking, or spot elusive birds such as Eastern ospreys, oystercatchers, peregrine falcons and terns. Near the falls, the zodiacs try to make land and keen hikers can climb to the top for panoramic views back down river.


HUNTER RIVER & MITCHELL FALLS
DAY 5
One of the most scenic sections of the Kimberley coast, the Hunter River flows into Prince Frederick Harbour. The backdrop of orange-brown sandstone cliffs and scraggy eucalypt savannah makes this a stunning wilderness experience. Take the zodiac along Porosus Creek watching out for salt-water crocodiles (crocodylus porosus) that give their name to these waters. Or head north to the mighty four-tiered Mitchell Falls on the chopper. Sit back on deck to watch the magnificent Kimberley sunrise or sunset.


BIGGE ISLAND & LOW ROCKS
DAY 6
The main attraction on Bigge Island is the ancient aboriginal art on the cliffs and in caves around Wary Bay depicting Wandjina figures, symbols of fertility and rain. An easy coastal walk on sand trails and through mangroves gets us to these painted images with their large, round eyes and halos around their heads. As we land on the beach, you might see the tracks of sea turtles who come to lay eggs in the low sand dunes.


ASHMORE REEF
DAY 7
Ashmore Reef Marine Park is a protected aquatic sanctuary in the uninhabited, Australian External Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands of Australia some 630 km north of Broome. With the greatest number of species of reef coral in Western Australia, the intact Ashmore Reef is the ideal haven for us to take out the Zodiacs to snorkel, swim and spot 100,000 breeding seabirds, turtles and the unusual dugongs among the brightly coloured corals, sponges and seagrass.


MONTGOMERY REEF & RAFT POINT
DAY 8
The dazzling turquoise-coloured Montgomery Reef is part of Camden Sound Marine Park. At low tide, the zodiacs navigate deep channels to witness gushing waterfalls, while egrets and other birds search for exposed shellfish. Accessible by boat, Freshwater Cove, also known as Wiggingarra Butt Butt, lies on the mainland next to Montgomery Reef. Members of the Worrorra tribe often greet visitors who land on this white sandy beach with a welcome ceremony, smudging ochre on each person’s cheek. From the beach, a 40-minute uphill walk over rocky terrain takes us to a Wandjina aboriginal rock art gallery where locals sell their work.


TALBOT BAY & HORIZONTAL FALLS
DAY 9
One of the great wonders of the natural world, the Horizontal Waterfalls are a phenomenon created by massive tidal movements of up to 10 metres difference between high and low tides on the huge Montgomery Reef, Australia’s largest inshore reef in Talbot Bay. These turning tides form a rushing waterfall effect between the water banks, best seen on a fast boat as you zoom through. Or spot rock wallabies perching on rocky outcrops along Cyclone Creek on a zodiac excursion.


LACEDEPE ISLANDS
DAY 10
Watch the scenery change as we head to the sandy coastal Lacepede Islands. Here seabirds and marine life abound including eagle rays. Keep an eye out for humpback whales as they migrate from Antarctica to the Western Australian coast where they calve in the warm waters and feed on zooplankton. Brown boobies - large seabirds from the gannet family - dive for fish and nest on the low sand atoll islands, while lesser frigate birds are a common sight.


BROOME
DAY 11
Sitting between the red desert and azure blue sea, the modern town of Broome is trimmed with white beaches. A draw for pearl fishing, divers once combed the coast for the riches of quality pearls. Visit Chinatown, established by early pearl traders, and shop for pearl jewellery. As well as soaking up the vibrant colours of the landscape, look out for osprey nesting on the pier or visit Gantheaume Point where, at low tide, the beach’s red rocks reveal dinosaur tracks.

(Click image to view Ship details)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • All meals onboard
  • Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call
  • Standard WiFi
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes

 

Contact Cruise Norway for the best rates.
Thousands of customers served since 1999. We find you the best value and provide exclusive deals at discounted rates.

Submit the form or call us toll free in USA & Canada 1-888-538-8652
North America: Text & Mobile: +1 970 227 9767
Europe & ROW: WhatsApp & Mobile: +372 52 99 832

Required fields *












*



*

*


*




*






  Sign up for exclusive Cruise Norway promotions?
*





 
DISCLAIMER: Rates are per person, subject to availability and can change at any time