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Day 1 : Darwin (D)
Board the luxurious Oceanic Discoverer this morning at 10.00am. Departing Darwin Harbour as you cross Cambridge Gulf, your wonderful voyage along the majestic Western Australian coastline begins. This evening meet your fellow travellers and friendly crew during the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktails.
10 Night Stay: Oceanic Discoverer
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Day 2 : King George River (B,L,D)
Today discover the first of the Kimberley’s ‘big’ rivers, the mighty King George. Aboard the specially designed excursion vessel, explore scenic gorges, and in the inflatable zodiacs you’ll cruise close to the base of magnificent King George Falls, the tallest waterfalls in Western Australia towering some 80 metres above the river below.
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Day 3 : Bigge Island (B,L,D)
This morning visit the sea bird rookeries on Low Rocks, followed by a stop at Cape Voltaire for a swim and beach exploration. This afternoon discover the amazing rock art gallery on Bigge Island.
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Day 4 : Prince Frederick Harbour (B,L,D)
Cruising into Prince Frederick Harbour you’ll anchor at Naturalist Island. You will have the opportunity to take an optional helicopter scenic flight over the Mitchell Plateau for close up views of the mighty four-tiered Mitchell Falls (own expense). This evening, enjoy a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset as you indulge in a gourmet Aussie Beach barbecue.
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Day 5 : Careening Bay (B,L,D)
Careening Bay was named by Phillip Parker King after his ship, ‘HMC Mermaid’, was careened during his second voyage of discovery in the Kimberley. The onboard lecturers will lead you to the site of a large boab tree bearing the inscription “HMC Mermaid - 1820”, still clearly visible almost 200 years later. This afternoon cruise into the very scenic Prince Regent Basin.
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Day 6 : Prince Regent River and King Cascades (B,L,D)
Cruise the mighty Prince Regent River aboard Xplorer to the breathtaking King Cascades, an unusual and picturesque waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations. Enjoy a picnic lunch at beautiful Camp Creek, where there is time for a leisurely swim in the freshwater pools. The more adventurous may wish to join a nature walk, keeping an eye out for native Kimberley birdlife.
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Day 7 : Kuri Bay and Raft Point (B,L,D)
Today cruise through Kuri Bay, home of the south sea pearl industry. Travelling ashore at Raft Point visit a secluded and very interesting Aboriginal rock art gallery to view Wandjina art and the mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion), thought to be the world’s oldest indigenous art, dating back over 20,000 years.
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Day 8 : Montgomery Reef and Horizontal Falls (B,L,D)
Cruise through the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to over 800 islands, and experience two of the unforgettable highlights of the Kimberley Coast. See Montgomery Reef ‘rise’ out of the ocean as the tide ebbs, before joining a reef walk and marine life study. In Talbot Bay, the region’s 12 metre tides create an amazing spectacle, the unique Horizontal Falls. Board the zodiacs for an exhilarating, up-close view of this natural phenomenon.
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Day 9 : King Sound and Crocodile Creek (B,L,D)
Cruising through King Sound witness the effects of the iron ore mining operations on Koolan and Cockatoo Islands.
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Day 10 : Lacepede Islands (B,L,D)
Cruising Yampi Sound visit the Lacepede Islands. These islands are situated well offshore and are known for the turtle nestings and booby and frigate bird colonies. This evening farewell new found friends during the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party.
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Day 11 : Broome (B)
Your unforgettable cruise along the Kimberley coast concludes in Broome this morning. You will be transferred to your hotel after disembarkation which will commence at approximately 8.00am. The remainder of the day and evening are at leisure.
Three Night Stay: Broome
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Day 12 : Broome (B)
Today is at your leisure to explore the tropical seaside town of Broome.
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Day 13 : Broome (B,D)
Today is at your leisure. Meet your fellow travellers and Outback Discovery Tour Manager this evening during a welcome dinner.
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Day 14 : Broome – Fitzroy Crossing (B,L,D)
This morning we travel to Fitzroy Crossing on the border of the vast Kimberley and the Great Sandy Desert. This afternoon relax on a cruise through the sanctuary that is Geikie Gorge, where 30 metre steep limestone walls laid down over a period of 50 million years were formed by fossilised coral reefs. If you look carefully, you can see the markings of vastly different water levels during the dry season and the ‘Big Wet’. Tonight we stay in lush green surroundings at the Fitzroy River Lodge on the banks of the Fitzroy River.
Overnight Stay: Fitzroy Crossing
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Day 15 : Fitzroy Crossing – Halls Creek (B,L,D)
The highlight of today’s touring is a foray into the Great Sandy Desert along the famous Tanami Track where we will visit Wolfe Creek Crater, the second largest meteorite crater on earth. A short walk to the rim of the crater reveals an expansive view of the perfectly round impact site, which is 60 metres deep and nearly a kilometre wide. Then we continue on to Halls Creek for the night. Located on the boundary of the Kimberley and Tanami Desert, this outback town is the site of Western Australia’s first commercial gold discovery.
Overnight Stay: Halls Creek
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Day 16 : Halls Creek – Bungle Bungles (B,L,D)
This morning explore the old stone buildings at the Old Halls Creek town site and then on to the ‘Great Wall of China’, a 6 metre high quartz outcrop running along a line of hills to a river valley. Our vehicle turns off the Great Northern Highway and into World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park, home to one of Western Australia’s most fascinating landmarks, the Bungle Bungle range. We head to the southern end of the Bungle Bungle range for a walk into majestic Cathedral Gorge, an acoustically magnificent natural amphitheatre.
Two Night Stay: Bungle Bungles
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Day 17 : Bungle Bungles (B,L,D)
This morning there is the opportunity of taking an optional helicopter flight over the magnificent Bungle Bungle range (at own expense). Seeing these incredible rock formations from the air gives a true sense of the scale of this incredible National Park. Today we drive to the northern end of the Bungle Bungle range for a memorable day of walks into two of the Park’s best attractions. The first walk is into Echidna Chasm through a narrow gorge that reveals something new at every bend – it’s like walking through a huge gap in the landscape with sunlight bouncing off the flaming red hues of the rock walls. After lunch, we set off along a creek bed into Mini Palms to a platform atop a scenic amphitheatre for views of verdant palm trees and the valley beyond.
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Day 18 : Bungle Bungles – Kununurra (B,L,D)
Shortly after rejoining the Great Northern Highway, we journey through the rugged red Carr Boyd Range. We then follow the Cockburn Range before reaching the port of Wyndham. A visit here is not complete without taking in the panoramic views of the region at the Five Rivers Lookout. You’ll see for miles out across the Cambridge Gulf and the five rivers that flow into it - the Ord, Pentecost, Durack, King and Forrest. Continuing to Kununurra we will follow the Carr Boyd Range. Kununurra is a vibrant town at the centre of the fertile Ord River Irrigation Scheme which ships huge volumes of fruit and fresh produce to Australian and overseas markets.
Two Night Stay: Kununurra
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Day 19 : Kununurra (B,L,D)
We start this exciting day with a cruise from Lake Kununurra down the spectacular Ord River. Next we drive to the rebuilt homestead of the Durack family – Argyle Downs. After a visit to the homestead that is now a museum, we visit the Hoochery, the State’s only licensed distillery where rum is produced from local sugar.
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Day 20 : Kununurra – El Questro Wilderness Park (B,L,D)
Today our destination is El Questro Wilderness Park, a working cattle station set on a million acres. After we arrive, enjoy a cruise on Chamberlain Gorge, a freshwater hole enclosed by a towering escarpment and home to incredibly diverse flora and fauna. This afternoon there is the chance of taking an optional helicopter flight over some of El Questro’s many gorges and waterfalls (at own expense – subject to availability). Then it’s on to the thermal pools at Zebedee Springs for a relaxing dip in this natural day spa surrounded by sheer cliffs and Livistona Palms.
Overnight Stay: El Questro Wilderness Park
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Day 21 : El Questro Wilderness Park – Mount Elizabeth Station (B,L,D)
This morning, enjoy the peaceful surroundings on an early morning walk to Emma Gorge. We then leave El Questro and travel along the Gibb River Road, originally a stock route across the Kimberley and more recently one of Australia’s most challenging 4 wheel drive adventures. We’ll cross the Pentecost River and many creeks on this journey to the family-owned Mount Elizabeth Station. This is a unique outback experience and your hosts will share their deep appreciation for the surrounding country and the knowledge gained from a lifetime spent living and working on a cattle station in this remote area of Australia.
Overnight Stay: Mount Elizabeth Station
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Day 22 : Mount Elizabeth Station – Mount Hart (B,L,D)
As we continue our journey along the Gibb River Road, enjoy a stop at Manning Gorge. Our drive then takes us past Silent Grove and on to spectacular Bell Gorge, located about 300 metres above sea level and the beginning of a series of waterfalls that descend to the ocean. Then we enter the King Leopold Ranges Conservation Park, home to Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge, set on a 10 acre oasis of beautiful lush tropical gardens and surrounded by stunning geological features, spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and rare flora and fauna.
Two Night Stay: Mount Hart
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Day 23 : Mount Hart (B,L,D)
Join your crew this morning on a walk to Mt Matthew Gorge. Here you can experience spectacular cascading waterfalls, explore the beautiful swimming holes or admire the fascinating array of bird and plant life. This afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy the peaceful surrounds of Mount Hart.
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Day 24 : Mount Hart – Derby (B,L,D)
This morning it’s back to the Gibb River Road and we visit Windjana Gorge, home to a large population of Johnston freshwater crocodiles which inhabit the waterhole. From here it’s on to Tunnel Creek where you will enjoy a walk into Western Australia’s oldest cave system. We continue to Derby, the main base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the Kimberley.
Overnight Stay: Derby
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Day 25 : Derby – Broome (B,L,D)
On the road to Broome this morning, we will visit the famous Boab Prison Tree and Myall’s Bore, where stockmen would take turns in watering their stock before loading them onto ships for export. During a guided tour and cruise at Willie Creek Pearl Farm, you will discover how the rare and beautiful Australian South Sea Pearl is produced.
Two Night Stay: Broome
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Day 26 : Broome (B,L,D)
This morning enjoy a tour of the sights of Broome. Stop at Gantheaume Point for a great photo opportunity looking back across Cable Beach. We then visit the Broome Jetty and the Japanese Cemetery, a testament to the dangerous early days of the pearling industry as over 900 divers are buried here. View the Old Courthouse before your tour at the Pearl Luggers’ Museum where you will learn of the perils of the deep and what made the pearl divers life so hazardous. This afternoon, wander through the old buildings in Chinatown where many indigenous art galleries and pearl showrooms can be found. There is also the opportunity of taking an optional scenic flight over the picturesque Buccaneer Archipelago (at own expense, must be pre-booked^). This evening’s dinner is time to relive many memorable holiday moments and say farewell to your crew and fellow travellers.
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Day 27 : Broome (B)
This morning after breakfast you will be transferred* to the airport for your homebound flight. ^The Buccaneer Archipelago optional flight must be booked at the time of booking this tour. Flights are not included. *Check transfer entitlements with your Travel Agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
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