26 Day Kimberley And Top End With Grand Kimberley Coast

Welcome to Darwin! We’ll meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel

Depart Darwin and travel across the sweeping wetlands of the Marrakai Plains to Kakadu National Park. Today visit the sacred site of Ubirr and explore its galleries of ancient Indigenous rock art. The magnificent rock faces have been continuously painted and repainted since 40,000BC, with most created approximately 2,000 years ago.

Keep exploring: Time stands still in ancient Kakadu National Park, where the land has many stories to teach us

Accompanied by a local guide, cross the East Alligator River into the spiritual Arnhem Land. Experience the art and natural beauty of a region that is inaccessible to most travellers. Return to enjoy the surrounds of Hawk Dreaming as the sun sets.

Travel to stunning Kakadu, the Northern Territory’s best known national park. At Nourlangie Rock, view Aboriginal rock art. Cruise the famous Yellow Water Billabong. Here, wildlife abounds and local a guide will give you great insights into how the Bininj people use the flora and fauna to support their way of life. Later travel to Katherine and enjoy canapés and drinks at the beautiful Cicada Lodge before dinner.

Head to the beautiful Nitmiluk National Park, before boarding an unforgettable cruise through the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Discover the music, stories and ways of the local Jawoyn people as you learn about their spiritual culture. Afterwards, travel into Western Australia.

Travel to Lake Argyle today, the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Join a spectacular wildlife cruise on the mighty Ord River. From a modern shaded vessel, discover a fascinating ecological system that has developed from the damming of the Ord River at two locations to create an area rich in wildlife, flora and undeniable beauty. This evening, enjoy dinner at your resort.

Travel to Purnululu National Park, home to the Bungle Bungle Range. Hike to Echidna Chasm, a spectacular natural cleft in the rock.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE - This evening, enjoy drinks as the sun sets over the Bungle Bungle Range.

Hike to Piccaninny Creek and through to the spectacular Cathedral Gorge. Perhaps take an optional helicopter flight at your own expense.

Farewell the Bungle Bungle Range and travel to El Questro, a million-acre cattle station in the heart of the Kimberley. Stay two nights immersed in nature to explore this incredible setting.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Head to Zebedee Springs, a permanent natural thermal spring tucked away in a secluded pocket of rainforest. Relax as you soak in the hot springs and leave feeling revitalised.

Hike to Emma Gorge where you'll be rewarded with a swim beneath a towering droplet waterfall. After lunch, enjoy a Signature Experience.

Journey along the Gibb River Road to arrive at Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge. Enjoy the facilities of the lodge’s Ungolan Pavilion, where you can relax in the lounge, treat yourself to a drink or read up on the local culture.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Board an included helicopter flight over the tiered falls.

Discover Mitchell Falls, a true highlight of your Kimberley adventure. Where possible, a local Indigenous guide will join you, providing a unique insight into the region. Begin with a hike to Little Mertens Falls to view rare Indigenous art. Continue on to Big Mertens Falls before arriving at Mitchell Falls.

Explore the Wandjina and Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) rock art galleries.
Journey to Drysdale River Station today.

Travel to the beautiful Manning Gorge where you can spot local birdlife as you enjoy lunch in the shade of a gum tree. Continue to Galvans Gorge, where a short walk leads to a picturesque waterhole. Admire the rock art adorning the gorge walls or take a leisurely swim.

Back on the Gibb River Road, travel to Bell Gorge, where stunning cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. Sitting approximately 300 metres above sea level, Bell Gorge is an idyllic natural spot for swimming and photography. Here you can also enjoy a spot of bird-watching. Should you be feeling particularly energetic, you may take the opportunity to hike to the lower pool of the gorge and enjoy a relaxing dip below the cascading waterfall.

Journey to Windjana Gorge, where cliffs tower above white sands. Wade through Tunnel Creek to the stunning oasis beyond. Travel to Broome and arrive at the iconic Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa, where you can enjoy a drink as you watch the sunset before a Farewell Dinner at the resort’s Sunset Bar and Grill.

Bid farewell to the Cable Beach Club and board your expedition ship today. A relaxed dinner this evening sets the tone for the next nine nights on board.

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.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Subject to tidal conditions, set out on a thrilling ride through the falls aboard a high-powered fast boat. Hold on tight as your boat skims across Talbot Bay to the mouth of the falls before making its way through the churning waters.

Today your ship cruises through to Talbot Bay, known for its epic 12-metre tides that create an astonishing natural spectacle, the Horizontal Falls. Here, enjoy a Signature Experience. The adventure continues as you jump aboard your Zodiac vessel for an exploration of Cyclone Creek. See dramatic folding in the rock formations as you navigate through the creek, accompanied by your expedition team member. It is here you’ll experience your first Signature Experience.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Excitement builds this morning as you join your expedition team for an in-depth exploration of Montgomery Reef by Zodiac. Witness the reef rise out of the ocean as the tidal waters cascade rapidly into the surrounding channels. Keep an eye out for unique bird life and turtles who may pop their heads up from time to time.

Start your day with a phenomenal Signature Experience. Then, cruise through Doubtful Bay, a hotspot for whale watching during the season. Later, step ashore at Raft Point to visit an ancient Wandjina rock art site. When available, you'll be joined by a local Indigenous guide.

Your expedition ship arrives at Prince Frederick Harbour today, home to soaring red cliffs and mangroves. With its extreme tides and pristine ecosystems, the harbour is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles and mudskippers. Keen birdwatchers should keep an eye out for kingfishers, egrets, herons and white-bellied sea eagles. It's time to jump aboard your Zodiac vessels for an exploration of the Hunter River and Naturalist Island. As your day of discovery draws to a close, you might choose to set out on a helicopter flight and view the natural spectacle of Mitchell Falls from above (own expense).

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

In caves throughout the island, see examples of first contact art depicting European tall ships dating from the 15th to 18th century. Having been repainted annually for the past 5,000 years, it is thought to be the oldest continuous sacred painting tradition on the planet.

Discover Bigge Island today, known for its Indigenous rock art created by the Wunambal people. During your time here, take in a Signature Experience.

An intriguing exploration of Vansittart Bay awaits today. Join your expedition team and set out across the bay's vast salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force C-53 that crash landed on the beach during World War II. Later, step ashore at Jar Island and see examples of mysterious Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) paintings, dating back some 20,000 years.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Anticipation builds as your Zodiac approaches King George Falls, plunging 80 metres over a towering sandstone cliff. Edge closer to this epic cascade and learn how it turns to a raging torrent during the monsoonal wet season.

Wake this morning as your ship cruises into Koolama Bay. Hear how this harbour was renamed following the Japanese bombing of the MV Koolama in 1942. Next, it's on to King George River. Join your expedition team and jump aboard a Zodiac to meander through the river's gorge system, passing hidden mangrove-fringed coves and soaring red cliffs.

Enjoy a full day to relax at sea and take in a presentation from your Expedition Team. Learn about the fascinating ecology of Australia’s most remote coastline, one that is dominated by some of the most dramatic tidal conditions on Earth. Hear stories of the rich World War II history and get prepared to discover ancient Indigenous culture that dates back for tens of thousands of years. Take time to relax as you feel the pleasant pristine air of the Timor Sea fill your lungs and then take advantage of the Open Bridge policy for the chance to make acquaintances with your ship’s Captain. After dinner tonight, make your way to the Lounge for the evening entertainment.

Arriving into Darwin this morning means it’s time to say goodbye to your ship and travelling companions after the trip of a lifetime. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.