fbpx

Ancient Lands of the Kimberley (From Darwin)

Ancient Lands of the Kimberley (From Darwin)

From AUD $10,695

Description

We invite you to discover the remarkable Kimberley Coast. Home to towering waterfalls, rugged outback landscapes, ancient Aboriginal art and abundant wildlife there is simply no place on earth quite like the Kimberley, and no better way to discover it than by small ship.

Join us to experience all of the icons of the Kimberley Coast over ten unforgettable days cruising between Darwin and Broome. In the north, discover the majestic King George River with its towering 80-metre twin falls and the mysterious Bradshaw (Gwion) Paintings of Bigge Island. Explore the Mitchell Plateau and cruise the Kimberley’s ‘big’ rivers before experiencing beautiful King Cascades, remarkable Montgomery Reef and the amazing natural phenomenon of the Horizontal Falls in the south.

This is a land steeped in ancient Aboriginal culture and the legends of Australia’s pioneering past. Travel ashore to view the world’s oldest known indigenous rock art, the mysterious Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) paintings and soak up the history of early explorers such as Phillip Parker King who first charted this spectacular coastline almost 200 years ago. With two landings most days, with Coral Expeditions you will enjoy more opportunities to fully immerse yourself in the magic of the Kimberley. Aboard our unique ‘Xplorer’ excursion vessel and fleet of inflatable zodiacs, and with the expert local knowledge of our experienced guides, you are assured of making the most of every minute of your expedition, and do it all in total comfort and unrivalled style.

Trip Name
Ancient Lands of the Kimberley (From Darwin)
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 63 metres Passenger Capacity: 72 (in 36 rooms) Built: 2005 / Refurbished: 2016 Launched in 2005, Coral Discoverer set a new benchmark standard for small ship cruising in Australia. Refurbished in November 2016, she continues to raise the bar to new levels of sophistication in expedition cruising in the Southern Hemisphere. The 1800-tonne Coral Discoverer is the grand vision of Coral Expeditions, pioneers in expedition and adventure cruises around Australia, Papua New Guinea and South East Asia. Her shallow draught and manoeuvrability allow her to go where larger vessels cannot. Her tender vessel, Xplorer, can seat all 72 passengers for excursions to beaches and rivers. Coral Discoverer is equipped with latest technology active stabilisers to ensure comfortable cruising in open waters and is fitted with modern safety and navigation equipment and wireless internet facilities. Coral Discoverer was built to the exacting international SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) standards and specifications in Cairns, Australia, with one aim in mind; to create the ultimate small ship cruising experience. Australian flagged, and staffed entirely by an Australian and New Zealand crew, your experience aboard Coral Discoverer will be unique. After the refurbishment, the Sun Deck has evolved to become a new social space and the hub of on board community living. This area has been converted into an undercover deck area complete with round ‘Explorer Bar’ with bar stools and sun deck with lounges and an area for outdoor exercise equipment. Guest accommodation has also received a substantial upgrade with the addition of six Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms providing coveted inside/outside living quarters. Each of our other Stateroom grades has also received a full upgrade with updated bathroom fixtures, soft furnishings and artwork making for an even more comfortable stay on board Coral Discoverer. The Coral Discoverer offers five different grades of staterooms, ranging from Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms to Main Deck Staterooms. Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms are on the top deck and have private balconies opening out from french windows. All rooms are furnished with contemporary flair and feature original artwork, a small private en-suite, individually-controlled air-conditioning, an iPod dock, ample storage and Australian toiletries. All staterooms are serviced daily. Each stateroom is spacious, sized between 15sqm (161 square feet) to 20 sqm (215 square feet) and has either a balcony, feature picture windows or porthole windows. Most staterooms can be configured to either junior king or twin bedding. FACILITIES ON BOARD > Sun Deck with undercover area, sun lounges and ample seating > Three fully stocked cocktail bars, including brand new round Explorer Bar on Sun Deck > Spacious, modern dining room, recently refurbished > Forward lounge > Reference library > Gift shop > Open bridge > Workout Area > Wireless internet available for laptops, mobile devices or via onboard guest computer > Limited laundry facilities available > SCUBA diving department (selected itineraries)

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Depart Darwin
Board your ship at 8.00am for planned 9:00am departure > cross Cambridge Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters > join our expedition staff in the lounge for an informative introduction to the Kimberley > with fellow travellers and friendly Coral Expeditions’ crew, enjoy the Captain’s welcome drinks
Day 2 - Day 2: King George River and Falls
Discover the first of the Kimberley’s ‘big’ rivers, the mighty King George > board Xplorer, our specially designed excursion vessel and explore scenic gorges > take to our inflatable Zodiacs and cruise close to the base of magnificent King George Falls, the tallest single-drop waterfalls in Western Australia, towering some 80 metres above the river below > visit secluded Tranquil Bay for beach walking and exploration
Day 3 - Day 3: Vansittart Bay DC3 and Jar Island
Join our Expedition Leader on a walk across salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force DC3 which crash landed on the beach during World War II > visit Jar Island and discover the island’s outstanding rock art gallery > with our Guest Lecturers, see fine examples of the Kimberley’s mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion Gwion), dating back some 20,000 years
Day 4 - Day 4: Hathaway’s Hideaway and Mitchell Falls
Anchor in Winyalken Bay > travel ashore aboard Xplorer to explore the maze of natural sandstone caves known as Hathaway’s Hideaway > consider an optional scenic heli-flight over the Mitchell Plateau for close up views of the mighty four-tiered Mitchell Falls (additional expense) > this evening enjoy a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset as we indulge in a gourmet Aussie Beach BBQ
Day 5 - Day 5: Bigge Island and Careening Bay
Discover the rock art gallery on Bigge Island featuring fine examples of both Wandjina and Bradshaw art > hear from our Guest Lecturers about these traditional art forms and the myths from the dreamtime that inspired them > explore Careening Bay; named by early explorer Phillip Parker King after his ship ‘HMC Mermaid’ was careened for repairs during his second voyage of discovery in the Kimberley > our Expedition Team will lead us to the site of a remarkable boab tree bearing the inscription ‘HMC Mermaid – 1820’, still clearly visible almost 200 years later
Day 6 - Day 6: Prince Regent River and King Cascades
Cruise the mighty Prince Regent River aboard Xplorer to breathtaking King Cascades, an unusual and picturesque waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations > enjoy a picnic lunch at beautiful Camp Creek, where there is also time for a cooling dip in the freshwater pools
Day 7 - Day 7: Montgomery Reef and Doubtful Bay
Savour a truly unforgettable moment as Montgomery Reef ‘rises’ out of the ocean as the tide ebbs > join our Expedition Staff aboard the Xplorer and Zodiacs to experience this natural phenomenon up close > discover the reef’s diverse marine life including turtles, manta rays and reef sharks > cruise through scenic Doubtful Bay
Day 8 - Day 8: Raft Point and Ruby Falls
Cruise through Kuri Bay, home of the south sea pearl industry > travel ashore at imposing Raft Point and visit a secluded and very interesting Aboriginal rock art gallery to view Wandjina art and some of the Kimberley’s most well-preserved Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion Gwion) > explore Red Cone Creek and enjoy a leisurely swim at Ruby Falls
Day 9 - Day 9: Horizontal Falls and Bucaneer Archipelago
Meander through the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to over 800 islands > in Talbot Bay the region’s 12 metre tides create an amazing spectacle, the unique Horizontal Falls, described by legendary naturalist Sir David Attenborough as “one of the greatest natural wonders in the world” > the amazing power of the falls is revealed when the region’s 12 metre tides turn, forcing millions of litres of water to rush through the narrow gaps between cliffs > board the Zodiacs for an exhilarating ride through the falls > explore Silica Beach on Hidden Island with its stunning white sands and crystal clear waters
Day 10 - Day 10: Lacepede Islands
Explore Pender Bay and subject to weather and tides, visit the Lacepede Islands, a series of low islands consisting of coarse sand and coral rubble lying atop a platform reef > this nature reserve has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area as it supports up to 18,000 breeding pairs of Brown Boobies and Roseate Terns, possibly the largest such population in the world > board the Zodiacs and explore the island’s lagoon, keeping an eye out for many species of marine birdlife including Australian Pelicans, frigate birds, egrets, gulls and terns > the islands are also renowned as Western Australia’s most significant breeding grounds for the Green Turtle, often seen nesting > this evening we reflect on this wonderful expedition with new-found friends as we enjoy the Captain’s farewell drinks
Day 11 - Day 11: Arrive in Broome
Our adventure along the Kimberley Coast concludes in Broome this morning at 8:00am > if you’re not transferring directly to the airport why not spend the day visiting world-famous Cable Beach or stroll the historic streets of Chinatown in central Broome > post cruise transfers included
Day 12 - Please Note:
This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
28-06-201908-07-2019AUD $10,695Main Deck B
28-06-201908-07-2019AUD $10,995Main Deck A
28-06-201908-07-2019AUD $11,595Promenade B
28-06-201908-07-2019AUD $11,995Promenade A
28-06-201908-07-2019AUD $12,995Bridge Deck Balcony
28-06-201908-07-2019AUD $17,393Promenade B Single Use
19-07-201929-07-2019AUD $12,995Bridge Deck Balcony
19-07-201929-07-2019AUD $17,393Promenade B Single Use
19-07-201929-07-2019AUD $10,695Main Deck B
19-07-201929-07-2019AUD $10,995Main Deck A
19-07-201929-07-2019AUD $11,595Promenade B
19-07-201929-07-2019AUD $11,995Promenade A
09-08-201919-08-2019AUD $10,695Main Deck B
09-08-201919-08-2019AUD $10,995Main Deck A
09-08-201919-08-2019AUD $11,595Promenade B
09-08-201919-08-2019AUD $11,995Promenade A
09-08-201919-08-2019AUD $12,995Bridge Deck Balcony
09-08-201919-08-2019AUD $17,393Promenade B Single Use
30-08-201909-09-2019AUD $10,695Main Deck B
30-08-201909-09-2019AUD $10,995Main Deck A
30-08-201909-09-2019AUD $11,595Promenade B
30-08-201909-09-2019AUD $11,995Promenade A
30-08-201909-09-2019AUD $12,995Bridge Deck Balcony
30-08-201909-09-2019AUD $17,393Promenade B Single Use
15-05-202025-05-2020AUD $10,890Main Deck B
15-05-202025-05-2020AUD $11,390Main Deck A
15-05-202025-05-2020AUD $11,940Promenade B
15-05-202025-05-2020AUD $12,990Promenade A
15-05-202025-05-2020AUD $15,190Bridge Deck Balcony
15-05-202025-05-2020AUD $17,910Promenade B Single Use
05-06-202015-06-2020AUD $10,890Main Deck B
05-06-202015-06-2020AUD $11,390Main Deck A
05-06-202015-06-2020AUD $11,940Promenade B
05-06-202015-06-2020AUD $12,990Promenade A
05-06-202015-06-2020AUD $15,190Bridge Deck Balcony
05-06-202015-06-2020AUD $17,910Promenade B Single Use
26-06-202006-07-2020AUD $10,890Main Deck B
26-06-202006-07-2020AUD $11,390Main Deck A
26-06-202006-07-2020AUD $11,940Promenade B
26-06-202006-07-2020AUD $12,990Promenade A
26-06-202006-07-2020AUD $15,190Bridge Deck Balcony
26-06-202006-07-2020AUD $17,910Promenade B Single Use
17-07-202027-07-2020AUD $10,890Main Deck B
17-07-202027-07-2020AUD $11,390Main Deck A
17-07-202027-07-2020AUD $11,940Promenade B
17-07-202027-07-2020AUD $12,990Promenade A
17-07-202027-07-2020AUD $15,190Bridge Deck Balcony
17-07-202027-07-2020AUD $17,910Promenade B Single Use
07-08-202017-08-2020AUD $10,890Main Deck B
07-08-202017-08-2020AUD $11,390Main Deck A
07-08-202017-08-2020AUD $11,940Promenade B
07-08-202017-08-2020AUD $12,990Promenade A
07-08-202017-08-2020AUD $15,190Bridge Deck Balcony
07-08-202017-08-2020AUD $17,910Promenade B Single Use
28-08-202007-09-2020AUD $10,890Main Deck B
28-08-202007-09-2020AUD $11,390Main Deck A
28-08-202007-09-2020AUD $11,940Promenade B
28-08-202007-09-2020AUD $12,990Promenade A
28-08-202007-09-2020AUD $15,190Bridge Deck Balcony
28-08-202007-09-2020AUD $17,910Promenade B Single Use

Inclusions

    • Discover the mighty King George River and get in close to the soaring falls on our Zodiac excursions
    • Visit and learn about ancient rock art with our expert Expedition Team
    • Explore Hathaway’s Hideaway and the maze of sandstone caves
    • Indulge in gourmet Aussie beach BBQ as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean
    • Aboard our Xplorer tender, cruise the Prince Regent River to King Cascades
    • Experience the tidal phenomenon that expose Montgomery Reef and create the unique Horizontal Falls
    • Spot amazing marine life and enjoy bird watching

Map