Iconic Kimberley With Grand Kimberley Coast

Description

Spacious Suites On Sky Ships. With the largest lead-in cabins in the region for ships of this size, welcome to APT Small Ship Expedition Cruising.

Finest Onboard Dining. From room service to elegant outdoor dining, you’ll be amazed by the culinary options aboard an APT Expedition Cruise.

Custom-Designed 4WD Vehicles. Our specially engineered vehicles have an impeccable reliability record, traversing some of the roughest terrain.

Trip Name

Iconic Kimberley With Grand Kimberley Coast

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 116 Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017 Sister ship to Hebridean Sky. Island Sky and Hebridean Sky are truly sisters. Built in the same Italian Shipyard, both boast spacious, well-appointed suites, stylish common areas, and redundant core technology that allows them to operate smoothly, even under the most challenging of conditions. Both ships are all-suite, all-inclusive small expedition vessels with touches of elegance throughout. The Island Sky is scheduled for additional upgrades in 2017, including the addition of tinted sliding glass doors to all cabins on the Promenade Deck. Services: World-Class Cuisine Complimentary Wine or Beer with Dinner Live Entertainment Complimentary Coffee/Tea station Voyage Photographer On-board MD and Facilities Dedicated Passenger Service Manager Pre-voyage hotel night Complimentary Expedition Jacket Facilities: Elevator serving all passenger decks Upgraded WIFI Internet Library with computers Panoramic Top Deck Observation Platform Bar/Lounge with Live Entertainment Lounge with Audiovisual Facilities DVD Movie Library Tinted sliding glass doors in all cabins on the Promenade Deck World-Class Cuisine: Great expeditions require great food! Our team of world-class chefs offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that change daily. They have boat-loads of creativity, so you are sure to experience a variety of remarkable cuisine throughout your voyage. Accommodations: All Suites Feature: Exterior views Your choice of queen-sized or two twin-sized beds Sitting area with sofa and side chair Flat Screen TV with DVD/CD player Telephone Independent temperature controls Mini-Bar Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries Hair dryer 220 square feet or more Sofa can be converted to bed for third person PLEASE NOTE - DECK PLANS CAN VARY.

Itinerary

Day 1 - DAY 1 Arrive Kununurra, Wyndham, Embark Ship

From Kununurra transfer to Wyndham, where you will be welcomed on board your ship. A relaxed dinner this evening allows you the chance to meet your fellow travellers and sets the tone for the next nine nights on board.

Day 2 - DAY 2 Koolama Bay, King George River And Falls

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. It is here you’ll experience your first Signature Experience.

Day 3 - DAY 3 Vansittart Bay, Jar Island

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.

Day 4 - DAY 4 Bigge Island

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

Day 5 - DAY 5 Prince Frederick Harbour, Hunter River, Mitchell Falls

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).

Day 6 - DAY 6 Careening Bay, Prince Regent Reserve, St George's Basin

Reach Careening Bay today, home to the historic Mermaid Boab Tree. It was here in 1820 that Lieutenant Phillip Parker King used the area’s massive tides to beach his damaged ship, the HMC Mermaid. During this time, King's carpenter carved the ship’s name into a boab tree that overlooks the bay. Continue on to Prince Regent Nature Reserve, only accessible by boat. Explore this protected area and see why it is recognised as a national biodiversity hotspot. Next, it's on to the untouched coastal area of Hanover Bay. While you're here, you might like to hop aboard your Zodiac for an enthralling visit to St George's Basin. If the tide allows, perhaps catch a glimpse of a saltwater crocodile, among other marine life.

Day 7 - DAY 7 Montgomery Reef, Doubtful Bay, Raft Point

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.

Day 8 - DAY 8 Talbot Bay, Horizontal Falls

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.

Day 9 - DAY 9 Buccaneer Archipelago, Adele Island

There’s promise of yet more 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. Back on board, toast the end of an epic adventure during a farewell dinner. Then, take in the amber glow of a Kimberley sunset for the last time as your ship sets sail towards Broome.

Day 10 - DAY 10 Disembark Ship, Broome

Arriving into Broome this morning means it’s time to say goodbye to your ship. You’ll set out on a fleeting exploration of this historic pearling town before being transferred to Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa.

Day 11 - DAY 11 Gibb River Road, Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge, Fitzroy Crossing

Leave Broome this morning and head to the Boab Prison Tree. Believed to be 1,500 years old, the tree is a culturally significant site for the local Nyikina people. It also plays a vital role in the story of the early settlement of Derby and is said to have once been used as a prison, or as a holding area for Indigenous prisoners being transported long distances to the gaol at Derby. Continue along the Gibb River Road to Windjana Gorge, where ancient marine fossils lay embedded in the gorge walls. Next it's on to Tunnel Creek, Western Australia's oldest cave system. Wade through the cool waters that fill the tunnel and emerge on the other side to discover a serene oasis.

Day 12 - DAY 12 Purnululu National Park

Today will be spent travelling to Purnululu National Park, home to some of the Kimberley's most staggering natural landscapes. Settle into your tented cabin at our exclusive Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge before an open air dinner tonight. Your onsite chefs will have been hard at work preparing this three-course feast, drawing on local and seasonal produce for inspiration. Think crispy pork belly, fresh Cone Bay barramundi, and creamy coconut panna cotta.

Day 13 - DAY 13 Echidna Chasm, Mini Palms

Set out on a hike to Echidna Chasm, a natural cleft in the rock that reaches a staggering 200 metres in height while only being one metre wide at certain points. See striking colour variations dance along the walls of this narrow cleft as the sun beams down into it. Continue your hike along a Livistona palm-fringed trail to discover Mini Palms Gorge, where ancient palms are surrounded by towering cliffs.

Day 14 - DAY 14 Purnululu National Park, Piccaninny Creek, Cathedral Gorge

Another full day has been set aside for you to explore Purnululu National Park today, starting with a walk along Piccaninny Creek. This winding gorge is set deep within the Bungle Bungle Range, offering unparalleled views of the striped beehive domes. Your next stop is Cathedral Gorge, a natural amphitheatre of red rock, created by millions of years of water erosion. This spacious cavern is renowned for its acoustics, and you'll see why as you wander through it.

Day 15 - DAY 15 Halls Creek

This morning you have the option to take a scenic helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungle Range (own expense). There really is no better way to grasp the sheer size of the range than from the air. Afterwards, head to the unusual China Wall, located just outside of Halls Creek. This intriguing limestone formation rises up from a creek over a small hill, like a miniature version of China's Great Wall. Continue along the Great Northern Highway to the historic gold mining town of Halls Creek.

Day 16 - DAY 16 Geikie Gorge, Broome

Travel to Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park today and explore Geikie Gorge, famed for its towering walls that have been bleached white by the river when it floods. Set out on a cruise through the gorge and keep an eye out for crocs. The keen birdwatchers among you might be lucky enough to spy sea eagles, brolgas or even the rare purple-crowned fairy-wrens. Afterwards, it's back to Broome where you check in to Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa. You'll probably want to head to the Sunset Bar and Grill for a drink. Soak up the beach views from the bar as the sun dips below the Indian Ocean.

Day 17 - DAY 17 Depart Broome

Your journey comes to an end with a transfer to the airport today.

Day 18 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Explore The Bungle Bungles. Take part in an exploration of the Bungle Bungle Range as you witness the natural wonders of Purnululu National Park.
Montgomery Reef. Board your Zodiac to experience Montgomery Reef as the tide recedes, getting up close to unique marine life.
Spectacular Horizontal Falls. Board a high powered fast-boat to ride the massive tide at the spectacular Horizontal Falls.