Kimberley Complete with Kimberley Coastal Expedition

Our most popular land journey takes you deep into the Kimberley’s heart, with stays at APT’s exclusive wilderness lodges. Then set sail for the Kimberley Coast’s most compelling destinations on a luxurious expedition small ship.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Broome

Arrive in Broome, where we meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. This evening, a relaxed dinner gives you the chance to meet your fellow travellers.

Day 2: Gibb River Road, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek

Leave Broome this morning and head to the Boab Prison Tree, believed to be 1,500 years old. 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 3: Yiyili, Halls Creek, Purnululu National Park

Travel to Yiyili for a Signature Experience today. Afterwards, head to Halls Creek, before arriving at Purnululu National Park. Settle into your lodge before an open-air dinner tonight.

Day 4: Purnululu National Park, Piccaninny Creek, Cathedral Gorge

A 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 beehive domes. Your next stop is Cathedral Gorge, a natural red rock amphitheatre 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 5: Purnululu National Park, Echidna Chasm, Kununurra

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. Later, travel along the Spring Creek Track to Kununurra.

Day 6: Lake Argyle, Ord River, Kununurra

Travel to Lake Argyle and join a wildlife cruise on the mighty Ord River. From a modern shaded vessel, discover the area’s ecological system that has developed from the damming of the Ord River at two locations. Later, enjoy sunset while cruising on Lake Kununurra. Keep an eye out for wildlife and soak up the views as your boat makes its way through winding creeks and picturesque lagoons.

Day 7: Parry’s Lagoon, Wyndham, El Questro

Visit Parry’s Lagoon this morning, home to an array of birdlife. Next, it’s on to Wyndham, where you’ll soak up the views of the Cambridge Gulf from the Five Rivers Lookout. Stop for lunch before arriving at El Questro, a sprawling wilderness area which covers 700,000 acres. Afterwards, continue to Emma Gorge Resort, located in the heart of El Questro.

Day 8: El Questro, Emma Gorge

This morning hike to Emma Gorge where you’ll be rewarded with a swim beneath a towering droplet waterfall. Enjoy lunch at El Questro Station, before relaxing at Zebedee Springs. Enjoy dinner this evening back at Emma Gorge Resort.

Day 9: Gibb River Road, Mitchell Plateau

Back on the Gibb River Road, ford the mighty Durack River, then turn off and travel north on the Kalumburu Road towards the isolated Mitchell Plateau. Along the way, stop at Drysdale River Station for lunch. Afterwards, enter a remote world of Livistona palm forests, beautiful lookouts, magnificent waterfalls and isolated swimming holes.

Day 10: Mitchell Falls

Today you have a full day to discover the beauty of Mitchell Falls, with its tiered waterfalls and Indigenous rock art. When available, local Indigenous guides will join the adventure. Begin with a guided hike to Little Mertens Falls to view rarely seen rock art. Continue to Big Mertens Falls before arriving at the incredible Mitchell Falls. Go for a swim in the pools above the falls then take an included helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls and the surrounding wilderness back to your 4WD vehicle (or if you prefer, hike back with your guide).

Day 11: Mitchell Plateau, King Edward River, Drysdale River Station

Visit Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art galleries and swim in the clear waters at King Edward River. Cross Drysdale River and arrive at Drysdale River Station.

Day 12: Manning Creek, Galvans Gorge, Gibb River Road

At Manning Creek, you’ll enjoy lunch in the shade of boab trees. Look out for the region’s bird life and enjoy a refreshing swim in the pristine water under paperbarks. Continue to Galvans Gorge, where a short walk leads to a picturesque waterhole, the ideal spot for a refreshing swim.

Day 13: Bell Gorge

Back on the Gibb River Road, travel to Bell Gorge, where spectacular cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. 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.

Day 14: Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges, Derby, Broome

Back on the Gibb River Road, travel through the Wunaamin Miliwundi Conservation Park to Derby, where you will visit the Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre. Later this evening, perhaps enjoy a drink before enjoying dinner at your resort.

Day 15: Broome, Embark Ship

Today you will transfer to your luxurious Explorer small ship. Later, get to know your Expedition Team and APT Cruise Director at a welcome briefing before dinner.

Day 16: Lacepede Islands, Buccaneer Archipelago

The Lacepede Islands are Western Australia’s most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and have been named by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area. Join your expedition team for a guided Zodiac tour to view the prolific wildlife. Later, your ship charts a course into the stunning Buccaneer Archipelago. Made up of more than 800 islands, and filled with stunning scenery and an incredible array of wildlife.

Day 17: Talbot Bay, Horizontal Falls

Explore Talbot Bay and Cyclone Creek. Accompanied by your Expedition Team Leader, you’ll weave nimbly past the dramatic folds of rock formations, keeping a look out for local wildlife.

Day 18: Freshwater Cove, Montgomery Reef

At Freshwater Cove take a guided hike to visit an ancient Wandjina rock art site. The unique figures depicted are ritually repainted each year, but scientific estimates date the originals as far back as 5,000 years. Later, depart with your expedition team to discover Montgomery Reef by Zodiac. The reef ‘rises’ out of the ocean as tidal waters cascade into surrounding channels.

Day 19: Prince Frederick Harbour, Hunter River, Mitchell Falls

You are transported to Prince Frederick Harbour today, which is home to towering red cliffs and tangled mangroves. With its extreme tides and pristine ecosystems, the harbour is rich in wildlife including mudskippers and saltwater crocodiles. Keen birdwatchers should keep a careful eye out for kingfishers, egrets, herons and white-bellied sea eagles. Stepping out from the sleek comfort of your ship to your trusty Zodiac, it’s hard to believe you’re at Australia’s final frontier, this time to explore the Hunter River and Naturalists Island. As your day of discovery draws to a close, you might choose to set out on a thrilling helicopter flight to see the Mitchell Falls in all its splendour from above (flight at own expense).

Day 20: Bigge Island

You continue to cruise north along the stunning Kimberley Coast towards your final destination, Darwin.

Day 21: Swift Bay

Explore this maze of islands, inlets and peninsulas, believed to have been named by explorer Lieutenant Phillip Parker King after novelist Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels. Most significant here are extraordinary examples of Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art, estimated to have been created between 5,000 and 13,000 years ago. They can be seen in caves close to the water’s edge, mainly painted on rock overhangs.

Day 22: Vansittart Bay, Jar Island

This morning join your expedition team on an intriguing discovery. Walk across salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force DC3 which crash-landed near Vansittart Bay during World War II. Later, visit Jar Island and discover the island’s outstanding rock art gallery. During your exploration here, you’ll see more examples of Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, dating back more than 20,000 years.

Day 23: 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 onto the King George River. Join your expedition team and jump aboard a Zodiac to meander through the river’s gorge system, passing mangrove-fringed coves and sheer red cliffs.

Day 24: Day at Sea

Relax and ease into a full day at sea, enjoying the endless horizon. Perhaps take a swim in the onboard pool, pamper yourself in the wellness area, or head below deck to your ship’s underwater observation area for a stunning window into marine life below the ocean’s surface.

Day 25: Disembark Ship, Depart Darwin

Arriving in Darwin today means it’s time to say goodbye to your ship and to be transferred to the airport.