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’ll transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy your day at leisure to explore this fascinating place. Head to the Sunset Bar and Grill at your resort to see one of Australia’s best sunsets over Cable Beach. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers before your journey commences.

Day 2: Gibb River Road, Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge, Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges, Bell Gorge

Your day starts with a visit to the Boab Prison Tree. Believed to be more than 1,500 years old and measuring an incredible 14 metres in diameter, this remarkable tree was once used by early police patrols as a standing point for prisoners as they were walked to Derby. Today, the hollow tree is a registered Aboriginal site of great cultural significance. Continue your journey along the iconic Gibb River Road, a remote 660-kilometre outback highway stretching between Broome and Kununurra. The ‘Gibb’ traverses the wild heart of the Kimberley, passing spectacular landscapes of intensely coloured ranges, dramatic gorges, deep rock pools and spectacular waterfalls. Next, it’s on to Tunnel Creek, a 750-metre-long natural tunnel carved through the Napier Range that is also Western Australia’s oldest cave system. Continue on to Windjana Gorge, where sheer cliffs tower above glistening white sands. Admire the ancient marine fossils embedded in the gorge walls and scour the banks for a glimpse of the freshwater crocodiles. Later, you’ll visit the Wunaamin Miliwundi Range National Park before arriving at your lodge for dinner.

Day 3: Bell Gorge

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 birdwatching. If you are feeling particularly energetic, you can hike to the lower pool of the gorge and take a relaxing dip below the cascading waterfall.

Day 4: Galvans Gorge, Manning Creek, Drysdale River Station

Travel through the heart of Kimberley cattle country to discover some of the region’s most secluded gorges. At Galvans Gorge, a short walk leads to a picturesque waterhole where boab trees cling to the escarpment above. Continue to beautiful Manning Creek, where you’ll enjoy lunch in the shade of paperbark trees. Look out for the region’s birdlife and enjoy a refreshing swim in the pristine water. Turn off the Gibb River Road and travel north on the Kalumburu Road towards the isolated Mitchell Plateau. Later, arrive at Drysdale River Station and enjoy a unique stay at this historic cattle property, including a delicious dinner.

Day 5: Mitchell Plateau, King Edward River

Cross the beautiful Drysdale River, then ascend the Mitchell Plateau to enter a remote world of Livistona palm forests, beautiful lookouts, magnificent waterfalls and isolated swimming holes. For the next two nights, experience Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge, with its Ungolan Pavilion, where you can relax in the lounge, treat yourself to a drink or read up on the local culture. In the heart of the Mitchell Plateau, your accommodation is perfectly positioned beside the Pandanus palm- fringed Camp Creek, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip. For wildlife watchers, the region’s fantastic array of bird life includes brolgas, herons, kites and sea eagles, as well as rainforest birds. This evening, you’ll be treated to a superb three-course dinner that showcases the region’s finest local produce. For the perfect accompaniment, a selection of flavoursome beers from Matso’s Broome Brewery and wines from Rosabrook Estate are available.

Day 6: Mitchell Falls

Today you have a full day to discover the beauty of Mitchell Falls, with its magnificent waterfalls and Indigenous art. When available, local Aboriginal guides will join the adventure, imparting their knowledge of the area and sharing their cultural beliefs. Begin with a guided hike to Little Mertens Falls to view rarely seen Indigenous art. Continue to Big Mertens Falls before arriving at Mitchell Falls. You can swim in the pools above the falls and spot the region’s abundant wildlife, amid superb scenery and rich culture.

Day 7: Mitchell Plateau, Gibb River Road, El Questro

Rejoin the Gibb River Road and ford the mighty Durack River before arriving at Emma Gorge Resort, located at El Questro, a sprawling wilderness area which covers 700,000 acres. Settle in before enjoying dinner this evening.

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: Wyndham, Parry’s Lagoon, Kununurra

After a hearty breakfast, head to Wyndham and view the breathtaking Cambridge Gulf from the spectacular Five Rivers Lookout. Enjoy lunch at an iconic outback pub before visiting the serene Parry Lagoons, a splendid birdwatcher’s paradise.

Day 10: Lake Argyle, Ord River, Lake Kununurra

Explore the beauty of Kununurra this morning at leisure before travelling to majestic Lake Argyle, the largest constructed lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Join a spectacular wildlife cruise on the mighty Ord River. From modern shaded vessels, 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. Enjoy a BBQ dinner as you watch a mesmerising sunset while cruising on tranquil Lake Kununurra.

Day 11: Purnululu National Park, Echidna Chasm

Depart Kununurra and journey to Purnululu National Park, one of Australia’s most stunning natural landscapes. The park is home to the famed black and orange striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, ascending to 578 metres above sea level. Standing over a grass-covered plain, steep cliffs form the western face. Created by the constant erosion of river movements over a staggering 20 million years, the range has both geological and Indigenous cultural significance. It is an imposing sight and one that you are sure to remember forever. Join a hike along a Livistona palm-fringed trail into Echidna Chasm. Settle into the tranquil ambience of the Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, located in the heart of this stunning national park. Enjoy a delicious dinner and share your adventures with your fellow travellers.

Day 12: Purnululu National Park, Piccaninny Creek, Cathedral Gorge

Explore the magic of Purnululu for yourself and discover the depth of the Bungle Bungle Range. Walk along Piccaninny Creek, a winding gorge within the Bungle Bungle domes. Your next stop is the natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge, a spacious cavern where the acoustics are astounding. Marvel at the majestic beehive domes as your guide brings the natural history of the range to life. You may like to experience an optional scenic helicopter flight over the domes (own expense).

Day 13: Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing

Head to Halls Creek and admire the unusual China Wall. A natural quartz formation that runs six kilometres along the landscape, the wall is an echo of the Great Wall of China, after which it was named. Continue on towards Fitzroy Crossing, a small settlement situated on the Fitzroy River.

Day 14: Yiyili, Derby, Broome

Travel to Yiyili for a Signature Experience, then return to Broome this evening and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 15: Broome, Embark Ship

Today you will transfer to your luxurious expedition 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

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 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, these 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. Join your expedition team and jump aboard a Zodiac to meander through the gorge system of the King George River, 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.