Are you ready to leave part of your soul in Australia’s heart?
Where is it?
Australia’s Kimberley lies in the far north of Western Australia and encompasses more than 420,000 square kilometres of mostly untouched wilderness.
Broome or Wyndham are considered her gateway towns, but the overall population of the region is less than 40,000.
The jagged coastline and dramatic tides of the region make for a stunning red-gold backdrop against an azure sea with much of the region only accessible by sea.
What the experts say.
Mick Fogg, Expedition leader for PONANT Cruises describes the Kimberley as:
“It’s like nowhere else on earth, a wild land of remote, spectacular scenery spread over vast distances, it’s the Antarctica of the tropics. The sheer size and age of the landscape is humbling and it is a privilege to experience such a pristine environment that has so many facets.
It is home to the oldest continuous culture on earth, the world’s largest living reptile, the only two ‘horizontal falls’ on the planet, the world’s largest inshore reef and the largest population of migrating humpback whales on the planet. The Kimberley is one of the world’s last great Wilderness areas, and one of Australia’s greatest natural assets. It is a destination that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.”
“One of the greatest natural wonders of the world.”
Sir David Attenborough on the Horizontal Falls, Talbot Bay, The Kimberley Australia.
Geology rocks in The Kimberley
It’s a complex story, this great land we call the Kimberley. It’s almost 2 billion years old and seems to be the left overs from a giant child’s block set.
Gigantic gorges give way to sheer red cliff faces that only rock wallabies dare traverse.
Tough trees cling to life in the crevices while crocodiles simply open their mouths and wait for the tides to bring the fish to them along the shores. What is true is that you can visit time and time again and learn more on each visit about this ancient landscape.
There’s a season for everything, so the saying goes, and the Kimberley is no different.
In general, cruises operate between late March and mid September each year with July and August being a little less hot. But March and April are the perfect time to see the waterfalls in their glory with the last of the wet seasons rainfalls still gushing over the cliffs.
For whale spotting, there’s no better time than September, but anytime is a great time to visit the Kimberley.
Find the perfect Kimberley cruise line
PONANT CRUISES
184 – 264 guests
March – September
PONANT’s journeys to the Kimberley are managed onboard by a superb local expedition crew lead by the legendary and enthusiastic, Mick Fogg.
With stylish small ships, delicious cuisine and knowledgeable crew, a PONANT Kimberley cruise is an adventure with style.
INCLUSIONS:
- All shipboard meals
- All shipboard beverages
- All off-ship excursions (except helicopter, plane journeys or jetboating)
- Zodiac and land adventures
- Port taxes
SILVERSEA EXPEDITIONS
144 – 254 guests
April – August
Silversea’s little gem, Silver Explorer or her classic cross-over ship, Silver Cloud Expedition are both heading south in 2022.
Trek remote beaches, discover lonely waterfalls and wildlife then head back to your butler for an icy cold whatever-takes-your-fancy drink in your luxury suite.
INCLUSIONS:
- All shipboard meals
- All shipboard beverages
- All off-ship excursions (except helicopter, plane journeys or jetboating)
- Zodiac and land adventures
- Port taxes
- Butler service in suite
KIMBERLEY QUEST
18 guests
March – October
At the 2018 and 2019 Western Australian Tourism Awards, Kimberley Quest won the gold award in the category of Tour & Transport Operator.
If you like your travel unhurried, intimate and exceptional, a Kimberley Quest expedition is the trip you’re looking for.
INCLUSIONS:
- All shipboard meals
- Non-alcoholic beverages onboard
- All off-ship excursions (except helicopter, plane journeys or jetboating)
- Zodiac and land adventures
- Port taxes
- Some cruises include a helicopter/light aircraft flight over Mitchell Falls
TRUE NORTH
36 guests
March – August
True North take barefoot boating very seriously, with activity-based itineraries that will see you doing as much as you could ever want, in Australia’s most wonderful natural preserve, the Kimberley.
With a ship purpose built for wilderness adventuring and a team of enthusiastic guides onboard, True North is for those looking for a fully curated travel experience.
INCLUSIONS:
- All shipboard meals
- Non-alcoholic beverages onboard
- All off-ship excursions (except helicopter, plane journeys or jetboating)
- Zodiac and land adventures
- Port taxes
LINDBLAD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPEDITIONS
102 guests
July – August
Still the most famous name in adventure travel, Lindblad National Geographic’s Orion will be heading back to Australia in 2023 and returning to her old stomping ground, The Kimberley.
The experienced team aboard the National Geographic Orion and the lovely hardware you will travel all, only enhances your memories.
INCLUSIONS:
- All shipboard meals
- All alcoholic and non-alcoholic onboard beverages
- Ship gratuities
- Coffee and filtered water
- Zodiac and land adventures
- Port taxes
HERITAGE EXPEDITIONS
140 guests
July – August
Heritage Expeditions showcase Western Australia’s wild and remote Kimberley coast where towering, fractured iron-tinged red cliffs meet torrential waterfalls, hidden coves and caves, secluded white sand beaches, ancient rock art, magnificent reefs and rare and endangered wildlife.
INCLUSIONS:
- All shipboard meals
- House wine, beer and soft drink with lunch and dinner
- All expedition shore excursions, activities and landing fees
- Discovery Local Fund of $500 per person
- Programme of lectures by noted naturalists
SEABOURN
264 guests
July – August
With their unmatched sense of style, elegance and grace, Seabourn luxury cruise ships beckon you to travel beyond the bounds of the imagination. On board Seabourn, every desire is met promptly and with a welcoming smile.
Each small ship cruise offers all ocean-front suites, luxuriously appointed accommodations, an open-bar policy serving premium wine, champagne and spirits, and a world-class dining experience, further enhanced through a culinary partnership with Chef Thomas Keller
Inclusions:
- All shipboard meals
- All alcoholic and non-alcoholic onboard beverages
- Coffee and filtered water
- Zodiac and land adventures
- Port taxes
- High end bathroom amenities onboard
- Tipping free environment onboard
- Wi-Fi onboard (speeds vary)
YOTSPACE CHARTERS
8 – 12 guests
May – October
Experience the vast landscapes and stunning sunsets from the comfort of a private charter yacht as you soak up the culture and natural beauty of the Kimberley.
Kimberley charters operate from Broome or Darwin with optional sea plane rendezvous available on request. Whether it involves tracing the unparalleled coastlines or exploring deeper into the Australian wilderness, a yacht charter holiday in Kimberley’s promises to be an entirely unforgettable experience.
Inclusions:
- All shipboard meals
- A selection of West Australian wines, beers and spirits onboard
- Tea, coffee, soft drinks and filtered water
- Zodiac and land adventures
- Port taxes and NP fees
- Use of fishing equipment
- Wi-Fi onboard (speeds vary)
- Take a fully crewed charter with your family or friends.
CORAL EXPEDITIONS
72 guests
April – September
Started in 1983, Coral Expeditions’ original vessel, Coral Princess, a converted World War II submarine chaser, pioneered and set the standard for small ship expedition cruising in northern Australia with 5-night cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.
Today, the Coral Expeditions’ fleet includes three purpose-built small ships that can be found anywhere from the tropical waters of Australia’s north in the Kimberley, to the rugged shores of Tasmania, from the coastal villages of Papua New Guinea and the Spice Islands, to sheltered sounds and glacial fiords of New Zealand.
Inclusions:
- All shipboard meals
- Selected beers/spirits/wines and soft drinks served with lunch or dinner onboard
- Tea and coffee
- Zodiac and land adventures
- Port taxes and NP fees
- Ships gratuities
- Wi-Fi onboard (speeds vary)
Talk Kimberley cruising with our team
If you’d like to learn more about current offers and practical advice for your next Kimberley cruise within Australia, simply complete the information below and one of our expert team members will be in touch.
* Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to individual offers for details.
Image credits: Tourism Australia, Silversea Cruises, Ponant Cruises, True North Adventures, Kimberley Quest, Coral Expeditions, Heritage Expeditions, Seabourn, and Paul Patton.