Kimberley Expedition: Australia’s Wild Northwest

Days 1-4

U.S. / Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia / Embark Ship

Depart for Darwin, cross the International Date Line, and arrive on Day 3. The capital of Australia’s remote Northern Territory, Darwin began as a frontier town of gold miners, and has developed into a thriving multicultural city. Spend a night at the Hilton Darwin (or similar). On Day 4, board National Geographic Orion and cast off in the afternoon. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included on Day 4.

Day 5

Wyndham and Ord River

Set out via small boat up the Ord River to Lake Argyle. The Ord River is one of the most stunning river systems in Australia. We navigate a massive stretch of river between Kununurra and Lake Argyle (Ord River Dam) to then view the lake from a scenic lookout and have a visit to the historic Durack homestead. Alternatively, take an optional flight to discover Purnululu National Park, home of the breathtaking Bungle Bungle Range. These ancient hills resemble giant beehives forming deep chasms with palm trees and long gorges. This strange landscape is remarkable from the air.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

King George River and Falls

We drop anchor here and Zodiacs take us up the spectacular King George River, with its almost vertical sheer canyon walls. The river drains the Gardner Plateau here into the highest single-drop falls in the Kimberley. Conditions permitting, hang back and refresh in the thundering mist or get right up close, even under, the cool fresh waterfalls.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Vansittart Bay

Today our naturalists lead us to an outdoor Gwion Gwion Aboriginal art gallery. Discovered by Joseph Bradshaw in 1891, the rock images are estimated to be up to 40,000 years old. Nearby there is a wreck of a DC-3 aircraft that became lost and crashed during World War II. If time allows, explore the crash site and the remains of the plane.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 8-9

Ashmore Reef Marine Park and the Kimberley Coast

Aboard National Geographic Orion experience amazing photographic opportunities in the majestic and rugged Kimberley with hands-on instruction by our Certified Photo Instructor. Enjoy talks by our naturalist staff; a large open foredeck with room to move about, dine, and view wildlife up close from outside vantage points; our observation lounge, providing panoramic vistas of the scenery; and our fitness center, spa, and sauna, staffed by wellness specialists. The ship makes a brief technical stop at Ashmore Reef Marine Park, an Australian External Territory and a birders paradise. Be on the lookout for curlew sandpipers, bar-tailed godwits, and great knots to check off your list before continuing into the heart of the Kimberley.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Hunter River (and optional helicopter to Mitchell Falls)

This is one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, lined with green rainforest, mangroves, and soaring red cliffs. We drop anchor near Naturalists Island, also known by its indigenous name, Wunumpurramarra—a stunning backdrop to our day’s explorations. The Hunter River has many crocodiles, and we keep an eye out for them on a Zodiac foray through the mangroves. For those wishing to explore some of the Kimberley’s vast interior, today presents a wonderful opportunity. The distance from Naturalists Island to the famous Mitchell Falls and Plateau is about 30 miles, and guests may choose to take an optional helicopter tour over some spectacular terrain.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

Montgomery Reef

When we arrive at high tide, we see very little of Montgomery Reef. However, if conditions are right, the tide may drop rapidly away and a raging torrent of water erupts, as miles of surrounding reef appear to slowly rise out of the ocean. A Zodiac maneuvers us into a channel in the reef as water cascades down on either side. It is the perfect spot to watch for cormorants, egrets, and sandpipers foraging for sea life trapped on the surface of the reef. Below the waterline, opportunistic sea turtles, reef sharks, and many larger fish also take advantage of this feast.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Talbot Bay / Horizontal Waterfalls

The Horizontal Waterfalls in the Buccaneer Archipelago are created by the rapid tidal fall on the ocean side of the cliffs. When conditions are right, a “waterfall” up to ten feet high may form as the trapped landward waters cascade out through the narrow gap to the ocean side. Enjoy an exhilarating trip by Zodiac to witness this extraordinary phenomenon. Later in the day, guests can join our naturalists on an excursion to Cyclone Bay to explore the twisted geological folds of the ancient seabed.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13

Nares Point

Just off Koolan Island, this geological finger of sandstone protruding into the ocean provides great opportunities for Zodiac safaris.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14

Broome, Western Australia / Disembark Ship

Disembark in Broome and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals Included: Breakfast