Arrive Broome

Where the red dirt meets the ocean, colourful Broome beckons travellers from around Australia and the world. Once a sleepy outback pearling town, Broome has long been renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and unique character. The town is surrounded by the tropical turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, with the white sandy stretch of Cable Beach contrasting with the red rocks of Gantheaume Point and the dusky sands of Roebuck Bay. Learn about the rough and tumble early days of pearling, when Broome’s name was known the world over for the size and quality of its mother of pearl. It is also the gateway to further adventure in the Kimberley region, with extended tours and cruises departing from Broome,

Shared Transfer Airport to Broome Cable Beach Hotels

Operated by Broome Transit

Oaks Cable Beach Resort

Accommodation in a One Bedroom Apartment for 2 nights – room only

This resort is a 10-minute walk from the pristine sands of Cable Beach, 5-minute drive from Chinatown and the heart of Broome, and Roebuck Bay is a 12-minute drive away. It features studio and self contained apartments which have elegant modern designs that draw on traditional Broome architecture and colours. The beautifully appointed self-contained apartments are set around tropical lagoon pools, with the Kimberley region at your back door and have a covered outside courtyard or balcony areas.

This morning is at leisure and an opportunity to do some independent exploring, or just relax.

Kimberley Wild Expeditions, Broome

Afternoon Broome Sights – Sparkling Sunset – Shared Small Group Tour

Inclusions: Hotel pick up and drop off, ​beer tasting, pearl appreciation talk, a glass of sparkling wine.

Your 6 hour tour begins in Chinatown, hearing fascinating stories of this colourful precinct. Learn about the ancient art of pearling from one of the local pearl producers, Cygnet Bay, and enjoy a historical sound show at the famous Sun Pictures, the worlds oldest operating open air picture garden (now listed in the Guinness World Records). You will then take a drive through Old Broome to view typical Broome architecture and old Pearling Masters homes then view the aqua waters of Roebuck Bay at Town Beach and learn of Broome’s One Day War. We then stop at Matsos Broome Brewery to sample their hand made ales and famous ginger beer (complimentary tasting included). Afterwards, visit the tranquil Japanese Cemetery and take an easy paced walk at Gantheaume Point known for dinosaur footprints and the story of Anastasia’s Pool. Then you will drive down onto Cable Beach for sunset (subject to beach conditions). Relax and enjoy a stroll, swim or light refreshments (included) as you watch the sun disappear into the horizon. At the completion of your tour, you will be transferred to your Broome accommodation.

Coral Expeditions, Broome

11 Day Kimberley Expedition Cruise – Coral Adventurer – Coral Deck, 1 Double

Inclusions:

Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Drinks, all meals, morning and afternoon teas, house wine and beer served with lunch and dinner meal service, services of expedition staff including lectures, briefings, slide/film presentations, and other group activities, group transfers during the cruise, 24 hour tea and coffee station, landing fees, post cruise transfer to Darwin City Centre accommodation or Darwin Airport.

Exclusions: Alcoholic and other beverages outside of lunch and dinner service, telephone and satellite internet services,  laundry, optional Mitchell Falls helicopter flight (can only be booked and purchased on board).

The Traditional Owners of the Kimberley and their representatives are proposing the introduction of a Visitor Pass/permit/fee for all guests accessing traditional lands when cruising the Kimberley Coast. If a Visitor Pass/permit/fee is introduced prior to the commencement of the cruise/expedition, then in that event the Visitor Pass fee will be added to the cost of the cruise.

5.00 pm: Your memorable cruise along the Kimberley coast begins in Broome today.  Join the Expedition Staff for an informative introduction to the Kimberley before meeting your fellow travellers and friendly crew at the Captain’s Welcome Drinks.

Please Note: No two Kimberley cruises with Coral Expeditions will be the same.  Each expedition is crafted by the experienced Masters and Expedition Team around the astounding 10+ metre tidal range, weather and sea conditions. Below is a selection of the key destinations that are visited. 

Subject to weather and tides, visit the Lacepede Islands. The low islands are a nature reserve and Important Bird Area, supporting up to 18,000 breeding pairs of Brown Boobies and Roseate Terns, as well as a significant breeding area for the Green Sea Turtle. Explore the island’s lagoon by Zodiac and Xplorer, to spot many species of birds and marine wildlife.

Due to the mammoth tides for which the Kimberley is renowned, the Horizontal Falls are created as the ocean thunders through a narrow gorge in the McLarty Ranges. As the tide changes, water is forcibly pushed through the bottleneck, creating a rushing horizontal waterfall of swiftly flowing seawater. Experience a heart-pumping ride through the rapids aboard the Zodiacs, and cruise through Cyclone Creek to see the impressive rock formations.

The stunning Buccaneer Archipelago is made of over more than 1000 tiny islands with small secluded bays and picturesque sandy beaches. Cruise through Whirlpool Passage and the past the scenic Iron Islands, see the rock formations at Edeline Island and enjoy sunset drinks at Nares Point.

Ngumbirri – Raft Point guards the entrance to sheltered Doubtful Bay, which harbours significant sites such as the ancient Wandjina rock art galleries. Doubtful Bay is the traditional country of the Worrora people who follow the Wandjina. Their stories, knowledge and culture have been recorded in stone for millennia.

Montgomery Reef is a biologically diverse area covering over 300sq kilometres. Twice daily, as the sea recedes in mammoth tides, Montgomery Reef rises from the ocean in a cascade of rushing water, revealing a flat-topped reef. Opportunistic birds take advantage of the marine life left exposed in rock pools, while turtles and larger marine life may also be spotted. Get up close to witness the spectacle, as the Expedition Team share their knowledge on the reef and wildlife that surrounds you.

Running on a fault line, this straight river is a haven for native species. Here we visit the beautiful King Cascade, where falling water tumbles down a terrace of Kimberley sandstone. See the National Heritage Listed ‘Mermaid Tree’ at Careening Bay. (Wunbung-gu). It still bears the name carved by the carpenter of Phillip Parker King’s ship HMC Mermaid when the ship was repaired here in 1820.

Prince Frederick Harbour is one of the Kimberley’s most spectacular locations. The harbour is dotted with islands lined with mangroves and monsoon rainforests, set against a backdrop of ochre-hued escarpments. White-bellied sea eagles and other birds of prey are often seen here, and at low tide expansive mudflats reveal large populations of mud-skippers and mangrove crabs. Cruise up Porosus Creek to spot wildlife, cruise up the scenic Hunter River (Yirinni) and later explore rock art sites at Lumbarrni Island.

Carved through layers of sandstone, Punamii-Uunpuu – Mitchell Falls descends over four tiers, creating pools of emerald green on each level. An optional helicopter flight (additional cost) will provide a breathtaking view. At the top of the falls, sandstone terraces form a lookout from which to savour the serenity of this ancient landscape. Swift Bay reveals fine Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock art galleries.

Vansittart Bay is home to many cultural and historically significant sites like the remarkable Ngula – Jar Island Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art galleries estimated to be up to 20,000 years old. Ngula is the Wunambal Gaambera name for Jar Island. Nearby on the Anjo Peninsula, explore the well-preserved wreckage of a US Air Force C-53 Skytrooper aircraft.

Fed by the King George River draining across the Gardner Plateau, 80m tall Oomari – King George Falls are the highest twin falls in Western Australia. Cruise through steep-sided gorges carved many millions of years ago to reach the base of the falls. In waterfall season, cruise under the mist of the falls by Zodiac, while in later months view the honeycomb erosion patterns of sandstone cliffs up close. The Falls are named Oomari by the Balanggarra people.

Darwin has a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and enjoys warm weather all year round. Perched on a peninsula with sea on three sides, Darwin is an excellent base to explore the natural attractions of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land. Darwin’s colourful history has contributed to its cultural diversity – more than 50 nationalities make up its 100,000 population, including the area’s traditional landowners, the Larrakia Aboriginal people. The cultural and culinary benefits of such a melting pot are best experienced at Darwin’s weekly markets, variety of restaurants and through the annual calendar of festivals and other events.

8.30 am – Arrive Darwin Harbour. Complimentary transfer provided upon disembarkation to inner city accommodation or the airport.