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KIMBERLEY CRUISE ABOARD TRUE NORTH |
Australia - NEW SOUTH WALES QUEENSLAND VICTORIA SOUTH AUSTRALIA NORTHERN TERRITORY WESTERN AUSTRALIA TASMANIA |
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DAY 1: |
WYNDHAM / KIMBERLEYS |
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Today you board your vessel for the next thirteen days – True North. There is time to settle in to your cabin before joining your fellow travellers for an evening cocktail. Tonight you cruise to the Berkeley River. |
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DAY 2: |
BERKELEY RIVER / KOOLAMA BAY |
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Rise early this morning and try your hand a catching the most famous fish in the northern waters of Australia - the barramundi. Take a walk to one of the Kimberley’s most beautiful waterholes before enjoying a leisurely lunch-time cruise to Koolama Bay. Learn about the wreck of the Koolama and enjoy a short walk to a plaque erected by a relative of one of the survivors. You will find the delights of Tranquil Bay to be irresistible when you go ashore for sunset drinks! Your anchorage tonight is at the mouth of the King George River. |
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DAY 3: |
KING GEORGE FALLS |
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As soon as the tide is high enough, you cross the sand bars at the river mouth to reveal a breathtaking river vista. Your journey upstream takes you to The King George Falls. Here the boat anchors at the base of the Twin Falls. You can climb, or take the helicopter to the top of the falls, visit waterholes, swim at “The Crevice” or just relax with a drink whilst eating fresh oysters off the rocks. |
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DAY 4: |
KING GEORGE FALLS / DRYSDALE |
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The morning is spent in the absolute splendour of the falls before you slip away for another mighty Kimberley river - the Drysdale. Explore the Drysdale and catch one of the north’s favourite fish, the impressive mangrove jack. The tenders will head ‘up-river’ on a barra expedition complete with scones and billy tea. There will also be opportunities to indulge in some beachcombing and in the afternoon, join a scenic flight to Cape Londonderry - the northern most point of Western Australia. |
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DAY 5: |
EAGLE FALLS |
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Today you have your first opportunity to see the “Bradshaws” - ancient rock art that pre-dates other examples of Aboriginal culture. It is believed they were created at least 17,000 yrs ago with some theories indicating they could be even older, potentially up to over 50,000 years ago when humans first explored this continent. If this is the case, the images are possibly the oldest known to man. The Gwion Gwion is known for its symmetrical, mystical and graceful forms, depicting highly decorated figures adorned with tassels, delicate jewellery and elaborate headdresses. Today you enjoy a heli-picnic at Eagle Falls. Indulge on the mouth-watering fare alongside a picture-perfect waterfall in remote far-north Western Australia. The tenders will be busy exploring local beaches and rivers, and you can also visit an isolated site in the rainforest where a lone bomber crashed during WWII. |
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DAY 6: |
MITCHELL RIVER / MITCHELL FALLS |
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The Mitchell River is renowned for big barra and even bigger crocodiles. The expedition boats head ‘up river’ to the scenic Surveyors Creek - a great place for a swim (no crocs here!). The fishermen will again join the hunt for the elusive barramundi. There are more opportunities for helicopter flights over an ancient land including the spectacular Mitchell Falls. |
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DAY 7: |
WINYALKIN ISLAND / BIGGE ISLAND |
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Start the day with the ‘hunt for the black-lip oyster’ and then visit a Kailis pearl farm off Winyalkin Island. There are also some excellent examples of both Wandjina and Bradshaw art nearby and the waters are alive with light game species such as queenfish, giant trevally and mackerel. In the afternoon view the acclaimed Wandjina “contact art” on Bigge Island. The Wandjina figures are distinctive for what appear to be haloes around the head of each figure. Painted by the Wunambal people, you may also see images of sailing ships and figures smoking pipes which have been interpreted as representing seafaring European visitors in the 19th century. |
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DAY 8: |
HUNTER RIVER / NATURALISTE ISLAND |
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Wake this morning in the magnificent Hunter River. The Hunter is about as far away as you can get in Australia - a stunning river system that is lined with dense mangrove forests, surrounded by rainforest encrusted mountains and home to man-eating crocodiles. Join one of the expedition boats - it’s only a short hike to Jackson Falls or view them from the helicopter. This evening enjoy sunset drinks on Naturaliste Island. |
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DAY 9: |
KINGS CASCADES |
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Your first stop this morning is one of the Kimberley’s most historic sites - Phillip Parker King’s boab tree. In 1820, a British ship the Mermaid beached for repairs on the Kimberly coast and the captain of the ship, Phillip Parker King carved the inscription HMC Mermaid 1820 into a boab tree to mark where they landed. The inscription still remains to this day. From here it is on to Kings Cascades where the boat is manoeuvred right under the falls before another breathtaking helicopter flight to a picnic spot alongside a crystal clear billabong. |
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DAY 10: |
CAPTAIN'S CHOICE |
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This morning the early risers are treated to a heli flight with a difference - a champagne sunrise on the top of a mountain. Following breakfast it is time for more adventure and a chance to hike or swim in yet another picture perfect billabong. The more adventurous will use the helicopter to fish billabongs that have never been fished before. |
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DAY 11: |
SALE RIVER / MONTGOMERY REEF |
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This morning is devoted to exploring the Sale River. Fish the mouth for barramundi and then join naturalists and adventurers alike as you ‘ride the tide’ on a classic river expedition. Enjoy a swim in your very own billabong before returning to the ultimate comfort of the True North. Montgomery Reef is a unique eco-system - 140 square miles of coral reef rises out of the ocean right before your very eyes. Water cascades from the reef as the tide falls exposing a privileged glimpse of another world. Turtles, dugong, manta rays and every imaginable sea creature abound and the helicopter puts all in perspective. |
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DAY 12: |
RUBY FALLS / RAFT POINT |
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Start the day with some more fishing action, this time at the Three Ways. Then enjoy a refreshing swim at Ruby Falls. Following lunch you have the opportunity to view the well-preserved Wandjina paintings of Raft Point. Your expedition leader guides you on a climb up to a saddle of rock that forms nothing short of a spectacular outdoor Aboriginal art gallery. The art is an account of the mythical Wandjina clan on the 'Great Fish Chase'. There are images of the Wandjina spirits with their distinctive haloes and dugong, crocodiles, fish and snakes. Sturdy footwear and good levels of fitness and mobility are required to successfully undertake this walk. |
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DAY 13: |
HORIZONTAL WATERFALLS |
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Today you are introduced to another Kimberley icon - The Horizontal Falls. Experience the awesome power of the region’s huge tidal range in an exhilarating tender ride and then climb aboard your air-conditioned helicopter for a view of the falls that very few experience. Enjoy a swim at Crocodile Creek and a walk on Silica Beach. This evening you enjoy a farewell dinner as the True North glides past Cockatoo and Koolan Islands, Cape Leveque and down the Dampier Peninsular to Broome. |
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DAY 14: |
BROOME |
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Today you disembark the True North in Broome. You are transferred to your accommodation or to the airport to connect with your onward flight.
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