Kimberley Coast Adventure Cruise

Kimberley Coast Adventure Cruise 11 Days

Prices From £4,896pp
July Only | 10 nights

20% Discount!

Single Cabins Available

Kimberley Coast Adventure Cruise 11 Days

Aboard: Heritage Adventurer

Journey along Australia’s legendary Kimberley Coast, where ancient culture and raw wilderness combine in one of the country’s most remote frontiers. Travelling by small expedition ship opens up access to secluded bays, towering sandstone gorges and island-studded archipelagos, with days shaped by discovery via Zodiac cruises, shore landings and close-up encounters with landscapes that feel truly time-forgotten.

From the jaw-dropping scale of King George Falls plunging into tidal waters to the extraordinary tidal forces at Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef, this voyage is packed with natural drama. Along the way you’ll explore significant Aboriginal rock art sites featuring Wandjina and Gwion Gwion styles, uncover layers of maritime and World War II history, and seek out Kimberley wildlife, from saltwater crocodiles and vibrant birdlife in the Hunter River’s vast mangrove systems to rare marsupials on Boongaree Island.

Highlights

  • Experience the rugged splendour of the Kimberley Coast on a small-ship expedition, with Zodiac cruises and immersive shore landings
  • Discover thundering waterfalls and towering sandstone scenery, including the mighty King George Falls
  • Enjoy unforgettable tidal phenomena at Talbot Bay’s Horizontal Falls and watch Montgomery Reef appear as the ocean falls away
  • Explore remote islands, inlets and beaches—sea caves, mangroves and wild coastlines carved by time and tide
  • Encounter ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, featuring the striking Wandjina and Gwion Gwion styles
  • Uncover fascinating stories of exploration and wartime history, from early European landmarks to WWII relics in hidden bays
  • Spot Kimberley wildlife including saltwater crocodiles, abundant birdlife and rare island-dwelling marsupials
  • Opt to experience the iconic Mitchell Falls from above on a scenic helicopter flight (optional extra)


What's Included

  • Transfers to and from ship for arrival and departure
  • All meals on board ship, with wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner
  • All excursions shown in itinerary (excluding optional helicopter flight)
  • Programme of expert lectures and talks


20% Discount!

Book select departures by 30th June and receive a 20% discount! Price shown includes discount.

Offer applicable when booked before 1st July 2026

Full terms & conditions apply. New bookings only, subject to availability. Discount applies to voyage cost only and does not apply to landing fees that are included in the trip cost. / Available on selected dates/vessels.

Single Cabins Available

This vessel offers single occupancy cabins, which is a perfect option for solo travellers. Travelling alone is often the best way to see the world. No responsibilities, no difficult choices and no trying to please anyone else…just you, your itinerary and your adventurous spirit!

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Darwin - Embark
1Day

Darwin - Embark

Arrive independently to Darwin, Australia and make your way to the glittering harbour of Darwin Port to board your expedition vessel. Make yourself comfortable in your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship before meeting your expedition team in the Observation Lounge and up on the Observation Deck as you set sail for the Kimberley Coast.

King George River
2Day

King George River

Make your way to the observation deck as we approach King George River gorge past the towering 2,000 million-year-old Warton sandstone cliffs, a spectacular sight. Here we will hop into the Zodiac boats to explore this incredibly scenic stretch of water, passing the ever-changing eroded rockfaces as we venture deeper into the gorge marvelling at the untouched beauty surrounding us at every turn. Reaching the end of the gorge, prepare to be astounded as we witness the grand scale spectacle of the Kimberley’s highest single-drop falls. Watch in awe at one of Australia’s most impressive natural wonders as the King George River plummets 80 metres over the edge of towering of ancient red sandstone cliffs into tidal waters. While we’re here, your team will offer insights into how this wonder was created and how it holds a special place in indigenous lore.

Osborn Islands
3Day

Osborn Islands

Today is all about expedition-style exploration as we cruise into the Admiralty Gulf and the remote Osborn Islands. With the day shaped by conditions and opportunity, we’ll set out to discover these rugged isles and the stories they hold.

Plans may include visiting remarkable Indigenous rock art sites, learning about the region’s pearling and pearl-farming history, and, if we find the perfect spot, taking a refreshing dip in a natural swimming hole. We’ll also keep an eye out for traces of the SS Sunbeam, a steam yacht wrecked here in 1892 after running onto a mud bank as its captain fought an unstoppable leak and attempted to beach the vessel.

Swift Bay
4Day

Swift Bay

Cruising today through the island-studded Bonaparte Archipelago, we trace a spectacular stretch of Kimberley coastline spread across nearly 150 kilometres. Our focus is the remote, pristine inlet of Swift Bay, a striking T-shaped haven fringed by sandy beaches, mangroves and wave-carved caves.

We’ll take to the water by Zodiac for an intimate look at this wild shoreline, weaving through narrow passages and features such as Lucifer’s Labyrinth, with a good chance of spotting saltwater crocodiles along the edges. Ashore, we’ll visit impressive rock art galleries featuring the distinctive Wandjina and Gwion Gwion styles, underlining the deep cultural significance of this region. There’s also the option to elevate the day with an unforgettable scenic helicopter flight to Mitchell Falls (additional cost), landing on the remarkable Mitchell Plateau and taking in the Kimberley’s famed four-tier cascade and the sandstone landscapes shaped by the Mitchell River.

Bigge Island
5Day

Bigge Island

This morning we step ashore on Bigge Island to discover extraordinary Aboriginal rock art and visit one of the Kimberley’s most intriguing historic landmarks, the Mermaid Boab Tree. The name “HMC Mermaid” was carved into its trunk in 1820, when Philip Parker King’s vessel was beached here for emergency repairs during his third voyage of exploration. Now around three metres wide and listed on the National Heritage Register, the boab offers a rare window into early colonial history, with an old Makassan Islamic prayer alcove also hidden just behind it.

Later, we continue our explorations around York Sound, where an otherworldly sandstone coastline reveals dramatic sea caves and rich wildlife habitats. It’s a day of striking landscapes, layered history and a real sense of the Kimberley’s remote grandeur.

Collier Bay
6 - 7Days

Collier Bay

Over the next two days we delve into remote Collier Bay, at the eastern edge of the Buccaneer Archipelago, a spectacular wilderness only reachable by sea. With time on our side, we’ll explore a remarkable mix of ancient coastlines, rugged islands and tidal phenomena that make this region so unique.

In Talbot Bay, we’ll feel the sheer force of the Kimberley’s immense tides, most famously at the Horizontal Falls, the world’s only “sideways” waterfalls. As the tide drops dramatically (by more than 14 metres), seawater surges through narrow gaps between cliff walls, creating racing currents, whirlpools and churning white water. Nearby at Cyclone Creek, we’ll investigate the twisted folds of an ancient seabed and keep watch for marine life, including curious tawny nurse sharks. Another unforgettable spectacle awaits at Montgomery Reef, the world’s largest inshore reef system, where the falling tide reveals vast reef flats and sends streams and mini-waterfalls (up to around three metres high) cascading back into the sea. This often draws birds, fish and predators into a lively feeding scene. We’ll also spend time at Freshwater Cove, where shoreline walks reveal caves and grottos along with significant rock art galleries that speak to the deep history of this coastline.

Hunter River
8Day

Hunter River

Today we explore the winding Hunter River, a 30-kilometre waterway often regarded as one of the Kimberley coast’s standout locations. Set in the north-east corner of Prince Frederick Harbour, this vast seascape immediately gives a sense of the region’s immense scale. Islands scatter the bay, while mangrove-lined channels, savanna woodland and pockets of monsoon rainforest (nourished by some of the Kimberley’s highest rainfall) sit beneath soaring red cliffs.

At the river mouth, the dramatic sandstone escarpment of Kampamantiya rises around 200 metres, marking the gateway to this wild, otherworldly realm. Fed by the Hunter and Donkin Falls (both around 90 metres high), the river supports one of the world’s largest and most pristine mangrove systems. By Zodiac along Porosus Creek, we’ll look for an incredible variety of wildlife, from white-bellied sea eagles and ospreys to herons, egrets, honeyeaters, mudskippers and fiddler crabs. We’ll also be on the lookout for the iconic saltwater crocodile, with the Hunter River known for the Kimberley’s largest population. We’ll also explore Boongaree Island (Wunundarra/Bunjinii), home to unique species such as the monjon (the smallest rock-wallaby), northern quoll, scaly-tailed possum and northern leaf-nosed bat, alongside striking sandstone scenery and little-travelled mangrove channels.

Vansittart Bay
9Day

Vansittart Bay

We round off our explorations in Vansittart Bay, an area that is quintessentially Kimberley. Imagine turquoise water washing onto dazzling white sand, quiet coves, and a necklace of rugged islands set against dramatic scenery. Naturally sheltered and framed by jagged sandstone monoliths, the bay was named by early explorer Philip Parker King and remains one of the region’s most striking anchorages.

Beyond the beauty, this area is rich with history. We’ll visit the haunting World War II site of a preserved Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3) that made a forced landing on the saltpan after running out of fuel during a mercy mission to evacuate Dutch civilians from Java. We’ll also explore Jar Island, home to remarkable outdoor Aboriginal Gwion Gwion rock art galleries scattered among caves and unusual rock formations. Many of these images, sheltered beneath ledges and on cave walls, are estimated to be up to 40,000 years old and are exceptionally well preserved. Keep an eye out too for local wildlife, with chances to spot echidnas, abundant birdlife, and even the elusive golden-backed tree rat.

At Sea
10Day

At Sea

With Darwin on the horizon, today is a chance to slow the pace, unwind and look back on the incredible experiences of the past days. Enjoy the ship’s comfortable spaces, sort through your photos while memories are still vivid, and make the most of having the expedition team on hand for any final questions about the Kimberley’s landscapes, wildlife and culture.

Later, we’ll gather to revisit the standout moments of the journey before sitting down together for a special farewell dinner as we sail back to Darwin.

Darwin - Disembark
11Day

Darwin - Disembark

This morning we arrive back into Darwin Port. After breakfast, a complimentary coach transfer is provided either to a centrally located hotel or onward to Darwin International Airport, marking the end of your Kimberley expedition.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Heritage Adventurer
Mid range vessel

Heritage Adventurer

Previously known as the MS Hanseatic, the Heritage Adventurer is a renowned authentic expedition ship. Purpose-built with ice-strengthened hull, the vessel combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating (1A Super) with an impressive history of Polar exploration. Designed to match Heritage’s signature experiential expedition travel, the ship accommodates up to 140 guests in welcoming and spacious cabins that feature outside views, separate lounge areas, TVs, en-suite bathrooms and double or twin beds.

Communal areas include a lounge, two restaurant areas including an al-fresco bistro, gym and spa, lecture theatre, library, passenger lifts and outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Australia adventure for you.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry and continues to be inspired by the people, places and wildlife he discovers. His in-depth personal knowledge of a diverse range of destinations ensures your adventure itinerary will be a holiday like no other.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Having amassed a host of extraordinary adventures in destinations all over the world, Sheena’s experience, skills and enthusiasm for helping clients plan their ideal itinerary will help make your holiday unforgettable, action packed and life-changing.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

Simon’s deep passion for and first-hand knowledge of a vast range of destinations all over the world gives him the ideal skills to help you create a truly unforgettable wildlife inspired adventure to the most exciting places on the planet.

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Outside the uk
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Call us
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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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