THE KIMBERLEY AUSTRALIA – BROOME- DARWIN

Enjoy your free time to explore the city and surrounds. Transfer to the pier for embarkation and departure.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

The eastern part of Indonesia is a true paradise on Earth. Home to countless beautiful, unexplored destinations that have not enjoyed the tourism boom that many other parts of the country have. Matakus Island is one such destination. This makes it a perfect place for those who have a sense of adventure and truly want to explore off the beaten path. Matakus is a small island and part of the Tanimbar archipelago. At just over two miles in length and less than a mile across, it is one of the smaller islands but, despite its small size, its proximity to the regional capital city of Saumlaki just to the north ensures that the island is inhabited (current population 100). The tourism infrastructure is practically nonexistent, so don’t expect to be souvenir shopping here – ordering a lunch of delicious freshly caught and grilled fish from one of the local fishermen that line the shore is about the maximum! The island is surrounded by fine, white-sand beaches and is a marine paradise, with fields of staghorn coral and schools of cardinalfish visible in its crystal clear waters. Grab your underwater cameras and snorkels and dive in! Wildlife is not limited to below the water however. Birds including the Tanimbar starling, Moluccan masked owl, Fawn-breasted thrush and Blue-streaked lorry all call the island home.

Discover lovely Matakus Island, surrounded by unspoiled white sandy beach with crystal clear waters. Around 100 people inhabit the island, most of the men are fisherman, while the women produce ikat weaving. Christianity is the main religion but many old beliefs and customs remain alive, music and dancing is performed at special ceremonies. The island’s coral reefs offers good site for beaching and snorkeling.

Disembark the ship by Zodiac at the beach near Matakus where the villagers will welcome you ashore. Then walk to the village center and get acquainted with locals while observing traditional local dance performances. See an ikat weaving demonstration and take time to wander around the village and observe into the daily life of the village folk. There is ample time to enjoy the beach at your leisure, or to go snorkeling in the crystalline water.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Wyndham is a small settlement with the spirit of a Kimberley outback township. It was established in 1886 with the Halls Creek gold rush and sits on the Cambridge Gulf where several rivers converge. Today Wyndham has a population of roughly 900 people and operates largely as a port exporting cattle, servicing the mining industry and hosting a few small ships. For these vessels Wyndham is a gateway to the breathtaking Bungle Bungle mountain range and the nearby Ord River. The Bungle Bungle Mountains in Purnululu National Park are now a World Heritage Site. In excess of 350 million years have shaped geological formations of giant orange and black striped domes rising out of the ground into a landscape unlike any other. Known to the local Aboriginal people for thousands of years, the Bungles were only discovered by the outside world in the mid-1980s. Conversely, cruising the peaceful and tree-lined Ord River is a chance to look for freshwater crocodiles, fruit bats, short-eared rock wallabies and a variety of birds, including Mangrove Herons and Mangrove Gerygones. Please note: All destinations on voyages in the Kimberley region, and the order in which they are visited, are subject to tidal variations and weather conditions.

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS

Bungle Bungles Scenic Flight with Lunch

Experience a breathtaking tour of the Bungle Bungle range and Lake Argyle on this incredible scenic flight.

Half the group departs from Wyndham, with a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle landing at Kununurra and the other half of the group depart from Kununurra returning to Wyndham.

The scenic flight from Kununurra/Wyndham to the Bungle Bungle is a feast for the eyes for the entire journey. Fly past the Diversion Dam, Lake Kununurra and over the Ord Irrigation Area before crossing the Carr Boyd Range, which holds back the waters of the inland sea, Lake Argyle. Enjoy aerial views of the Ord Dam and the full expanse of Lake Argyle. Fly past Lissadell Homestead, over the Osmand Range and on to Purnululu National Park and the Bungle Bungle massif. From an aircraft it is an impressive sight. The orange and black stripes across the beehive-like mounds, encased in a skin of silica and algae, are clearly visible from the air, as is a hidden world of gorges and pools, with fan palms clinging precariously to walls and crevices in the rocks. Spend around 20 minutes here, and then return via the Argyle Diamond Mine with panoramic views the whole flight. In flight commentary is provided. Views of the Wyndham mud flats and the Cambridge Gulf are included, as well as the lower Ord river and a greater part of the Ord Irrigation area. Lunch is served at a local hotel.

Start the day with one of the great spectacles of the Australian wilderness on Australia’s longest continuous daily river cruise. Travel up the Ord River/Lake Kununurra enjoying expert commentary on the irrigation area and environmental aspects of this amazing man-made waterway observing wildlife along the way.

Stop for a buffet luncheon at a riverside camp with time to relax and utilize eco-toilet facilities. Resuming the cruise in the heart of the Carlton Gorge and stunning red cliffs that the Kimberley is famous for. Once through the gorge climb the last 15kms of the river experiencing the versatility of the boats capabilities whilst at the same time, negotiating the fast water section of your trip.Arrive at the foot of the Ord Top Dam and discover how this amazing structure was designed. Transfer to the awaiting coach for a drive across the Ord Top Dam wall for viewing and photograph opportunities of Lake Argyle.Visit the Lake Argyle Resort, the site of the original workers camp during the construction of the Ord Top Dam, before leaving Lake Argyle. An opportunity is provided at the Argyle Homestead Museum (home to the Durack family) to marvel at the resilience of those who came to open up this area to cattle and agriculture.Sit back and relax for the scenic drive back to Kununurra and then onto Wyndham.

The King George Falls is one of the Kimberley’s most magnificent natural wonders. At 80 meters (260 feet), the thundering spectacle of twin cascades are among the highest in Australia. The river weaves through an amazing landscape of near vertical red rock formations and a parade of wildlife — carnivorous saltwater crocodiles and amazing birdlife, including giant raptors and the Brahminy Kite.

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS

Zodiac Cruise with Silversea Expedition team

From Kooloma Bay enjoy a Zodiac cruise to the King George Falls, surrounded by ancient metamorphosed sediments, volcanic rocks and granite. These waterfalls, famous for their indigenous inhabitants (The Balanggarra), are the male and female incarnations of the Wunkurr or Rainbow serpents. Water levels of the King George Falls may vary according to the time of the month we visit them.

Hiking with Silversea Expedition team

After a scenic zodiac ride to the King George Falls, leave your Zodiac anchored next to some large rocks on the side of the falls to begin your hike up to the summit. The active ascent its of approximately 90 meters ending with a rewarding dip in the natural pool at the top.

The Hunter River is home to an immense mangrove system surrounded by soaring red sandstone cliffs. Narrow mangrove channels shelter numerous bird species, mudskippers, fiddler crabs and the infamous saltwater crocodile; the most aggressive crocodile species known to man. Naturalist Island at the mouth of the river has a stunning stretch of sandy beach that makes a perfect landing site for small helicopters that can pick up visitors wishing to explore some of the Kimberley’s vast interior. The highlight inland is the famous Mitchell Falls where four tiers of waterfalls plunge into deep pools that flow out into the mighty Mitchell River. The headwaters of the falls are cool and a dip in the fresh water is a welcome reprieve from the heat of the heartland.

Set off the coast of Western Australia, the Buccaneer Archipelago is one of the Kimberley’s finest secrets. The Archipelago, 50 k2 (19 sq mi), is made up of around 800 islands and protect the mainland from the huge 12 meter tides and astonishing speed of the Yampi (or, in traditional Aborigine, “Yampee”) Sound. The speed and power of the water many not make for pleasant bathing, but do however result in fantastic natural phenomena. One fine example is the horizontal reversible waterfall in Talbot Bay. The tidal pull is responsible for the “reversible” nature of the falls, however, this also hides narrow gaps between the islands, making for treacherous sailing conditions. Isolated graves of sailors and divers are testimony to the danger. William Dampier sighted the Archipelago in 1688 but it would not be until 1821 that the Archipelago would become known as Buccaneer (a term coined by Captain Phillip Parker King) ”in commemoration of William Dampier’s visit to this part of the coast ”. Commander John Lort Stokes also noted the area in his 1838 record. Enterprising individuals were initially attracted to the Buccaneer Archipelago in the 1800s due to the superior pearling as well as the rich iron ore deposits. Pearling conducted by luggers in the 1880s was concentrated in Cygnet Bay, Cascade Bay, Cone Bay and Strickland Bay. More recently, mining operators established open-cut mines on Koolan Island on the east side of the Sound. Some of the richest iron ore in the world is extracted here to this day.

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS

Horizontal Falls Fast Boat Ride

The Buccaneer Archipelago has of over 800 islands and was created millions of years ago by erosion-causing tidal changes. The region’s tides present amazing spectacles that can create seemingly horizontal waterfalls at Talbot Bay. Watch reefs and islands come out of the ocean, only to have them disappear before your eyes again.

The Horizontal Falls is a natural phenomenon where you can experience this incredible tidal power firsthand. Board a 900-horsepower fast boat (the fastest boat in the Kimberley region) and let the highly experienced skippers take you for an exhilarating ride through the Horizontal Waterfalls. Reasonable mobility and fitness are required as the ride will be rapid and bumpy at times.

Gateway to the oldest and most elusive of all Australia’s nine regions, Broome is where your Kimberley adventure begins. The ancient landscape has long held travelers spellbound: The Kimberley is three time larger than England but has a population of just 35,000, is over 65,000 years old and is home to 2,000 km of coastline. Almost impenetrable, incredibly remote, the red baked earth, prolific wildlife, majestic canyons and swimming holes are the stuff of Australian wilderness dreams. English explorer William Dampier was the first explorer to set foot in Broome in 1668. However, the land had long been used as a trading route between east and west Kimberley for Aboriginal families. These semi-nomadic tribes respected strict unwritten rules regarding ownership of the land. The Yawuru people remain the Native Title holders for the township of Broome to this day. Broome itself has over 84 Aboriginal communities affiliated to it, 78 of which are considered remote. The city grew from its nascent pearling industry of the late 19th century. Pearl diving was dangerous in the waters surrounding Broome and for many years divers were limited to Aboriginal slaves, skin divers who faced cyclones, sharks, crocodiles, ear and chest infections in order to bring up as many pearl shells as possible for their masters. Natural pearls were rare and extremely valuable, and when found, were placed in a locked box. At the peak of its industry, around 1914, Broome was responsible for 80% of the world’s pearl trade.

Transfer to your included hotel.

Transfer to the airport return flight home, or to other areas of vast Australia.

Pre- and post-cruise programs are available.