Luxurious cruising in the Kimberley
From soaring waterfalls and tidal reefs to crocodile-filled mangroves and astonishing birdlife, Australia’s far north-west is packed with natural wonders that’ll surprise and delight the most discerning adventurer.
Combining a close-up tour of this vast wonderland with the comfort of a luxury cruise ship creates a truly unforgettable experience.
Not your average coral reef
Each day, huge tides that often see the ocean shift more than eight metres, shape and transform Montgomery Reef – the world’s largest in-shore reef system. As the tide falls, it creates raging ‘rivers’ and mini waterfalls, as colourful coral gardens and a giant reef appear to rise from the ocean.
Known as Yowjab by the local Dambimangari people, the reef is home to turtles, dugongs, reef sharks and humpback dolphins. Hop aboard a Zodiac and breathe in the salty sea air as the sound of rushing water washes over you – a spectacle as unique and diverse as the Kimberley itself.
Turtles, terns and tattlers
Birdwatchers and nature lovers, feast your eyes on the Lacepede Islands – a string of four low-lying sandy atolls about 120km north of Broome. Recognised by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area, the Lacepede Islands will have you scrambling for your binoculars.
The islands are home to one of the world’s largest brown booby and frigatebird breeding colonies. Other species squawking and jostling for prime spots include eastern reef egrets, silver gulls, roseate terns, common noddies, sooty oystercatchers and grey-tailed tattlers. The islands are also Western Australia’s most significant green turtle breeding site and a hotspot for humpback whale sightings. A guided tour from a Zodiac boat is the perfect way to soak in this avian cacophony.
Mangrove marvels
Explore the Hunter River on a guided Zodiac tour, admiring the sheer beauty of this vast waterway. Towering sandstone cliffs, ancient rainforest and two waterfalls plunging 90 metres make this 16km river one of the Kimberley’s most magnificent pieces of scenery.
Winding inland from Prince Frederick Harbour, the river is also lined with pristine mangrove forests. The twisted root systems shelter thousands of fish, birds and other wildlife, including the Kimberley’s biggest population of fearsome saltwater crocodiles. For something extra special, upgrade your excursion and take a helicopter ride from Naturalist Island beach and fly over the majestic gorges, rock pools and rushing waterfalls of Mitchell Falls.
An ancient museum
The remote rocky landscapes and tranquil waters of Vansittart Bay are your entry point to age-old rock art and a slice of modern history.
The Gwion Gwion rock art on Jar Island is a true highlight, with intricate paintings thought to date back more than 17,000 years depicting human figures decorated with tassels, sashes and headdresses. A guided tour through the red rock shelters is the best way to appreciate this fascinating part of Australia’s past.
World War II history enthusiasts will be amazed by the remains of a DC-3 that crashed here in 1942 after running out of fuel on a supply mission, thankfully with no casualties. Sitting mostly intact near the shoreline, it’s a prominent reminder of Australia’s wartime past.
Two watery serpents
Ask a Kimberley explorer for a trip highlight and chances are you’ll hear about the King George River. Winding through an 80-metre gorge, the shadows drifting across weather-carved ochre cliffs create a natural palette so awe-inspiring, you won’t want to leave.
At the river’s end, two waterfalls cascade 80m over sandstone cliffs into the tidal waters below. The river holds deep cultural significance for the Balanggarra people, and the falls are known as Oomari, while the two waterfalls represent the male and female Wunkurr, or rainbow serpents.
Cruise the King George River by Zodiac and let an experienced guide bring the history and geology of this stunning wonderland to life.
Let some Ponant luxury take your Kimberley trip to the stratosphere
Spend 10 glorious nights aboard Ponant’s magnificent Le Jacques Cartier for a June 2027 voyage you’ll remember forever. With world-class food and drinks, 24-hour room service, evening entertainment, spa and fitness facilities and much more, your only responsibility will be to relax and enjoy the splendours of the Kimberley.
Choose from a range of guided tours, lectures, hiking and Zodiac tours. You won’t just observe your surroundings, you’ll absorb them to create a holiday so special that you’ll be telling your friends about it for years to come.
Ready to cruise the Kimberley?
Book your Ponant luxury cruise with an RAA travel agent.