Expert APT Cruise Director Margie Colbeck, Tour Director Linda Goodlet and Driver Tony Goodlet debate the best way to explore the Kimberley?

Ochre cliffs, aquamarine waters and stories as old as time — nowhere captures the diversity of the Australian Outback quite like the Kimberley. Here, you might follow rugged tracks to hidden waterfalls or cruise untamed coastlines aboard an ultra luxury expedition ship. However you travel, the Kimberley reveals countless wonders — both on land and by sea. For Cruise Director Margie Colbeck, the magic lies in the remote coastlines and unique splendours only a ship can reach. Meanwhile, Tour Director Linda Goodlet and Driver Tony Goodlet believe the soul of the Kimberley is best uncovered along the Outback's red dirt tracks and in the company of the region's locals. Their words bring to life two distinct, yet equally remarkable ways to experience Australia's wild northwest.

For me, the journey is as much about the ship as the coast. Seabourn Pursuit is purpose-built for the Kimberley, combining luxury with expedition capability. After arriving in Talbot Bay, we join the Expedition Team on Zodiacs to explore up close on the water — gliding through the narrows at Horizontal Falls never loses its thrill.

Aboard the ship, it never feels crowded; guests are often surprised to learn there are 264 people travelling with us. The atmosphere remains personal and relaxed. Dining is another highlight — from champagne and caviar to casual poolside lunches and a gala farewell dinner, every meal is part of the experience.

And of course, the wildlife is unforgettable. We spot green sea turtles, saltwater crocodiles, whales, sharks, sea snakes, wallabies, monjons — and more than 200 species of bird. I’ll never tire of watching turtles drift across Montgomery Reef or seabirds living for their catch, while we sit in Zodiacs surrounded by newly formed sand cays. Nature is at its best on the water.

What makes land touring so special is the people we meet along the way. We don’t just show our guests the scenery, we also share the Kimberley’s stories. We stop to chat with locals — people who live and work here — and you hear the humour and character of the Outback firsthand. Travelling by road gives us time to explore the little tracks others pass by, where some of the most memorable experiences are waiting.

Cultural encounters and nature’s wonders always leave a mark. We guide guests to the thermal pools of Zebedee Springs and through the sacred Mimbi Caves with a local Aboriginal guide, uncovering their deep spiritual significance. And then there are the moments you could never plan for — traffic jams caused by a caravan of camels, a herd of buffalo wandering across sandy tracks, or a crocodile sunning itself on a remote causeway. That’s the joy of a guided land journey: you never quite know what’s around the corner, but it’s always something to remember.

APT is the only travel company offering Kimberley journeys that combine land and sea. The all encompassing 24-day Kimberley Complete with Kimberley Coastal Expedition tour includes a nine-night coastal cruise and a 14-night 4WD tour.

But it’s not only the itinerary that matters. It’s the moments in between that make an APT journey through the Kimberley so special: the unexpected stories you hear, the energy of the locals you meet, and the enriching conversations shared with new found friends over meals. And it’s often the unplanned touches that linger longest, as Colbeck reflects: “There are moments on every tour where we love to surprise and delight our guests with something truly memorable. It could be a glass of sparkling at sunset to mark a special occasion, or a secret viewpoint.

The Kimberley has so many stories to tell — from ancient times to now.” The Goodlets share some simple advice: “Get out and do it now.” Whether you discover the Kimberley by land, sea, or both, its impact is impossible to forget.

Photos provided by Harry Aslan, Seabourn, Margie Colbert, Linda Goodlet