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Small Ship Cruise

Essence of the Kimberley with Grand Kimberley Coast

Broome to Darwin
20 Days Request Quote
Trip Code: GKKCB20
  • Trip Highlights
  • Map & Itinerary
  • Travel & Accommodation

Your Vacation Includes

  • Experiences in 25 destinations
  • Locally-inspired dining – a total of 53 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages
  • The services of an expert APT driver-guide and 10-member expedition team
  • Stay at APT's exclusive network of Wilderness Lodges
  • Nine nights aboard the MS Caledonian Sky with daily excursions on Zodiac vessels
  • Watch the sunset over the iconic Bungle Bungle Range with a glass of bubbly
  • View the incredible natural phenomenon Horizontal Falls
  • Discover ancient Indigenous rock art in a number of Kimberley locations

Map & Itinerary

Australia Map 2023 GKKCB20
Broome to Darwin

Designed Exclusively for APT guests

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises

Arrive in Broome, and be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Stay: Broome, Oaks Cable Beach Resort or similar

Journey along the Gibb River to Windjana Gorge, where ancient marine fossils lay embedded in the gorge walls. Next it's on to Tunnel Creek, Western Australia's oldest cave system. Wade through the cool waters that fill the tunnel and discover a serene oasis on the other side. Later, continue to Fitzroy Crossing where you'll stay tonight.

Stay: Fitzroy Crossing, Fitzroy River Lodge

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Pax standing on bank of watering hole with tour guide

Travel to Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park today and explore incredible Geikie Gorge, famed for its towering walls that have been bleached white by the river when it floods. Afterwards, head to Halls Creek, before arriving at Purnululu National Park.

Stay: Two Nights, APT's exclusive Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Watch the sunset over the Bungle Bungle Range – with a glass of bubbly in hand, of course.


A full day has been set aside for you to explore Purnululu National Park today, starting with a walk along Piccaninny Creek. Your next stop is Cathedral Gorge, a natural amphitheatre of red rock, created by millions of years of water erosion. Tonight, end your day with an unforgettable Signature Experience.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today's highlight is a hike to Echidna Chasm. Venture deep into this natural cleft in the rock, which reaches up to 200 metres in height despite its narrow width. Afterwards, continue to Kununurra.

Stay: Kununurra Country Club Resort

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

A wildlife cruise on the mighty Ord River provides a front-row seat to the area's unique wildlife and flora this morning. Next it's time to travel back to Kununurra before making the journey to El Questro.

Stay: El Questro, Emma Gorge Resort

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Head to the beautiful Zebedee Springs and relax as you soak in the thermal pools.


After a Signature Experience this morning, hike to Emma Gorge, where you might like to go for a swim beneath the waterfall. Tonight you'll be treated to views over the Cockburn Range during sunset.

Stay: Home Valley Station

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

At Manning Gorge, enjoy lunch in the shade of boab trees. Continue to Galvans Gorge, where a short walk leads to a waterhole. Admire the Wandjina rock art on the gorge wall before travelling to Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge.

Stay: Two Nights, APT's exclusive Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Travel to Bell Gorge today, where towering cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. You might like to hike to the lower pool of the gorge and enjoy a refreshing dip in the waterfall below, or enjoy a spot of bird-watching.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Venture into the Wunaamin Range Conservation Park, then travel along the Gibb River Road to Derby, stopping at the Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre along the way. Stop by the Boab Prison Tree before arriving back in Broome later this afternoon.

Stay: Broome, Oaks Cable Beach Resort or similar

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and have free time before transferring to your expedition ship. A relaxed dinner this evening sets the tone for the next nine nights on board.

Stay: Nine Nights, MS Caledonian Sky

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Journey the best of the Kimberley on board a small ship expedition cruise

There’s promise of turquoise waters today as your ship arrives in the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to more than 800 islands. Cruise to Adele Island and join your expedition team member for an exploration of this remote coastal area by Zodiac. The island is surrounded by Adele Reef, teeming with an array of coral and marine life, including reef sharks and stingrays.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Today your ship cruises through to Talbot Bay, known for its massive 12-metre tides that create the unique Horizontal Falls. Subject to tidal conditions, board a zodiac with your Expedition Team to view this incredible natural phenomenon.


Explore Talbot Bay and Cyclone Creek. Accompanied by your Expedition Team Leader, you’ll weave nimbly past the dramatic folds of rock formations, keeping a look out for local wildlife. You might also choose to take a thrilling ride through the falls aboard a high-powered fast boat (own expense).

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Excitement builds this morning as you join your expedition team for an in-depth exploration of Montgomery Reef by Zodiac. Witness the reef rise out of the ocean as the tidal waters cascade rapidly into the surrounding channels. Keep an eye out for unique bird life and turtles who may pop their heads up from time to time.


Start your day with a phenomenal Signature Experience. Then, cruise through Doubtful Bay, a hotspot for whale watching during the season. Later, step ashore at Raft Point to visit an ancient Wandjina rock art site. When available, you'll be joined by a local Indigenous guide.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Your expedition ship arrives at Prince Frederick Harbour today, home to soaring red cliffs and mangroves. With its extreme tides and pristine ecosystems, the harbour is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles and mudskippers. Keen birdwatchers should keep an eye out for kingfishers, egrets, herons and white-bellied sea eagles. It's time to jump aboard your Zodiac vessels for an exploration of the Hunter River and Naturalist Island. As your day of discovery draws to a close, you might choose to set out on a helicopter flight and view the natural spectacle of Mitchell Falls from above (own expense).

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

In caves throughout the island, see examples of first contact art depicting European tall ships dating from the 15th to 18th century. Having been repainted annually for the past 5,000 years, it is thought to be the oldest continuous sacred painting tradition on the planet.


Discover Bigge Island today, known for its Indigenous rock art created by the Wunambal people. During your time here, take in a Signature Experience.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

An intriguing exploration of Vansittart Bay awaits today. Join your expedition team and set out across the bay's vast salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force C-53 that crash landed on the beach during World War II. Later, step ashore at Jar Island and see examples of mysterious Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) paintings, dating back some 20,000 years.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Anticipation builds as your Zodiac approaches King George Falls, plunging 80 metres over a towering sandstone cliff. Edge closer to this epic cascade and learn how it turns to a raging torrent during the monsoonal wet season.


Wake this morning as your ship cruises into Koolama Bay. Hear how this harbour was renamed following the Japanese bombing of the MV Koolama in 1942. Next, it's on to King George River. Join your expedition team and jump aboard a Zodiac to meander through the river's gorge system, passing hidden mangrove-fringed coves and soaring red cliffs.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Enjoy a full day to relax at sea and take in a presentation from your Expedition Team. Learn about the fascinating ecology of Australia’s most remote coastline, one that is dominated by some of the most dramatic tidal conditions on Earth. Hear stories of the rich World War II history and get prepared to discover ancient Indigenous culture that dates back for tens of thousands of years. Take time to relax as you feel the pleasant pristine air of the Timor Sea fill your lungs and then take advantage of the Open Bridge policy for the chance to make acquaintances with your ship’s Captain. After dinner tonight, make your way to the Lounge for the evening entertainment.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Arriving into Darwin this morning means it’s time to say goodbye to your ship and to be transferred to the airport.

Daily :
  • Breakfast

We know that great service is more than just taking care of you on holiday… it’s the unprecedented warmth, care and consideration you’ll be afforded from your first call until after your return home