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Cruising & Diving

Coral Princess Kimberley

A 10 night voyage of adventure and discovery to the Australian Outback between Darwin and Broome.

INCLUSIONS

• Experienced, highly informative Expedition Leaders and Guest Lecturers supervise the expedition itinerary
• Absorb the cultural remnants of one of the world’s most ancient people, the Australian Aborigine
• A specially designed excursion vessel allows you to explore the gorges of the Mitchell, King George, Prince Regent and Hunter Rivers
• An abundance of birdlife and native wildlife, including the salt-water crocodile, make every moment of the expedition unique

ITINERARY

A 10 night exploration voyage to the Kimberley has so many highlights, it’s hard to know where to begin. Your expedition cruise starts from either Darwin - the capital city of The Northern Territory, or Broome - famous for its beauty and cultured pearls. Both are unique frontier centres and are the gateways to the magnificent Kimberley wilderness.

DAY 1
Board the Coral Princess or the Oceanic Princess.
Today you will cross the Cambridge Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters. This evening enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party.

DAY 2
At approximately noon arrive at King George River and aboard the Explorer, a specially designed excursion vessel, experience the scenic gorges and view the mighty King George waterfalls. Visit Tranquil Bay for beach walking and exploration.

DAY 3
This morning visit the seabird rookeries on Low Rocks. If time permits, make a stop at Cape Voltaire for a swim and beach exploration. This afternoon visit the amazing Aboriginal rock art gallery on Bigge Island.

DAY 4
Cruising into Prince Frederick Harbour you will anchor at Naturalist Island where you can explor the surrounding area and swim in the fresh water pools. Here helicopters are available for optional scenic flights to the Surveyor and Mitchell Falls on the Mitchell Plateau. This evening enjoy a beach BBQ at sunset.

DAY 5
Careening Bay. Lecturers lead you to the site of a large boab tree with the inscription “HMC Mermaid - 1820” still clearly visible. This afternoon cruise into the very scenic Prince Regent Basin.

DAY 6
With the Explorer, cruise the Prince Regent River and visit Kings Cascades, an unusual and picturesque waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations. Also visit Camp Creek for a picnic lunch and the opportunity to swim in fresh water ponds.

DAY 7
Today cruise through Kuri Bay, home of the south sea pearl industry. Go ashore at Raft Point and visit a secluded and very interesting Aboriginal rock art gallery. Also take the Explorer up one of the many river systems to the waterfalls and a fresh water swim. There may also be an exploration stop at one of the many islands.

DAY 8
The Buccaneer Archipelago consists of more than 800 islands and this area experiences over 10 meter tidal ranges, one of the largest in the world. Landings and activities are planned around the tides - a way of life in the Kimberley region. Plans include reef walks and marine life study on Montgomery Reef and a visit to Talbot Bay and the amazing Horizontal Waterfalls.

DAY 9
Cruising through King Sound, witness the effects of the iron ore mining operations on Koolan and Cockatoo Islands. If time permits, visit Cockatoo Island. Visit Crocodile Creek and enjoy exploration, and fresh water swimming.

Day 10
Cruising through Yampi Sound you will visit the Lacepede Islands. These islands are situated well off shore and are known for the turtle nestings and booby and frigate bird colonies. Enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party this evening.

Day 11
8 am arrival into Broome.

Please Note: This itinerary is an indication of the reef, islands and coastal areas to be visited. While every effort will be made to follow this itinerary, it may vary to make allowances for weather and tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.