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The dramatic landscape of Kimberly

Kimberley Expedition: Australia’s Wild Northwest

Example 11 Day Cruise aboard National Geographic Orion
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Explore Australia's Wild Northwest on this 11-day Australian cruise. Visit the King George River and Falls, Vansittart Bay, and walk to see the aboriginal cave paintings of the region. Beautiful scenery and rich wildlife makes this cruise a must-do!
Take a zodiac to get closer to wildlifeTake a zodiac past the dramatic landscape of AustraliaAdmire the rock art found in the caves of KimberlyAppreciate the beauty of Kimberly's fallsThe dramatic landscape of Kimberly
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Darwin, Australia / Embark

Arrive in Darwin, a frontier town of crocodile and buffalo shooters and pioneer cattlemen. Retaining much of this flavor today, Darwin is also Australia's tropical capital and the starting point for your voyage. Transfer to the National Geographic Orion. Spend the night at sea.

Day 2-3: Com / At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Settle into your cabin and prepare for amazing photographic opportunities in the Kimberley with talks and hands-on instruction by an onboard National Geographic photographer and Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor. The ship makes a brief technical stop at Com before continuing into the heart of the Kimberley.

Day 4: Wyndham & The Bungle Bungle

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Wyndham is the perfect staging point to discover Purnululu National Park, home of the breathtaking Bungle Bungle Range. These ancient hills resemble giant beehives forming deep chasms with palm trees and long gorges. This strange landscape is even more remarkable from your included charter flight.

Alternatively, you can enjoy an Ord River Cruise to Lake Argyle. The Ord River is one of the most stunning river systems in Australia. Navigate a massive stretch of river between Kununurra and Lake Argyle (Ord River Dam), view the Lake from a scenic lookout, and have a visit to the historical Durack homestead.

Day 5: King George River & Falls

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Orion drops anchor here and zodiacs take you up the spectacular King George River. Featuring dramatic, vertical sheer canyon walls, the river drains into the highest single-drop falls in the Kimberley. Early in the season, it is best to hang back in the thundering mist. Later in the year, you may have the chance to get right up close - even under - the cool fresh waterfalls. For guests looking for even more adventure, there is a challenging walk to the top where you can cool off with a swim in one of the freshwater rock pools.

Day 6: Vansittart Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Join the naturalists on an exploration of an outdoor Gwion Gwion Aboriginal art gallery. The rock images, thought to be up to 40,000 years old, were discovered by Joseph Bradshaw in 1891. There is also the wreck of a DC-3 aircraft nearby, which became lost and crashed during WWII. If time allows, explore the crash site and the remains of the plane.

Day 7: Hunter River (and optional helicopter to Mitchell Falls)

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sail for one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast: Hunter River. The area is lined with green rainforest, mangroves, and soaring red cliffs. The Orion drops anchor near Wunumpurramarra, or Naturalists Island, a stunning backdrop for the day. Many crocodiles live in the the Hunter River and you may see them on a zodiac trip through the mangroves. For those wishing to explore some of the Kimberley’s vast interior, today presents a wonderful opportunity. The distance from Naturalists Island to the famous Mitchell Falls is about 30 miles, which you may choose to visit via an optional helicopter excursion.

Day 8: Montgomery Reef & Raft Point

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive at Montgomery Reef at high tide and, if conditions are right, the tide may drop rapidly enough for a raging torrent of water to erupt. This phenomenon allows miles of surrounding reef to rise out of the ocean. Take a zodiac into the reef to watch cormorants, egrets, and sandpipers forage for sea life trapped on the surface of the reef.

Next, land at Raft Point and take a guided climb up to rock saddle which forms an outdoor Aboriginal art gallery. The art is an account of the Wandjina clan on the ‘Great Fish Chase.’ View the images of the Wandjina spirits with their distinctive haloes, plus dugong, crocodiles, fish and snakes.

Day 9: Talbot Bay / Horizontal Waterfalls

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Horizontal Waterfalls in the Buccaneer Archipelago are created by the rapid tidal fall on the ocean side of the cliffs. When conditions are right, a ‘waterfall’ up to ten feet high may form as the trapped landward waters cascade out through the narrow gap to the ocean side. Zodiacs take you for an exhilarating trip to witness this extraordinary phenomenon. Later in the day, you can join the naturalists on an excursion to Cyclone Bay to explore the twisted geological folds of the ancient seabed.

Day 10: Nares Point & Crocodile Creek

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Just off Koolan Island, this geological finger of sandstone protruding into the ocean provides great opportunities for Zodiac safaris and guided beach walks. Nearby Crocodile Creek defies its name, with several vertical embankments keeping it ‘crocodile free’ allowing you to take advantage of the cool freshwater natural swimming pool to relax and beat the Kimberley heat.

Day 11: Broome, Australia

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive in Broome and disembark the National Geographic Orion. Transfer to the airport for your connecting flights onward.

Ship/Hotel

National Geographic Orion

Keep in shape in the exercise room aboard the National Geographic Orion
The National Geographic Orion is sleek and at your service
The lovely National Geographic Orion

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$8,990
National Geographic Orion's Category 1 Cabin.
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Category 1
Cat 1 #316, 318-321. Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds, two beds converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
Your  Category B Stateroom on the National Geographic Orion
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Category 1 Single
Cat 1S #301, 322, 323. These solo cabins feature a window or two portholes, a queen-size bed, except for #301 which has a double bed, writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a roomy shower stall with a glass door.
A Category A Stateroom on the National Geographic Orion
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Category 2
Cat 2 #302-312, 314, 315, 317. Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds, two beds converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized, and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
A lovely category 3 suite on the National Geographic Oion
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Category 3
Cat 3 Suite with Window #401-412, 414-419. These suites feature a sitting area with a large window, a sofa–except slightly smaller #401 & #402–an armchair or two, writing/laptop desk, reading lamps, flat screen TV, & climate controls. Beds are configurable (call for details). Marble bathrooms include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
National Geographic Orion's Category 3 Cabin.
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Category 3 Single
Cat 3S Suite with Window #512. This solo suite features two beds and two large windows, plus two armchairs and small table, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls. The marble bathroom is generously sized and includes a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
National Geographic Orion's Category 4 Cabin.
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Category 4
Cat 4 Deluxe Suite with Window #511, 515. These two suites feature separate sleeping and sitting areas, with a chair and armchair and a two-cushion sofa facing an expansive window. Beds are configurable (call for details). Ample storage, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities.
National Geographic Orion's Category 5 Cabin.
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Category 5
Cat 5 Suite with French Balcony #501, 503-506, 508. These spacious suites feature open living areas and sliding glass doors opening to a shared French balcony. Beds are configurable (call for details.) A sitting area with arm chairs and a sofa, a writing/laptop desk, well-placed reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the decor.
National Geographic Orion's Category 6 Cabin.
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Category 6
Cat 6 Owner’s Suite with French Balcony #502, 507, 509*, 510. These large, elegant suites feature a French balcony, with the exception of #509 which has double windows. Each provides a separate living area with a sofa and two arm chairs, except for #502, which uniquely offers a 'soaking tub with a view' in addition to a shower stall and expansive vanity.

Notes

Single supplement varies by itinerary. A solo traveler matching program may be available but is subject to availability.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners

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