Essence of the Kimberley with Kimberley Coastal Expedition (Reverse)

Arrive in Broome, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day and evening is at leisure. Stay: Broome, Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

Your day starts with a visit to the fascinating Boab Prison Tree. Believed to be more than 1,500 years old and measuring an incredible 14 metres in diameter, this remarkable tree was once used by early police patrols as a standing point for prisoners as they were walked to Derby. Today, the hollow tree is a registered Aboriginal site of great cultural significance.

Continue your journey along the iconic Gibb River Road, a remote 660-kilometre outback highway stretching between Broome and Kununurra. The "Gibb" traverses the wild heart of the Kimberley, passing spectacular landscapes of intensely coloured ranges, dramatic gorges, deep rock pools and spectacular waterfalls. Turn off the Gibb River Road to the extraordinary Tunnel Creek, a 750-metre-long natural tunnel carved through the Napier Range. With torch in hand, wade through the cool waters that fill the tunnel and emerge on the other side to the sight of a tranquil and stunning oasis.

Continue on to Windjana Gorge, where sheer cli fs tower above glistening white sands. Admire the ancient marine fossils embedded in the gorge walls and scour the banks for a glimpse of the freshwater crocodiles. Back on the Gibb River Road, travel into the Wunaamin Miliwundi Range National Park, which covers more than 900,000 acres and features seven rugged ranges.

Later, arrive at your lodge for dinner. Stay Two Nights: APT's exclusive Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge (L/D)

Back on the Gibb River Road, travel to Bell Gorge, where stunning cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. Sitting approximately 300 metres above sea level, Bell Gorge is an idyllic natural spot for swimming and photography. Here you can also enjoy a spot of birdwatching. If you are feeling particularly energetic, you can hike to the lower pool of the gorge and take a relaxing dip below the cascading waterfall. (B/L/D)

Travel through the heart of Kimberley cattle country to discover some of the region's most secluded gorges. At Galvans Gorge, a short walk leads to a picturesque waterhole where boab trees cling to the escarpment above. Continue to the beautiful Manning Creek, where you'll enjoy lunch in the shade of paperbark trees. Look out for the region's bird life and enjoy a refreshing swim in the pristine water.

Later ford the mighty Durack River before arriving at Emma Gorge Resort, located at El Questro, a sprawling wilderness area which covers 700,000 acres. Settle in before enjoying dinner this evening. Stay Two Nights: El Questro, Emma Gorge Resort (B/L/D)

• Head to Zebedee Springs, a permanent natural thermal spring tucked away in a secluded pocket of rainforest. Relax as you soak in the hot springs and leave feeling revitalised.

After a hearty breakfast, travel to Kununurra, the gateway to the eastern Kimberley and home of the Ord River Scheme, and the majestic Lake Argyle, the largest constructed lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Join a spectacular wildlife cruise on the mighty Ord River. From modern shaded vessels, discover a fascinating ecological system that has developed from the damming of the Ord River at two locations to create an area rich in wildlife, flora and undeniable beauty. Enjoy a mesmerising sunset while cruising on the tranquil Lake Kununurra. Stay: Kununurra Country Club Resort (B/L/D)

Depart Kununurra and journey to Purnululu National Park, one of Australia's most stunning natural landscapes. The park is home to the famed black and orange striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, ascending to 578 metres above sea level. Standing over a grass-covered plain, steep cliffs form the western face. Created by the constant erosion of river movements over a staggering 20 million years, the range has both geological and Indigenous cultural significance. It is an imposing sight and one that you are sure to remember forever.

Join a hike along a palm-fringed trail into Echidna Chasm, a spectacular natural rock. Settle into the tranquil ambience of the Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, located in the heart of this stunning national park. Enjoy a delicious dinner and share your adventures with your fellow travellers. Stay Two Nights: APT's exclusive Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge (B/L/D)

• Enjoy drinks as you take in a sensational sunset over the striking Bungle Bungles.

Head to Halls Creek and admire the unusual China Wall. A natural quartz formation that runs six kilometres along the landscape, the wall is an echo of the Great Wall of China, after which it was named.

Continue on towards Fitzroy Crossing, a small settlement situated on the Fitzroy River. Stay: Fitzroy Crossing, Fitzroy River Lodge (B/L/D)

• Treasure a special visit to the Yiyili community, admiring Indigenous art at the Laari Gallery before immersing yourself into Gooniyandi culture with a language class.

After a relaxed morning at leisure, be transferred to your luxurious expedition ship this afternoon. A relaxed dinner this evening sets the tone for the next 10 nights onboard. Stay 10 Nights: Le Laperouse or Le Jacques Cartier (B/D)

The Lacepede Islands are Western Australia's most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and have been named by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area. Join your expedition team for a guided Zodiac tour to view the prolific wildlife.

Later, your ship charts a course into the stunning Buccaneer Archipelago. Made up of more than 800 islands, and filled with stunning scenery and an incredible array of wildlife. (B/L/D)

• 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 natural phenomenon.

At Freshwater Cove take a guided hike to visit an ancient Wandjina rock art site. The unique figures depicted are ritually repainted each year, but scientific estimates date the originals as far back as 5,000 years.

Later, depart with your expedition team to discover Montgomery Reef by Zodiac. The reef rises out of the ocean as tidal waters cascade into surrounding channels. Indigenous guide when available. (B/L/D)

You are transported to Prince Frederick Harbour today, which is home to towering red cliffs and tangled mangroves. With its extreme tides and pristine ecosystems, the harbour is rich in wildlife including mudskippers and saltwater crocodiles. Keen birdwatchers should keep a careful eye out for kingfishers, egrets, herons and white-bellied sea eagles.

Stepping out from the sleek comfort of your ship to your trusty Zodiac, it's hard to believe you're at Australia's final frontier, this time to explore the Hunter River and Naturalists Island. As your day of discovery draws to a close, you might choose to set out on a thrilling helicopter flight to see the Mitchell Falls in all its splendour from above (flight at own expense). (B/L/D)

• Approximately six kilometres from the mainland, Bigge Island is ripe for discovery today. It's well known for its Indigenous rock art, created by the Wunambal people, and you'll explore a network of caves throughout the island.

Explore this maze of islands, inlets and peninsulas, believed to have been named by explorer Lieutenant Phillip Parker King after novelist Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels. Most significant here are extraordinary examples of Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art, estimated to have been created between 5,000 and 13,000 years ago. They can be seen in caves close to the water's edge, mainly painted on rock overhangs. (B/L/D)

This morning join your expedition team on an intriguing discovery. Walk across salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force DC3 which crash-landed near Vansittart Bay during World War II.

Later, visit Jar Island and discover the island's outstanding rock art gallery. During your exploration here, you'll see more examples of Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, dating back more than 20,000 years. (B/L/D)

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

Relax and ease into a full day at sea, enjoying the endless horizon. Perhaps take a swim in the onboard pool, pamper yourself in the wellness area, or head below deck to your ship's underwater observation area for a stunning window into marine life below the ocean's surface. (B/L/D)

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