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Top End & Kimberley Coast Cruise

4.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Locally Guided Coach Group Cruise Scenic
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 Trip Length
20 Days
 Trip Starts
Broome
 Trip Finishes
Broome
20 Day Top End & Kimberley Coast Cruise Itinerary (Travelmarvel)
Countries Explored: Australia
Trip Style
Small Ship Cruise
Accommodation
4 Star
Max. Group Size
40
Guide Level
Fully Guided, Locally Guided
Trip Code
TWNBCE20
Cruise Line
Coral Expeditions
Coral Expeditions
No Reviews
Ship
Coral Adventurer
Passengers
120
Crew
48
Launched
2019

Overview

Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Travelmarvel's 20 Day Top End & Kimberley Coast Cruise. Dive right in to the highlights of the Top End and the Kimberley with this 20 day journey. Explore from Katherine to El Questro and along the stunning red-rock coast.

Itinerary

Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your resort-style hotel. Stay Two Nights: Oaks Broome (D)

Today is yours to spend at leisure. You may choose to relax by the pool or perhaps visit iconic Cable Beach, or head into town where you will discover Broome's rich and colourful history. (B)

Travel to Fitzroy Crossing today. Stay: Fitzroy Crossing, Fitzroy River Lodge (B/D)

After breakfast, cruise the stunning Geikie Gorge and admire its multi-coloured limestone walls. Then, journey to Halls Creek. Stay: Halls Creek, Kimberley Hotel (B/D)

Travel to El Questro Wilderness Park, through spectacular scenery, passing picturesque gorges, waterfalls and rivers. Arrive at Emma Gorge Resort. Stay Two Nights: El Questro, Emma Gorge Resort, tented cabins with en suites (B/D)

Visit the tranquil Zebedee Springs, a stunning oasis in the middle of the wilderness park. After, enjoy a scenic cruise along Chamberlain Gorge, where the river carves a path through the sheer rock-face which is surrounded by a diverse range of native flora and fauna. (B/D)

Travel along the Gibb River Road to Lake Argyle before joining a wildlife cruise on the Ord River. Keep an eye out for crocodiles and over 270 species of birds. Stay: Kununurra Country Club (B)

Pass through Timber Creek and arrive in Katherine. Stay: Contour Hotel Katherine (B/D)

Today, discover Nitmiluk National Park and enjoy a guided cruise along the majestic Nitmiluk Gorge. Afterwards, journey to Darwin. Stay: Darwin, Mantra on the Esplanade (B/D)

Today, board your ship. Cross Joseph Bonaparte Gulf before journeying into West Australian waters. Later, meet your crew at the Captain's Welcome Drinks. Stay 10 Nights: aboard the Coral Adventurer (B/L/D)

Jump aboard an Xplorer and discover rugged gorges carved by the force of the mighty King George River. Towering 80 metres above the water and reminiscent of an outdoor cathedral, King George Falls is one of the Kimberley's most spectacular attractions. Later, explore the pristine beach and luscious green landscape at Tranquil Bay. (B/L/D)

View the wreckage of the US Air Force DC3 plane that crashed at Vansittart Bay during World War II in 1942. Later, you'll see Jar Island and its abundance of high-quality and ancient Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) paintings etched into the alcoves and cave walls. Many of these images show figures with elegant clothing or ornaments. (B/L/D)

After anchoring in Winyalken Bay, travel ashore and explore the maze of natural sandstone caves of Hathaway's Hideaway. (B/L/D)

Visit Prince Frederick Harbour, located at the southern end of York Sound. Composed of ancient mangroves and monsoon rainforests, this region is a wonderland of wetland delights. And because of its isolated environment, you'll hopefully come across a rare creature or two basking on the sunny banks. Other wildlife such as white-bellied sea eagles and birds of prey are often seen here among the predators. Head back to your ship in the afternoon. (B/L/D)

Cruise the Prince Regent River, named by the crew of the survey vessel, the HMC Mermaid, who were the first Europeans to discover it in 1820. Afterwards, spend time at leisure wandering Careening Bay. Then, with a knowledgeable guide, you'll journey to the site of the iconic boab tree engraved with ‘HMC Mermaid 1820', miraculously visible after 200 years. Learn about the ship and crew who left their mark in the tree before heading back to your ship. (B/L/D)

Experience a truly spectacular moment when Montgomery Reef rises out of the ocean as the tide falls. It stretches over 300 square kilometres across the Indian Ocean and you'll witness the miniature waterfalls cascade down the exposed reef walls in all directions, creating an awe-inspiring effect. Discover the reef's diverse marine life including turtles, sea snakes and reef sharks. (B/L/D)

Make sure to have your camera at the ready as you cruise through the dramatic and rugged sea cliffs at Doubtful Bay. After, cruise Kuri Bay, home of the south sea pearl industry. Board an Xplorer and travel to striking Raft Point, where you will have the opportunity to see ancient Wandjina rock art alongside some of the Kimberley's most well-preserved Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) paintings. Later, explore Red Cone Creek and visit the serene Ruby Falls. (B/L/D)

Travel through the Buccaneer Archipelago, a group of over 800 islands strewn across the azure waters of the Timor Sea. Your skilled captain navigates smoothly through the hidden whirlpools, unmarked rocks and reefs caused by the largest tides in the Southern Hemisphere. The islands' rocks are over two billion years old, still in pristine condition due to the isolation and minimal tourism of the area. We head towards Talbot Bay and see the majestic Horizontal Falls. When the 12-metre tide turns, strong currents rush through the two narrow coastal gorges, creating a cascading effect. Later, enjoy sunset drinks overlooking the otherworldly rock formations at Nares Point. (B/L/D)

Cruise to the Lacepede Islands (subject to conditions), a group of four islands home to an abundance of marine birds. The islands support over one percent of the world population of Lesser Frigatebirds and Roseate Terns. Because of this the islands are considered an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. Tonight, say goodbye to your fellow travellers and friendly crew while you enjoy Captain's Farewell Drinks. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer to the airport for your onward journey. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Stay at Emma Gorge Resort in El Questro Wilderness Park
  • Indulge in a gourmet dinner at El Questro Wilderness Park
  • Board an Xplorer/Zodiac and cruise to the base of King George Falls
  • Enjoy canapes and drinks at sunset
  • Discover the terraced rock formations of King Cascades
  • Ride through Horizontal Falls aboard an inflatable Zodiac

  • 10 nights cruising the Kimberley aboard Coral Adventurer
  • 9 nights premium accommodation
  • Services of a Cruise Director*

  • 46 meals - 19 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 17 dinners

  • Itinerary and inclusions subject to change
  • Cruising itineraries are subject to change due to tidal conditions
  • Weather events may cause disruption to itineraries, especially in remote locations
  • *Cruise is escorted by a Coral Expeditions Expedition Leader
  • *Days 10-20 are escorted by a Coral Expeditions Expedition Leader
  • Travel insurance is mandatory on all cruises
  • Prices are for land/cruise only. Flights not included

Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Top End & Kimberley Coast Cruise' Reviews

4.0
AVG. RATING 4.0 / 5
1 Review
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1 Star
Kimberley by coach and ship with TravelMarvel   0 , QLD, Australia, May 2021
This TravelMarvel tour was booked through Global Journeys, Noosa Heads; and was a trip that had been deferred due to COVID.

The Kimberley itself is beautiful. Not much to see by coach and quite a lot of hours gazing out the window at termite mounds, red dirt and boab trees, but guide Wally and driver John made the trip a lot of fun with their knowledge ...read more of the geological history and people of the Kimberley, and with their constant anecdotes. The boat trips on the gorges and narration by local guides was fascinating. There are optional extras such as helicopter tours. The accommodation was better than expected, having regard to the remoteness of the towns and the COVID issues. All the included meals were very good. There were plenty of bathroom stops and even though some of the facilities were rudimentary, they were all clean. It was a fun trip.

The ship part of the tour was excellent. We were aboard the Coral Adventurer which is part of the Coral Expeditions Fleet. Just under 100 passengers and about 35 crew. The passengers all got on well and the crew were fabulous. The ship is modern and 1st class. Beautiful staterooms, clean and modern facilities throughout with a very good dining area. There is plenty of food and the menu is set. So much of it is seafood and there is always 2 choices for each course. My small criticism of the food is that there was not much variety for those who don't eat seafood, and sometimes the meals were not as hot as they could have been. The servers and kitchen staff (as with the rest of the crew) were all very friendly and worked so hard to please.

Every day on the ship was another adventure as we were put in the 2 tenders and taken to islands, waterfalls and other features. Each boat had an expert guide on board and their knowledge of the indigenous peoples, fauna, and flora was amazing. These 2 guides would also give lectures at night.
We had the run of the ship and were permitted to enter the engine room and bridge (escorted). We wandered past the bridge one night and we were called in and sat in the captain's and chief mate's seats and shown how to sail the ship. Unfortunately, we had to disembark when our cruise ended.

We originally booked the tour for travel in August 2020 but due to COVID we could not travel until May 2021. Global Journeys, Noosa Heads were very good. Their communication and attention to detail from when we first booked in 2019 to when we finished our tour was first class and we would have no hesitation in recommending them. We would not book another TravelMarvel tour. I found their communication was poor (even allowing for COVID), and they had never advised our coach guide (their employee) that we would have to have a COVID test three days prior to boarding the ship. He was surprised when we told him and he had to ring TravelMarvel for instructions. Even then we nearly missed out on our cruise because they stuffed that up as well. It was only by the grace of our guide and Sullivan Nicolaides in Darwin that we finally made it.

All in all, a great tour.
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Deck Plans

 
Coral Stateroom
Coral Deck (Level 1)
 
Promenade Stateroom
Promenade Deck (Level 2)
 
Balcony Stateroom
Explorer Deck (Level 3)
 
Balcony Stateroom
Bridge Deck (Level 4)

Cabins

Coral Stateroom

  • 17sqm / 183sq ft
  • Furnished with a junior King-size bed which can be separated into two singles
  • A wardrobe, desk and arm chair are included
  • A compact en suite has a toilet, shower and ample storage
  • Porthole window

Promenade Stateroom

  • 17sqm / 183sq ft
  • Furnished with a junior King-size bed which can be separated into two singles
  • A wardrobe, desk and arm chair are included
  • A compact en suite has a toilet, shower and ample storage
  • Large picture window

Balcony Stateroom

  • 21.40sqm / 230sq ft
  • Comfortably furnished with a junior King size bed which can be separated into two singles
  • A wardrobe, desk and arm chair are included
  • A compact en suite has a toilet, shower and ample storage
  • French windows opening to a balcony with seating for two

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Travelmarvel. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Travelmarvel. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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