The Kimberley is Australia’s last true wilderness, an enthralling landscape of secluded white-sand beaches, steep river gorges, thunderous waterfalls, and the spectacular sandstone chasms and domes of the famed Bungle Bungles, part of Purnululu National Park. Aboriginal people have traversed this land for centuries, and the area is rich in the ancient examples of their remarkable rock art. This region is so remote that the best way to access it is from the sea. Aboard the Orion, we’ll enjoy an unparalleled experience, with shore excursions to fascinating rock art sites filled with evocative images, Zodiac rides to hidden ocean reefs and rugged river gorges lined with waterfalls, explorations of islands rich in birdlife, and optional flightseeing tours for extravagant bird’s-eye views of this wondrous land.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Broome, Western Australia / Cape Leveque / Lacepedes Islands

Embarking on the Orion in the charismatic town of Broome, we cruise to Cape Leveque for a swim in clear-water rock pools teeming with tropical fish and a beach walk with a member of the local Aboriginal community. At the Lacepedes Islands, we explore its colony of brown boobies, the largest in the world, and look for resident green sea turtles.

Days 3-4
Buccaneer Archipelago / Montgomery Reef / Raft Point Rock Art

Cruising to the Buccaneer Archipelago, we discover the Horizontal Waterfalls, a product of the huge tides in the region that create a waterfall effect when conditions are right. At Montgomery Reef, we watch as the rapidly dropping tide exposes the reef, where cormorants, egrets, and sandpipers forage for sea life trapped on its surface. After landing at Raft Point, we hike to an amazing outdoor gallery of Aboriginal art with images of dugongs, crocodiles, fish, and snakes, as well as the Wandjina spirits, with their distinctive haloes.

Days 5-7
Hunter River / Mitchell Falls / Gwion Gwion Rock Art / King George River and Falls

Boarding Zodiacs, we explore the mangrove environment of Hunter River and its tributaries and view the stunning triple drops of Mitchell Falls on an optional helicopter flight. After landing on Jar Island, we walk to the Gwion Gwion Aboriginal rock art site, with its mystical and graceful figures adorned with delicate jewelry and elaborate headdresses. Boarding Zodiacs at Koolama Bay, we take a scenic trip up a stunning river gorge to the awesome twin drops of King George Falls.

Days 8-11
Bungle Bungles / Darwin

From the town of Wyndham, a spectacular flightseeing tour of the Bungle Bungles brings us over an incredible sandstone landscape of rock formations, deep chasms, and beehive-shaped domes tinted in bands of orange and gray. A two-day sea crossing brings us to Darwin, Australia’s northernmost capital city. Disembark and fly home on Day 11.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure