Travelmarvel: Top End Escape with Kimberley Coast Adventure

Today, you’ll set out on a Zodiac for a guided tour of the spectacular Lacepede Islands. A certified Important Bird Area for an abundance of marine birds and Western Australia’s most important green sea turtle breeding habitat, the quartet of islands are havens for a variety of wildlife and a joy to explore. Later, your ship cruises to the Buccaneer Archipelago, a beautiful cluster of more than 800 islands home to a broad range of unique wildlife.

An exciting day exploring the Kimberley by Zodiac awaits today after arriving in Talbot Bay. Enjoy an Insider Experience and explore the bay and Cyclone Creek as you wind your way past impressive rock formations on the lookout for the region’s amazing wildlife.

Insider Experience – Horizontal Falls

Enjoy viewing the incredible Horizontal Falls aboard a Zodiac in Talbot Bay, subject to tidal conditions. Forged by the bay’s impressive 12-metre tides as the water squeezes through a narrow gap between gorge walls, the powerful currents are a sight to behold.

After a special Insider Experience, cruise through Doubtful Bay on the lookout for whales, which are commonly seen during the season. Enjoy another Insider Experience at Freshwater Cove to end your day.

Insider Experience – Montgomery Reef

Soak in the amazing scenes aboard a Zodiac as Montgomery Reef dramatically rises out of the ocean as a result of the region’s strong tides. Cruise through narrow channels between the world’s largest inshore reef as you admire the spectacle and the incredible wildlife exposed by the cascading water.

Insider Experience – Wandjina Rock Art

Be led by a local Aboriginal guide through an incredible millennia-old Wandjina rock art site at Freshwater Cove.

Arrive in Prince Frederick Harbour today and explore its lush mangrove ecosystems surrounded by impressive red sandstone cliffs. The harbour fosters an array of wildlife including saltwater crocodiles, mudskippers, kingfishers and white-bellied sea eagles. Next, reboard a Zodiac to discover the wonders of the Hunter River and the picturesque Naturalists Island.

Explore this labyrinth of islands, inlets and peninsulas, believed to be named by explorer Lieutenant Phillip Parker King after novelist Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels. Set out on another exciting adventure with an Insider Experience today.

Insider Experience – Swift Bay Aboriginal Rock Art

See incredible galleries of ancient Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art, estimated to have been created between 5,000 and 13,000 years ago. These remarkable artworks can be seen in caves close to the water’s edge, and are primarily painted on rock overhangs.

Enhance Your Journey – Mitchell Falls Scenic Helicopter Flight

If you’d like to soar high above the Kimberley’s incredible landscapes, you can board a helicopter flight for a unique bird’s-eye view of the tiered waterfalls of the Mitchell Plateau (additional expense).

Arrive at Ashmore Reef Marine Park today and savour a Zodiac tour of the seabird haven, where up to 100,000 birds breed each year. In addition to the prolific birdlife, beneath the clear tropical waters, the coral reefs, seagrass meadows, sandflats and lagoons of Ashmore Reef are home to a colourful array of marine life including 255 species of reef building coral, the greatest number of any reef on the Western Australian coast.

Explore beautiful Vansittart Bay today, landing and experiencing its greatest sights. Venture out across the salt flats to see the US Air Force C-53 plane which famously crash landed here during World War II in 1942.

Arrive in Koolama Bay this morning before joining a Zodiac cruise along the King George River, winding through towering red cliffs and passing by mangrove forests. You’ll also enjoy an Insider Experience at the river’s greatest attraction.

Insider Experience – King George Falls

Get up close and personal to the magnificent King George Falls, where the King George River tumbles 80 metres down from lofty sandstone cliffs. You’ll be able to experience its power as your Zodiac creeps close to the iconic waterfall.

Arrive in Darwin today and disembark your ship for the final time. This afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Darwin. Admire the architecture of this tropical capital, take a leisurely stroll through the Botanic Gardens, and visit the Darwin Museum and Art Gallery and the Royal Flying Doctor Base. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers to mark the beginning of your land journey.

Staying Two Nights, The Leea Resort Darwin

Travel to Litchfield National Park, a huge sandstone plateau with cascading waterfalls. Swim in the natural pool at Wangi Falls, view the double waterfall at Florence Falls and wander amid the intriguing magnetic termite mounds.

Make your way to stunning Kakadu National Park. Rich in flora, wildlife and beautiful scenery, Kakadu is home to more than 5,000 rock art sites. For these reasons, the park is one of the few World Heritage sites listed for both its cultural values and natural features. Visit Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to view the informative displays showcasing Aboriginal culture. Learn about Indigenous heritage and traditional ways of life, including the relationship between Aboriginal people and the land. Enjoy an exciting Insider Experience before returning to your hotel.

Insider Experience – Yellow Water Cruise

Embark on a Yellow Water cruise through the wetlands of Kakadu, which are home to an abundance of birdlife and saltwater crocodiles.

Staying Two Nights, Kakadu, Cooinda Lodge

Explore Kakadu National Park and its Indigenous rock art paintings with a visit to Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr Rock. Many paintings and drawings depict Aboriginal life over thousands of years and reflect the connections between people and the land.

This morning, we farewell Kakadu National Park and travel to the beef grazing town of Katherine. Northeast of Katherine lies the stunning Nitmiluk National Park, with its spectacular gorges carved into the Arnhem Land plateau by the Katherine River. After your day of exploring, return to your accommodation.

Staying Katherine, Contour Hotel

Visit Adelaide River and its War Cemetery en route to Darwin. This evening, after your Insider Experience, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your newfound friends.

Insider Experience – Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise

Cruise between the striking sandstone cliffs of Nitmiluk Gorge, where you can learn about the flora, wildlife and ancient Aboriginal rock art in the gorges.

Staying The Leea Resort Darwin

After breakfast, enjoy a morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward flight.