Kimberley Waterfalls: Broome – Wyndham
11 Days - True North
Experience the Kimberley’s renowned summer storms and spectacular light shows during this special 11 day cruise through the Kimberley waterfalls aboard the True North. Experience thundering waterfalls and swollen billabongs and explore unexplained rock art, extraordinary wildlife and monster barramundi with your experienced guide.
Itinerary Highlights
- Visit Montgomery Reef, a unique eco-system that must been seen to be believed
- Explore the The Hunter River, a stunning river system that is lined with dense mangrove forests, surrounded by rainforest encrusted mountains and home to man-eating crocodiles
- Have the opportunity to see the “Bradshaws” – ancient rock art that pre-dates other examples of Aboriginal culture
- Climb or take the helicopter to the top of The King George Falls for a cruise highlight
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Embarkation
- Day 2: The Horizontal Falls and Silica Beach
- Day 3: Three Ways, Raft Point and Montgomery Reef
- Day 4: Prince Regent River and King Cascades
- Day 5: Early morning fishing expedition, stunning rock art, excursions on expedition boats and picnic
- Day 6: Hunter River, Jackson Falls and Prince Frederick Harbour
- Day 7: Hunt for the black-lip oyster, Wandjina and Bradshaw art, Voltaire Passage and surrounding islands and pearl party
- Day 8: Mitchell River, Surveyors Creek and Mitchell Falls
- Day 9: Bradshaws and Eagle Falls
- Day 10: King George, King George Falls and Tranquil Bay
- Day 11: Disembarkation and transfer to Kununurra
Day 1: Embarkation
Your “welcome aboard” the magnificent True North is in the pearling port of Broome. Embarkation is at 17:00 – time for a cocktail with your fellow adventurers before departing at approximately 18:30. Dinner is served shortly after leaving port for the overnight cruise to Yampi Sound.
Day 2: The Horizontal Falls and Silica Beach
It’s time to ‘personally’ introduce you to a Kimberley icon – The Horizontal Falls. Experience the awesome power of the region’s huge tidal range in an exhilarating tender ride and then climb aboard your air conditioned helicopter for a view of the falls that very few experience! Enjoy a walk on Silica Beach.
Day 3: Three Ways, Raft Point and Montgomery Reef
Start the day with some hot fishing action – this time at “Three Ways”. Then all aboard to the impressive silhouette of Raft Point. Here, join crew and guest alike for a moderate climb to an art gallery with a difference and, the well-preserved Raft Point Wandjina Paintings.
You will probably be enjoying lunch as we weigh anchor and set sail for Montgomery Reef! Montgomery is a unique eco-system that must been seen to be believed – and see it you will – as 140 square miles of coral reef rises out of the ocean right before your very eyes! Water cascades from the reef as the tide falls exposing a privileged glimpse of another world! Turtles, dugong, manta rays and every imaginable sea creature abound and the helicopter puts it all in perspective!
Day 4: Prince Regent River, King Cascades
The scenery will astound and there are some not to be missed fishing spots as the True North graces the majestic Prince Regent River. At King Cascades we manoeuvre the True North right under the falls. Then it’s time for more ‘adventure in the tender’ – a chance to stretch the laces on your hiking boots and an opportunity to swim in yet another picture perfect billabong. The helicopter will be popular again when the first group of intrepid explorers returns from Jurassic Park!
Day 5: Early morning fishing expedition, stunning rock art, excursions on expedition boats and picnic
Be amongst the first on deck and join an early morning fishing expedition, or see some stunning rock art or join the ship’s naturalist in one of the expedition boats – and all before another breathtaking helicopter flight to a picnic that you’ll never forget! The True North’s mouth watering cuisine alongside a crystal clear billabong – in one of the most remote places on earth!
Day 6: Hunter River, Jackson Falls and Prince Frederick Harbour
Wake this morning in the magnificent Hunter River. The Hunter is about as far away as you can get in Australia – a stunning river system that is lined with dense mangrove forests, surrounded by rainforest encrusted mountains and home to man-eating crocodiles. And, the Hunter has it all – fishing, mud-crabbing, bird-watching and simply exploring “where few have been before!” Join one of our expedition boats for a closer look, it’s only a short hike to Jackson Falls, and, there’s even more splendour from the helicopter!
In the afternoon we will sail into Prince Frederick Harbour for another chance to catch a plump wet season barra, finishing the day with sunset drinks on your own secluded beach.
Day 7: Hunt for the black-lip oyster, Wandjina and Bradshaw art, Voltaire Passage and surrounding islands and pearl party
No time to dally – after an early morning breakfast it’s time to join the ‘hunt for the black-lip oyster’. In fact – their much-talked about proportions render them not hard to find at all! Savour their unique taste direct from the rock – aside from the freshly squeezed lemon, you can’t get much more a la naturale than that! There are also some excellent examples of both Wandjina and Bradshaw art nearby and the waters are alive with light game species such as queenfish, giant trevally and mackeral. In the afternoon we will explore Voltaire Passage and the many surrounding islands. Then join us for our pearl party! Enjoy a glass of bubbly whilst trying on exquisite pieces created by the artistes at Linneys, Jewels of the Kimberley and Kimberley Fine Diamonds.
Day 8: Mitchell River, Surveyors Creek and Mitchell Falls
The Mitchell River is renowned for big barra and even bigger crocs! The expedition boats will head up river to the scenic Surveyors Creek – a great place for a swim (no crocs here!) The fishermen will again join the hunt for the elusive barramundi and, there will be more opportunities for helicopter flights over an ancient land including the spectacular Mitchell Falls! Then, join the crew for cocktail hour before experiencing another unique dining experience.
Day 9: Bradshaws and Eagle Falls
Today you will have another opportunity to see the “Bradshaws” – ancient rock art that pre-dates other examples of Aboriginal culture. In fact, they are possibly the oldest ‘paintings’ known to man. The heli-picnic at Eagle Falls is always a ‘big hit’ – another breathtaking helicopter flight and, True North's mouth watering fare alongside a picture perfect waterfall in remote far-north Western Australia! The tenders will be busy exploring local beaches and rivers and, we also visit an isolated site in the rainforest where a lone bomber crashed during WWII.
Day 10: King George, King George Falls and Tranquil Bay
Yet another mighty Kimberley river – the King George! As soon as the tide is high enough, we’ll cross the sand bar at the mouth to reveal even more breathtaking river vista. Then our journey upstream will take us to the very ‘jewel in the crown’ – The King George Falls. Here we anchor at the base of the Twin Falls and you will find endless places to explore. Climb or take the helicopter to the top of the falls for a cruise highlight. In the afternoon learn the history of the wreck of the Koolama and take a stroll at Tranquil Bay before we continue onto the frontier port of Wyndham.
Day 11: Disembarkation and transfer to Kununurra
Your courtesy coach will arrive at approximately 0800 hours for transfer to Kununurra.
Cabin Details
Ocean Class Twin
Located on the lower deck
En-suite
Cabin size is approximately 12 square metres (129 square feet)
2 portholes
In-cabin entertainment
Satellite telephone
River Class Double
Located on the middle deck
King size double (that can be converted to singles)
En-suite
Large panoramic windows
In-cabin entertainment
Satellite telephone
Explorer Class Stateroom
Located on the upper deck
King size double (that can be converted to singles)
Twin basin en-suite
Cabin size is 18 square metres (193 square feet)
Large panoramic windows
Amenities fridge
In-cabin entertainment
Satellite telephone
True North Deckplan
Specifications
- Commissioned: February 2005
- Crew: 22
- Guests: 36 (18 cabins)
- Configuration: Mono-hull adventure-cruise ship
- Length: 50 metres / 164 feet
- Draught: 2.2 metres
- Cruising Speed: 14 knots
- Motion Control: Computer controlled stabilizers
- Cabin Power: 240 V and 110 V (Australian socket)
- Day Areas: Sun deck, observation lounge, ship’s lounge, alfresco bar, sports deck and dining room
- Adventure Vessels: 6 (3x 150hp + 3x 115hp)
- Helicopter: Eurocopter EC 130 (6 pax all facing forward/air conditioned)
Whats included?
- All daily activities in the adventure boats
- All meals on board
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Satellite WIFI
- Local transfers to/from True North
- Port charges
What’s not included?
- International airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Scenic helicopter flights
- Merchandise
- Alcohol
- Any items not mentioned as included