True North - 13 Night Kimberley Wilderness Cruise - Wyndham to Broome
Ship:
True North Cruise Line:
North Star Cruises
Departures: Duration:
13 Nights
Ports: Koolama Bay, King George River, Montgomery Reef, Cape Leveque, Broome
Airport gateway (Arrival) : Darwin Airport gateway (Departure) : Broome
Join our coach transfer in Kununurra - your “welcome aboard” the magnificent True North will be in the frontier town of Wyndham. Embarkation is at 1700 – time for a cocktail with your fellow adventurers before departing at approximately 1830. Dinner is served shortly after leaving port and then it’s an overnight cruise to the Berkeley River.
Day 1
If you’re onboard to ‘catch a barra’ you’ll be out of bed nice and early this morning! The Berkeley rarely disappoints! Take a walk to one of the Kimberley’s most beautiful waterholes before we enjoy a leisurely lunch-time cruise to Koolama Bay. Learn about the wreck of the Koolama and enjoy a short walk to a plaque erected by a relative of one of the survivors. You will find the delights of Tranquil Bay to be irresistible when we go ashore for sunset drinks! Our anchorage tonight is at the mouth of the King George River.
Day 2
As soon as the tide is high enough, we’ll cross the sand bars at the river mouth to reveal a breathtaking river vista! 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! Visit waterholes, swim at “The Crevice” or just relax with a drink whilst eating fresh oysters off the rocks! Just the thought of leaving this magnificence will inspire mutiny!
Day 3
The morning will be spent calming the ‘mutineers’ – a morning bathed in the absolute splendour of The Falls before we slip away for another mighty Kimberley river – the Drysdale! Explore the Drysdale and catch one of our favourite fish, the impressive mangrove jack! The tenders will head ‘up-river’ on a barra expedition complete with scones and billy tea! There will also be opportunities to indulge in some beachcombing and in the afternoon, join a scenic flight to Cape Londonderry – the northern most point of Western Australia!
Day 4
Today you will have an 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 5
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 6
Start the day with the ‘hunt for the black-lip oyster’ and then visit a Kailis pearl farm off Winyalkin Island. Farm staff will explain the intriguing process of ‘growing’ pearls and one of our guests might be lucky enough to keep a treasure from the sea! 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 mackerel. In the afternoon we will see the acclaimed Wandjina “contact art” on Bigge Island.
Day 7
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 maneating 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, it’s only a short hike to Jackson Falls and there’s even more splendour from the helicopter! Before days end we will hopefully have time for a sunset drink on Naturaliste Island!
Day 8
Our first stop this morning is one of the Kimberley’s most historic sites – Phillip Parker King’s boab tree. And then it’s onto the mighty Prince Regent! The scenery will astound and there will be some ‘not to be missed’ fishing action as the True North graces this majestic river! At Kings Cascades we manoeuvre the True North right under the falls before another breathtaking helicopter flight to a picnic that you’ll never forget – True North’s mouth-watering cuisine alongside a crystal clear billabong – in one of the most remote places on earth! The helicopter will also be popular when the first group of intrepid explorers returns from Jurassic Park! Then we’ll rejoin the True North for an overnight anchorage off Camp Creek.
Day 9
The ‘early risers’ will be treated to a heli flight with a difference – a ‘champagne sunrise’ on the top of a mountain! Then its time for more ‘adventure in the tender’ – a chance to stretch the laces on your hiking boots and to swim in yet another picture perfect billabong! The more adventurous will use the helicopter to fish billabongs that have never been fished and everyone will find their own special part of the mighty Regent!
Day 10
This morning is devoted to exploring the Sale River. Fish the mouth for barra and then join naturalists and adventurers alike as we ‘ride the tide’ on a classic river expedition! Enjoy a swim in your very own billabong before returning to the ultimate comfort of the True North. You will probably be enjoying lunch as we weigh anchor and set sail for Montgomery Reef! Montgomery is a unique eco-system that must be 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 all in perspective!
Day 11
Start the day with some more ‘hot fishing action’ – this time at “Three Ways”. Then enjoy a refreshing swim at Ruby Falls – the ladies will not be able to resist our ‘a la natural mud pack and day spa special’! After lunch the well-preserved Wandjina paintings of Raft Point are sure to intrigue!
Day 12
It’s time to ‘personally’ introduce you to another 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 swim at Crocodile Creek and a walk on Silica Beach. All too soon your adventure on the True North is coming to an end – enjoy a farewell dinner to remember as the True North glides past Cockatoo & Koolan Islands, Cape Leveque and down the Dampier Peninsular to Broome!
Day 13
Our arrival in Broome is in time for an early morning coach transfer to your accommodation or connecting flights – our crew are already looking forward to the next opportunity to welcome you aboard the TRUE NORTH!
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Cabin Pricing
Ports
King George River
King George River and Falls Latitude: 13°57'S Longitude: 127°19'E
Originally known as King George Bay, the area was renamed after the merchant ship Koolama was bombed near here by Japanese aircraft during World War II. The 12km journey up the King George River reveals some of the world's most spectacular scenery and a wealth of bird species. The almost vertical sheer canyon walls have been eroded over millions of years and look like stacks of sandstone reminiscent of a child's building blocks. The King George River drains the Gardner Plateau and the falls are the highest single-drop falls in the whole of the Kimberley (100m or 330ft). Whether you experience the mighty thundering of the falls early in the season, or have the chance to get up close and personal later in the year, you'll be in awe of the sight.
Source: www.orionexpeditions.com
Cape Leveque
Latitude: 16º23'S Longitude: 122º55'E
Cape Leveque is situated 220kms north of Broome on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula. A remote oasis in the white sands, red earth and thick bush, unless travelling onboard Orion, Cape Leveque can only be accessed by self-drive 4WD (some four hours - and only in the dry season) or by air. During your visit to Cape Leveque you will enjoy beautiful swimming in rock pools with clear water and abundant tropical fish. You may choose to experience a guided beach walk with a member of the Lombadina community, go fishing, or just sit back and relax.
The Lacepedes Islands offer a plethora of wildlife. They are home to the world’s largest colony of Brown Boobies. With no natural predators these birds are able to breed and thrive on these beautiful uninhabited islands. Their closest neighbours are the green sea turtles who also choose this pristine environment to mate and hatch their eggs. You may have heard of the Lacepedes Islands in relation to the incident where an American involved in the mining of Guano raised the American Flag in an attempt to claim the islands for American possession in the late 1800s.
Country - Australia
Broome
Bordered by the Indian Ocean and sandy beaches on one side and the arid red-green landscape of the Kimberley wilderness on the other, Western Australia's Broome is a place a beat apart from the rest of Australia. Broome is a vibrant city filled with a history and culture all its own, as well as the gateway to the vast Kimberley wilderness.
Country - Australia Distance from port to City - 10kms Distance from port to Airport - 12kms Currency - Australian Dollars (AUD)
Places of Interest The Kimberleys, Cable Beach
True North Cabin Info
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Cruise line info
North Star Cruises
North Star Cruises is one of the most unique adventure-cruise operators in the world and the winner of numerous awards for excellence. The company offers activity based itineraries designed specifically for the discerning adventurer.
All cruises are designed to allow passengers to ‘experience the destination’ – daily activities include scenic walks, helicopter flights, fishing, snorkeling, culture, picnics, nature, diving, exploring and much more!
Ship info
True North
The True North features the ultimate in comfort and style! Passenger numbers are limited (36) and an Australian crew (20) provides personalised service. The ship is purpose built for accessing shallow river systems and offers several lavish vantage points including a sundeck, an observation lounge and a ship’s lounge/bar. Multiple expedition vessels take guests away in small groups to experience wilderness ‘up close’ and, the luxury of numerous tenders also means that everybody onboard gets to do "what they want, when they want"! And to add yet another dimension to adventure, the True North is the ONLY Kimberley vessel that features an onboard helicopter! With the ability to carry 6 passengers in air-conditioned comfort, the helicopter provides unique opportunity to witness grandeur; unique opportunity to fish billabongs that have never been fished; unique opportunity to discover your own wilderness! Fine dining is also featured onboard the True North
