Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Darwin, Embark Ship
Today, we’ll meet you at the airport before welcoming you aboard your expedition ship. The Seabourn Pursuit is the newest and most luxurious ship on the Kimberley Coast, boasting incredible facilities, delectable dining options and personalised service. You might like to admire the views from the panoramic balcony of your spacious suite, sip champagne on the outdoor deck, take a dip in the infinity pool or share stories of your adventures with your newfound friends in one of the luxurious shared spaces. A relaxed dinner this evening gives you the chance to meet your fellow travellers and sets the tone for the next nine nights on board.
Day 2 - King George River and Falls
Today, your ship cruises into Koolama Bay. Hear how this harbour was renamed following the Japanese bombing of the MV Koolama in 1942. Join your Expedition Team aboard a Zodiac to meander through King George River’s gorge system, passing mangrove-fringed coves and sheer red cliffs. This evening, enjoy a Captain’s welcome dinner.
Enjoy a relaxed morning aboard your luxurious ship. This afternoon, pay a special visit to Ashmore Reef Marine Park. Located in the Timor Sea and spanning 583 square kilometres, the reef is a sanctuary for many marine species. Every year, more than 100,000 seabirds breed here, including crested terns, white-tailed tropicbirds and great frigatebirds. 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. 255 species of reef-building coral dwell here - the greatest number of any reef on the West Australian coast. Our visit to Ashmore Reef is required to ensure we comply with Australian government regulations. Pending favourable weather and sea conditions, you’ll explore this sanctuary via Zodiac with your Expedition Team.
This morning, join your Expedition Team on an intriguing discovery. Walk across salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force DC-3 which crash-landed near Vansittart Bay during World War II. Later, we reposition in the bay to visit Jar Island and discover the island’s outstanding rock art gallery. During your exploration here, you’ll see fascinating examples of Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, dating back more than 20,000 years.
Today, enjoy a Signature Experience on Bigge Island.
Day 6 - Hunter River, Mitchell Falls
You are transported to Prince Frederick Harbour today, home to the towering red cliffs and tangled mangroves of Hunter River and Porosus Creek. With its extreme tides and pristine ecosystems, the harbour and its waterways are rich in wildlife including mudskippers and saltwater crocodiles. Porosus Creek takes its name from the scientific name for saltwater crocodile, a good indication of what we’re looking for today. Keen birdwatchers should keep a careful eye out for kingfishers, egrets, herons and white-bellied sea eagles. To enhance your day, you might choose to set out on a thrilling helicopter flight to see the Mitchell Falls in all its splendour from above (flight at own expense).
Day 7 - Montgomery Reef, Freshwater Cove
Today, visit Montgomery Reef and Freshwater Cove, where you will enjoy two Signature Experiences.
Explore Talbot Bay and Cyclone Creek. Accompanied by your Expedition Team Leader, you’ll weave nimbly past the dramatic folds of rock formations, keeping a lookout for local wildlife.
Day 9 - Buccaneer Archipelago, Adele Island
There’s promise of turquoise waters today as your ship arrives in the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to more than 800 islands. Cruise to Adele Island and join your Expedition Team member for an exploration of this remote coastal area by Zodiac. The island is surrounded by Adele Reef, teeming with an array of coral and marine life, including reef sharks and stingrays.
Day 10 - Disembark Ship, Broome
Arriving into Broome this morning means it’s time to say goodbye to your expedition ship. Be transferred to the iconic Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa, where you'll enjoy dinner.
Day 11 - Gibb River Road, Windjana Gorge
In Derby, visit a local art gallery to view indigenous art from across the Kimberley before joining the Gibb River Road to Windjana Gorge, where sheer cliffs tower above pristine white sands and fossils lie embedded in the gorge walls.
Back on the Gibb River Road, travel to Bell Gorge, where stunning cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. You might like to hike to the lower pool of the gorge and enjoy a dip in the waterfall below. Alternatively, relax in the shade and enjoy a spot of birdwatching.
Day 13 - Galvans Gorge, Manning Creek, Drysdale River Station
Travel through the heart of Kimberley cattle country to Galvans Gorge, where a refreshing swim awaits. Then, continue to the beautiful Manning Creek, where you'll enjoy lunch before arriving at the historic cattle station of Drysdale River Station.
Day 14 - Mitchell Plateau, King Edward River
Explore the Wandjina and Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) rock art galleries of the Mitchell Plateau before a swim in the clear waters of the King Edward River.
A world of waterfalls awaits your discovery today. Begin with a guided hike to Little Mertens Falls and view rarely seen rock art. See Big Mertens Falls, then enjoy an included helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls.
Day 16 - Gibb River Road, El Questro
Bidding the Mitchell Plateau goodbye, rejoin the Gibb River Road and ford the Durack and Pentecost rivers on the way to El Questro.
Hike to Emma Gorge where you'll be rewarded with a swim beneath a towering droplet waterfall. Afterwards, enjoy a Signature Experience.
Day 18 - Purnululu National Park, Echidna Chasm
Journey into Purnululu National Park, home to the famed black and orange striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range. Travel the Spring Creek Track before hiking to Echidna Chasm, a natural cleft in the rock. Later, arrive at your lodge in the heart of the national park.
Day 19 - Purnululu National Park, Picaninny Creek, Cathedral Gorge
Explore the magic of Purnululu for yourself and discover the depth of the Bungle Bungle Range. Created by the constant erosion of river movements over 20 million years, the range has both geological and Indigenous cultural significance. Start with a walk along Piccaninny Creek, before stopping at Cathedral Gorge. You might like to take a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungle Range (own expense).
Travel along the Spring Creek Track to Kununurra, known as the gateway to eastern Kimberley.
Day 21 - Lake Argyle, Ord River Cruise
Travel to Lake Argyle today, the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere. From here, set out on a wildlife cruise along the mighty Ord River. Explore this ecological system, which has developed from the damming of the river to create an area rich in native wildlife and flora.
Day 22 - Nitmiluk National Park
Cross the border into the Northern Territory on the way to Nitmiluk National Park. This evening, be treated to canapes and drinks on arrival at Cicada Lodge, followed by a three-course dinner showcasing local produce.
Day 23 - Nitmiluk Gorge, Kakadu National Park, Yellow Water Billabong Cruise
After breakfast, set out on a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge. Next, it's on to Kakadu, Australia’s largest national park. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on Yellow Water Billabong, then journey to Nourlangie Rock. See its ancient rock art, dating back some 20,000 years.
Day 24 - Arnhem Land, Hawk Dreaming, Cannon Hill
A local guide will join you today as you cross the East Alligator River into spiritual Arnhem Land. Experience the ancient art and natural beauty of this special place. This afternoon, return to Kakadu to discover the rock art and billabongs of Cannon Hill and Hawk Dreaming (please note Arnhem Land may be inaccessible for cultural reasons or when tides prevent the crossing of the East Alligator River).
Day 25 - Ubirr Rock, Darwin
Located within Kakadu National Park, visit the sacred site of Ubirr and explore its galleries of ancient Indigenous rock art. There are some works that have been continuously painted and repainted since around 40,000 BC. Later, travel to Darwin, where the time has come to look back on the journey as you enjoy a farewell dinner.
Your epic adventure draws to a close today as you are transferred to Darwin Airport for your onward flight.