Australia's Kimberley: Voyage to the Outback

Small-ship cruise

September 12, 2013 - September 26, 2013

Priced from: $10,980

Extensions

Optional Pre-Voyage Extension: Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge & Bungle Bungle

Friday, September 6 – Sunday, September 15

Friday & Saturday, September 6 & 7, 2013
Depart USA
Board your independent flight to Australia, crossing the International Date Line en route.

Sunday, September 8
Brisbane, Australia / Darwin
Arrive into Brisbane and connect with your flight to Darwin—a land of paperbarks, gum trees, wallabies, and crocodiles. Gather at the Crowne Plaza Darwin this evening for a welcome dinner and overnight.

Monday, September 9
Darwin / Kakadu
This morning depart Darwin by coach stopping to board the Widllands Wetlands Cruise along the Corroborree Billabong which features amazing bird life as well as numerous crocodiles. After lunch continue to Kakadu National Park, visiting Mamukala Wetlands, a haven for birds and wildlife. This evening enjoy dinner and overnight at Gagudju Crocodile Hotel.

Tuesday, September 10
Kakadu National Park
Today we travel to the Northern part of Kakadu. Here we visit Uburi Rock to observe Aboriginal cave paintings depicting thousands of years of inhabitance. View the Arnhem Land escarpment and floodplains from the nearby lookout. Have lunch at the Bowali Cultural Centre which contains a wealth of information on the landscapes and habitats of Kakadu. In Cooinda, enjoy a Yellow Waters sunset cruise, a peaceful and relaxing way to end the day. This area will provide you with an opportunity to view many waterbirds, a variety of tropical plants, and crocodiles basking on the riverbank. Return early evening to the Gagudju Crocodile Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Wednesday, September 11
Kakadu / Katherine / Kununurra
Transfer to the Jabiru airport for a scenic flight from Kakadu to Katherine. Fly over the spectacular Jim Jim and Twin Falls continuing over Arnhem Land escarpment to Katherine Gorge, which is actually a series of 13 gorges possessing a rugged natural beauty. Upon arrival in Katherine, your coach will be waiting to continue to Kununurra, via Victoria River and Timber Creek. Check in to the Kununurra Country Club for dinner and overnight.

Thursday, September 12
Kununurra
This morning arrive at the Ord River for a cruise through isolated wilderness with opportunities to view freshwater crocodiles, flying foxes, prolific birdlife, and spectacular scenery. A luncheon will be served at a lovely picnic spot along the river. Returning to Kununurra explore Mirima (Hidden Valley) National Park located on the outskirts of town. This park features 300 million year old sandstone cliffs and is home to a large variety of wildlife including birds, reptiles, wallabies, bats, dingoes, and echidnas. This evening return to the Kununurra Country Club for dinner and overnight.

Friday, September 13
Kununurra / Fitzroy
Early this morning transfer to the Kununurra airport to board planes for a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle, Ord River, Lake Argyle, and Carr Boyd Ranges. All seats are roomy and have windows for ultimate viewing and photography. Bungle Bungle (Purnulu National Park) is a 3,000 square kilometer park which is one of Australia’s greatest natural wonders. An area of awe-inspiring beauty, the Bungle Bungle is characterized by its beehive-shaped, sandstone domes featuring spectacular horizontal orange and gray bands. Although these strange domes have always been known locally, they only came to the attention of the general public in 1983, and the area was declared a national park in 1987. After lunch in the historic town of Halls Creek, continue on to Fitzroy for dinner and overnight at Fitzroy River Lodge.

Saturday & Sunday, September 14 & 15
Fitzroy / Broome / Embark Caledonian Sky
This morning visit Geikie Gorge National Park. The Gorge, carved out by the passage of the Fitzroy River, is approximately 9 miles long with walls up to 100 feet high. Cruise by boat through the breathtaking scenery and mystical Aboriginal sites with local cultural guides before continuing on to Broome to meet the main group and enjoy dinner and an overnight at the famed Cable Beach Club. On Sunday, join the main group and board the Caledonian Sky.

  • Price: $6,860 single occupancy, $5,480 double occupancy

Optional Post-voyage Extension: Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge & Bungle Bungle

Wednesday, September 25 – Wednesday, October 2

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Darwin / Disembark Caledonian Sky
Disembark in Darwin and enjoy a tour this attractive port city. Dinner and overnight at the Crowne Plaza Darwin.
 
Thursday, September 26
Darwin / Kakadu
This morning depart Darwin by coach stopping to board the Widllands Wetlands Cruise along the Corroborree Billabong which features amazing bird life as well as numerous crocodiles. After lunch continue to Kakadu National Park, visiting Mamukala Wetlands, a haven for birds and wildlife. This evening enjoy dinner and overnight at Gagudju Crocodile Hotel. 
 
Friday, September 27
Kakadu National Park
Today travel to the Northern part of Kakadu. Here you will visit Uburi Rock to observe Aboriginal cave paintings depicting thousands of years of inhabitance. View the Arnhem Land escarpment and floodplains from the nearby lookout. Enjoy lunch at the Bowali Cultural Centre which contains a wealth of information on the landscapes and habitats of Kakadu. In Cooinda, embark on a Yellow Waters sunset cruise, a peaceful and relaxing way to end the day. This area will provide you with an opportunity to view many waterbirds, a variety of tropical plants, and perhaps saltwater crocodiles basking on the riverbank. Return early evening to the Gagudju Crocodile Hotel for dinner and overnight.
 
Saturday, September 28     
Kakadu / Katherine / Kununurra
Transfer to the Jabiru airport for a scenic flight from Kakadu to Katherine. Fly over the spectacular Jim Jim and Twin Falls continuing over Arnhem Land escarpment to Katherine Gorge, which is actually a series of 13 gorges possessing a rugged natural beauty. Upon arrival in Katherine, your coach will be waiting to continue to Kununurra, via Victoria River and Timber Creek. Check in to the Kununurra Country Club for dinner and overnight. 
 
Sunday, September 29
Kununurra
This morning embark on a cruise through the isolated wilderness of the Ord River with opportunities to view crocodiles, flying foxes, prolific birdlife, and spectacular scenery. A luncheon will be served at a lovely picnic spot along the river. Returning to Kununurra explore Mirima (Hidden Valley) National Park located on the outskirts of town. This park features 300 million year old sandstone cliffs and is home to a large variety of wildlife including birds, reptiles, wallabies, bats, dingoes, and echidnas. Return to the Kununurra Country Club for dinner and overnight.
 
Monday, September 30
Kununurra / Fitzroy
Early this morning transfer to the Kununurra airport to board planes for a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle (Purnulu National Park), Ord River, Lake Argyle, and Carr Boyd Ranges. All seats are roomy and have windows for ultimate viewing and photography. Bungle Bungle is a 3,000 square kilometer park which is one of Australia’s greatest natural wonders. An area of awe-inspiring beauty, the Bungle Bungle is characterized by its beehive-shaped, sandstone domes featuring spectacular horizontal orange and gray bands. Although these strange domes have always been known locally, they only came to the attention of the general public in 1983, and the area was declared a national park in 1987. After lunch in the historic town of Halls Creek, continue on to Fitzroy for dinner and overnight at Fitzroy River Lodge.
 
Tuesday, October 1
Fitzroy / Broome / Brisbane
This morning visit Geikie Gorge National Park. The Gorge, carved out by the passage of the Fitzroy River, is approximately nine miles long with walls up to 100 feet high. Cruise by boat through the breathtaking scenery and mystical Aboriginal sites with local cultural guides. Continue on to Broome and transfer to the airport for your flight to Brisbane, with dinner and overnight at our airport hotel.
 
Wednesday, October 2
Brisbane / USA
Board your independent flight, crossing the International Date Line en route.

  • Price: $6,860 single occupancy, $5,480 double occupancy