At a Glance
All aboard The Great Escape...
Explore the best of the Southern Kimberley Coast from Broome to the Mitchell Plateau onboard this all-inclusive, 8-day luxury adventure cruise that features scenic flights over the Mitchell and Horizontal Falls.
There is nothing quite as immersive, invigorating, profound and peaceful as a Kimberley Coast cruise. Here, in one of the oldest and largest landscapes on Earth, is a largely untouched wilderness of striking contrasts, with 1,200-kilometres (746mi) of sheer cliffs, pristine white sands and clear turquoise waters teeming with marine life. The Southern Kimberley Coast is particularly special, with its jaw-dropping waterfalls, fertile inland reefs and fascinating European and Indigenous history.
Departing from Broome, take flight for the ultimate bird’s eye view of the magnificent Kimberley landscape and Mitchell Falls, one of Australia’s most spectacular waterfalls. From ...
Trip Highlights
|
|
What's Included
- 7-nights’ accommodation onboard The Great Escape on a twin share basis.
- All-inclusive meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon tea.
- All non-alcoholic beverages – coffee, tea, juices, soda water, tonic water and soft drink.
- All travel onboard The Great Escape.
- All light aircraft/helicopter transfers.
- All services of professional crew.
- Flexible itinerary and freedom to do as much or as little as you like.
- All sightseeing activities.
- Linen, towels, hair dryers, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, insect repellent.
- Premium fishing gear.
- Transfers to/from your accommodation to the ship at the start and finish of the trip
Itinerary
 |
Departing from Broome, Western Australia, start your adventure with a scenic fixed wing flight over the Kimberley, one of the oldest and largest wilderness landscapes in the world. Touch down on the Mitchell Plateau and travel the rest of the way by helicopter. As you cut through the sky, look out your window for the ultimate bird’s eye view of Mitchell Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Australia. Dropping more than 80-metres over four tiers, the Falls contrasts beautifully with the sunburnt cliffs, making for a spectacular photo op. Mid-morning, your crew will welcome you aboard your luxury vessel - The Great Escape – with a light brunch. When you are ready, set off along the Hunter River, an incredibly scenic waterway teeming with fat Barramundi, succulent mud crabs and castaway island beaches. This 30-kilometre-long (19mi) river is said to have the highest proportion of saltwater crocodiles of any other river in the Kimberley. You will stay the night on the Hunter and make a fire on the beach, or cruise over to historic Careening Bay. |
The Great Escape
Lunch, Dinner |
Delve deep into Careening Bay and pay a visit to the famous ‘Mermaid’ Tree. In 1820, Lieutenant Phillip Parker King and his crew were forced to land in the bay when their vessel Mermaid began taking on water. During the 10 days it took to complete the maintenance, the vessel’s carpenter visited the local Boab tree and carved ‘HMC Mermaid 1820’ into the trunk. Two hundred years later, the lettering has grown to 12-metres high and is a testament to the pioneering spirit that helped chart the indomitable Kimberley Coast. Next, cruise through Saint Georges Basin to the mouth of the Prince Regent River. This is a stunning cruise that passes both Mount Trafalgar and Mount Waterloo, two massive bluffs that seem to rise from nowhere amid one of the most remote wilderness areas on Earth. With luck, the tide will allow a spot of fishing and a chance to land the legendary Barramundi. The highlight of the day is undoubtedly the beautiful King Cascades. Take a moment to watch the mesmerising spectacle of freshwater cascading over the ancient terraced rock formations and, if you dare, venture to the front of the vessel for a shower you won’t soon forget. You can also take a walk and make the climb above the Cascades for a dip in the natural swimming pool, surrounded by lush ferns and the sounds of nature – Prince Regent River provides a haven for more than half the Kimberley’s native mammal and bird species. You will stay the night at Camp Creek. |
The Great EscapeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Spend the morning exploring Camp Creek, which runs from the mouth of the Prince Regent River to a rock bar where freshwater meets salt. Crocodiles are common in this creek and often seen in the first billabong, surrounded by paperbark trees, lilies and marsh-warts. Complete a walk to find two magnificent pools that end in a series of waterfalls. This is also a great site for birdwatchers. Upon return to the boat, cruise towards Camden Harbour where you will anchor up for the evening. |
The Great EscapeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Step back in time at Camden Harbour, the site of the first attempted European settlement of the Kimberley. This attempted settlement was a disaster, and your crew will explain why as you explore the old settlement. Tide permitting, gather a sumptuous feast of Kimberley rock oysters and then cruise through Kuri Bay, Australia’s first South Sea pearl farm. The sheds of machinery and generators are still here, along with staff quarters, called verandahs, although a resident crocodile has since moved in. In the afternoon, try your hand at reef fishing before cruising down the coast to Langii, an Aboriginal Dreaming site. A major cultural site for the Worora people, Langii is home to the ‘Petrified Warriors’, remarkable sandstone pillars representing warriors killed in a Dreamtime battle. You’ll spend the evening cruising to Doubtful Bay, a ‘doubtful’ entrance to the mythical inland sea. |
The Great EscapeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Spend the next two days exploring Montgomery Reef, the world’s largest inshore reef. An astonishing marine spectacle, Montgomery Reef is transformed by some of the biggest tidal changes on Earth. When the tide falls, often over 8-metres, the coral reef appears to rise from the ocean in a torrent of cascading water and a plethora of marine life makes its escape. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, dugongs, saltwater crocodiles and six species of threatened marine turtles. The marine park is also home to the Southern Hemisphere’s most important humpback whale nursery. You will stay the night at the magnificent Raft Point, best known for its Aboriginal rock art. It is also an ideal spot for fishing and mud crabbing. |
The Great EscapeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Delve deeper into Montgomery Reef and spend the day fishing, exploring waterfalls and making use of the expedition tenders. You will stay the night in Dugong Bay. |
The Great EscapeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
Start your day with a scenic walk through a rainforest canopy to a hidden rock pool for a refreshing dip. Then, take to the air for the ultimate bird’s eye view of Horizontal Falls. Described by David Attenborough as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”, the Horizontal Falls are just as intriguing as they are stunning. The fast-moving tidal current squeezes through two narrow gorges, pushing the water into rapid like formations, which rush through the twin gaps at an astonishing rate, producing waterfalls turned on their side. The direction of the Falls changes depending on the tides. Back on the boat, cruise towards the Buccaneer Archipelago, a beautiful area consisting of some 800 to 1,000 islands with secluded white sand beaches. Stop over at Crocodile Creek for a swim and a barbeque lunch before cruising past Cape Leveque on the way back to Broome. On this leg of the journey, you will see a beautiful contrast of colours: red-rock cliffs, bone-white sand and clear turquoise water. |
The Great Escape Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
All good things must come to an end. After cruising all night, arrive back in Broome to disembark around 8:00am. Friendly office staff will then organise a transfer to either your accommodation or the airport. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
The Great EscapeBreakfastDates & Prices
Please enquire about available cabin type. Please Please contact us for group bookings or private charters.
More Info
- The start and finish point is Broome, Western Australia.
The Kimberley has two distinct seasons: wet season (December to March) and dry season (April to November). During ‘the Wet’ most 4WD roads and National Parks are closed. As such, this tour operates during ‘the Dry’ with daytime temperatures ranging from 28-30-degrees Celsius. Be aware, however, that the region can get surprisingly cold overnight.
Note: In September and October, as ‘the Wet’ approaches, temperatures increase accordingly, and it can be very hot during the day. It is essential you are prepared for this.
As this itinerary involves a transfer via light aircraft and helicopter, there is a strict 10-kilogram luggage allowance per passenger. Please note, the ship provides a complimentary laundry service onboard. If you are embarking on an extended holiday and have luggage in addition to your 10kg cruise baggage the Guest Relations Coordinator will happily arrange storage for the duration of your cruise.
- Native Title Access Fees (park fees) as determined by traditional owners of exclusive native title areas along the Kimberley Coast.
- Alcohol is BYO (must be organised via the local bottle shop 6-8 weeks prior to embarkation).
- Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, internet, travel insurance and airfares to and from home.
- Helicopter scenic flights – no need to pre-book, can be arranged once onboard and payable via credit card at end of the cruise.
- Satellite WIFI available for $60AUD
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
