Coastal Quest Kimberley Cruising 2027 – PONANT

Make your own way to Broome and check in to your hotel. The day is yours to spend at leisure exploring the highlights of Broome or relaxing by the pool.

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

Today is yours to explore at your own pace. Venture to Cable Beach where the white sand and blue ocean stretches as far as the eye can see. Visit Chinatown district or do a spot of pearl shopping in the Broome mall. (B)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the morning in Broome. In the afternoon, you will be transferred from your hotel to the Port of Broome to board Le Soleal or Le Jacques Cartier for your Kimberley cruising adventure. Settle into your cabin, make yourself comfortable, enjoy dinner and perhaps have a nightcap. (B,D)

OVERNIGHT: 10 nights Le Soleal or Le Jacques Cartier

The Lacepede Islands are Western Australia’s most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles and have been named by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The breeding colony of Brown Boobies is possibly the largest in the world and up to 20,000 Roseate Terns have also been recorded here, amongst the plethora of other birdlife. Join your Expedition Team for a guided Zodiac tour to view the prolific wildlife. (B,L,D)

Lying to the east of the Buccaneer Archipelago, the ancient landscapes of Collier Bay have been shaped by massive tidal movements, creating a photographer’s paradise. With a tidal range exceeding 14 metres, this movement of water creates a unique phenomenon. Nestled in the centre of the bay is Montgomery Reef, the world’s largest inshore reef system. As the tide falls a raging torrent of water cascades off the top of the reef, creating turbulent ‘rivers’ and mini waterfalls.

Nestled at the southern end of Buccaneer Archipelago is Talbot Bay, home to the world’s only ’Horizontal Falls’ and described by Sir David Attenborough as “one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.” Hidden in the many caves and grottos of this ancient landscape are a multitude of ancient rock art galleries. Activities here will be determined by the weather and tide conditions. (B,L,D)

Journey continued from previous day. (B,L,D)

Careening Bay was named by Lieutenant Phillip Parker King after his ship, the HMC Mermaid, was careened there during his third voyage of discovery in 1820. At high tide, on a warm September afternoon, King ran the leaking HMC Mermaid onto the sands. As the crew worked hard to re-float the vessel, the ship’s carpenter carved the name of the vessel and the year into a conspicuous boab tree. The boab tree is now three metres wide and National Heritage listed. (B,L,D)

Arguably one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River are lined with pockets of ancient rainforest, pristine mangroves, and mosaic sandstone cliffs. The sandstone escarpment at the river mouth, known as “Kampamantiya” rises over 200 metres high before giving way to extensive mud banks and mangrove forests home to numerous bird species and the saltwater crocodile. The Expedition Team will share their knowledge as you explore by Zodiac, keeping a lookout for wildlife. You will also have the opportunity to reach the Mitchell Falls by helicopter from Naturalist Island beach (additional cost). (B,L,D)

The Bonaparte Archipelago consists of a rugged maze of islands stretching almost 150 kilometres along Western Australia’s coast. Its remote location has ensured it remains a remarkably pristine location to explore and experience. The ‘T’ shaped bay is composed of heavily fractured sandstone providing an abundance of rock shelters. On the walls of these shelters are examples of Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a guided walk to a number of rock art galleries depicting these unique rock art styles. (B,L,D)

Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region. Gwion Gwion art may extend back to over 30,000 years before our time and represents the first wave of seagoing colonisers of the Australian continent. As it is, these are the oldest detailed depictions of human figures in the world. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwion art galleries. (B,L,D)

The journey up the King George River is nothing short of breathtaking. The 80-metre-high sides of the gorge display varying degrees of weathering of the ancient Warton sandstone. The colours and textures change with the light creating a continually changing vista that is simply stunning. The journey culminates at the King George twin falls, the highest single drop falls in the whole of the Kimberley. Your Expedition Team will escort you to the foot of the twin falls and explain the stunning geological formations of the canyon. (B,L,D)

Enjoy a leisurely day at sea to take advantage of the luxurious onboard services or sip a cool drink by the pool. Your expedition team will offer an enrichment programme focusing on Australian history, flora, and fauna. Enjoy some down time on the deck, relax in the sauna, or sample culinary specialties prepared by the Chef and Galley Team. Lovers of the open sea can visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. (B,L,D)

Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory and a melting pot of people and cultures that prides itself on its friendly, laid-back lifestyle. Early this morning, Le Soleal or Le Jacques Cartier will dock in the Port of Darwin where you will disembark and be transferred to your hotel. The day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Discover the town’s history through its emblematic buildings, such as the new Parliament House opened in 1994, a magnificent example of tropical architecture, or Admiralty House, a tropical-style home elevated on stilts that has survived two cyclones and numerous air raids. (B)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Hilton Darwin

Today is for further exploration of Darwin city, taking in the relaxed pace of life in the north. Alternatively, consider an optional tour (additional expense) to make the most of your time in the Top End. (B)

Celebrate the beginning of your journey with a welcome drink and light refreshments and pause for a photo with The Ghan’s iconic red locomotive before stepping on board. Settle into your home for the next few days, enjoying the comforts of your cabin, or mingle with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. As The Ghan begins to travel south, a chef-prepared lunch awaits before your Off Train Experience in Katherine.

Here you’ll choose how to explore this remarkable region. Cruise through the towering sandstone cliffs and dramatic beauty of Nitmiluk Gorge and uncover its deep cultural significance. Alternatively, step into the Katherine Outback Experience for an authentic glimpse into the lives of those who call the outback home. Or venture underground at the Cutta Cutta Caves, where fascinating limestone formations, native wildlife and stories of Indigenous culture are waiting to be shared. For a different perspective, upgrade to a helicopter flight and take in the scale of Nitmiluk from above. (B,L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 3 nights The Ghan Expedition

Wake to the wide-open skies of the outback as The Ghan draws closer to the iconic town of Alice Springs. After a hearty breakfast on board, step into the heart of Central Australia with a choice of Off Train Experiences designed to suit every traveller.

Take to the red dirt on an off-road e-bike adventure, join the A Town Called Alice tour to uncover the town’s major landmarks, or immerse yourself in culture with a guided journey through Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap. Here, sheer rock walls blaze red in the sunlight and ancient landscapes hold deep spiritual significance for the Arrernte people. Wildlife lovers can meet desert creatures at Alice Springs Desert Park, while those seeking a grander perspective can opt for a scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

As night falls, the hallmark experience of The Ghan Expedition awaits. At the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, dine beneath a canopy of stars, surrounded by the red earth of the desert. With white tablecloths, fine food and live entertainment, it’s an evening you’ll never forget. (B,L,D)

Today brings you to the extraordinary outback town of Coober Pedy, where life is anything but ordinary. Known as the opal capital of the world, this desert settlement hides its treasures both above and below, and more than half the population live underground.

Your adventure begins with a morning stop at the remote outpost of Manguri to take in the sunrise, before continuing on to Coober Pedy for a day of exploration. A highlight is a gourmet lunch enjoyed underground, a dining experience as unique as the town itself. Off Train Experiences include visiting the striking Breakaways, uncovering the town’s quirky attractions, or learning the fascinating history of opal mining on the Opal Experience. For an unforgettable view, upgrade to a scenic flight over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre.

Back on board for your final night, dinner is served in the dining carriage before one last nightcap in the lounge with fellow travellers as The Ghan journeys towards Adelaide. (B,L,D)

This morning, you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the green fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the Flinders Ranges before arriving into Adelaide.

Stepping off the train, you’ll carry more than memories of extraordinary landscapes. You’ll take with you the stories shared, the connections made, and the sense of wonder that only a journey through the heart of Australia can bring. (B)