The Kimberley Coast, Western Australia
Australia’s Kimberley coast is vast, remote, and largely inaccessible by land. Over 12,000 kilometres of deeply indented coastline stretch across the far north-west – sandstone cliffs stained in every shade of red and ochre, tidal waterfalls that reverse direction with the moon, rock art galleries dating back more than 17,000 years, and a wilderness that most Australians will never see in their lifetime.
Kimberley Quest offers two distinct expedition itineraries aboard the Kimberley Quest II: a 14-day Ultimate Quest covering the full coastline between Broome and Wyndham, and a 21-day Beyond Adventure departing Darwin. Both are true expedition cruises – small-group, guide-led, with daily excursions by tender, on foot, and by helicopter. Fishing for barramundi, swimming in freshwater rock pools, exploring WWII crash sites, and witnessing Montgomery Reef rise from the ocean as the tide drops. For travel agents building premium Australian wilderness itineraries, this is the kind of product that sells itself once clients understand what it actually involves.
14 DAY ULTIMATE QUEST
Broome to Wyndham – Day by Day
Broome & Cable Beach
A courtesy vehicle collects guests from their Broome accommodation at approximately 4.30pm for transfer to the Kimberley Quest II. There’s time to settle into your cabin, meet the captain and crew, and enjoy a drink on the bow as the vessel cruises past the famous Cable Beach with the sun dropping below the horizon. Dinner follows as the ship heads north into King Sound.
Broome is a characterful town with deep pearling history, red pindan cliffs, and a pace of life that prepares you well for the two weeks ahead. It’s worth noting that the embarkation is late afternoon, so clients arriving that day need flights landing by early afternoon at the latest.
Trade tip: We recommend booking clients at least one night in Broome pre-cruise. Cable Beach, the pearling museums, and a camel ride at sunset make for a natural warm-up. We can arrange Broome accommodation and pre-cruise touring.
Buccaneer Archipelago, Dugong Bay & Talbot Bay
The morning begins with a crossing of King Sound and a cruise through the thousands of islands that make up the Buccaneer Archipelago. In Dugong Bay, guests take a scenic tender excursion and cool off with a swim in freshwater pools. Then comes one of the Kimberley’s great icons – the Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay.
Massive tidal movements force water through two narrow gorge gaps in the McLarty Range, creating a “waterfall” that flows horizontally. David Attenborough called them “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.” Guests ride through the gaps by fast tender as the tide turns. It is genuinely exhilarating. The afternoon continues with a scenic excursion into Cyclone Creek to marvel at the rock formations.
Trade tip: The Horizontal Falls tender ride is the adrenaline highlight of the whole voyage. It’s an early appearance on Day 2, which sets the tone immediately. Clients should be reasonably mobile for getting in and out of tenders.
Collier Bay, Montgomery Reef & Red Cone Creek
An early morning barramundi fishing session in Collier Bay kicks off the day. Then comes Montgomery Reef – covering more than 300 square kilometres, making it Australia’s largest inshore reef. As the tide drops, the reef appears to rise from the ocean, water cascading off its surface in every direction. The effect is mesmerising and genuinely difficult to describe until you see it.
Guests explore by tender, observing turtles, sea birds, and an astonishing variety of marine life in the shallow waters. The afternoon brings a cruise to Red Cone Creek for a refreshing swim at Ruby Falls, or a go at mud crabbing for those who fancy it.
Trade tip: Montgomery Reef is tide-dependent, so the experience varies between departures. When conditions are right, it’s jaw-dropping. Worth highlighting to clients who respond to unusual natural phenomena – there really is nothing else like it anywhere.
Doubtful Bay, Sale River & Raft Point
Morning fishing in the inlets of Doubtful Bay targets barramundi and threadfin salmon. Then an expedition upstream along the Sale River to swim in spring-fed rainforest pools, viewing ancient rock art from the tenders along the way. The afternoon brings one of the cultural highlights of the voyage – a walk up to the caves at Raft Point.
Perched on the hillside, these caves contain some of the finest and best-preserved Wandjina art in the Kimberley. Large, round-eyed spirit figures painted in white, red, and black ochre – central to the traditions of the region’s traditional custodians. From the top, there’s an extraordinary view of the Kimberley coast as the sun begins to set.
Trade tip: Raft Point is a strong selling point for clients with an interest in Indigenous culture and art. The combination of the walk, the art, and that sunset view from the top tends to stay with people. It’s one of those moments that doesn’t need embellishment.
Langii, Kuri Bay & Camden Harbour
A day that mixes geology, history, and the Kimberley’s quieter rhythms. The morning begins at the mysterious cove of Langii, where remarkable sandstone pillars known as the “Petrified Warriors” – representing warriors killed in a Dreamtime battle – rise from the landscape. The vessel then cruises between Augustus Island and the mainland, passing the remote pearling settlement of Kuri Bay.
At Camden Harbour, guests visit the forlorn settlers’ graves on Sheep Island and learn about the history of early European settlement in the region. There’s time for tender exploration, rock oyster collecting, or fishing. Or simply staying on the sundeck and taking it all in.
Trade tip: This is a day that rewards curiosity. The Petrified Warriors at Langii are visually striking and the Camden Harbour history adds unexpected depth. Not every day needs to be high adrenaline – this is the Kimberley at a more contemplative pace.
Prince Regent River, King Cascade & Cathedral Falls
An early morning cruise through St George Basin – a stunning inland sea framed by the mighty Mt Trafalgar and Mt Waterloo. The vessel then heads up the Prince Regent River, a pristine waterway cutting through sandstone cliffs and gorges, arriving at the spring-fed King Cascade. Water rushes down in breathtaking tiers surrounded by lush ferns and wildlife.
Guests climb above the falls for an unforgettable swim in a massive crystal-clear pool, with a view back over the Prince Regent River stretching into the distance. Wilderness adventuring at its absolute best. Late afternoon, the guides lead an excursion to Cathedral Falls while spotting crocodiles and flying foxes. Alternatively, fish the Prince Regent River, which is renowned for big barramundi and threadfin salmon.
Trade tip: King Cascade is one of those places that photographs can’t quite capture. The swim above the falls with that view down the river – it’s a genuine “pinch yourself” moment. For fishing clients, the Prince Regent is among the best barramundi spots on the entire coast.
Careening Bay & Bigge Island
Careening Bay is the site of an ancient carved boab tree first visited in 1820 by Phillip Parker King during a hydrographic survey of the Australian coastline. The tree still stands, inscribed with the name of King’s vessel – a tangible link to European exploration that feels remarkably immediate.
From here, the vessel cruises north to Bigge Island, one of the largest sandstone islands along the coast and home to extraordinary Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) art as well as Wandjina art with a distinctive maritime theme. The journey continues past rugged terrain and ancient weathered rocks towards the Mitchell River.
Trade tip: The carved boab at Careening Bay is one of those details that captures the imagination – especially for history-minded clients. Bigge Island’s rock art galleries are world-class, and the maritime-themed Wandjina paintings here are unique along the coast.
Mitchell River & Surveyors Creek
The vessel enters the incredible assortment of islands forming the Bonaparte Archipelago and cruises to the Mitchell River – source of the magnificent Mitchell Falls, the Kimberley’s most iconic natural landmark. Guests can charter a helicopter for an exhilarating flight directly over the tiered waterfall system – the perspective from the air is staggering.
Back at water level, there’s fishing in the rich waters of the Mitchell River estuary and crocodile spotting from the tenders. Late afternoon brings a swim in the cool, tranquil waters of Surveyors Creek. Overland access to Mitchell Falls takes days by 4WD on rough tracks – the expedition cruise makes this accessible in comfort.
Trade tip: The helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls is optional and available for charter – confirm availability and cost at time of booking. It’s the single most requested add-on across the voyage. For clients who book it, the Mitchell Falls helicopter experience tends to become the centrepiece of their trip story.
Vansittart Bay & WWII DC3 Crash Site
Vansittart Bay is rich in both ancient and modern history. Guests explore various coves visiting sites with fascinating Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art – named after Joseph Bradshaw, who in 1891 became the first European to record these paintings. Some of this art, unique to the Kimberley, has been dated at over 17,000 years old. The delicate, finely detailed figures are a completely different artistic tradition from the Wandjina paintings seen earlier.
On the eastern side of the bay lies the wreck of a DC3 aircraft from World War II – a haunting reminder of the Kimberley’s wartime role, sitting on the mudflats where it came down. The coastline here is wild. Mangrove-lined creeks, mudflats teeming with birdlife, saltwater crocodiles along the shoreline.
Trade tip: The rock art at Vansittart Bay is genuinely world-class and a key differentiator. Clients with an interest in archaeology, anthropology, or Indigenous culture will find this among the most memorable days. The WWII wreck adds an unexpected historical layer that surprises many travellers.
Drysdale River Exploration
The Drysdale is one of the longest rivers in the Kimberley at 432 kilometres. Guests spend the day exploring the spectacular palm-studded landscape and the rapids of the Drysdale area. Guided tender excursions take in crocodiles, flying foxes, and many species of birdlife thriving on the delta islands. There’s swimming in secluded rock pools.
Late afternoon brings a walk on a deserted beach or the chance to fish for barramundi around the many “snags” – submerged timber that the fish love to hide around. The Drysdale feels genuinely untouched. It’s one of those days where the remoteness of the Kimberley really sinks in.
Trade tip: A quieter day that appeals to nature lovers and fishing enthusiasts equally. The Drysdale doesn’t have the headline status of King George Falls or the Horizontal Falls, but clients often mention it as one of the days that surprised them most.
Cape Londonderry, Glycosmis Falls & Koolama Bay
The vessel cruises around Cape Londonderry – the most northerly point of Western Australia. Glycosmis Falls delivers another spectacular Kimberley waterfall before the expedition moves to Pangali Cove, the survivors’ camp where guests can enjoy a freshwater dip beneath a waterfall.
The afternoon brings Koolama Bay, where the motor vessel Koolama was beached in February 1942 following a Japanese air attack during World War II. The passengers were taken ashore on orders from the ship’s master, and 93 people had to walk overland on an epic cross-country trek through the Kimberley wilderness. It’s a remarkable piece of wartime history that most people have never heard of.
Trade tip: The Koolama Bay story is genuinely compelling and the crew share it with real enthusiasm. For clients interested in WWII history, the Kimberley’s wartime involvement across several days of this itinerary adds an unexpected dimension to what most people assume is purely a nature trip.
King George River & Twin Falls
The signature moment of the voyage. At high tide, the Kimberley Quest II crosses the sandbars and enters the King George River for a breathtaking cruise along this majestic cathedral-like gorge. Towering sandstone cliffs rise on either side as the vessel approaches the King George Falls – a dual waterfall with an uninterrupted vertical drop of over 80 metres, making them among the tallest waterfalls in Western Australia.
The Kimberley Quest II is able to cruise right to the base of the twin falls for a refreshing “shower” – Kimberley style. For intrepid guests, a climb to the top rewards with a breathtaking vista of the river below and a swim in the upper pools. The vessel anchors overnight just metres from the falls, with the sound of cascading water and an extraordinary view from the bow.
Trade tip: This is the hero moment. Anchoring overnight at the base of King George Falls is something the Kimberley Quest II can do that larger vessels cannot – it’s an intimate experience that clients talk about for years. The climb to the top is optional but highly recommended for reasonably fit travellers.
Berkeley River & Cambridge Gulf
An early morning cruise up the Berkeley River takes in numerous waterfalls and ancient sandstone escarpments tinted in ochre. Guided excursions offer crocodile-spotting, bird watching, and fishing. The Amphitheatre Falls provide a dramatic backdrop before guests cool off in beautiful freshwater pools.
Late afternoon, a tender excursion pushes up to the back of the Berkeley River where salt water meets fresh water. Fish off the flat rocks for barramundi lurking in the rapids, or walk to a freshwater pool for a relaxing dip. The final evening under Kimberley skies is spent savouring the last of the wilderness as the vessel cruises towards Cambridge Gulf and Wyndham.
Trade tip: The Berkeley River is a fitting penultimate day – dramatic scenery, good fishing, and a contemplative mood as the voyage nears its end. The farewell dinner atmosphere on this final evening tends to be memorable.
Disembark at Wyndham & Transfer to Kununurra
The Kimberley Quest II arrives at Wyndham Port early morning. Guests enjoy a final breakfast on board before saying goodbye to the crew. A courtesy coach departs at 7.30am for the transfer to Kununurra (100km), arriving at approximately 9.00am.
Kununurra makes a natural post-cruise base. Surrounded by boab trees and dramatic sandstone ridges, it sits at the edge of the Ord River irrigation scheme. Scenic flights over the Bungle Bungle Range, sunset cruises on Lake Argyle, and the nearby El Questro Wilderness Park all offer strong post-cruise extensions.
Trade tip: We strongly recommend booking at least one night in Kununurra post-cruise. After 14 days on the water, a comfortable hotel and a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles is the perfect decompression. We can arrange Kununurra accommodation, touring, and onward flights to Perth, Darwin, or the east coast. This itinerary pairs well with broader Australian journeys.
WHAT’S ON BOARD
Inclusions & The Kimberley Quest II
Frequently Asked Questions
