Itinerary Australia s Iconic Kimberley Coast On Board Le Lapérouse BROOME TO DARWIN Day 1: Broome, Western Australia Often referred to as the pearl of North West Australia, Broome is Western Australia s coastal gateway to the magnificent wilderness region of the Kimberley. It s also home to the world-famous white sands of Cable Beach, making it one of the State s most popular holiday destinations. Situated 2,240 km (1,390 mi) north of Perth with a permanent population estimated at 14,436, growing to over 45,000 per month during the tourist season. Le Lapérouse will be alongside the wharf in Broome. Guests will be transferred by coach from Pearl Luggers in Downtown Broome to the wharf between 3pm and 4pm. The ship is scheduled to depart at 6pm. Days 2-9: Exploring the Kimberley Coast, Western Australia The Ancient landscape of the Kimberley coast is continually shaped by the second largest tidal range in the world. To take advantage of this natural phenomenon we have created a flexible itinerary. Our Kimberley voyages are true expeditions, where each day s activities will be determined by the Expedition Leader and Captain taking into account the tide, weather and sea conditions. Below you will find information on the destinations we may visit during our time in one of the world s last great wilderness regions The Lacepede Islands. Kimberley, Western Australia The Lacepede Islands are Western Australia s most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas), 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. Up to 20,000 Roseate Terns have also been recorded here. Other birds breeding on the islands include Masked Boobies, Australian Pelicans, Lesser Frigatebirds, Eastern Reef Egrets, Silver Gulls, Crested, Bridled and Lesser Crested Terns, Common Noddies, Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers. Join your expedition team for a guided zodiac tour to view the prolific wildlife. Due to the sensitive nature of the environment, landings are prohibited. Horizontal Falls, Talbot Bay. Kimberley, Western Australia Described by Sir David Attenborough as One of the greatest wonders of the natural world the Horizontal Waterfalls are an iconic location and one of the premier tourist attractions of the West Kimberley. They are a pair of stunning breaks in the McLarty Range approximately 300m apart. With massive tidal differences of up to 10.8m on a spring tide, the Horizontal Waterfalls are created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 4m high on a King tide. Today s included Zodiac excursion will be timed, where possible, to coincide
with the greatest tidal movement through the gaps. The amount of actual flow in the falls is dependent on the tide movement of the day. Guests have the opportunity to undertake an optional fast boat ride through the Horizontal falls. Ngumbri (Raft Point). Kimberley, Western Australia Ngumbri is the site of the most spectacular Wandjina gallery on the Kimberley coast. The Worrorra, Wunambal, and Ngarinyin people say that the Wandjina are the creator beings of the Dreaming, and that they made their world and all that it contains. Wandjina ceremonies, to ensure the timely beginning of the monsoon wet season and sufficient rainfall are held during December and January. Aboriginal people believe that if the Wandjina are offended then they will take their revenge by calling up lightning to strike the offender dead, or the rain to flood the land and drown the people, or the cyclone with its winds to devastate the country. Join your Expedition Team for a challenging hike to visit this spectacular rock art gallery. Montgomery Reef. Kimberley, Western Australia The tidal movements in the Kimberley are nothing short of massive, in fact the Kimberley has the third largest tidal range of anywhere on the planet. Montgomery Reef is a spectacular example of the impact of these tides as the entire reef appears to rise from the ocean. As the tide drops a raging torrent of water cascades off the top of the reef. At just under 400km2 in size it is Australia s largest inshore reef, containing large areas of shallow lagoon, seagrass beds and corals. Your Zodiac expedition today will take you to the exposed reef system with its cascading mini-waterfalls to witness the amazing tide induced phenomena first hand. The actual scale of the phenomena is strictly governed by the tides on the day. Freshwater Cove. Kimberley, Western Australia Wijingarra Bard Bard (Freshwater Cove), is a special place to the Worrorra people and provides a unique opportunity for visitors to hear the stories of the Lalai (creation) and gain an understanding of how country and culture intertwine in this beautiful landscape. Worrorra are saltwater people, and along with the Ngarinyin and Wunambal tribes, they are part of the shared Wandjina culture and belief system. The Wandjina is their supreme spiritual being who created the landscape during Lalai (creation time). Today guests have the opportunity to hear stories of the Lalai and join a guided walk with the traditional custodians and members of the expedition team to view the significant sites of Wijingarra Bard Bard. Langgi. Kimberley, Western Australia It is very easy to sail past the rocky inlet known as Langgi without realising the beauty and significance of this special place. Inside the inlet, the scene that unfolds is nothing short of amazing. One side of the inlet is a maze of three metre-high naturally sculptured sandstone pillars standing alongside a narrow gorge. To the Worrorra people these sandstone pillars represent warriors killed in a great Wandjina battle during the time of Lalai (Creation). Depending on the state of the tide, guests will either walk amongst the petrified stone warriors or view them from the comfort of a zodiac, accompanied by your expert expedition team. Swift Bay. Kimberley, Western Australia The Bonaparte Archipelago in WA's remote Kimberley region, is a maze of islands, inlets, peninsulas and rivers. Its colour and scale conspire to take ones breath away. Its distant location has meant it has remained an unspoilt and remarkably pristine location to explore and experience. Phillip Parker King originally named it Swift's bay" after Jonathon Swift (1667-1745) the author of Gulliver s travels. Today it is known as Swift Bay. 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 both Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art. Join your expedition team ashore for a
guided walk to a number of rock art galleries depicting the Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art. Prince Frederick Harbour (Hunter River). Kimberley, Western Australia Arguably one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River are lined with ancient rainforest pockets, pristine mangroves and mosaic sandstone cliffs. They are considered to be some of the most pristine mangrove forests in the world, containing up to 18 different species, supporting a rich and diverse fauna. 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 iconic saltwater crocodile. Our expert Expedition Team will share their knowledge with you as you explore this pristine mangrove environment by zodiac keeping a constant lookout for wildlife. Whilst Le Lapérouse is in the Hunter River guests can choose to take the optional Helicopter flight and landing at Mitchell Falls. Mitchell Falls and Plateau. Kimberley, Western Australia The Mitchell Plateau is one of the most scenic & biologically important areas of Australia. Small patches of rainforest grow around the margins of the plateau, where they are protected from fire & receive additional moisture. The Mitchell River carves gorges and waterfalls into the underlying sandstone, particularly along the margins of the Mitchell Plateau. The most scenic of all is the four tiered Mitchell falls that flow continuously throughout the year. The Mitchell Falls and plateau are only accessible via the optional helicopter tour. Detailed information about this optional tour is provided at the end of this document and can be found on our website at www.ponant.com Optional tours are required to be booked a minimum of 90 days prior to departure, with limited space available on some tours. Bookings will be on a first-in basis. Please contact us, or your travel agent, if you would like to book an optional tour to the Mitchell Plateau and Falls. Jar Island, Vansittart Bay. Kimberley, Western Australia Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region. Mainly neglected by, or unknown to, the early European researchers of Aboriginal culture in the Kimberley in favour of the dominant & more dramatic Wandjina art, Gwion Gwion art has in recent years gained world prominence. It is generally thought that this art may extend back to over 30,000 years BP & represent the first wave of seagoing colonisers of the Australian continent. As it is, these are the oldest detailed depiction 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. Anjo Peninsula, Vansittart Bay. Kimberley, Western Australia Vansittart Bay is a small remote bay of about 30 km2, synonymous with Truscott air base that was operational during the very end of the Second World War. Just behind the sand dunes on the western side of the Anjo peninsula lies the remarkably intact remains of a World War II aircraft that made a forced landing into the scrub in late February 1942. It is a C-53 Skytrooper, the military variant of the well-known Douglas DC-3. Join your expedition team for a guided walk and hear the remarkable story of how the plane came to rest in this remote part of the Australian outback and the subsequent rescue of the crew. The walk to the wreck takes in the tidal mudflats and dry savannah scrub that is synonymous with the rugged Australian outback.
King George River and Falls. Kimberley, Western Australia The journey up the King George River is nothing short of breathtaking. The 80m high sides of the gorge display varying degrees of weathering of the ancient Warton sandstone. The colours and textures of the gorge change with the light as you travel further up the river creating a continual changing wallpaper of passing scenery that is simply stunning. The journey culminates at the King George twin falls; the highest single-drop falls in the whole of the Kimberley (80m or 260ft). Your expert Expedition Team will escort you in your choice of a 2 or 3 ½ hour zodiac tour to the foot of the twin falls, during your tour you will learn all about the stunning geological formations making up the walls of the canyon. OPTIONAL TOUR INFORMATION Day 10. At Sea Enjoy a leisurely day at sea to reflect on your experiences, take advantage of the luxurious on board services or enjoy a cool drink at the Pool Bar. Today your expedition team will provide informative presentations about the Kimberley region. The Kimberley is one of the world s last great wilderness areas, and one of Australia s greatest natural assets. The 13,000km of remote isolated coastline boasts more than 2,600 islands, Australia s largest inshore reef, the world s largest population of Humpback whales, extensive undisturbed mangrove forests, wild rivers, and important seabird breeding colonies. It is a national biodiversity hotspot, and listed in the top 3.7% of least impacted marine environments worldwide. Darwin, Northern Territory. Disembarkation Darwin is the largest city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, with a population of 136,245. It is the smallest and most northerly of the Australian capital cities, and acts as the Top Ends regional centre. Darwin was originally a pioneer outpost. Le Lapérouse will be alongside the wharf at the Darwin Cruise ship terminal located at Fort Hill Wharf. and embarkation will commence shortly after breakfast. During your iconic Kimberley Coast voyage, we will provide included activities at each destination. To further enhance your Kimberley coastal experience, the following optional tours are available for pre booking. Optional tours are required to be booked a minimum of 90 days prior to departure, with limited space available on some tours. Bookings will be on a first-in basis. Please contact us, if you would like to book an optional tour during your iconic Kimberley coast voyage. MITCHELL FALLS SCENIC HELICOPTER FLIGHT AND LANDING Duration: 90 minutes Price: 470 (Minimum of 20 persons) (Maximum of 90 persons) Today Le Lapérouse will be anchored in Prince Frederick Harbour and our fleet of zodiacs will be exploring the lower reaches of the Hunter River. The Mitchell falls are on the Mitchell River and the only way to see them is to take the scenic helicopter flight and landing at the falls. It is possible for guests to take the scenic helicopter flight as well as the included zodiac tour in the Hunter River. After a short Zodiac ride to a wet landing on Naturalist Island you will be given a safety briefing by the Helicopter pilot. The pilot will allocate each guest a seat in the helicopter. Helicopters are a combination of 3 to 4 seat Jet rangers and 4 to 5 seat long rangers. Helicopter type and loading is determined on a weight basis by Helispirit. Ponant yacht cruises and expeditions has no control over helicopter loading or seat allocation. After taking off from the beach enjoy a 20-minute flight to the stunning Mitchell Plateau. Your experienced pilots will keep you informed about one of the most scenic and biologically important areas of Western Australia.
You will land next to the falls where you will have approximately fifty minutes to explore the area before your return flight. You will be unaccompanied in a stunning yet rugged and very remote area, with uneven rocky surfaces and little shade from the sun. From the landing site it is a short 10-minute walk to some great spots to photograph the quadruple drops of Mitchell Falls. You may even have time for a refreshing swim in the river, well above the saltwater crocodile habitats the Kimberley is renowned for. After your time on the plateau you will have another opportunity to view the vast expanse of the Kimberley region from the air as the skilled pilots take you along a different route for the return 20-minute flight to Naturalists Island. Jet Ranger Seating arrangements. I next to the pilot and up to 3 forward facing in the rear of the aircraft. Long Ranger Seating arrangements. 1 next to pilot and 4 in the rear, up to 3 forward facing and 2 rear facing. Helicopter type is determined by Helispirit. Helicopter loading and seat position is determined on a weight basis by the pilots. Commentary is provided in English only. For better photographic opportunities the rear doors of the helicopters are removed for the flights. A good level of mobility and fitness is required to alight the aircraft and walk around the plateau to view the falls. Please note that you will be unaccompanied in a stunning yet rugged and very remote area, with uneven rocky surfaces and little shade from the sun. FAST BOAT RIDE THROUGH THE HORIZONTAL FALLS Duration: 30 minutes Price: 60pp (Minimum of 20 persons) (Maximum of 150 persons) Today Le Lapérouse will be anchored in Talbot Bay and our fleet of zodiacs will be exploring Cyclone creek and the Horizontal falls in Talbot Bay. Due to the strength of the tidal flow the zodiacs will not pass through the Horizontal Falls during peak flow. Whilst our ships Zodiacs can show you the falls up close, to experience the thrill of the falls in full tidal movement you will need a larger, faster boat. Local operator, Horizontal Falls Adventures has three fast rigid hulled inflatables based at the falls available to give you a short thrill ride through the fast moving waters of the falls. Speed through the gaps in the sandstone walls and experience the foaming rapids up close. Guests will be picked up from the Marina Deck by one of the Horizontal Falls Adventures boats. These boats are purpose built vessels and have a seating capacity of 12, 24, 26 or 48 guests. The seating style varies for each vessel. Horizontal Falls Adventures determines which vessel they will use for the experience. It is usually possible to undertake the inclusive zodiac tour as well as the fast boat ride. However Horizontal Falls Adventures controls the timings of the fast boat tours and this cannot always be guaranteed. The exact vessel used for your adventure ride is determined by Horizontal Falls Adventures.
Seating arrangements vary for each vessel type. The actual experience is governed by (1) The state of the tidal cycle (neap/spring) and (2) The timings allocated by the tour operator. The tour operator does not guarantee to pass through both falls Tour duration includes embarkation and disembarkation time. It is 5 minutes travel time from the ship to the Horizontal falls Commentary is provided in English only. A good level of mobility and fitness is required to alight the vessel This activity is not recommended for guests with any back problems.