Coral Princess
10 NIGHT KIMBERLEY (AURORA CHARTER) BROOME-BROOME
cabin type |
2011 |
Twin Share |
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| Cabin - Decks D & C | $6,950 pp |
| Stateroom - Decks C & B | $8,050 pp |
| Deluxe Stateroom - Decks B & A | $8,450 pp |
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Prices include accommodation; services of expedition staff including lectures, briefings, slide/film presentations, and other group activities; group transfers during the cruise; all meals; 24 hours tea/coffee station; landing fees. |
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"Explore the intricate maze of coral reefs, rocky islands and mangrove-fringed rivers of one of Australia's most exotic wilderness areas. We travel from Broome to Bigge Island and back again, allowing us additional time to explore hidden bays and offshore islands along the way. Expect to be mesmerised by the wildlife, history and dramatic landscapes and along the way learn from our Kimberley experts who interpret all that we will discover from Aboriginal and European perspectives".
DAY 1
Having sampled the relaxed pace of life in cosmopolitan Broome, we transfer to our floating home, Coral Princess.
DAY 2
By early afternoon, we'll wander along beautiful, white sandy beaches of the Lacepede Islands, prime breeding grounds for the green - and occasionally flatback - turtles. We'll be immersed in the cries of some 40,000 brown boobies, 5000 lesser frigate birds, and thousands of terns, pelicans and cormorants.
DAYs 3-4
The iron-red stumps of the Wyndham and McLarty ranges reach the sea at Talbot Bay and Yampi Sound, creating a startling maze of more than 800 red islands mirrored in clear blue waters. Cruising north we may choose to cool off in Crocodile Creek, confront the renowned Horizontal Waterfalls in Talbot Bay and inspect tide pools of awe-inspiring Montgomery Reef.
DAYs 5-6
After a visit to the magnificent rock art galleries of Raft Point, we'll cruise past the failed 19th C sheep farming areas in Doubtful Bay and Camden Harbour, and hope to visit the former home site of Susan and Michael Cusack near the ruins of Kunmunya Mission. Making good use of the shallow draft of Coral Princess, we plan to enter the 100 kilometre-long knife-slice of the Prince Regent River gorge. If all goes well, we can plunge into the cool, freshwater swimming holes near the remote King Cascade.
DAY 7
Using our Zodiac inflatables or purpose-built river launch, we set out to explore the coastal fringe of the Prince Regent Nature Reserve, home to more than half of the Kimberley's mammal and bird species, the formidable saltwater crocodile, and at least 500 species of plants. Further north, Careening Bay provided a haven to explorer Phillip Parker King in 1820.
DAY 8
As we cruise north, we travel offshore to Bigge Island in search of the "upsetting eyes and electrified hair" of the famous Wandjina spirit paintings. Here we may also ponder the origin of controversial rock art that depicts figures smoking pipes and wearing baggy European trousers.
DAY 9
Turning south, we make for Langgi in the northern Collier Bay area, where a maze of three metre-high stone pillars mark the start of a mythical Aboriginal tale.
DAY 10
Overnight we cruise into Yampi Sound, one of the world's richest iron ore provinces. Nearby Koolan Island is described in the Australian Geographic Kimberley book as one of the most beautiful yet daunting places on earth.
DAY 11
We should arrive back in Broome by early morning. Complimentary transfer to hotel or airport is provided as we begin the journey home, after saying farewell to newfound friends.
note
Please Note: This itinerary is an indication of the reef, islands and coastal areas we visit. While every effort will be made to follow this itinerary we do reserve the right to vary this itinerary to make allowances for weather and tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.
