10 DAY BROOME / MITCHELL PLATEAU / BROOME

"A one way coastal Odyssey between Broome and the magnificent Mitchell Plateau - home of the 4 tiered Mitchell Falls. Explore Kimberley icons such as the Horizontal Waterfalls, the Buccaneer Archipelago (1000 islands), Raft Point Aboriginal art, the magnificent King Cascades and more. Fish rivers and estuaries, explore islands, enjoy breath taking Kimberley sunsets, and discover this ancient wilderness with only a small handful of fellow explorers. Includes helicopter and light aircraft scenic transfers between Broome and the Mitchell Plateau".

SUGGESTION: For the ultimate Kimberley odyssey, why not combine this cruise with a 4wd tour?
Ultimate Kimberley Odyssey 01-17 JUNE 2008 Kununurra-Mitchell Plateau-Broome 4wd, Heli, Cruise $10809 pp (twin cabin) 2 places left
Ultimate Kimberley Odyssey 30 MAY- 14 JUNE 2008 Broome-Mitchell Plateau-Broome Cruise, Heli, 4wd $10425 pp (twin cabin) 2 places left

Broome-Mitchell Plateau (fly back to broome) CRUISE-FLY



DAY 1 welcome aboard in broome

Our crew are looking forward to meeting you. Your charter bus will greet you at around 10.30am and arrange for your transportation to the vessel. The first of many trips in the tender. We'll ferry you out to the MV Odyssey where you can enjoy a light brunch and settle into your new home for the next 10 days. We should be under way by 12pm. You may wish to stroll to the upper deck, enjoy the fresh sea air and relax with the contrasting colours of our coastal beaches. We will steam through the night so you can make the most of your time in the heart of the Kimberley. 

DAY 2 Buccaneer Archipelago, Crocodile Creek - Myridi Bay

Relax, sit back and enjoy a satisfying breakfast and take in the scenery as we cruise throughout the magnificent Buccaneer Archipelago. The Buccaneer Archipelago consists of more than 800 islands. This area undergoes a tidal range of over 10 metres. Named by Phillip Parker King in 1820 in memory of William Dampier, a supposed Buccaneer and early explorer for the King of the time. We'll then visit Silicon Beach for a scenic bush walk then onto Crocodile Creek. We'll zip up the creek in the tender and have a swim in a safe fresh water hole at the base of a lovely little waterfall. We'll anchor in a lovely protected bay to watch the Kimberley sun settle over Cockatoo Island.

DAY 3 Talbot Bay - Horizontal Falls - Raft Point

We'll experience the awesome power of the Horizontal Falls in the morning. When it is safe your experienced crew will take you through the falls then continue on for a fascinating exploration of the geology located within Talbot Bay. About 1800 million years ago a piece of continental crust, which we now know as the Kimberley, impacted with northern Australia. A succession of lava flows together with massive up lifting and faulting of the once horizontal layers of sandstone have given rise to the amazing display of geology we can now enjoy in Talbot Bay.

From Talbot Bay we cruise to Raft Point - the site of perhaps the best Aboriginal rock art gallery on the coast. A short walk reveals spectacular scenery and endless views across Doubtful Bay to Steep Island. At the Raft Point gallery we will learn about the local Aboriginal beliefs, culture, their lifestyles they once enjoyed and the Wandjina that shaped their land.

DAY 4 Raft Point - Montgomery Reef

From Raft Point we take an unforgettable passage through Turtle Alley to Montgomery Reef. Pending a low tide, our tour will include a fascinating reef exploration on part of the 400 square kilometres of Montgomery Reef. With one of the biggest tide ranges in the world, on a high spring tide this reef is more than four metres underwater, then within six hours on low tide, it's exposed by more than four metres. A marvel not to be missed and neither is the chance to catch a tasty fish for dinner. Spot for giant mantas, turtles, dugongs and the many varieties of fish life. If the tides and time are on our side we'll have a fantastic and thrilling evening arrival within the Sale River.

DAY 5 Enjoying the Sale River and its surrounds

On the high tide we'll hop in our tenders and zip up to where the fresh water from the Sale River meets the tidal salt water. We will walk within some heavenly country and enjoy the crystal waters of the lush rainforest creeks feeding the Sale. The Sale is one of our favourite places so we will take the time to enjoy it overnight, perhaps fish for Mangrove Jack, and spot for crocs.

On high tide we'll cruise out of the Sale and head towards the Prince Regent River.

DAY 6 Prince Regent River - Kings Cascade - Camp Creek

We will cruise into the St George Basin and standing tall on our arrival will be Mt Trafalgar and Mt Waterloo, named by Phillip Parker King in 1820. On high tide we can cruise up the magnificent Prince Regent River and go ashore to walk and swim in the beautiful Camp Creek fresh water pools. Time is on our side so you can enjoy your excursions. A beach BBQ lunch ashore may be on the agenda. The keen fisherman can try their hand at catching the elusive Barramundi. Further up the Prince Regent we will take you to view the lovely King's Cascade where we will remind you to respect the local crocs and their environment. If the tides are on our side we may be able to show you some easily accessible Aboriginal art just off the river. The breathtaking scenery will have your camera and binoculars working overtime.

DAY 7 Prince Regent River 

Leaving Prince Regent River on high tide we will cruise back out of the Prince Regent River heading north towards Carreening Bay. In 1820 the HMC Mermaid was careened on this beach to repair her hull. Whilst the vessels naturalist was recording and drawing many new and unusual Kimberley species of flora and fauna the carpenter took the opportunity to record their time by engraving a large nearby Boab tree with the letters "HMC Mermaid 1820". We'll go ashore here to spend an hour reliving the past. 

DAY 8 Prince Frederick Harbour

From the Prince Regent,  we cruise towards Prince Frederick Harbour which is fed by many rivers and creeks including the spectacular Roe and Hunter Rivers.

DAY 9 Prince Frederick Harbour - Hunter and Roe Rivers

Today we are within the Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River. The Hunter River presents perhaps the most spectacular river scenery in Western Australia. On seeing it you can decide if this is an understatement. Grand red cliffs tower above the mangrove fringed river. This magnificent area is fed by several river systems. Making the most of the tides, we will be able to visit both the Hunter River and Porosous Creek. Our expert guides will show you hidden wonders of this area's wildlife focusing on the bird life and crocodiles. Make sure you have plenty of film for your cameras. The bird and animal life along this watercourse is prolific. You may spot an elusive Chestnut Rail on the mud banks or the huge Great Billed Heron within the tops of the mangroves.

DAY 10 Naturalist Island - Mitchell Plateau - Broome

This day has come all too soon. But the adventures not over yet - you have an action packed day ahead. A tender ride to the island, a helicopter flight over the Mitchell Plateau and charter flight across the Bonaparte and Buccaneer Archipelago back to Broome. We head off early to explore the beach of Naturalist Island where we will meet the helicopter. After our sad farewells on the beach, you take off on a thrilling ride in a chopper to explore the magnificent Mitchell Falls. Your pilot will then take you to the airstrip where your charter aircraft awaits to return you to Broome. On arrival in Broome our courtesy bus will transport you to your accommodation (between 3-5pm).

PLEASE NOTE

We are pleased to note that light aircraft and helicopter transfers from the vessel to Broome or Broome to the vessel are included in the cost of the cruise. Luggage must be packed into soft bags and weigh no more than 15kg.

**Please note itineraies are subject to change with weather and tidal conditions.