Kimberley Cruise Center

Oceanic Discoverer

10 NIGHT KIMBERLEY EXPEDITION: darwin/broome


2009

 

2010

 
Twin share Sole use  Twin share  Sole use
1. Main Deck B $7,750 pp $11,625  $8,250 pp  $12,375
2. Main Deck A $7,950 pp $11,925  $8,550 pp  $12,825
3. Promenade Deck B $8,250 pp $12,375  $8,950 pp  $13,425
4. Promenade Deck A $8,450 pp $12,675  $9,250 pp  $13,875
4. Bridge $8,950 pp NA  $9,750 pp  NA
INCLUSIONS: 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.

***We are now pleased to advise that the recent fall in the price of diesel fuel has enabled Coral Princess Cruises to abolish their fuel surcharges, effective for all existing and new bookings for cruises departing on or after February 1, 2009. The surcharge will remain in place for departures up to and including January 31, 2009.

  Combine an Oceanic Discoverer Across the Top cruise with a Kimberley cruise for a total 10% discount   


Oceanic Discoverer's 10 night expedition cruises will take you to a place of magnificent vistas created by towering rock ridges, silent secluded gorges, wide savannah plains and waterfalls which defy both nature and belief.


darwin-broome itinerary (reverse itinerary below)

DAY 1: Depart Darwin

10:00am: Board Oceanic Discoverer for an 11:00am departure. Departing Darwin Harbour we cross Cambridge Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters. This evening meet your fellow travellers and friendly crew as we enjoy the Captain's Welcome Aboard Cocktails.

DAY 2: King George River

Today we discover the first of the Kimberley's ‘big' rivers, the mighty King George. Aboard Xplorer, our specially designed excursion vessel, we'll explore scenic gorges, and in our inflatable zodiacs we'll cruise close to the base of magnificent King George Falls, the tallest waterfalls in Western Australia towering some 80 metres above the river below. Later, we visit Tranquil Bay for beach walking and exploration.

DAY 3: Bigge Island and Aboriginal Art

This morning we visit the sea bird rookeries on Low Rocks, followed by a stop at Cape Voltaire for a swim and beach exploration. This afternoon we discover the amazing rock art gallery on Bigge Island.

DAY 4: Prince Frederick Harbour

Cruising into Prince Frederick Harbour we anchor at Naturalist Island. We have helicopters available for optional scenic flights over the Mitchell Plateau for close up views of the mighty four-tiered Mitchell Falls. This evening, enjoy a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset as we indulge in a gourmet Aussie Beach BBQ.

DAY 5: Careening Bay

Careening Bay was named by Phillip Parker King after his ship, ‘HMC Mermaid', was careened during his first voyage of discovery in the Kimberley. Our lecturers lead us to the site of a large boab tree baring the inscription "HMC Mermaid - 1820", still clearly visible almost 200 years later. This afternoon we cruise into the very scenic Prince Regent Basin.

DAY 6: Prince Regent River and King Cascade

We cruise the mighty Prince Regent River aboard Xplorer to breathtaking King Cascade, an unusual and picturesque waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations. Enjoy a picnic lunch at beautiful Camp Creek, where there is time for a leisurely swim in the fresh water pools. The more adventurous may wish to join a nature walk, keeping an eye out for native Kimberley birdlife.

DAY 7: Kuri Bay and Raft Point

Today we cruise through Kuri Bay, home of the south sea pearl industry. Travelling ashore at Raft Point we visit a secluded and very interesting Aboriginal rock art gallery to view Wandjina art and the mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion), thought to be the world's oldest indigenous art, dating back over 20 000 years. Enjoy time to discover one of the bay's many uninhabited islands and enjoy a cooling dip in the freshwater pools.

DAY 8: Montgomery Reef and Horizontal Falls

Today we cruise through the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to over 800 islands, and experience two of the unforgettable highlights of the Kimberley Coast. See Montgomery Reef ‘rise' out of the ocean as the tide ebbs, before joining a reef walk and marine life study. In Talbot Bay, the region's 12 metre tides create an amazing spectacle, the unique Horizontal Falls. Board the zodiacs for an exhilarating, up-close view of this natural phenomenon.

DAY 9: King Sound and Crocodile Creek

Cruising through King Sound we witness the effects of the iron ore mining operations on Koolan and Cockatoo Islands. We visit Crocodile Creek to enjoy exploration and fresh water swimming.

DAY 10: Lacepede Islands

Cruising Yampi Sound we visit the Lacepede Islands. These islands are situated well off shore and are known for the turtle nestings and booby and frigate bird colonies. This evening we farewell new-found friends as we enjoy the Captain's Farewell Cocktail Party.

DAY 11: arrive into Broome

8:00am. Our unforgettable cruise along the Kimberley coast concludes in Broome this morning.

BROOME-DARWIN ITINERARY

DAY 1: Depart Broome

4:30pm Board Oceanic Discoverer for a 6:00pm departure. This evening meet your fellow travellers and friendly crew at the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party. Enjoy cocktails as we depart Broome and cruise north towards Cape Leveque.

DAY 2: Lacepede Islands

Today we cruise through Pender Bay and visit the Lacepede Islands. These islands are situated well off shore and are known for the turtle nestings and booby and frigate bird colonies.

DAY 3: Crocodile Creek and Horizontal Falls

This morning we travel ashore aboard Xplorer, our specially designed excursion vessel. We visit Crocodile Creek where there is time to explore and enjoy a cooling dip in the fresh water pools. At Talbot Bay, the region's 12 metre tides create an amazing spectacle, the unique Horizontal Falls. Board the inflatable zodiacs for an exhilarating, up-close view of this natural phenomenon.

DAY 4: Montgomery Reef and Aboriginal Art

We cruise through the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to over 800 islands, before arriving at Montgomery Reef. See the reef ‘rise' out of the ocean as the tide ebbs, before joining a reef walk and marine life study. Later, we travel ashore at Raft Point and visit a secluded and very interesting aboriginal rock art gallery. With our lecturer, view Wandjina art and the mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion), thought to be the world's oldest indigenous art, dating back over 20 000 years. Enjoy time to discover one of the bay's many uninhabited islands and enjoy a cooling dip in the freshwater pools.

DAY 5: King Cascade and Camp Creek

We cruise the mighty Prince Regent River aboard Xplorer to breathtaking King Cascades, an unusual and picturesque waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations. Enjoy a picnic lunch at beautiful Camp Creek, where there is time for a leisurely. The more adventurous may wish to join a nature walk, keeping an eye out for native Kimberley birdlife.

DAY 6: Careening Bay

Careening Bay was named by Phillip Parker King after his ship, ‘HMC Mermaid', was careened during his first voyage of discovery in the Kimberley. Our lecturers lead us to the site of a large boab tree baring the inscription ‘HMC Mermaid - 1820', still clearly visible almost 200 years later. This afternoon we cruise through Kuri Bay, home of the south sea pearl industry.

DAY 7: Prince Frederick Harbour and Beach BBQ

Cruising into Prince Frederick Harbour we anchor at Naturalist Island. We have helicopters available for optional scenic flights over the Mitchell Plateau for close up views of the mighty four-tiered Mitchell Falls. This evening, enjoy a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset as we indulge in a gourmet Aussie Beach BBQ.

DAY 8: Bigge Island and Low Rocks

Discover rarely seen Aboriginal art on Bigge Island. Our lecturer will be on hand to interpret this amazing rock art gallery which dates back thousands of years. Later, we visit the sea bird rookeries on Low Rocks.

DAY 9: Vansittart Bay

Enjoy a full day to explore beautiful Vansittart Bay and its many islands and secluded coves.

DAY 10: King George Falls and Tranquil Bay

Today we explore the mighty King George River. Aboard Xplorer, we'll discover scenic gorges, and in our inflatable zodiacs we'll cruise close to the base of magnificent King George Falls, the tallest waterfalls in Western Australia towering some 80 metres above the river below. Later, we visit Tranquil Bay for beach walking and exploration. This evening we farewell new-found friends as we enjoy the Captain's Farewell Cocktail Party.

DAY 11: Arrive into Darwin

8:00am. Our unforgettable cruise along the Kimberley coast concludes in Darwin this morning.

Please note: These itineraries are an indication of the reef, islands and coastal areas visited. 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.