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All over the world travellers recommend cruising as a great way to see the country without having to unpack and repack every day. In the Kimberley, along Western Australia’s vast coastline and Over The Top luxury cruise boats offer you the chance to see some of our wildest and least inhabited regions.

During the summer months, the Kimberley coast is subject to cyclone activity and the boats move to New Guinea to explore this untamed land of mighty rivers, impenetrable jungle, unusual culture and smoldering volcanoes. This is a unique opportunity to see New Guinea in luxury.

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CRUISE THE KIMBERLEY WILDERNESS
In The Kimberley region of the North West, cruises are the ideal way to visit beautiful places that are otherwise completely inaccessible. Enjoy life aboard a comfortable cruise boat; head out for adventures both ashore and on smaller boats; eat delicious fresh caught seafood and wonderful home cooked meals and get to know your hosts. This region is so vast and so varied, that on an eight night cruise you are unlikely to encounter other cruise people at all.
 

A typical day aboard might be

  • Early morning arrival into a remote bay, drop the anchor and enjoy breakfast on the back deck.
  • Beach comb a deserted beach, relax on deck with a book, or photograph the scenery as you cruise between islands and past tidal whirlpools.
  • Board the tender (smaller boat) for a little fishing or tackle crabbing in the mangroves.
  • Back on board, discuss the 'ones that got away' while lunch is prepared – fresh crabs and fish, perhaps today prepared in Thai Style.
  • Cruise through magnificent scenery, watch for whales (in season), then board the helicopter for a flight to a spectacular freshwater waterfall with a cool, clear, inviting swimming hole.
  • At low tide, collect fresh oysters and enjoy them with a cold beer as the sun sets over the ocean & the islands of the Archipelago.
  • After a hot shower sit down to a delicious dinner & enjoy the company of your fellow travellers and the crew
  • End the day with a casual lesson in astronomy – you won’t believe the stars up here!.


THE ROWLEY SHOALS

The Rowley Shoals are located 260 kms off Broome (an overnight cruise away) and are surrounded by some of the world’s richest game fishing waters. The three atolls of Mermaid Reef, Clarke Reef and Imperious Reef are perched on the edge of Australia's continental shelf and are a near perfect example of atoll geomorphology. Due to their remoteness, they are in pristine condition, so much so that they are honored with marine wilderness status and are being considered for world heritage listing.

Rowley Shoals are among the few reefs in the world affected by a high tidal range. The dramatic five meter tides pouring massive volumes in and out of the coral framework have created unearthly and enchanting coral-scapes. The turquoise lagoons are filled with coral bommies brimming with exotic tropical fish and unbelievably colourful formations. Drift diving in and out of the atolls, sweeping you through pristine coral-scapes peppered with remarkable structures like the incredibly intricate and flamboyant gorgonia coral.

Rowley Shoals are home to over 600 species of fish and two thirds of Australia's tropical species are found here. Maori wrasse, barracuda, coral trout, angelfish, morays and turtles are in abundance. Cave and night dives add an extraordinary dimension. For non-divers the cruise focuses on snorkelling, whale watching and fishing.


NEW GUINEA CRUISING

Mighty rivers, impenetrable jungle, unique culture, smouldering volcanoes and classic South Pacific vistas! This is one of the world’s great luxury adventure-cruises! Some of the highlights include:

  • Cruise the Province of Milne Bay – a maritime region featuring more than 600 islands!
  • Walk in the rainforest of Kwato Island
  • Enjoy fine dining, seafood extravaganzas, cocktail parties, beach picnics
  • Visit the ‘skull caves’ and sample a ‘moo moo’ – the local form of BBQ
  • Fish for your breakfast, swim, go beach combing, explore the local villages – the smiling people are always happy to welcome friendly visitors
  • The ship’s helicopter will spoil you with exhilarating flights over endless waterways, isolated villages, lush rain forests and spectacular mountain ranges
  • Evening entertainment includes traditional dancing, a visit to a turtle nesting beach as well as a performance by the spectacular fire dancers of Baining
  • For anglers this is paradise – try your luck with Papuan Black Bass, barramundi, saratoga, mangrove jack and Mahi Mahi
  • Head out in expedition boats to explore deeper into the jungle and visit isolated villages that have little contact with the outside world. New Guinea is rich in diverse culture and there will be rare opportunities to encounter unspoilt ways
  • Discover jungles that shelter countless varieties of birds including colourful parrots, hornbills, wild fowl and the famed bird of paradise. Many rare species of butterfly are present and New Guinea is also home to over two thirds of the world’s orchid species. You may be lucky enough to see a reclusive tree kangaroo!
  • See Rabual – once described as the most beautiful town in the South Pacific
  • Fly to the highland town of Goroka for the Mud Men dance and when the dancing is over you will be returned to another world!

REPOSITIONING CRUISES

Over The Top
A 14 day annual cruise (usually in October) from Darwin Cairns
Experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, the rainforest fringed coastline of Cape York, some of Australia's most remote island communities, and rugged "Top End" - all in a single cruise and all whilst you enjoy the total luxury or our beautiful cruise boat.

West Coast Explorer Cruise
11 days / 10 nights traveling from Perth to Exmouth in total comfort and luxurious style, this voyage operates each March. Join the experienced and friendly crew for yet another voyage of discovery………this time you will encounter a vast & remarkable coastline featuring sociable marine mammals, colossal sharks and, mutineers!

 Best time to visit

Kimberley cruises operate from March to October.

New Guinea cruises operate from November to December.

March and October are the months for Rowley Shoals and the re-positioning cruises

 

 Places to Stay

» Perth Hotels
» Broome Hotels
» Cairns Hotels

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 Abbreviations

OT : Operating Time
AU$ : Australian Dollar
US$ : US Dollar
Mon : Monday
Thu : Thursday
* per person twin share
 



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