The Kimberley Expedition Cruise

• Return domestic flights (economy class), departure city surcharges may apply

• 10-night cruise aboard Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’ ship
• Enjoy all-inclusive shore and zodiac excursions on your cruise (scenic helicopter flight at Mitchell Falls at additional cost)
• Cruise aboard a small expedition ship with a maximum of 120 guests per sailing

• 1 night of 4-star hotel accommodation in Darwin

• Enjoy 30 meals including all meals while cruising
• Selected wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages are served complimentary with lunch and dinner while cruising

• Broome port to airport transfer included

• Cabin Upgrades: Cabin upgrades are available (see checkout for details)
• Flight Upgrades: Upgrade to Business Class. (See checkout for details)
• Arrive Early: Arrive up to 30 days before your tour starts. (Does not include hotel accommodation, meals or transfers)
• Stay Behind: Return up to 30 days after your tour concludes. (Does not include hotel accommodation, meals or transfers)

Today, depart for Darwin, the gateway to Australia’s untamed top end. Upon arrival, make your own way to your centrally-located hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight: Rydges Darwin Central or similar, Darwin

Meals included: None

Embark: 08:00
This morning, make your own way to Darwin Fort Hill Wharf for boarding at 08:00, with time to settle into your stateroom before a 09:00 departure. There will be a light breakfast available upon boarding before you cruise across Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters.

Overnight: Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’

Meals included: Lunch; Dinner

Fed by the King George River draining across the Gardner Plateau, 80m-tall King George Falls are the most impressive Kimberley waterfalls and the highest twin falls in Western Australia. Before reaching the mist-like spray rising from the base of King George Falls, cruise through steep-sided gorges carved by a flooded river system that carved a swathe through the Kimberley landscape 400 million years ago.
Early in the waterfall season, you may cruise around the base of impressive King George Falls while in later months we take the opportunity to view the honeycomb erosion patterns of sandstone cliffs up close.

Overnight: Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Vansittart Bay is home to many cultural and historically-significant sites, like the remarkable Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) Aboriginal rock art galleries, estimated to be up to 20,000 years old. Jar Island is named after the pot shards found here, brought to the island by Makassan fishermen harvesting sea cucumbers (also known as trepang).
Nearby, on the Anjo Peninsula lays the well-preserved wreckage of a US Air Force C-53 Skytrooper aircraft, the result of a pilot losing his bearings flying from Perth to Broome in 1942 and putting down on a salt pan near present-day Truscott Airbase.

Overnight: Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tumbling down the Mitchell Plateau in a series of tiered waterfalls and emerald green rock pools, the Mitchell Falls are the photogenic poster child for the Mitchell River National Park. Take a scenic helicopter flight (additional cost, can be booked during the cruise) to multi-tiered Mitchell Falls where emerald-hued rock pools cascade down the escarpment and ancient rock art galleries are concealed in caves behind curtains of water.
Mitchell River National Park is inhabited by significant numbers of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and bird species which are lured by a year-round water source. Sandstone terraces beside tiered rock pools make a terrific viewing platform from which to savor the serenity of this ancient landscape.
An alternative option to Mitchell Falls is exploring the sandstone caves of Wollaston Bay or Wollaston Creek. This mass of weathered tunnels, arches and columns form a labyrinth-like maze and was once an Aboriginal midden. Another option while anchored at Winyalkan Bay is a visit to a series Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock art galleries at Swift Bay.
In the evening, watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean while indulging in a gourmet BBQ.

Overnight: Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Prince Frederick Harbour is one of the Kimberley’s most spectacular locations at the southern end of York Sound. The harbour is dotted with islands lined with mangroves and monsoon rainforests, set against a backdrop of ochre-hued escarpment.
White-bellied sea eagles and other birds of prey are often seen here, and at low tide, expansive mudflats reveal large populations of mudskippers and mangrove crabs. Take our Xplorer tender vessels on a cruise up Porosus Creek to view some striking rock formations.
Bigge Island’s Indigenous name is Wuuyuru, and the Indigenous Group of the area is the Wunambal people.

Overnight: Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

King Cascade is a classically beautiful terraced waterfall and is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Kimberley. Falling from a considerable height and around 50m across, water tumbles down a staggered terrace of Kimberley sandstone. Layer upon layer of ochre-hued and blackened rock sprouts grasses, mosses and ferns in a sort of lushly vegetated hanging garden.
Reach King Cascade after cruising in the Xplorer tender vessels down the steep-sided Prince Regent River, which is a remarkable anomaly as the river runs dead straight along a fault line.
Lt Phillip Parker King named nearby Careening Bay after he grounded his leaking vessel HMC Mermaid to effect repairs. While stranded on this remote coastline for 17 days, the ship’s carpenter carved HMC Mermaid 1820 into the bottle-shaped trunk of a boab tree near the beach. 200 years later, the Mermaid Boab Tree has since split into two trunks and sports a mammoth girth of 12m. Significantly, the bulbous tree is listed on the National Register of Big Trees and the carpenter’s careful inscription now stands almost as tall as a person.

Overnight: Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Montgomery Reef is a biologically diverse area covering over 300km² and was named by Phillip Parker King. Twice daily, as the sea recedes in mammoth 11m tides, Montgomery Reef rises from the Indian Ocean in a cascade of rushing water revealing a flat-topped reef pockmarked with rock pools and rivulets.
As the reef emerges, get up close in our Xplorer and Zodiac inflatable tenders to witness the spectacle as our Expedition Team share their knowledge on the formation of the reef and the myriad wildlife. Opportunistic birds take advantage of the emerging reef, feeding on marine life left exposed in rock pools. Turtles, dolphins, dugongs and sawfish too are also attracted to feeding opportunities as the ocean recedes.
The ocean is awash in a swirl of eddies and whirlpools as the moon’s gravitational force takes hold. Then, a few hours later the entire water-borne drama is reversed as the tide comes in and Montgomery Reef disappears below sea level.

Overnight: Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Raft Point guards the entrance to Doubtful Bay, a vast body of sheltered water that harbours significant sites such as the ancient Wandjina rock art galleries. Located a short walk from the beach, they are considered some of the finest in the Kimberley. You will visit the rock art galleries when Traditional Owners are available to guide you. Doubtful Bay is the traditional country of the Worrora people who follow the Wandjina, their god, law-maker, and creator. Images of Wandjina are found throughout the Kimberley, recording their stories, knowledge and culture in stone.
Red Cone Creek flows gently downstream until it meets the small but impressive Ruby Falls. Named by local mariner Captain Chris Trucker after his daughter, Red Cone Creek is carved through rock formations stacked atop each other like building blocks. These rock walls are great for climbing and clambering over before reaching a series of freshwater swimming holes and waterfalls. The falls may be a gurgling torrent or a gentle trickle, depending on the time of the year.
Other sites you may visit in Doubtful Bay include the mighty Steep Island and Ruby Falls at Red Cone Creek.

Overnight: Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

The Horizontal Falls are one of the Kimberley’s biggest attractions and are a result of the mammoth 11m tides the Kimberley is renowned for. Naturalist David Attenborough described Horizontal Falls as ‘one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.'
This natural phenomenon was created as the ocean thundered through a narrow gorge in the McLarty Ranges. Water built up on one side, and was forcibly pushed through the bottleneck, creating a rushing horizontal waterfall of swiftly flowing seawater. Riding the rapids on the Zodiac inflatable tenders will be one of the highlights of the Kimberley expedition cruises.
Talbot Bay is at the heart of the Buccaneer Archipelago, where rocks on the 800 or so islands are estimated at over 2 billion years old. At Cyclone Creek, you will see evidence of massive geological forces in the impressive rock formations and cruise through the Iron Islands, past Koolan Island, before enjoying sunset drinks at Nares Point.

Overnight: Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

The Lacepede Islands are a protected class-A nature reserve and are significant as a seabird nesting rookery for brown boobies and roseate terns. Other species often sighted at the Lacepedes include Australian Pelicans, frigate birds, egrets and gulls. The four low-lying islands are also an important breeding and nesting habitat for green turtles.
If weather and tide conditions are suitable, you will explore the lagoons by Xplorer and Zodiac tender vessels.
As your incredible Kimberley adventures draw to a close, enjoy the Captain’s farewell drinks amongst new-found friends.

Overnight: Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Disembark: 08:00
Your incredible adventure along the Kimberley Coast concludes in Broome this morning at 08:00. Bid farewell to new-found friends, the Captain and crew.
After disembarkation, meet your transfer driver and head to the airport for your flight home.

Meals included: Breakfast

After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation, directing you to an online Passenger Information Form. You must complete the Passenger Information Form within 72 hours of purchase.
 
Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.
 
On purchasing this Travel Offer, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions and the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information.
 
Please note: All countries and territories have different entry requirements in relation to vaccinations, quarantine/isolation periods and travel restrictions. Due to the evolving nature, we would ask all of our customers to monitor, meet and adhere to the specific requirements of their intended destination(s) in the lead-up to and immediately before travel, as well as any requirements post-travel upon their return.
 
CANCELLATION POLICY
Tour packages are non-refundable. If your tour package is affected by Covid-19-related travel restrictions and you are unable to travel, you will receive either a free date change (credit that is specific to your original package and purchase value) or an open credit less any non-recoverable supplier fees to the value of your original purchase for use on any other tour or package available via the TripADeal website.
 
Please note: Date change credits are subject to availability and not guaranteed until confirmed by TripADeal, not the tour operator you are due to stay with.
 
We recommend you consider purchasing travel insurance with Covid-19 protection. The standard cancellation policy will apply if you cannot travel because you have tested positive for Covid-19.
 
Please note: All additional charges are payable in AUD (unless otherwise stated). 

This travel offer is valid for travel on selected dates until the 19th August 2024.
 
This travel offer is priced per person based on a twin share. 
 
Single Traveller Supplement
Solo occupancy cabins are strictly limited and are available on request only. Please get in touch with your TripADeal representative.
Please note: Accommodation for single customers who are travelling on a tour or cruise package may be in a single room, depending on availability.
 
Departure Dates
2024:
May: 27
June: 17
July: 8*, 29*
August: 19
Please note: See checkout for live dates and availability.
 
Surcharges
Please note: 
• dates/months with a * incur a high season surcharge of $200 per person.

Departure Cities
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane*, Adelaide*, Perth*
 
Departure City Surcharges
Brisbane: $200 per person
Adelaide: $200 per person
Perth: $400 per person
 
Domestic Airlines Used
• Cabin Class: Economy Class
• Airlines: Qantas & Virgin Australia (subject to availability).
Please note: We cannot accommodate one-way flights. Travellers must take all included flights within the package, and any flights intentionally forfeited will result in later flights being subject to cancellation. 
 
Missed Flights 
If you fail to arrive for your outbound flight, you risk all flight and land arrangements in your destination being automatically cancelled by the airlines and land operator, respectively. Additional fees may apply to reinstate these services. If you miss your flight for whatever reason, please contact us as soon as possible to make arrangements. 
 
Arrive early in Darwin, Northern Territory
$315 AUD per person, subject to availability
Please note:
• This fee does not include extra nights' accommodation, meals or airport transfers.
• You may book a date to arrive early via our website but only a date that is within 30 days of the tour departure date. If you wish to arrive earlier than 30 days before your tour departure date, please call our friendly staff for availability and pricing. Additional costs may apply
• No flight booking changes or cancellations are permitted after air tickets have been issued.
• Flight changes are subject to availability at the time of booking.
 
Stay behind in Broome, Western Australia
$315 AUD per person, subject to availability
Please note:
• This fee does not include extra nights' accommodation, meals or airport transfers.
• A stay behind can only be booked up to one month after your package end date upon check-out. Should you wish to stay later, please contact us to request availability. Additional costs may apply.
• No flight booking changes or cancellations are permitted after air tickets have been issued.
• Flight changes are subject to availability at the time of booking.
 
Flight Class Upgrades
Business Class: For pricing, please refer to the payment cart at checkout.
Please note:
• Flight upgrades are subject to availability and pricing changes (if we cannot fulfil your request, the upgrade cost will be refunded).
• On any upgrade purchase, short-haul flights and domestic flight sectors are not guaranteed
 
Domestic Flight Information
Baggage allowance per person

• 1 x 23kg of checked baggage
• Up to 7kg of carry on baggage

Coral Expeditions ‘Coral Adventurer’ Ship
Launched in April 2019, Coral Adventurer is a 120-passenger ship built to take you closer to unspoiled vistas in comfort, style and safety. When Coral Expeditions set out to build Coral Adventurer, they wanted a ship that would last decades. Their search for build quality and technology took them to the shipbuilders of Norway who have a long history of building durable ships for the harsh environments of the North Sea. They then looked deep inside to capture the requirements of their guests, their crew and the areas they sail to. The result is a happy marriage of modern shipbuilding technology and cruising Australian style.
 
Cabins/Staterooms
Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom
The Explorer Deck staterooms are located below the Bridge Deck and are comfortably furnished with a junior king-size bed that can be separated into two singles. A wardrobe, desk and armchair are included. The compact ensuite has a toilet, shower and ample storage. Your private balcony has seating for two from which to view the passing coastal vistas.
Cabin Size: 21.4m²
 
Promenade Deck Stateroom
Promenade Deck Staterooms are located below the Explorer Deck and are identically furnished with a junior king-size bed that can be separated into two singles. A wardrobe, desk and armchair are included. The compact ensuite has a toilet, shower and ample storage. A large picture window gives you wide views of the world outside.
Cabin Size: 17m²
 
Coral Deck Stateroom
Coral Deck Staterooms are located below the Promenade Deck and furnished with a junior king-size bed that can be separated into two singles. A wardrobe, desk and armchair are included. The compact ensuite has a toilet, shower and ample storage. A porthole window gives you views of the world outside.
Cabin Size: 17m²

Accommodation Used:
4 Star Properties (Self-Rated)
Darwin, Australia: Rydges Darwin Central
Please note: Accommodation/rooms offered are based on a lead-in room type and are subject to availability based on seasonality. In the instance a property is not available, a similar standard of accommodation will be provided. Properties will be confirmed and included in your travel pack, which you will receive 4-6 weeks before travel.
 
Extra Nights
Not available 
 
Maximum Room Capacity
2 people
 
Child Policy
• No child discounts. The full price applies to all children travelling with their parents.
• Valid for children 5 years old and over.
Please note: Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18 years old and over to travel. No unaccompanied minors are allowed.
 
Triple Share
Not available
 
Bedding Configuration
Double/Twin (subject to availability).

Optional Tours/Activities
Please note:
• Some shore excursions require minimum numbers to operate.
• Shore excursions can be booked/reserved directly with the cruise line before travel (subject to availability)
• Shore excursions can also be booked whilst onboard (subject to availability).
• Shore excursion programmes and itineraries may vary depending on local conditions and/or any unforeseen events concerning the timing on the day of the tour. Some excursions are very popular, and therefore availability cannot always be guaranteed, it is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

• Visa fees and requirements 
• Domestic transfers and flights not stated in the deal offer
• Meals/beverages not stated in the deal offer
• Optional gratuities/tipping 
• Optional activities/tours 
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance

CLIMATE & AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
Darwin, Broome & The Kimberley
The dry season, from May until October, is characterised by warm, dry sunny days and cool nights. Temperatures typically range from 21.6– 31.8°C, and humidity levels are much lower: around 60 – 65 per cent. Relatively cool weather arrives in May, and until July, nights are crisp with temperatures ranging from 17 - 23 °C. It is also the perfect time to explore the more remote areas of the region that can be off-limits during the wet season.
 
FLIGHTS
Seat Selection & Frequent Flyer Points:
We do not arrange seat selection. It is essential to highlight that some airlines do not allow pre-selected seats. We strongly suggest you contact the airline directly with seating allocation requirements and/or arrive at the airport earlier to arrange your seating. While we do not add frequent flyer member details to bookings, you can do this directly with the airline once you have your flight information.
 
Passport Validity:
Customers must provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase or no later than 45 days before the departure date. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the booking. Customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred in this instance.
 
CRUISE
Embarkation / Disembarkation:
• Itineraries are subject to change at any time without notice.
• Check your specific sailing for exact departure and arrival times. All times are local to the port.
Please note: Strict Covid-19 terms may also apply regarding proof of insurance covering Covid-19 and/or vaccination. Please refer to the cruise lines’ terms and conditions for further information before boarding.
 
Cruise Loyalty Discounts:
Please note: Travellers must contact the cruise line directly upon receiving their travel documents in order to request any membership benefits they may be entitled to.
 
Luggage:
You will be responsible for all your personal belongings whilst on tour. You must carry your own luggage from the vehicle to the hotel room and back to the vehicle. The driver will assist with the uploading and unloading of bags from the vehicle.
 
OTHER
Mobility:
If you require wheelchair access please contact our friendly sales and service team to inquire on your behalf.
 
Fitness Level Required:
A moderate level of fitness will be required. Moderate is described as May involve more physical activity, including biking, longer day hikes or extended walking and standing, low-altitude treks, and water-based activities such as canoeing or low-grade kayaking. Guests using any walking aid other than a walking stick would be advised to reconsider as surfaces may be uneven.
Please note: If you have any concerns, please consult your healthcare provider prior to purchase/travel.
 
Gratuities / Tipping:
Cruise
Gratuities (tips) are not required.
 
Sightseeing:
Please note: If entry to a site is affected by changes in operating hours or public holiday closures, your itinerary, where possible, may be adjusted, or a similar activity will be offered in its place (subject to availability).
 
Shopping:
Shopping overseas can be a daunting and confusing experience, especially when there is a language barrier. Please be very cautious when foreign currencies and prices are involved. If paying by credit card, please pay close attention to the amount you are being charged and keep all your receipts. 
Do not make any purchases you are not comfortable with or feel pressured into. If you are uncertain or need assistance with the language barrier, please seek assistance from your Tour Guide/Leader.
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions regarding shopping for further information.

For travellers entering from outside Australia, and who do not have Australian citizenship or residency, a visa may be required.
Important: 
• Please start arranging your visa three weeks before departure to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours.
• Visa rules may have changed since Covid-19. Some countries and airlines may require you to obtain an additional visa before arrival. Please check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
Please note: 
• Passengers who are not Australian citizens must also check with the respective consulate or visa agency to determine what their visa requirements are and what personal identification is required.
• It is also important to note that some areas of employment, such as journalism, government authorities and charity organisations, may have additional restrictions in applying for visas. This may, in turn, affect the type of application required.

Embarking on your next trip is exciting, and while you hope the unexpected does not happen, it is best to be prepared. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance when making your booking. Whether it’s a potential medical emergency, a flight cancellation, a delayed suitcase, or an unforeseen event, it's important to ensure you're adequately protected. For more information or advice visit https://www.tripadeal.com.au/travel-insurance

Voluntary Changes
This includes booking changes requested by you, including but not limited to those changes requiring an airline ticket or a Purchase Confirmation reissue.
• Changes - $100 AUD per booking and any additional charges applied by the airline/cruise company/accommodation/other travel providers.
 
Name Changes Due To Passenger Error
• If the incorrect name has been provided, charges of $100 AUD per booking and any additional charges applied by the airline/cruise company/accommodation/other travel providers.
 
Supplier Fees
In the event the tour package you have purchased is unable to proceed, and/or a travel Supplier is unable to fulfil the tour due to external circumstances (Limitation of Liability e.g. a Force Majeure event), there may be a fee or amount of money that is withheld by our Suppliers and is unrecoverable. This may be due to non-refundable airline tickets, cancellation penalties with cruise cabins or unrecoverable payments with our land/accommodation partners. If refunds are not available from Suppliers, we will endeavour to obtain a travel credit on the best terms available and communicate these outcomes to you. In the event we are unable to obtain a refund or travel service credit, or part thereof, this cost is passed on to the customer as a Supplier Fee.