A preview of two special AGS voyages
One of the best ways to explore the Kimberley region is by sea. In 2018 the Australian Geographic Society will partner with APT to present two exciting voyages along its fascinating coastline from Darwin to Broome, and back again.
THE KIMBERLEY REGION between Broome, to the south, and the NorthernTerritory border north, east of the port of Wyndham, boasts a stagger ing 13,000km of coastline, including that of more than 2600 islands.Water and time are the prime architects at work here as huge tidal movements, wet season deluges and aeons of weathering have fashioned this far western edge of the continent.The result is a fraying expanse of bays, estuaries, river channels, creeks, archipelagos and innumerable islands, many of which are yet to be named.
Because road access to much of the mainland is limited, expedition cruising offers the easiest way to get to know the Kimberley by providing a ready connection with the wonders strung along its coast. Small ships with Zodiacs can get into places where bigger ships can’t. Visitors can get ashore and explore the many natural features of the landscape at close quarters, meet traditional owners, see world-renowned rock art, spot wildlife and be fully immersed in the grandeur of this ancient landscape.
Huge tidal variations around here create many unforgettable sights. One is Talbot Bay’s remarkable Horizontal Falls, where fast-flowing waters funnel through narrow rocky gaps causing dramatic sideways cascades.Another is Montgomery Reef, which appears to rise up out of the ocean as the falling tide drains away.
The region’s unique history and culture is on show in the many fascinating rock-art galleries that form part of the itinerary. Huge rivers empty off the Kimberley plateau close to the coast, creating spectacular waterfalls for which the region is famous, among them the soaring King George Falls and refreshingly cool Mitchell Falls. Crocodiles lurk along every waterway and it’s a huge thrill to spot a massive saltie warming itself on a muddy bank.
The Kimberley is also a vital landing site along the migration routes of many seabird and wader species and birdlife abounds along its shorelines. During the dry season, the warm waters here are home to the world’s largest population of humpback whales, which can often be spotted frolicking with newborn calves between June and October.
Whether starting your journey in Broome or Darwin, our two APT itineraries make the most of the Kimberley’s heady cocktail of nature, culture and adventure, and take in many of the region’s most popular tourist sites. However, the region’s isolation and friendly cooperation among operators means you’ll often have these iconic places to yourself and your shipmates. There’s also an opportunity to extend your trip with a roadbased adventure by 4WD along the legendary Gibb River Road, once your voyage is complete.