Kimberley Ultimate

Overview

The Kimberley Ultimate is simply 2 weeks of lavish indulgence. All of the Kimberley coast’s iconic attractions are included plus so much more and, all is enjoyed at a leisurely pace that ends with guests frequently remarking “that’s the best holiday I have ever had” If you want the opportunity for two heli-picnics* – if you want more time for exploring, more time for fishing and, twice as many mouth-watering dining experiences – then the Kimberley Ultimate is the right True North cruise for you.

*All Helicopter flights are additional to the cruise price.  Please ask for details.

Join our coach transfer in Kununurra – your ‘welcome aboard’ the magnificent True North will be in the frontier town of Wyndham. Embarkation is at 17.00 – time for a cocktail with your fellow adventurers before departing at approximately 18.30. Dinner is served shortly after leaving port and then it’s an overnight cruise to the King George River.

As soon as the tide is high enough, we’ll cross the sand bar at the mouth of the mighty King George to reveal a breathtaking river vista.  Our journey upstream will take us to the very ‘jewel in the crown’ – The King George Falls.  Here we anchor at the base of the Twin Falls and you will find endless places to explore.  Climb or take the helicopter to the top of the falls for a cruise highlight.   In the afternoon learn about the history of the wreck of the Koolama and take a stroll at Tranquil Bay.

Explore the Drysdale and catch one of our favourite fish, the impressive mangrove jack.  The expedition boats will head ‘up-river’ on a barra expedition complete with scones and billy tea!  There will also be opportunities to indulge in some beach-combing and in the afternoon, join a scenic flight to Cape Londonderry – the northern most point of Western Australia.

Today you will have an opportunity to see the “Bradshaws” – ancient rock art that pre-dates other examples of Aboriginal culture. In fact, they are possibly the oldest ‘paintings’ known to man. A heli-picnic at Eagle Falls is always a ‘big hit’ – another breathtaking helicopter* flight and, True North’s mouth-watering fare alongside a picture-perfect waterfall in remote far-north Western Australia. The tenders will be busy exploring local beaches and rivers and, we also visit an isolated site in the rain-forest where a lone bomber crashed during WWII.

*PLEASE NOTE:  Helicopter flights are not part of the cruise fare, a package of the best flights can be pre-booked.  Alternatively you can book on the True North during the voyage.

The Mitchell River is renowned for big barra and even bigger crocs! The expedition boats will head up river to the scenic Surveyors Creek – a great place for a swim (no crocs here) The fishermen will again join the hunt for the elusive barramundi and, there will be more opportunities for helicopter flights over an ancient land including the spectacular Mitchell Falls. Then, join the crew for cocktail hour before experiencing another unique dining experience.

No time to dally – after an early morning breakfast it’s time to join the ‘hunt for the black-lip oyster’. In fact – their much-talked about proportions render them not hard to find at all! Savour their unique taste direct from the rock – aside from the freshly squeezed lemon, you can’t get much more a la naturale than that. There are also some excellent examples of both Wandjina and Bradshaw art nearby and the waters are alive with light game species such as queenfish, giant trevally and mackerel. In the afternoon we will explore Voltaire Passage and the many surrounding islands.

The Roe River – another great opportunity to catch a barra as we explore a river that boasts one of the highest crocodile counts in the Kimberley.  The Roe was named after the Surveyor-General of Western Australia – John Septimus Roe conducted numerous expeditions along the Kimberley coast between 1829 & 1849 and the ship’s helicopter will dramatically demonstrate the maze of creeks and endless coast that the early explorers encountered.  In the afternoon we will sail into Prince Frederick Harbour and enjoy sunset drinks on Art Island.

Wake this morning in the magnificent Hunter River. The Hunter is about as far away as you can get in Australia – a stunning river system that is lined with dense mangrove forests, surrounded by rainforest encrusted mountains and home to man-eating crocodiles.  The Hunter has it all – fishing, mud-crabbing, bird-watching and simply exploring “where few have been before!” Join one of our expedition boats for a closer look, it’s only a short hike to Jackson Falls, and, there’s even more splendour from the helicopter.

In the afternoon we will sail into Prince Frederick Harbour for another chance to catch a plump wet season barra, finishing the day with sunset drinks on your own secluded beach.

Our first stop this morning is one of the Kimberley’s most historic sites – Phillip Parker King’s boab tree. And then it’s onto the mighty Prince Regent. The scenery will astound and there will be some ‘not to be missed’ fishing action as the True North graces this majestic river. At Kings Cascades we manoeuvre the True North right under the falls before another breathtaking helicopter flight to a picnic that you’ll never forget – True North’s mouth- watering cuisine alongside a crystal clear billabong – in one of the most remote places on earth. The helicopter will also be popular when the first group of intrepid explorers returns from Jurassic Park. Then we’ll rejoin the True North for an overnight anchorage off Camp Creek.

*Please NOTE:  As the season progresses the volume of water at all waterfalls, including Kings Cascades, decreases (in particularly if the wet season rains Nov-Mar have been less than the usual 1,500mm).

The early-risers will be treated to a heli-flight with a difference – a champagne sunrise on the top of a mountain! Then it’s time for more ‘adventure in the tenders’ – a chance to stretch the laces on your hiking boots and an opportunity to swim in yet another picture perfect billabong. The more adventurous will use the helicopter to fish our most secret billabongs and everyone will find their own special place in the mighty Regent.

This morning is devoted to exploring the Sale River. Fish the mouth for barra and then join naturalists and adventurers alike as we ‘ride the tide’ on a classic river expedition. Enjoy a swim in your very own billabong before returning to the ultimate comfort of the True North. You will probably be enjoying lunch as we weigh anchor and set sail for Montgomery Reef. Montgomery is a unique eco-system that must be seen to be believed – and see it you will – as 140 square miles of coral reef rises out of the ocean right before your very eyes. Water cascades from the reef as the tide falls exposing a privileged glimpse of another world! Turtles, dugong, manta rays and every imaginable sea creature abound and the helicopter puts all in perspective.

Start the day with some hot fishing action – this time at “Three Ways”. Then all aboard to the impressive silhouette of Raft Point. Here, join crew and guest alike for a moderate climb to an art gallery with a difference and, the well-preserved Raft Point Wandjina Paintings.

It’s time to ‘personally’ introduce you to another Kimberley icon – The Horizontal Falls. Experience the awesome power of the region’s huge tidal range in an exhilarating tender ride and then climb aboard your air conditioned helicopter for a view of the falls that very few experience! Enjoy a swim at Crocodile Creek and a walk on Silica Beach. All too soon your adventure on the True North is coming to an end – enjoy a farewell dinner to remember as the True North glides past Cockatoo & Koolan Islands, Cape Leveque and down the Dampier Peninsula to Broome.

Our arrival in Broome is in time to farewell the fabulous crew of the True North and your fellow travellers and join an early morning coach transfer to your accommodation or connecting flight.