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| CRUISES in the KIMBERLEY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KIMBERLEY QUEST II: 5, 7 and 13 Day Cruises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Kimberley Quest II: General Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Kimberley Quest II has 4 surveyed custom built 5 metre excursion
tenders, equipped with depth sounders, 2 way radios and 90hp outboard
motors to explore the large river systems, tidal creeks and waterways of
the remote Kimberley region. Each member of the friendly, experienced crew
of 6 will happily share their extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna
of this ancient land.
The Kimberley coastline offers you an experience that will stay with you
forever. Let the captain share with you the convoluted coves, sheltered
bays, large river systems, unique rock formations and serene aquamarine
waters which will captivate you on this 7 day adventure. During your
cruise on the Kimberley Quest II you will visit many spectacular places
like the thousand islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago, Horizontal Falls
in Talbot Bay, Sale River, spectacular Montgomery Reef, Prince Regent
River and the magnificent King Cascades. There will be many opportunities
to catch fresh fish for the table as well as land sightseeing excursions
to many untouched places. |
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| Cabins on the Kimberley Quest II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Kimberley Quest II accommodates just 18 passengers in a full range of cabins, all with their own private
en suite facilities, separate air conditioning and bar fridges: ~ Deluxe Twin x 1 (Lower Deck) ~ Deluxe Double x 3 (Lower Deck) ~ Superior with queen size beds x 4 (Main Deck) ~ Flybridge with a queen size bed (Top Deck) The bow cabin (Double) can be split into two single beds. All cabins have 240 volt sockets, reading lamps, hair dryers, adequate hanging space and storage for your soft luggage. All linen and towels are provided. Spa towels and excursion towels will also be available for you. |
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| Dining on the Kimberley Quest II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All meals are prepared by a talented chef who offers a diverse range of cuisine with an
array of fresh fish, seafood, freshly baked breads and some of the best local produce, all
prepared in the fully equipped galley. Special dietary requirements and
special needs are catered for and passengers should advise such requests
at the time
of booking. There is endless fresh drinking water, tea, coffee (Cappuccino machine on the back deck) available 24 hours daily. Meals can be taken either in the alfresco area on the main deck or in the air conditioned dinning/saloon area. |
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Typical Itinerary: 7 Day Broome–Mitchell Plateau–Broome Expedition (Cruise / Fly)) |
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| Cruise Schedule Dates in separate window | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Departs Broome Returns Broome You can choose to cruise from Broome to the Mitchell Plateau and fly back to Broome (Cruise/Fly) or you can take the itinerary in reverse, flying to Mitchell Plateau at the commencement of your trip and cruising back to Broome (Fly/Cruise). The flight between Broome and the Mitchell Plateau is included in the price. DAY 1: Broome – Buccaneer Archipelago A courtesy vehicle will pick you up from your Broome accommodation at approximately 4.30pm and transfer you to the Kimberley Quest II for boarding at approximately 5.00pm. Begin your Kimberley expedition with a relaxing drink on the sundeck and watch as the sun dips below the horizon as you cruise past world famous Cable Beach. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner as you cruise overnight towards the Buccaneer Archipelago. Your Kimberley adventure has begun! DAY 2: Buccaneer Archipelago, Talbot Bay 
This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast whilst cruising through the spectacular
thousand islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago. Cruise into Yampi Sound, an area
of spectacular geology. Then past Cockatoo Island, once mined for
its rich reserves of iron ore. Stop to explore Crocodile Creek where there is a pretty
waterfall and a lovely freshwater swimming hole (easy level walk).
A perfect place for a
refreshing dip! Next head on towards Talbot Bay (pictured), home to one of the many pearl farms
that frequent the Kimberley. Talbot Bay is also home to one of the icons of the
Kimberley coast, the magnificent Horizontal Waterfalls. The region’s massive
tides of up to 10 metres create a spectacular scene, sending huge volumes of water pouring through a narrow
chasm. Board one of the tenders and head in for an up-close and an
exhilarating ride through this natural phenomenon. Enjoy a well deserved rest this evening after an action packed first day onboard the
Kimberley Quest II. Relax on the spacious sundeck and soak up the last of the sun’s rays
before the Kimberley night skies put on their own special display – billions of stars of the
Milky Way, and an assortment of constellations that have guided seafarers for millennia. DAY 3: Montgomery Reef Today you cruise to another of the Kimberley’s icons, the amazing Montgomery Reef. An immense reef system covering more than 300km², it is Australia’s largest inshore reef system. Watch as the tide falls right before your eyes, creating a waterfall effect as the reef rises out of the water. A navigable channel, running deep into the Eastern reef, provides a stunning panorama of white water rapids on the ebb tide. Magical lagoons are created as the tide drops, which are rich in marine life, including dugongs, turtles, manta rays and many species of sea birds. Fascinating history surrounds High Cliffy Island, bordering the eastern edge of Montgomery Reef and once home to a physically superior tribe of Aborigines called the Yawijibaya tribe that disappeared around 1929. Discover more from one of our experienced guides onboard! DAY 4: Doubtful Bay, Sale River Cruise across Doubtful Bay to explore the first of the big rivers, the Sale River. One of the most sublime and beautiful estuaries, it winds its way through rugged narrow gorges with towering sandstone cliffs. Take a tender excursion upstream and disembark to walk through an ancient patch of rich rainforest glades. Admire the cool surroundings and take a dip in the spring fed rainforest pools before returning to the vessel (easy level walk). Also on offer is another beautiful waterfall, Ruby Falls, a picturesque freshwater swimming hole filled with water lilies and smooth water-worn rocks . Then back to the vessel to enjoy more fine food and relax on the sundeck as you continue on your quest. DAY 5: Kuri Bay, Camden Harbour This morning you cruise between Augustus Island and the mainland, passing the remote settlement of Kuri Bay, home to Australia’s largest and wealthiest pearling operation. At nearby Camden Harbour, visit forlorn settlers’ graves on a picturesque island and soak up the history of early European settlement (easy walk to ruins). This was the setting for a disastrous 19th century sheep farming venture by early Victorian settlers. In this rugged setting and harsh climate, the settlement failed miserably and was abandoned after less than two years and much tragedy. Try your hand at Kimberley fishing in one of our secret spots, take one of the tenders for a little exploration or laze about the sundeck and take in the beautiful scenery. DAY 6: St George Basin, Prince Regent River, King Cascade This is another packed day of adventure, as you cruise through St George Basin, the Kimberley’s largest inland sea. Leaving the vista of mighty Mt Trafalgar, cruise up the drowned fault line of the Prince Regent River. |
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DAY 7: Careening Bay, Bigge Island
Visit Careening Bay, site of an ancient boab tree first visited in 1820 by Phillip Parker King whilst on a hydrographic survey of the Australian coastline. King and his crew careened the vessel HMC ‘Mermaid’ for repairs and subsequently carved the vessel’s name into a boab (easy walk to the tree). Next cruise north to Bigge Island, one of the Kimberley's largest islands and home to some amazing rock art galleries with a maritime theme. Relax on a sandy beach, before heading back to the vessel to watch another spectacular sunset as the sun sinks below the Kimberley horizon. DAY 8: Hunter River 
In the morning explore the Hunter River, one of the Kimberley’s most scenic rivers.
The prominent ‘Indian Head’ stands as sentry to the entrance to the river and is a perfect photographic opportunity with a backdrop of deep red sandstone escarpments and sapphire blue skies.
Last chance to catch a barra here in these rich waters. Depart the vessel by helicopter and enjoy a scenic flight over the spectacular Mitchell Falls and then
on to the Mitchell Plateau airstrip. This monumental landscape was formed over 1800 million years ago amidst volcanic eruptions, massive upheavals in the earth’s crust and ice ages to form what is now
the Mitchell Plateau. The Mitchell River splashes over the sheer sandstone cliffs of the falls known by the Wunambal people as Punamii-unpuu.
Discover the sheer immensity of the Kimberley by light aircraft as you wind your way back to Broome, arriving mid to late afternoon, where a courtesy vehicle will transfer you to your
accommodation.Please Note This is only a suggested itinerary. Because of the vast tidal movements and remote terrain of the Kimberley region, it cannot be guaranteed that the itinerary will remain exactly as the one outlined above. However, during your cruise you will experience many spectacular places not listed here and there will be lots of opportunities to catch fresh fish for the table as well as land and sightseeing excursions to numerous untouched places. Included |
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Typical Itinerary: 5 Day Broome–Sale River–Broome Expedition |
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Cruise
Schedule Dates in separate window DAY 1: Broome to One Arm Point (Dampier Peninsular): Fly to the Dampier Peninsula, then cruise the spectacular surrounds of the Buccaneer Archipelago: including a stop at beautiful Silica Beach. DAY 2: Montgomery Reef, Ruby Falls, Raft Point: Visit the amazing and magical Montgomery Reef, so rich in marine life. Later cruise across Doubtful Bay to picturesque Ruby Falls before visiting magnificent Raft Point, a spectacular red sandstone bluff and gateway to an impressive Wandjina rock art site. |
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| DAY 5: One Arm Point, Broome. Fly back to Broome in the morning. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This is only a suggested itinerary. The vast tidal movements and remote terrain can have an influence. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Click here for 13 Day Cruise Itinerary on Kimberley Quest II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The
Kimberley Quest II is a 25 metre fully air-conditioned luxury
expedition vessel with 6 staff, equipped with a helipad and spa.
Custom built for the remote Kimberley coastal region, it
accommodates a maximum of 18 passengers in Deluxe Twin, Deluxe
Double, Superior and Flybridge cabins, all with bar fridges,
private en suites and individual air conditioning. Fresh
desalinated water is supplied. Kimberley Quest II has state of
the art communications and navigation equipment, including
satellite phone, fax and email facilities, and the vessel has
comfortable dining areas and 4 excursion tenders for exploring.
