If you’re looking to tour the wilds of Northern Australia, this fly/cruise tour is the one to take. Nothing else even comes close. The area covered in 14 days is astounding, and only possible by joining together the full capabilities of luxury small boat cruising, jet turbo luxury flight, and the boats own helicopter.

KIMBERLEY COASTLINES to CATTLE STATIONS

TIWI ISLANDS to TOP-END WETLANDS

A thorough exploration of this final frontier from air, land and sea.

Experience the sheer beauty of the rugged, isolated Kimberley coastline and enjoy deserted beaches in the sun. Stay on million-acre cattle stations, discover ancient cave paintings that pre-date the Pyramids. Marvel at a myriad of Top End wildlife and best of all, share these memories with only a handful of others.

Expertly accompanied every step of the way, by a highly experienced and attentive crew. This journey is the combination of over 50 years experience in flying and sailing the Kimberley and Top-End region of Australia.

Itinerary Outline

Day 1

Darwin – Tiwi Islands – Mary River Wetlands

Meet your crew in the departure lounge this morning before boarding your aircraft, no check in queues here! In moments you are airborne, bound for the outback and beyond.

A quick flight out over the sparkling Timor Sea before landing on the Tiwi Islands.

Today enjoy a full day cultural tour with your indigenous guides, including smoking ceremony and art workshops and lunch. This afternoon a flight out across the floodplains before touching down, outback-style on Opium Creek Station. 4WDs wait to transfer you to the Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge for an afternoon swim, walk in rainforest and dinner.

Accommodation for the next two nights is at the Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge.

Flight time 45mins total.

Day 2

Mary River Wetlands

This morning enjoy a private cruise on the Corroboree Billabong spotting birdlife (brolga, jabiru, whistling ducks, raja shell duck, magpie geese, sea eagle, brahminy kite, egret, heron, kingfisher and thousands more!).

Lunch back at the lodge before an afternoon expedition to Shady Camp, one of the best barramundi fishing spots in the world. Huge saltwater crocs, birdlife and sunset.

Return to lodge for dinner (if fish caught that afternoon, they are cooked fresh that evening).

No flight today.

Day 3

Mary River Wetlands – Kununurra – Bungle Bungle (scenic) – Home Valley Station

Depart Opium Creek Station tracking to Kununurra for refuel and refreshments.

Take off tracking south for a comprehensive scenic flight over Lake Argyle, Bungle Bungle range and El Questro Station. Land at Home Valley Station in time for lunch and check in. Afternoon at leisure to walk, swim, canoe or relax.

Transfer to private lookout for sunset drinks and canapes with a magnificent view of the Cockburn Range. Dinner in the Dusty Bar.

Accommodation for the next two nights is at Home Valley Station Guesthouse Flight time 3.5hrs total.

Day 4

Home Valley Station This morning take part in a tour of this beautiful station with the local knowledge of your aboriginal guides from Home Valley. It is special to experience a region through the eyes of a young person whose ancestors have been in the region for thousands of years. Lunch in the Dusty Bar.

This afternoon a horsemanship demonstration in the stables.

Dinner in the Dusty Bar.

Day 5

Home Valley Station – Faraway Bay

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Home Valley airstrip where your aircraft is ready and waiting to fly you out to one of Australia’s most remote wilderness lodges.

Meet at the airstrip, an inimitable 4WD transfer to the camp for morning tea and welcome orientation. Leading up to lunch you have time to enjoy the lodge, relax, swim or walk.

At Faraway Bay the cuisine is fresh and locally inspired, after lunch an expedition to visit some of the fabled Bradshaw rock art is arranged. Accommodation for the next two nights is at The Bush Camp at Faraway Bay.

Flight time 90mins.

Day 6

Faraway Bay This morning board Faraway Bay’s private luxury vessel for a gentle cruise around to the mouth of the King George River, ultimately arriving at the mighty twin waterfalls. Shower under the gentle Dry Season flow and relax on the bow with a glass of something refreshing.

No flight today.

Day 7

Faraway Bay – Mitchell Falls – The Great Escape – Hunter River

Following breakfast re-board your private aircraft for the scenic flight along the coastline to the Mitchell Plateau where your helicopter is waiting to transfer you to your luxury cruise vessel the ‘Great Escape’, exclusively yours for the next 7 nights. When the transfers have been completed, cruise up the picturesque Hunter River. We’ll try a little fishing or set the crab pots to perhaps catch dinner. In the evening cruise to Careening Bay where Phillip Parker King careened his vessel, the Mermaid, in 1820.

Flight time 45mins.

Day 8

Hunter River – Prince Regent River

Spend the morning cruising down through Saint George’s Basin to the mouth of the Prince Regent River and the infamous Kings Cascade, taking in captivating Mt Trafalgar and Mt Waterloo along the way. Your luxury cruise vessel will anchor right next to the spectacular cascading waterfall. At the top of the falls you can swim in a multitude of crystal clear freshwater pools and beneath other magnificent waterfalls.

Day 9

Prince Regent River – Camden Harbour

Spend the morning fishing and exploring the tributaries; croc-spotting, fruit-batting and generally having a good look around. After lunch head down Camp Creek for a trek to a beautiful waterfall and swimming pools. Later, when you’re relaxed but invigorated, cruise into the sunset towards Camden Harbour, where the first European Settlement in the Kimberley was attempted in the 1860s.

Day 10

Camden Harbour – Kuri Bay – Doubtful Bay

After exploring the settlement and maybe gathering a feast of sumptuous Kimberley rock oysters, journey through Kuri Bay – the first pearling settlement in the Kimberley. The afternoon will be spent at Langii – an Aboriginal Dreaming site. Here you will see the mystical, Petrified Warriors and spend some time relaxing on Silicon Beach. The evening will be spent cruising to Doubtful Bay.

Day 11

Doubtful Bay – Raft Point

Doubtful Bay offers an array of adventure activities. You’ll be encouraged to help decide which areas to visit.

The options include viewing a majestic waterfall and swimming at Ruby Falls, fishing at 3-Ways, taking a cruise down the spectacular Sale River, viewing Aboriginal art galleries and enjoying a BBQ lunch on the sandy beach under a rainforest canopy. One evening will be spent under the magnificent Raft Point before encountering Montgomery Reef.

Day 12

Montgomery Reef

Today your crew will introduce you to the wonders of Montgomery Reef. The region is abounds with marine life including inquisitive turtles. Marvel at the enormous tidal movement as it recedes, creating rapids and waterfalls.

Day 13

Montgomery Reef – Horizontal Falls

The day begins with an exciting dinghy ride through the famous Horizontal Waterfalls.
Then explore the amazing geography at the back of Talbot Bay. Once back onboard, enjoy a scenic cruise weaving past many islands and through the Koolan Island gap, before relaxing in one last freshwater pool before heading back to Broome, past Cape Leveque.

Day 14

Talbot Bay – Cape Leveque – Broome

Arrive at the Broome Jetty at around 7:30am and disembark at approximately 8am. A convenient transfer is included to your accommodation or the airport.

Please note: this is a typical itinerary and whilst your adventure will be similar to the one described here, tides will affect the itinerary. We plan each day according to the tides and often modify or rearrange the schedule to work in with Mother Nature.

Itinerary Details

Tour departs from Darwin on August 21st 2013 and concludes in Broome on September 3rd 2013.

Cost

(Nett in $US Dollars)

$US 21,362 per person – twin sharing, all inclusive
(Horizon View room on cruise)

$US 22,523 per person – twin sharing, all inclusive
(Panoramic View room on cruise)

Single accommodation please add $US 1,387 (single accommodation is limited).

We can also offer the same tour as a private group charter at the following rates on dates to be agreed (For sole charter there are 3 Panoramic View Rooms and 4 Horizon View Rooms).

Per person twin sharing:

12 Persons: $US 18,890 (Horizon View Room on cruise)
10 Persons: $US 21,725 (Horizon View Room on cruise)
8 Persons: $US 27,290 (Horizon View Room on cruise)

12 Persons: $US 19,940 (Panoramic View Room on cruise)
10 Persons: $US 22,775 (Panoramic View Room on cruise)
8 Persons: $US 28,340 (Panoramic View Room on cruise)

Single Occupancy add $US 1,260 per person.

Included

• All private charter flights
• All accommodation on land and at sea
• All meals (except breakfast day one & lunch and dinner day fourteen)
• All drinks (bottled water through to alcohol with dinner)
• All entries, permits, gratuities
• All trips, tours, transfers and excursions as outlined in itinerary
• A generous amount of helicopter time while on board cruise
• Air safari escorted by experienced tour leader
• Cruise hosted by wonderful team led by experienced skipper

Not included

• Commercial flights to Darwin / from Broome (we can assist with these arrangements for you)
• Items of a personal nature e.g.. phone calls, internet, laundry (including on boat)