Luxury Kimberley Cruises presents our
Kimberley Coast Cruise Guide
A Guide to Your Next Kimberley Coast Adventure
Map of the Kimberley Region in Western Australia
(Click on the map image to view larger size)
Let our Kimberley Coast Cruise Guide spark your wanderlust for the captivating Kimberley region. A Kimberley coast adventure should be on everyone’s bucket list, as this is one of the world’s most extraordinary and unique destinations. Prepare to be immersed in the stunning beauty of towering gorges, cascading waterfalls, rugged limestone cliffs, pristine turquoise waters, expansive river systems, and ancient Aboriginal art sites. The Kimberley is also a haven for diverse bird, marine, and wildlife, making it an unforgettable journey for nature lovers.
Cruises along the Kimberley coast operate from March to October, offering a variety of vessel sizes and standards to suit all types of travelers. Known for offering some of the best Kimberley cruises, these journeys feature daily excursions both on land and water, giving you the chance to fully experience this breathtaking region. Some vessels even offer the luxury of onboard helicopters for an aerial view of the majestic landscape.
A reasonable level of fitness is recommended for some of the walks, and having good balance will help with more challenging excursions. However, most of the daily activities are accessible to passengers of all fitness levels, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the full experience of their Kimberley coast cruise.
For the best experience, we recommend booking your Kimberley coast adventure early in the season when the waterfalls are at their peak, the gorges are filled with flowing water, and the lush green vegetation creates a vibrant landscape.
Here’s our comprehensive Kimberley Cruise Guide, showcasing the must-see natural attractions you’ll encounter on your adventure. From stunning coastal views to ancient landscapes, your Kimberley coast cruise will leave you with memories of a lifetime, discovering one of the most pristine and remote regions on Earth.
Cape Leveque
The northern most point of the Dampier Peninsula. It is approximately 240kms from Broome. Most cruises will pass this point with Cape Leveque Lighthouse visible from the vessels.
Lacepede Islands
Not visited on every cruise depending on tides but rich in birdlife and an important breeding ground for brown boobies and roseate terns. Situated in the Dampier Peninsula, an excursion through the 4 desolate islands will bring to life your interest in the abundant birdlife.
Horizontal Falls
A little taste of white-water rafting in The Kimberley! Described by naturalist David Attenborough as “one of the greatest wonders of the natural world”, the Horizontal Falls are formed by a land break in-between the McLarty Ranges, deep in Talbot Bay. Up to 10 metre tides send huge volumes of water pouring through a narrow chasm in the land formation. You can take an exhilarating ride through this wonder.
Buccaneer Archipelago
Home of over 800 rocky outcrop islands. As you meander through the region you will pass Cockatoo Island, famed for the BHP iron ore mine, as well as Alan Bond’s Cockatoo Island Resort in the 80s and 90s.
Montgomery Reef
If you love marine life then Montgomery Reef will be your haven. The reef is rich in marine life, including dugongs, turtles, manta rays and many species of sea birds. It is Australia’s largest inshore reef of 292kms² and provides a stunning panorama of white-water rapids on the ebb tide. Many cruise guest’s favourite excursion!
Kuri Bay
Home of Australia’s first cultured Pearl Farm. Paspaley Pearls still operate a major pearl farm at Kuri Bay. The Bay is situated within the Prince Regent National Park and is also used by the Bureau of Meteorology as the boundary of the Northern Kimberley from the Western Kimberley region.
Careening Bay
For the nautical history buffs, Careening Bay was where Captain Philip Parker King ‘careened’ his vessel, the HMC Mermaid in 1820, after it began taking on water. It was during the 10 days that repairs took place that the ship’s carpenter carved ‘HMC Mermaid 1820’ into the papery bark of a boab tree.
Bigge Island
It’s all about the indigenous rock art. Bigge Island is renowned for the Bradshaw and Wandjina paintings. It is an easy walk to reach the artworks.
Mitchell Falls
The spectacular four-tiered Mitchell Falls. Equally impressive whether flowing or dry. The Falls and the surrounding Mitchell Plateau region was formed over 1800 million years ago amidst volcanic eruptions and massive upheavals in the earth’s crust. Take a helicopter flight over the Falls to marvel this magnificent natural wonder.
King George Falls
The highest falls in Western Australia at 80 metres. The meandering cruise through the giant escarpments only heighten the experience when you arrive to view these majestic Falls. Some of the cruise companies also offer the option of a clambering walk up the side of the Falls to take in the view from the top.
Kings Cascades Falls
This spectacular 50 metre terraced Falls is located on the Prince Regent River. You’ll be given the chance to get up close to enjoy a dunking if you are there in the early part of the season when the Falls are in full glory. You may also have the opportunity to swim in one of the crystal clear rockpools at the back of the Falls.
Vansittart Bay
Visit the remarkably well-preserved wreckage of a DC3 which made an emergency landing after running out of fuel on a flight from Perth to Darwin but due to re-fuel in Broome in 1942. Trapped on the beach for 3 days the outcome was a happy one with all 4 crew and 2 passengers safely rescued by a searching Corinthian aircraft.
Drysdale River
One of the Kimberley’s longest rivers at 432kms. Explore the spectacular palm-studded landscape and rapids of the Drysdale area. Drysdale is renowned for its saltwater crocodiles, flying foxes and many species of bird life.
Berkeley River
Known for its towering gorges, majestic waterfalls and sandstone cliffs. A cruise through the escarpments will delight the senses.
Prince Regent River
Home to Kings Cascade Falls, the river is relatively straight as it follows a fault line for much of its length.
