Chase waterfalls and wild horizons on a Kimberley expedition cruise

House of Travel’s Jeff Leckey reckons an expedition cruise to the Kimberley is deserving of a spot on your Book It list. He shares his experience to inspire your next great adventure.

Why did you choose a Kimberley cruise?

I love expedition voyages because they get you up close and personal with the destination, letting you see nature and wilderness from a perspective you just can’t experience on a land-based trip. The Kimberley was high on my list to explore after hearing so many amazing reports from friends and family who had travelled to this region .

When is the best time to visit?

The Kimberley season is short - usually May to August, although some operators now extend sailings from April to September. We chose June;  it’s close enough to the end of the wet season to catch spectacular waterfalls yet early enough to avoid the high humidity that creeps in later. The weather was perfect and the seas calm

What can you expect on board?

Expedition travel isn't about the ship; it’s about the destination. Coral Expeditions’ incredible team provides daily briefings on the experiences ahead, including any cultural insights.

Their purpose-built Explorer tenders mean all guests can head ashore at once, with no waiting around. You board directly from the ship, the platform lowers into the sea, and you’re off — no scrambling into zodiacs. The Explorers are shaded (bliss in the Kimberley heat) and zodiacs are on hand for closer looks to smaller places of interest. 

Coffee, tea and biscuits are available 24/7 to take back to your room.

What about off-ship adventures?

You’re off the ship twice a day. Each outing starts in an Explorer, with zodiacs ready at the destination for anyone keen to get right up close. The Kimberley is wonderfully diverse: dramatic rock formations, intriguing cultural wonders, prolific birdlife, crocs, turtles and sunsets that demand a full camera roll. Sunset drinks on a remote beach was a special highlight.

How’s the food?

Coral Expeditions offers three fantastic choices at lunch and dinner, plus an open buffet for breakfast. They cater well for dietary needs and include wine, beer and house spirits with lunch and dinner. Dine inside in the air-con or outside on the aft deck — we chose the fresh air and views every time.

Is there entertainment?

Not in the usual cruise sense as expedition voyages are all about experiencing a destination and learning about the region you are travelling through. Evenings feature a guest lecture on the next day’s region, and the expedition team recaps the highlights, sharing the amazing photos they took during the day. I love that they send you these photos at the end of the trip. Quiz nights pop up for anyone keen, and stargazing on the top deck is a phenomenal way to view stunning constellations in theKimberley skies.

What are the rooms like?

Very comfortable and surprisingly spacious for a small ship: private shower and WC, decent storage, good wardrobe space and room for suitcases under the bed. There is no TV, but Wi-Fi works well — buy the faster pack if you’ll need it for more than social media. We had a Veranda Room on the Explorer Deck and used the balcony constantly for photos and relaxing.

JEFF’S KIMBERLEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Other-worldly rock formations carved by time. The geology is just incredible.

• Fiery sunsets that set the sky ablaze, night after night.

• Bird and nature lovers will be in heaven. Swooping osprey, majestic sea eagles and teeming birdlife on the Lacepede Islands.

• Montgomery Reef rising dramatically from the sea.

• The Horizontal Falls are exhilarating.

• Sweeping panoramas from the top of Mitchell Falls

JEFF’S PACKING TIPS

• Pack plenty of shorts, tees, a sun hat and sunnies. 

• A light waterproof or windbreaker is handy for waterfall visits. 

• Coral Expeditions gives you a refillable water bottle and has hydration stations and electrolyte drinks on board — use them to dodge dehydration. 

• The vibe is casual, but you’ll welcome fresh clothes for dinner after hot days.

• Don’t forget wet-landing shoes; Keen sandals are great thanks to their sturdy grip.

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