Cruise 5 - Waterfall Package 2022 • Discovery One Kimberley Cruises | Australia's best value Kimberley cruises. Join us for the experience of a lifetime. Horizontal Falls, Montgomery Reef, Mitchell Plateau, stunning scenery, history, sunsets and more.

Cruise 5 – Darwin to Broome

Waterfall Package: 15 nights

Saturday 30 April to Sunday 15 May 2022

Explore the untouched wilderness of Australia’s Kimberley coastline – a myriad of beautiful bays, inlets, beaches, reefs, rivers and of course spectacular waterfalls.

AVAILABILITY

Double & Twin Share Cabins Available

DEPARTURE/DESTINATION

Darwin to Broome

INCLUDED

an early morning flight from Darwin to Kununurra*

a transfer from Kununurra airport to accommodation

one night’s accommodation in Kununurra

a one hour seaplane flight from Kununurra to the Berkeley River

13 night cruise from the Berkeley River to Derby

a coach transfer from Derby to Broome

a night’s accommodation in Broome

* or receive a flight credit to the same value and fly from Perth or Broome

NOT INCLUDED

Alcoholic Beverages

Private Excursions

Download our 2022 Brochure

Download Itinerary

Departure - Sunday 1 May 2022: Kununurra to The Berkeley River

You will be picked up from the hotel by a shuttle bus and then flown by seaplane to the Berkeley River where you will be welcomed aboard Discovery One. Settle in, become familiar with your surroundings and relax. You are about to begin the journey of a lifetime!

The Berkeley River

The stunning red ochre cliffs bordering the Berkeley River dominate the scenery as we cruise through this magical region of beautiful waterfalls and freshwater pools. The Berkeley has extensive smaller creeks feeding into it and drains the Seppelt and Collison Ranges and Gardner Plateau.

Koolama Bay

Originally named Rulhieres Bay, Koolama Bay was re-named for the ill-fated 340ft vessel ‘Koolama’ that was attacked by the Japanese during WWII. After the attack she made her way into the Bay, dropped off her passengers and then travelled to Wyndham where she sank after another bombing raid.

King George River

The King George River flows into Koolama Bay and is bordered by wonderful sandstone coloured cliffs. It is here you will see the spectacular King George Falls; the tallest falls in Western Australia. Be prepared for a shower! At this time of year the spray from the falls reach up to 500 meters down the gorge and the thundering noise of the falls adds to the excitement.

Vansittart Bay

Vansittart Bay was named by Phillip Parker King for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Although small (about 30kms across) it has some amazing places to visit, including ancient Bradshaw or Gwion Gwion paintings. Joseph Bradshaw was the first European to record these amazing paintings in 1891, some of which have been dated at over 40,000 years old, predating the famous Wandjina figures.

There is also a site where a DC3 aircraft crashed on the beach during WWII after running low on fuel. You can explore the almost intact remains of this aircraft, getting a feel for this important time in Australia’s history. If there is time, you may also visit Jar Island which is the western part of the Bay. This was named by King after he found some old earthenware jars there. This is a lovely scenic island with good beaches and more Bradshaw art.

York Sound & The Hunter River

Prince Frederick Harbour lies within York Sound and it is here that we find the Roe and Hunter River estuaries. This area boasts sensational scenery, with cathedral-like gorges and eroded sandstone features such as the Indian Head at the entrance to the Hunter River. Naturaliste Island is situated here and, during the cruise season from April onwards, it is possible for our passengers to enjoy a helicopter flight from Naturaliste Island over the geological wonder of the Mitchell Plateau with its stunning tiered falls.

Careening Bay

Careening Bay is within the southern part of Nelson Bay where, in 1820, Phillip Parker King careened the vessel HMC ‘Mermaid’ for repairs whilst surveying the Australian coastline. His carpenter carved the vessel’s name into an ancient boab tree which is still visible today – 200 years on!

Saint George Basin & The Prince Regent River

Within the St George Basin are two flat topped hills, Mt Trafalgar and Mt Waterloo, which provide a spectacular backdrop as you cruise to the mouth of the Prince Regent River. This river is the eroded remains of the longest single straight lineament in Australia, making it yet another geological wonder. Get your cameras ready as you experience some spectacular scenery, flora and fauna on our journey down this remote and pristine waterway, concluding at the majestic King Cascade Falls. This spectacular site is where American model, Ginger Meadows, was fatally attacked by a crocodile in 1987, a horror story which has been retold around the world. Keep an eye out for crocodiles as you view these magnificent falls which cascade over fern covered tiers in breathtaking splendour.

Hanover Bay & Camden Harbour

Within Hanover Bay are the pristine sands of Hanover Beach. It is here, in 1838, where Lt. George Grey unloaded his Timor ponies and began the first land based expedition of North West Australia in search of the great inland sea. The journey soon ended when he was speared by Aborigines. Despite this, Lt Grey reported back positively describing the area as ‘lush and fertile’. This glowing report encouraged a group of optimistic farmers to establish a new settlement in Camden Harbour in 1864. This was a total disaster from the start. The ruins of that settlement, which lasted only 9 months, can still be seen and the graves of some of these tough pioneers can be found on nearby Sheep Island.

Sampson Inlet

Sampson Inlet leads into a monsoonal rainforest pocket with almost permanent fresh water. Many previous passengers have called this the most beautiful spot on the Kimberley coast.

Montgomery Reef

Located at the beginning of the Buccaneer Archipelago, is Montgomery Reef. This 400 sq km reef can emerge up to 4m above the waterline at low tide, creating a visual spectacle of waterfalls and sea life. Several small islands dot the reef and support rich mangroves, crocodiles, turtles, birds and fish.

Talbot Bay & The Horizontal Falls

Talbot Bay is home to the famous Horizontal Falls. The region’s massive tides create a spectacular scene, sending huge volumes of water pouring through two narrow chasms in the land formation when the tides reach peak flow in both rising and falling conditions. With up to 10m of height difference between the waters of each of the two inland bays and the sea, the water gushes through creating a mass of whirlpools, boils and raging currents. In Cyclone Creek, the incredible marine life includes impressive Tawny Nurse sharks which often come to greet Discovery One.

Silica Beach

Silica Beach, on Hidden Island, boasts pure white sands and clear blue water. It’s the kind of beach one imagines you’d find on an island paradise. It is a lovely place to take a dip in the shallows.

Arrival - Saturday 14 May 2022: Derby & Broome

This morning we wake up in Derby. After goodbyes, an air-conditioned coach will be waiting to take you to the accommodation in Broome which has been arranged for you – or to the Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park in Derby to continue your land adventures.

Something Extra: This itinerary lists all the places you can reasonably expect to visit on your cruise between the Berkeley River and Derby. It is likely, however, that there will be additional places of interest visited on the actual cruise, time and tides allowing, which is why we prefer not to give you a day by day itinerary. Some of these places are well known, but others have been charted by our Captain. Captain Lennie joined the Discovery One crew in 2006 and became the Captain in 2010. It is his aim to maximize the cruising experience for all passengers, so he will decide when and where he will take you during your 13 nights on the Kimberley coast. In this sense, every cruise is a little different and each passenger’s experience unique.