100 Things To Do Before You Die #006 – Cruise the rugged Kimberley Coast
The Kimberley offers visitors one of the most spectacularly rugged coastlines in the world – a place of soaring red cliffs and cascading waterfalls, tidal rivers lined with dense rainforest and sprawling mangroves. And all are teeming with wildlife. The area is virtually unspoilt, and for a very simple reason: it is remote.
“This is an amazing region so unique to our country. And the area itself is great on or off land! I say take your time to explore both.”
- George Negus
The only roads in the region are a very small number of 4WD tracks that are impassable during the wet season. So the very best way to explore the rugged coastline is obvious: by boat. There’s a series of cruising options to take in iconic and photogenic places like the Mitchell Falls, King George River and Falls and the remarkable Horizontal Falls in the Buccaneer Archipelago. Jumping-off places are Darwin and Broome.
From the five-star (everything including helicopter trips) to more modest marine accommodations, generally speaking it’s a case of the smaller the boat the better to get up-close and personal with one of the most dramatic places on the planet.
Did you know?
At 80m, the King George Falls are the highest single-drop falls in the Kimberley.
Additional coverage
For an overview of all the sights and destinations cruisers should try and see, you’ll find everything you need to know at www.kimberleycruising.com.au. This is a site for yachties, but helpful to all those planning to visit the Kimberly.
How to get there
The most popular jump-off point for Kimberly cruises is Broome – a terrific destination in its own right. Many cruise companies operate from Broome. The other jump-off point is Darwin.
Best time to go
The Kimberley has two tropical seasons:
Wet – November to April. Very hot, humid and sticky. Subject to high rainfall and possible cyclones.
Dry – May to October. Peak Season. 30 degrees in the daytime. Nights are crisp, and there is usually little or no chance of rain. Another reason for its popularity is the fact that this season coincides with the cold winters in all the southern areas of Australia.
As the cruise season begins (from April), some humidity is still around. People choosing to cruise at this time could still experience some rainfall, and high temperatures. However, they will also be privileged to see the waterfalls at their most powerful and the Barramundi fishing at its best.
Each cruise company has its own touring schedules, when various ships are available. Check with the operators.
Further information
This is not an exhaustive list of useful websites, but many of these companies contributed to the Australian Traveller Top 100.
www.australian-tourism.com.au
Website with an excellent overview of the Kimberly cruising options.
The following commercial sites promote their own options:
www.kimberleycruises.com
www.pearlseacoastalcruises.com
** This is our original 100 Things to Do Before You Die. First published in 1996. There is an updated 100 Things To Do In Australia Before you die, published in 2011.
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This article appeared in Issue 8 of Australian Traveller.
100 Things To Do In Australia Before You Die Plus Uluru. (The guide to doing it properly) Spa’s and Health Retreats (What they are about and how it all works) Noosa (The insiders guide) Kosciuszko National Park Portfolio – Nullarbor Plain Reviews Bannisters Point Lodge - NSW
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