Kimberley Coastline, Darwin & The Ghan - Cruise & Land Journey

Broome, a coastal town in Western Australia, is famous for its stunning beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture. Located on the Indian Ocean, it boasts Cable Beach, known for its white sand, turquoise waters, and iconic camel rides at sunset. Once a pearling hub, Broome retains its multicultural heritage, reflected in its cuisine and architecture. The town is also the gateway to the Kimberley region, offering breathtaking landscapes and unique natural attractions like the Staircase to the Moon. With warm weather year-round and a laid-back atmosphere, Broome is a perfect destination for adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences.

Your Expedition Voyage begins in Broome, a characterful coastal town where red pindan soils meet the turquoise Indian Ocean and long sweeps of white sand. Tropical light, tidal flats and a laid-back atmosphere together create a distinctive gateway to the Kimberley. 

Welcome on board Scenic Eclipse II, your ultra-luxury home for the days ahead. Settle into your spacious suite, with butler service on hand and thoughtful touches that range from a curated pillow menu to the mini bar, restocked daily to your preferences. Take time to explore the decks and find your favourite indoor and outdoor spaces, before toasting the start of your voyage with a glass of champagne in the Scenic Lounge Bar or a cocktail at the open-air Sky Bar on Deck 10. 

Please book your flight to arrive into Broome prior to 02:00 PM.

The Lacepedes are a group of four islands, perfectly nestled off the Kimberley coast. The islands are imperative to Australia’s rich wildlife as they are key breeding habitats for Green Turtles and are home to a wealth of birds such as Masked Boobies, Australian Pelicans, Lesser Frigatebirds and the largest colony of Brown Bobbies in the world. Join your expedition team for a guided zodiac tour to view the prolific wildlife. Due to the sensitive nature of the environment, landings are prohibited on the Lacepede Islands.

After a relaxing morning on board Scenic Eclipse II, arrive in the afternoon at the remote Lacepede Islands, located approximately 120 kilometres north of Broome. Designated an A-class reserve, this protected archipelago is renowned for its prolific seabird colonies and rich marine life. It is also Western Australia’s most significant breeding ground for green turtles and, in season, a notable location to observe migrating humpback whales.

As the day continues, perhaps enjoy a coffee or cocktail in one of the yacht’s bars and lounges, or settle into the Observation Lounge library with a book. Later, join the Discovery Team in the state-of-the-art theatre for an introductory lecture, offering insight into the remarkable region you are exploring.

Sir David Attenborough named the Horizontal Falls± at Talbot Bay “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.” Created by a unique combination of geology and massive tidal surges squeezed through two narrow cliff passages, this is the only place in the world where horizontal falls exist. After a full day exploring this fascinating region, relax in the Vitality pool and gaze out across the breathtaking panoramic views. 

Scenic Discovery:
Explore some of the planet’s most unique waterways by Zodiac. Conditions permitting, journey through the narrow Talbot Creek, locally known as Cyclone Creek, to reveal gorgeous sandstone folding where you may spot rock wallabies on outcrops, or the 18 different species of birdlife including Australian Ibis, Brahminy Kite and Brown Honeyeater. 

±Please note, guests will have the opportunity to view this natural phenomena however will not cruise through the Horizontal Falls.

Careening Bay was named by Lieutenant Phillip Parker King when he careened his ship, HMC Mermaid during a voyage of discovery in 1820. After a series of leaks onboard the Mermaid, King set out for a shallow sandy bay which to careen and carry out repairs. For ten days the Mermaid crew worked hard before refloating the vessel. The ship’s carpenter carved the name of the vessel and the year into a conspicuous boab tree. The famous boab tree is now 3 metres wide and National Heritage listed.

Careening Bay, within Port Nelson, is closely linked to early coastal exploration. In 1820, British surveyor Phillip Parker King careened his vessel HMC Mermaid here for repairs, commemorating the event by having its name carved into the trunk of a vast boab tree that still bears the inscription today.

Scenic Discovery:
Guided by the Discovery Team, time ashore may include a visit to the historic “Mermaid Tree” and the surrounding shoreline, with opportunities to appreciate the bay’s quiet beaches, distinctive boabs and coastal vegetation. Later, cruising by small craft around nearby islands and inlets can reveal mangroves, sheltered coves and marine life such as sea turtles. As Port Nelson’s sandstone and basalt cliffs come into view, the interplay of light on rock and water provides a striking natural backdrop for photography and quiet contemplation.

Today, Scenic Eclipse II will cruise through York Sound to the mouth of the Hunter River. A true wilderness with jaw-dropping panoramas of wild escarpments, monsoon rainforests and the four-tiered Mitchell Falls, carved out over millennia. 

Subject to conditions and scheduling, for a fresh perspective embark on a helicopter^ flight for magnificent aerial views of the Hunter River or Mitchell Falls. Also known as Punamii-uunpuu, it’s an iconic Kimberley landmark and a place of cultural and spiritual significance for the Wunambal people.    

Later, treat yourself to an indulgent time in the Senses Spa. Be pampered with a range of signature ESPA treatments# and relaxation lounges. Then watch the world slip by as you relax in a cabana on Deck 10, before taking a dip in the Vitality pool. Alternatively, ask your butler to deliver afternoon tea to your suite to enjoy on your private verandah while marvelling at the endless ocean.

The Bonaparte Archipelago is a rugged maze of islands that stretch almost 150km along Western Australia’s remote Kimberley coast. Remaining relatively unspoilt and remarkably pristine, Swift Bay is landscaped by heavily fractured sandstone providing an abundance of rock shelters. On the walls of these shelters are examples of both Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art. Join your expedition team ashore for a guided walk to a number of rock art galleries depicting these unique rock art styles.

Swift Bay offers a rare concentration of Kimberley rock art styles in one area, with Gwion Gwion and Wandjina galleries located within reach of your Scenic Discovery Yacht by a short Zodiac transfer. Towering sandstone escarpments and sheltered rock overhangs frame a landscape where culture and country are closely intertwined.

Scenic Discovery:
Accompanied by the Discovery Team, visit ancient Gwion Gwion galleries (formerly known as ‘Bradshaw’ paintings), where fine, elongated human figures appear in flowing headdresses and dynamic postures. Nearby, Wandjina rock art depicts powerful creation beings and rain-bringers that remain central to the living culture of the region’s Indigenous peoples.

Subject to conditions and scheduling, there may also be an option to join a scenic helicopter^ flight over the Mitchell Plateau to view the tiered cascades of Mitchell Falls from the air.

Vansittart Bay is a beautifully protected large bay with several islands and coves. Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region. Mainly neglected by, or unknown to, the early European researchers of Aboriginal culture in the Kimberley in favour of the dominant & more dramatic Wandjina art, Gwion Gwion art has in recent years gained world prominence. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwion art galleries.

Vansittart Bay, a sheltered inlet along the Kimberley coast, is known for its quiet beaches, rust-red headlands and deep cultural significance for Traditional Owners. Here, traces of more recent history appear alongside ancient stories, including the remarkably well-preserved skeleton of a World War II Douglas C-53 aircraft resting in the landscape.

Scenic Discovery:
A guided visit ashore may begin with a short Zodiac transfer to a secluded sandy beach, where the expert Discovery Team can introduce the bay’s geology, history and cultural context as you explore this remote corner of the Kimberley at an unhurried pace.

Darwin is Australia's most colorful, and exotic, capital city. Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees. Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it's a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness. Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia. Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival. The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate. The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years. It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia's shores aboard the Beagle in 1839. During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes. Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster. It's a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia. Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle. Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia's Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.

Your Kimberley voyage concludes in Darwin, where the tropical north offers a striking contrast to the remote coastlines and tidal landscapes explored along the way. After a final morning on board, farewell the Captain and crew of Scenic Eclipse II, carrying with you memories of an extraordinary journey through one of Australia’s most remarkable regions.

From here, your journey continues on land. Settle into Darwin’s relaxed atmosphere before preparing for the next chapter, an iconic rail journey through the heart of the continent. This evening, enjoy the first of your two-night stay as you transition from sea to land. 

Darwin is Australia's most colorful, and exotic, capital city. Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees. Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it's a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness. Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia. Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival. The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate. The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years. It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia's shores aboard the Beagle in 1839. During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes. Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster. It's a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia. Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle. Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia's Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.

Scenic Freechoice:
Today, expand your visit with your choice of a range of illuminating activities.

Jumping Crocs and Nature Adventure: Experience these reptiles in the wild on the beautiful Adelaide River, where crocs leap out of the water pursuing their prey. Your tour also includes a visit to Fogg Dam, a wetlands nature reserve teeming with wading birds and other unique wildlife. The wetlands of the Top End are of great international importance on account of their accessibility, splendour and cultural significance.

Litchfield National Park: Litchfield National Park abounds with permanent spring-fed waterfalls, remnant monsoon vine forests, unusual rock formations and interesting scenery. An hour easily becomes a day relaxing in this wonderful park, which reveals its considerable wonders the further you explore.

WWII Bombing of Darwin Tour: Learn about the history and significance of the Pacific Campaign of WWII; the largest attacks ever launched against Australia. Visit landmarks, view relics of the war and take a cruise on Darwin Harbour in this informative guided tour, which outlines the shocking extent of the damage suffered by Darwin during the war.

Darwin City Sights – Hop-on-Hop-off Tour: The perfect introduction to the Top End city of Darwin. Take in all of Darwin’s main historical and cultural attractions with an opportunity to stop and visit during the tour.

Darwin is Australia's most colorful, and exotic, capital city. Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees. Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it's a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness. Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia. Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival. The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate. The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years. It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia's shores aboard the Beagle in 1839. During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes. Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster. It's a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia. Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle. Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia's Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.

Your journey begins with a morning departure from Darwin on board the famous Ghan (Gold Service) for your Scenic Special Stay. The train, which runs between Darwin and Adelaide, provides one of the world’s greatest rail journeys as it cuts across remote desert landscapes in impeccable luxury. Settle into your private cabin before a delightful regionally-inspired lunch accompanied by a selection of all-inclusive wines and beverages. Arrive early afternoon at the Top End township of Katherine, the “Crossroads of the North”. The third-largest town in the Northern Territory, Katherine is a gateway between outback desert and the tropical climate of the Top End. Here, you’re free to choose between experiences that will enhance your visit. Take a guided cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, where you’ll marvel at the famed towering red ochre sandstone walls and hear stories of the local Jawoyn people. Or take a glimpse into the lives of those who call the outback home with a fascinating day of discovery on a huge cattle station. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant as the sun sets over the outback, then head back to your cabin to find your bed turned down. Fall asleep as the train rolls soothingly onwards across the vast outback.

Australians think of Adelaide as a city of churches, but Adelaide has outgrown its reputation as a sleepy country town dotted with cathedrals and spires. The Adelaide of this millennium is infinitely more complex, with a large, multiethnic population and thriving urban art and music scenes supported by a "space activation program" that encourages pop-up shops, markets, performances, street food, mini festivals, art exhibitions, and other "off-the-cuff" experiences in the cities underutilized streets and public spaces.Bright and clean, leafy and beautiful Adelaide is a breeze to explore, with a grid pattern of streets encircled by parkland. The heart of the greenbelt is divided by the meandering River Torrens, which passes the Festival Centre in its prettiest stretch.