7-Day Kimberley cruise itinerary: What your adventure could look like

A journey through the wild heart of the Kimberley – one unforgettable day at a time

There are few places left on Earth where you can stand beneath a waterfall so powerful it reverberates through your chest, yet find yourself entirely alone in nature’s cathedral. Where ancient stories are painted on sandstone walls, visible only to those who know where, and when, to look. Where coastlines stretch uninhabited for hundreds of kilometres, and each bend in the river reveals a world so primeval, it feels untouched by time.

The Kimberley Snapshot cruise is more than a holiday. It is a rare opportunity to explore one of the most remote and rugged corners of Australia in comfort and style, guided by those who know it best. Over seven extraordinary days, True North immerses you in a curated itinerary that brings together dramatic landscapes, ancient cultural sites, thrilling exploration and moments of profound solitude. Here is how your Kimberley adventure could unfold, day by unforgettable day.

Night 1: Welcome aboard

Step aboard True North in Broome, where your crew greets you with a chilled cocktail and a warm welcome. As you explore your new home – from expansive decks to intimate lounges and your beautifully appointed stateroom – the anticipation builds.

Settle in with a gourmet dinner as the vessel cruises overnight toward Yampi Sound, where the adventure begins. This sheltered body of water is known for its dramatic red cliffs, deep bays and rich marine life. It is the perfect introduction to the untouched beauty of the Kimberley coastline.

What to bring tonight:

• Lightweight resort wear for boarding
• Camera for your first sunset at sea
• Appetite for fine dining and even finer landscapes

Day 1: Islands, falls, and flight

The day begins in the heart of the Buccaneer Archipelago, a labyrinth of more than 800 islands, many of which remain unnamed. The archipelago is a hotspot for marine biodiversity, home to snubfin dolphins, reef sharks and sea turtles. Its strong tides create some of the most dramatic seascapes in Australia.

Take to the skies for a scenic helicopter flight over the Horizontal Falls, located in Talbot Bay. David Attenborough once called them “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.” Created by fast-moving tidal currents squeezing through narrow coastal gorges, the falls shift with each tide – a phenomenon unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Back on the water, explore island beaches fringed with white sand or cast your line in search of mangrove jack and queenfish.

What to bring today:

• Sunhat, sunglasses, and long sleeves for boat or beach exploration
• Camera with video function for aerial views
• Reef-safe sunscreen and sturdy sandals

Day 2: Rivers, reefs, and remote Fishing

Early morning brings you to the Sale River, a tranquil waterway flanked by sandstone cliffs and tropical vegetation. The mangrove-lined estuary is teeming with life – from agile archerfish to the elusive barramundi – and often echoes with the calls of ospreys and kingfishers. Adventurers can choose to join a heli-fishing excursion, flying to rarely visited billabongs hidden deep in the Kimberley bush.

In the afternoon, witness one of the most spectacular natural spectacles in the region: Montgomery Reef. Spanning 400 square kilometres, it appears to rise from the ocean as the tide falls, revealing cascading waterfalls and exposed coral platforms. The reef supports an astonishing variety of marine life, including green turtles, sharks and dugongs.

What to bring today:

• Fishing gear (optional, but rods are available onboard)
  
• Quick-dry clothing and water shoes
  
• Camera for reef shots and tide action

Day 3: Waterfall country

Today, True North enters the Prince Regent River, a geological marvel that runs ruler-straight for nearly 70 kilometres. Carved along a fault line, it offers both incredible scenery and some of the Kimberley’s most productive fishing grounds.

Your destination is King Cascade, where a freshwater waterfall tumbles over mossy terraces. This iconic site is as culturally significant as it is scenic – local lore tells of its importance to Indigenous custodians, and it is a favourite among returning guests.

Adventurous souls can hike up to the source of the King Cascades waterfall to enjoy a refreshing swim in a crystal-clear billabong surrounded by pandanus palms. Or for more waterfall action, cruise to the Amphitheatre, a secluded spot where lies a single-drop waterfall encircled by towering cliffs.

What to bring today:

• Comfortable hiking shoes
  
• Swimwear for the billabong
  
• Insect repellent and waterproof pouch + camera

Day 4: Red cliffs and rainforest

This morning brings you to the Hunter River, one of the most visually striking locations in the Kimberley. With its dramatic red escarpments, tangled mangrove systems and regular crocodile sightings, it is a photographer’s dream.

Explore the river by tender, search for mud crabs and birdlife, or hike to Jackson Falls, a remote cascade hidden deep within rainforest terrain. Those who prefer a bird’s-eye view can opt for a scenic heli-flight across Prince Frederick Harbour, a vast, island-dotted expanse where the rivers of the north spill into the sea.

Cap the day with sunset beach drinks on Naturaliste Island, where the only footprints are likely your own.

What to bring today:

• Hiking attire and sturdy boots
  
• Binoculars for birdwatching
  
• Something casual for sunset drinks ashore

Day 5: Rock art and Eagle Falls

In the morning, venture ashore in Vansittart Bay to discover the extraordinary Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art – some of the oldest figurative art in the world. Characterised by elongated limbs, tasselled headwear and intricate movement, these ancient paintings provide a rare glimpse into the lives of the Kimberley’s first peoples.

Afterwards, choose your own adventure: troll for mackerel in the open waters of the bay, cruise the coastline by tender, or take to the skies en route to Eagle Falls. Here, you will enjoy a helicopter landing and picnic beside a remote waterfall surrounded by nothing but wilderness and sky.

What to bring today:

• Lightweight, breathable clothing for walking tours
  
• Swimwear for the falls
  
• Camera for capturing ancient art and panoramic views

Day 6: The king of Kimberley Falls

As tides permit, True North crosses into the King George River, whose steep sandstone cliffs tower up to 100 metres above the waterline. The river’s stark, sculptural beauty is the result of over a billion years of erosion and tectonic uplift.

At the head of the gorge, you will encounter King George Falls, twin cascades that tumble more than 80 metres from the plateau above. This is one of the most powerful and picturesque sites in the Kimberley, and the True North experience lets you feel it from both below and above. Stand beneath the falls aboard the bow for a refreshing Kimberley-style shower, then lift off in the helicopter for an aerial sweep over the escarpment.

What to bring today:

• Quick-dry clothing for the waterfall encounter
  
• Waterproof gear for cameras and phones
  
• Sunglasses and a hat 

Day 7: Journey onward

Your Kimberley Snapshot adventure concludes as you disembark in Wyndham, the northernmost deep-water port in Western Australia. From here, a courtesy coach transfers you to Kununurra, gateway to the East Kimberley and the rugged outback beyond.

But while your physical journey ends, the Kimberley stays with you – in the salt on your skin, in the stories you carry home, and in the quiet pull that often draws guests back again.

What to bring today:

• Travel documents and onward plans
  
• One last snapshot of the deck
  
• Time for a final look at the Kimberley horizon

Why choose the Kimberley Snapshot?

This is not your average cruise. It is an expertly crafted expedition designed for travellers who crave more – more depth, more access, more meaning. In just seven days, the Kimberley Snapshot distils the very best of Australia’s remote northwest into a seamless, all-inclusive adventure that combines exploration and luxury in perfect balance.

This journey is for those who want to:

• Witness the Kimberley’s most iconic landmarks, including King George Falls, Montgomery Reef and Horizontal Falls, all in one unforgettable itinerary
  
• Travel with a small, like-minded group, guided by experts who live and breathe this remarkable region
  
• Pair once-in-a-lifetime activities such as heli-picnics, remote river fishing and waterfall swims with gourmet dining and five-star comfort
  
• Engage deeply with ancient landscapes and stories, including some of the oldest rock art on Earth
  
• Swap crowded ports and tourist trails for secluded anchorages, secret swimming holes and landscapes that can only be accessed by helicopter or tender

Every element of the Kimberley Snapshot is designed to go beyond ordinary sightseeing. With just 20 (True North II) or 36 (True North) guests onboard, multiple adventure boats, and a dedicated onboard helicopter, True North provides rare access to locations most travellers will never see, and a level of personalised service that is second to none.

You will not just visit the Kimberley. You will feel it, breathe it, and carry it with you long after the journey ends. This is adventure at its most refined.

This is your moment

There’s the Kimberley you can read about in travel books and brochures. And then there’s the Kimberley you’ll discover aboard True North – raw, unfiltered and completely unforgettable.

This is your chance to step beyond the ordinary. To explore landscapes that remain unchanged for tens of thousands of years. To wake each day in a new, remote location that few have ever laid eyes on. And to do it all in comfort, with a crew that knows how to turn adventure into something seamless and extraordinary.

The Kimberley Snapshot is not just a cruise. It is an invitation to one of the world’s last true frontiers – and the perfect place to start your True North story.