kimberley coast and coral cruise 2023

Your “welcome aboard” the luxurious TRUE NORTH is in the frontier, pearling port of Broome. Embarkation is at 1700 – time for a cocktail with your fellow adventurers before departing at approximately 1800. Dinner is served shortly after leaving port and then it’s an overnight steam to Yampi Sound.

Awake to the majestic Kimberley and savour an irresistible TRUE NORTH breakfast as we glide past Cockatoo and Koolan Islands – our attentive crew will be happy to introduce the colourful histories of both! Then it’s time to ‘personally’ introduce you to a Kimberley icon – The Horizontal Falls. Experience the awesome power of the region’s huge tidal range in an exhilarating tender ride and then climb aboard your air conditioned helicopter for a view of the falls that very few experience! Take a refreshing swim and a walk on the squeaky white sands of Silica Beach. Before you know it, your first day onboard will be coming to an end – but there’s still time to select a fine wine and to enjoy a leisurely evening meal as we head north to Saint Georges Basin.

The scenery will astound and there are some not-to-be-missed fishing spots as the TRUE NORTH graces the majestic Prince Regent River. This morning’s target species include delectable mangrove jack and fingermark bream. At King Cascade we will manoeuvre the TRUE NORTH right under the falls. Then it’s time for more ‘adventure in the tender’ – a chance to stretch the laces on your hiking boots and an opportunity to swim in yet another picture perfect billabong, or perhaps you’d like to venture further upriver to visit the spectacular ‘Amphitheatre’ waterfall. The helicopter will be popular again when the first group of intrepid explorers returns from Jurassic Park!

Be amongst the first on deck and join an early morning fishing expedition, or see some stunning rock art or join the ship’s naturalist in one of the adventure boats – and all before another breathtaking helicopter flight to a picnic that you’ll never forget! The TRUE NORTH’s mouthwatering cuisine alongside a crystal clear billabong – in one of the most remote places on earth!

Wake this morning in the magnificent Hunter River. The Hunter is about as far away as you can get in Australia – a stunning river system that is lined with dense mangrove forests and surrounded by rainforest encrusted mountains. And, the Hunter has it all – fishing, mud-crabbing, bird-watching and simply exploring “where few have been before!” Join one of our adventure boats for a closer look, enjoy a challenging hike to Jackson Falls and, there’s even more splendour from the helicopter!
In the afternoon we will sail into Prince Frederick Harbour and enjoy sunset drinks on picturesque Crystal Beach. Enjoy some delicious hors d’oeuvres and watch the sun descend on another action packed day in the Kimberley!

It’s time for some hot fishing action at Three Ways. Then join guest and crew alike for a moderate walk to Ruby Falls and be rewarded with a refreshing swim in the large natural rock pool.

You will probably be enjoying lunch as we weigh anchor and set sail for Montgomery Reef! Montgomery is a unique eco-system that must be seen to be believed – and see it you will – as 140 square miles of coral reef rises out of the ocean right before your very eyes!

Water cascades from the reef as the tide falls exposing a privileged glimpse of another world! Turtles, dugong, crocodiles and every imaginable sea creature abound, and the helicopter again puts all in perspective!

Even more high adventure today – the opportunity to ‘ride the tide’ through spectacular Charnley Gorge, to where the salt meets the fresh – is one of the Kimberley’s most hand-picked experiences! This is especially so if you then get a chance to sight-cast ravenous barra as they wait for the tide to spill into their billabong home away from home!
Jacks, fingermark and threadfin will also be on the ‘list’ before returning to the TRUE NORTH for your overnight voyage to the magnificent Rowley Shoals!

We will arrive early at glorious Clerke Reef.
Sample the fruit platter and maybe indulge in a cooked breakfast before discovering the atoll’s huge lagoon and extensive outer reef.
Snorkellers and divers will marvel at the crystalclear waters teaming with life – clouds of fish and corals of every imaginable colour and shape.
There will be plenty of opportunity for beach combing on Bedwell Island, relaxed snorkelling in tropical waist deep water, world class SCUBA diving on the outer reef or perhaps some “catch and release” lagoon fishing using eco-friendly tackle. Our qualified and experienced crew will be on-hand to personally introduce everyone to
the delights of this pristine environment. When you’re not on excursion, relax on-board TRUE NORTH and indulge in our renowned cuisine – the alfresco bar and lounge will definitely be ‘the spot’ to witness your first spectacular Rowley sunset.

Start the day with a visit to the Aquarium! Forget the Great Barrier Reef – this is world-class snorkelling at its very best!
Even if you’ve never put your head under water before – this is an absolute must. The water is only waist deep however the experience is literally “out of this world”! Brilliantly coloured corals, giant clams and more than 600 of the world’s most beautiful fish species at your fingertips! Don’t forget your underwater camera! After another sumptuous lunch we’ll “crankup the action” with something unique – high-speed snorkel drifts through the outer reef! Again our friendly crewmembers will be on hand to ensure that everyone gets to try this once-in-a lifetime experience – as many times as you like! Our anchorage tonight is in the “swimming pool like” waters of Clerke Lagoon – 300 kilometres off the coast of Australia!

By now you will be addicted to snorkelling on the outer reef and your wish is our command! We’ll spend the entire day exploring the outer reef of this remote and untouched wilderness. Then all too soon, it’s time for our overnight steam to Broome. Re-live what is guaranteed to be an experience of a lifetime as the Rowleys merge into a blazing western sky! Join the crew at the Captain’s Party and then enjoy “the best sleep of your life”.