Broome to Wyndham / Kununurra

Your “welcome aboard” the TRUE NORTH is in the pearling port of Broome. Embarkation is at 1700 – time for a cocktail with your fellow adventurers before departing at approximately 1830. Dinner is served shortly after leaving port for the 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 ‘set sail’ for Doubtful Bay.

Early risers will have first chance to catch a barra at “Three Ways”.

Join crew and guests alike for a moderate walk to Ruby Falls and be rewarded with a refreshing swim in the large natural rock pool.

The keen anglers will take-off on a heli fishing adventure to a secret-spot where the fresh meets the salt!

Enjoy lunch as we weigh anchor and cruise to another Kimberley icon – Montgomery reef!

Montgomery is a unique ecosystem 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 puts all in perspective!

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. And 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 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 mouth-watering 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, birdwatching 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!

Wake in the stunning turquoise waters of Swift Bay. No time to dally – after an early morning breakfast it’s time to join the ‘hunt for the giant black-lip oyster’. In fact – their much-talked about proportions render them not hard to find at all! Savour their unique taste direct from the rock – aside from some freshly squeezed lemon, you can’t get much more a la naturale than that! There are also some excellent examples of both Wandjina and Bradshaw art nearby and the waters are alive with light game species such as queenfish, giant trevally and mackerel.

There will also be more ‘mackie sessions’ at Cape Voltaire and the Montalivet Islands and, the opportunity to go heli-camping to Cherubin Falls promises to be yet another highlight.

Join the crew for a walk through a rock art gallery, followed by sunset drinks on picturesque Winyalkin Island.

The Mitchell River is renowned for big barra and even bigger crocs!

The adventure boats will head up river to the scenic Surveyors Creek – a great place for a swim (no crocs here!) The fishermen will again join the hunt for the elusive barramundi and there will be more opportunities for helicopter flights over ancient land including spectacular Mitchell Falls! Join the crew for cocktail hour before experiencing another unique dining experience.

Today there will be more opportunities to see “Bradshaws” – ancient rock art that pre-dates other examples of Aboriginal culture. In fact, they are possibly the oldest ‘paintings’ known to man. Vansittart Bay also has a reputation for producing monster mackerel! Join the crew and discover the wreckage of a DC3 that found its resting place after crash-landing during WWII.

The heli-picnic at Eagle Falls is always a ‘big hit’ – enjoy a sumptuous picnic lunch amidst breathtaking scenery. The tenders will also be busy exploring the local beaches and creeks. Overnight we cruise to The King George!

Yet another mighty Kimberley river – The King George! As soon as the tide is high enough, we’ll cross the sand bar at the mouth to reveal even more breathtaking river vista. Then our journey upstream will take us to the very ‘jewel in the crown’ – The King George Falls. Take a shower on the bow and then fly above the Twin Falls in the ship’s helicopter for yet another cruise highlight. Just the thought of leaving this magnificence will inspire mutiny! Hear about the bombing of a state-ship during WWII and explore Tranquil Bay before we continue onto the frontier port of Wyndham.