Wyndham to Broome aboard the True North

Embarkation:
We board our luxury expedition vessel at Wyndham Jetty at 1700 hours. The True North departs Wyndham at approximately 1830 hours and steams overnight towards the Berkley River.

Day 1:
Take a scenic cruise to the top of the Berkley River. Wildlife, exploring and fishing opportunities unfold all day. We move out of the river in the late afternoon and set sail for the mighty King George River.

Day 2:
Be out on deck to take in the spectacular scenery as the True North journeys up the King George River. Towering rusty cliffs 100m high flank the narrow river for miles – this is Kimberley gorge country at its best. This breathtaking stretch reaches a crescendo at the twin King George Falls, which plunge over sheer sandstone cliffs directly into the salt water. The falls will provide the setting for our overnight anchorage.

The King George River offers many wonderful places to explore. Hike to the top of the falls or do it in style in the helicopter for a magnificent view of the area. Scale a rope to one of the most idyllic swimming holes in the entire Kimberley. Fish for barramundi and mangrove jack, swim at the crevice or just relax with a drink whilst eating fresh oysters off the rocks at low tide.

Day 3:
We spend the morning further exploring the King George River before heading to the pristine sands of Tranquil Bay in the afternoon. Revisit the scene of an amazing Australian survival story from WWII as our expert guide recounts the details. Later in the night we up anchor for Vansittart Bay.

Day 4:
Today you have the chance to visit some of the oldest and most interesting rock paintings in the world. The elegant and controversial ‘Bradshaw figures’ provide a captivating window into a lost civilisation. We also have the opportunity to walk to the well-preserved wreck of a DC3 from WWII, not far from the Truscott airbase. During the night, the True North relocates to the Mitchell River.

Day 5:
The Mitchell River is a beautiful, extensive system and one of the Kimberley’s barramundi hot-spots. If fishing is not your game, you may choose to cruise up the river in the tenders to visit Surveyor’s Creek. A great place for a picnic lunch beside the freshwater pools. Not to be missed is the helicopter flight up to the four-tiered Mitchell Falls on the edge of the Mitchell Plateau. The True North departs at sunset and makes for the Hunter River.

Day 6:
Awake to the splendour of the Hunter River. Stunning red cliffs provide a hulking backdrop to the most extensive belt of rain forest in Western Australia. Hear about the varied and unique wildlife of the cliffs and forest, such as the extremely rare, rough-scaled python. Try your hand at some Kimberley mud crabbing and hike to the secluded Jackson Falls. As always, the helicopter will be on hand to take you to some great destinations, which are otherwise inaccessible. We anchor here overnight.

Day 7:
This morning we continue to explore the many attractions of the area, before the True North relocates to Careening Bay. One of the most significant historical sites along the coast, Careening Bay is home to a ‘gouty’ old Boab tree, made famous by Phillip Parker King’s lasting inscription in 1820. King stayed here for several weeks repairing his leaking vessel and made some important discoveries during this time. The main vessel will then traverse a stretch of water notorious for its bubbling whirlpools and turbulent tidal water, en route to our overnight anchorage in the St George Basin in the shadow of Mount Trafalgar.

Day 8:
This morning, the True North moves up the majestic Prince Regent River with the incoming tide. Destination… King’s Cascades! The True North actually ties up alongside the terraced waterfall after some careful manoeuvring. Keep an eye out for crocodiles or fish the productive river system. A highly recommended option is to climb to the top of the falls for a swim in the magnificent freshwater pools. If the climb sounds too daunting, the helicopter can take you to the top of the falls or on a memorable flight along the river.
When the tide permits, we will move back down the river and anchor at the mouth of Camp Creek.

Day 9:
The options this morning are many. Visit some intriguing Aboriginal rock paintings, go birding with our naturalist or explore the spectacular freshwater meanderings of Camp Creek, hiking up to some impressive waterfalls. Then it's off to Camden Harbour, the haunting site of a disastrous settlement in the 1860s. Our guides relate the tragic circumstances as we visit the ruins and the graveyard of this important historical site. Collect huge black-lip oysters at low tide or photograph the deformed boab trees clutching at the rocky shore.

Next we relocate to the unique Montgomery Reef, situated in an area of the Kimberley where the tidal range approaches 12 meters (over 6 hours). These phenomenal tides have given birth to one of the Kimberley’s greatest spectacles. As the tide falls, the delayed run-off from the reef’s vast surface area produces a massive waterfall in the middle of the ocean. A wealth of marine life can be seen on the drying reef as turtles and sharks cruise the edge of the tidal cascades.

Day 10:
We spend today enjoying the Sale River. Explore the sandstone gorge at the head of the tidal water or swim in the freshwater creek, which cuts through a lush patch of remnant rainforest where hundreds of butterflies might dwell beneath the canopy. The True North then heads across to Raft Point for overnight anchorage.

Day 11:
You have a wide range of activities to choose from today. Hike up through some imposing sandstone scenery to a vibrant and powerful rock art site containing some great examples of the more recent ‘Wandjina style’. Mud crabbing and fishing are again on the agenda or look for crocodiles on the way to the perennial Ruby Falls. Join everyone for a swim in a refreshing pool or find a secluded waterfall for two. This evening, we reposition to Yampi Sound in the Buccaneer Archipelago for overnight anchorage.

Day 12:
The tides govern our activities in this area to a large degree. We may visit Cockatoo Island, once mined for its iron ore, but since transformed into a quaint resort. Another option is a visit to Crocodile Creek for a swim under the waterfall and lunch beside the freshwater pool, or gathering oysters at Coppermine Creek. Optional helicopter flights will be available throughout the day to Talbot Bay where the famous Horizontal Waterfalls are situated. At sunset, the True North departs Yampi Sound and heads toward Broome.

Disembarkation:
The True North arrives at the pearling port of Broome and we bid farewell to the crew at 0800 hours. Many more attractions await you in this charming, cultural melting pot.

Please Note:
Working in with the extreme tidal range of the Kimberley is a large part of each expedition. No two trips are ever the same. Each individual itinerary is designed with due regard for the prevailing tidal situation to optimise our adventure and exploit opportunities as they develop. Please note that places mentioned may not be visited on every expedition, but rest assured that there are many wonderful places to discover, so you will always have a new adventure each day.

Although not repeatedly mentioned, helicopter flights and Kimberley fishing are available throughout most of the cruise. Our naturalist and guides will be on hand at every destination to help you discover the intricacies of the Kimberley, as you require. To compliment this interpretation in the field, our Expedition Naturalist will present a series of informative and entertaining slide lectures on board at various times throughout the journey and will always be available around the ship to informally discuss each day’s revelations.