Day 1 — Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Embark Silver Discoverer for this stunning Silversea Expedition — Kimberley Coast Expedition. This afternoon, you will participate in a mandatory safety drill before departing Darwin. Later you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and attend a Zodiac briefing. We invite you to familiarise yourself with your new home away from home, meet some of your fellow travellers and enjoy the first of many memorable meals in The Restaurant.
Day 2 — At Sea, Cruising the Arafura Sea
A leisurely day at sea permits you to unwind after your travels, to learn your way around the ship, and to take advantage of the amenities aboard Silver Discoverer. Perhaps attend a lecture to prepare you for the fascinating Dreamtime mythology of the Aborigines, or relax in the comfort of your suite to watch a movie on the in-suite interactive television.
Day 3 — Saumlaki, Indonesia
Silver Discoverer will be close to Saumlaki, Yamdena Island, to clear into Indonesia and we will either go ashore in the town of Saumlaki or might head slightly further south to enjoy an island, its beaches and its reef to have water activities offered.
Day 4 — At Sea, Cruising the Arafura Sea
This leisurely day at sea will give you a chance to attend more lectures about the natural history, wildlife and human history of the Kimberley area. All members of the Expedition Team are experts in their fields and will love to entertain you with stories and information that will make your voyage all the more interesting and fulfilling.
Day 5 — Wyndham, Bungle Bungle, Kimberley, Western Australia
Wyndham is our gateway to the breathtaking Bungle Bungle mountain range in Purnululu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more than 350 million years, nature has shaped the geological formations of giant orange and black striped domes rising out of the ground to form a landscape unlike anything you have ever seen. Known to the local aborigines for thousands of years, the Bungles were only discovered by the outside world in the mid-1980s. Today, take part in an inclusive overflight for an aerial view of these glorious panoramas, as well as seeing the majestic man-made Lake Argyle and Argyle Diamond Mine area from the air.
Alternatively, you can take a river cruise on the Ord River, looking for freshwater crocodiles, fruit-bats, short-eared rock wallabies and a variety of birds, including Mangrove Herons and Mangrove Gerygones.
Days 6-10 — Kimberley, Western Australia
The Kimberley is famous for having one of the largest tidal ranges in the world. A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of this natural phenomenon. In the true spirit of expedition cruising, each day the Expedition Leader and Captain will determine our best course depending on tide, weather and sea conditions. Here are some of the places we may visit during our time in this wondrous region:
-Vansittart Bay, Kimberley, Western Australia
Early in the morning, Silver Discoverer will arrive in Vansittart Bay, near Jar Island. There we will land on a beach and will have the opportunity to view Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) and Wandjina styles of rock art. For these two rock art styles there are two different art sites in close proximity. During midday, the Silver Discoverer will be repositioning to Anjo Peninsula. After lunch we will start the second landing of the day. The site to be visited offers more recent history. After a beach landing and a short hike across a lagoon or -depending on tides- a walk around the lagoon, we will arrive at a World War II site. The almost intact wreck of an old airplane, a C-53, can be seen.
-Talbot Bay (Horizontal Falls), Buccaneer Archipelago, Kimberley, Western Australia
David Attenborough described Horizontal Falls as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world“. The region’s tides of close to 36 feet create an amazing spectacle. You can experience firsthand the incredible tidal power by boarding a 900hp fast boat and taking an exhilarating ride through the Horizontal Waterfalls. There will be the opportunity for a Zodiac ride to experience the power of the tides.
-Montgomery Reef, Kimberley, Western Australia
At Montgomery Reef, which is 154 square miles in size, we can observe the amazing tidal changes that take place here. Timing of the tides is everything; low tide reveals up to 13 feet of reef exposing a river that allows access to this amazing semi-submerged world. As the tide continues to ebb, we use our Zodiacs to make our way to the edge of the reef where we are surrounded by cascading waterfalls up to 10 feet high and continue up the river as we look at the abundance of reef birds and sea creatures including turtles and manta rays. A visit to Montgomery Reef is very much tide-depending, but truly a once in a lifetime experience.
-Freshwater Cove, Kimberley, Western Australia
At Freshwater Cove we will be welcomed on the beach by Aboriginal guides with a traditional ochre welcome. Immediately afterwards we will be immersed in Wandjina culture with a walk amongst the rock formations that represent spiritual ancestors, and hear the story of the great Wandjina battle. From there the walk crosses a tidal creek and makes its way through the woodland forest. The highlight of the walk is a unique Jungurim (Boab tree) and its culturally significant carvings from long ago. On the return to the beach, we will have a look at the artists’ shelter where one can relax, share a cup of tea and damper with the artists and peruse their paintings. These paintings based on Dreamtime stories and motives are available for purchase from the artists. The farewell will be a traditional smoking ceremony on the beach at Wijingarra Butt Butt.
-Hunter River, Kimberley, Western Australia
The Hunter River is home to an immense mangrove. The image of the Indian Head in the soaring red sandstone cliffs will guide us as we set out in Zodiacs to explore the narrow mangrove channels, watching for numerous bird species and keeping an eye out for saltwater crocodiles, the most aggressive crocodile known to man.
For those wishing to explore some of the Kimberley’s vast interior an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion can be arranged to see the famous Mitchell Falls Plateau and Mitchell Falls where four tiers of waterfalls plunge into deep pools that flow out into the Mitchell River. The force of the falls is very much depending on seasonal rains.
-King George River & Falls, Kimberley, Western Australia
The King George Falls is one of the Kimberley’s most magnificent natural wonders. At 260 feet the twin cascades are among the highest in Australia. We drop anchor at the mouth of the river and ride Zodiacs up this waterway, weaving through an amazing landscape of near vertical red rock formations and also looking for wildlife — saltwater crocodiles and a variety of birdlife, including giant raptors and the Brahminy Kite. Arriving at the falls, we can cruise quite close to the base to contemplate the immensity of this spectacle — the force of the falls is very much depending on seasonal rainfalls.
Day 11 — Broome, Western Australia
Following breakfast, disembark Silver Discoverer.
Please Note: Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather and wildlife activity. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change or cancellation.
GEAR UP
Not sure what to wear while onboard? Visit our shop and gear up. We've got layers to keep you dry and warm, breezy wear to keep you covered and cool, and accessories to keep everything packed up and ready to go. So, no matter the weather, you'll be better prepared for your expedition.
Our Gear Shop has an expert outfitting staff and features all the essentials:
Clothes for all types of weather, boot rentals, accessories and more »
Make sure you get all your essentials today. We offer packages or individual items, for your convenience, and recommend you place orders at least 30 days before your embarkation date.
