Kimberley Wilderness · Australia Expedition Cruise

Fly internationally to Darwin, capital of Australia's Northern Territory. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Darwin is a tropical waterfront city and an important gateway to the Kimberley wilderness route.

Before embarkation, visit Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve, join a jumping-crocodile viewing cruise, see the Royal Flying Doctor Service museum and selected Darwin city landmarks. After lunch, transfer to the pier and embark Le Soleal.

Travel upstream along the King George River, where 80-meter canyon walls show varied weathering colors in ancient Warton sandstone. The day's climax is King George Twin Falls, reached with the expedition team by Zodiac or small boat.

Arrive at Vansittart Bay. Jar Island holds Gwion Gwion-style rock art believed to date back tens of thousands of years. Go ashore with the expedition team and walk across rock formations to reach the rock-art gallery.

Sail to Ashmore Reef, made up of three low tropical islands and surrounding coral reef. It is an important bird area. Because it is a protected zone, Zodiac cruising near West Island may be arranged only if weather, sea state and tides allow.

Visit Careening Bay, where Phillip Parker King once repaired HMC Mermaid. The crew carved the ship's name and year into a boab tree, now listed on the national heritage register.

Arrive at Swift Bay. The Bonaparte Archipelago is rugged, remote and dramatic in both color and scale. T-shaped bays formed from fractured sandstone preserve Wandjina and Gwion Gwion-style rock art on ledge walls.

Explore the Hunter River. Mangroves, rainforest, mosaic sandstone cliffs and broad mudflats form a classic Kimberley coastal landscape and an important habitat for birds and saltwater crocodiles. An optional helicopter excursion to Mitchell Falls may be available.

Cruise Collier Bay, where huge tidal ranges create a photographer's landscape. At low tide, Montgomery Reef forms flowing channels and miniature waterfalls. Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay has been described by David Attenborough as one of the natural world's great wonders.

Arrive at the Lacepede Islands, an important green-turtle nesting area in Western Australia and an internationally recognized bird area with a large brown-booby breeding colony. Because the environment is sensitive, landings are not permitted and observation is mainly by cruising.

Disembarkation in Broome. Visit Chinatown, the Japanese Cemetery, Sun Pictures and the Roebuck Bay lookout to understand the pearling-era history and migrant culture, then transfer to the airport after lunch for the return journey.