Escorted Tour

Kimberley Cruise

Small ship expedition cruise

Join us on a thrilling in-depth exploration of Australia’s world-famous Kimberley Coast aboard the expedition ship Heritage Adventurer..

This wild and remote coastline boasts towering, fractured iron-tinged red cliffs, waterfalls, azure waters, hidden coves and caves, secluded white sand beaches, magnificent reefs and rare and endangered wildlife with indigenous customs and connections to an ancient land. An added tour bonus will include three nights in the capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin.

Your travel itinerary

Sunday 11 July

Auckland - Melbourne

Afternoon departure from Auckland on Qantas for our flight to Melbourne. Overnight Melbourne Airport hotel.

Monday 12 July

Melbourne - Darwin

Breakfast Dinner

Depart Melbourne and fly to Darwin. Upon arrival in Darwin, you will be transferred from Darwin Airport to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure and then you will be transferred from your hotel to Stokes Hill Wharf to enjoy your Sunset Dinner Cruise and transferred back to your hotel.

Tuesday 13 July

Darwin

Breakfast

Enjoy a 4-hour Darwin City Sights tour this morning Esplanade, Parliament House, St Marys Cathedral and Chinese Temple, along with visit to the Darwin Aviation Museum, Dudley Point, Botanic Gardens. Afternoon Free and dinner own arrangements.

Wednesday 14 July

Darwin – Litchfield National Park

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Today enjoy a full day Litchfield National Park tour including lunch visiting Termite Mounds, Florence Falls , Lunch at Litchfield Café and visiting Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls Strauss Airstrip for photo opportunity (including NTP Visitor pass).

Thursday 15 July

Darwin – Heritage Adventurer

Breakfast Dinner

After a leisurely morning we board the Heritage Adventurer in the port of Darwin. Time to familiarise yourself with the ship. This evening join the expedition team in the observation lounge as you set sail from Darwin.

Friday 16 July

King George River

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Our approach to King George River gorge is not to be missed. Towering 2,000 million-year-old Warton sandstone cliffs dwarf our vessel. Take your first excursion by zodiac craft and marvel at the spectacle of the Kimberley’s highest single-drop falls as they plummet 80 metres over the edge of towering ancient red sandstone cliffs.

Saturday 17 July

Vansittart Bay

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

This morning we awake to pristine white beaches lapped by turquoise waters, secluded coves and stunning scenery. Here is also the final resting place of a WWII Douglas DC-3 Aircraft and incredible ancient Aboriginal rock art. The area is also home to some interesting flora and fauna including the Golden-backed Tree Rat, echidnas and birdlife.

Sunday 18 July

Ashmore Reef

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Closer to Indonesia than mainland Australia, Ashmore Reef is Australia’s most remote marine park. Surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, it is home to hundreds of fish species, nesting seabirds and diverse marine life. Access is strictly controlled, but weather permitting, there may be an opportunity for a Zodiac cruise near West Island.

Monday 19 July

Bigge Island & Careening Bay

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Today we discover the ancient Aboriginal rock art of Bigge Island before visiting the National Heritage-listed Mermaid Boab Tree, famously carved by the crew of the HMC Mermaid during Philip Parker King’s 1820 voyage of discovery. Behind the tree lies an old Makassan Islamic prayer alcove, a reminder of the region’s rich history. We also explore the spectacular sandstone coastline of York Sound, with its dramatic sea caves, striking landscapes and abundant wildlife.

Tuesday 20 July

Swift Bay

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Today we navigate the Bonaparte Archipelago where our destination is Swift Bay with its sandy beaches, ominous sea-worn caves and mangroves. A Zodiac cruise here allows a closer look at this incredible coastline where we will also likely observe salt water crocodiles.

Wednesday 21 July

Hunter River

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

The Hunter River region is widely considered to be one of the highlights of the Kimberley coast. Fed by two 90-metre waterfalls the Hunter River is home to one of the largest and most pristine mangrove systems in the world.

Thursday 22 July

and Friday 23 Collier Bay

At Talbot Bay we will experience the power of the region’s massive tidal movements which have shaped the landscape, most famously the world’s only Horizontal Falls. At nearby Cyclone Creek we will explore the twisted geological folds of the ancient seabed and at Montgomery Reef we watch this enormous reef ‘rise’ from the ocean as the tide falls creating torrents and waterfalls up to 3-metres high.

Saturday 24 July

Lacepede Islands

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Today we explore the Lacepede Islands, a remarkable wildlife sanctuary and birding paradise. Home to the world’s largest breeding colony of Brown Boobies, the islands are also an important nesting site for Green Turtles, along with Australian Pelicans, Roseate Terns, Masked Boobies and other native wildlife.

Sunday 25 July

Broome

Breakfast Dinner

This morning we arrive in Broome, a former wild frontier now relaxed tropical beach resort and gateway to the Kimberley. We will have a morning sightseeing tour before our transfer to the hotel. Farewell dinner.

Monday 26 July

Broome – Perth – Auckland

Breakfast

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Perth. Arrive Perth and change planes for Auckland.

Tuesday 27 July

Auckland

Arrive into Auckland early morning

Inclusions

QANTAS economy flights Auckland – Melbourne - Darwin // Broome - Perth – Auckland
Three night’s accommodation in Darwin
Darwin City Sights Tour
One night accommodation in Melbourne
Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise
Litchfield National Park Tour
10 nights onboard the Heritage Aventurer in a stateroom of your choice
All meals onboard the Heritage Adventurer
Drinks with lunch and dinner onboard – house wine, beer & soft drinks
All shore excursions and Zodiac Cruises
Onboard lecturers by noted naturalists
The services of the experienced onboard expedition crew
One night in Broome
Half Day Broome Tour
Farewell Dinner in Broome
Airline and airport taxes $425
Pukekohe Travel escort - subject to 15 passengers travelling

Cost

Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland	Twin Share	Single
Deck 5 Superior (Large panorama window)	$19,997
Deck 4 Superior (Large panorama window)	$19,539
Superior Single (Deck 5 – large panorama window)		$25,516
Main Deck Single (Deck 3 – two porthole windows)		$24,749

Business Class Upgrade - Limited	Price on application
Early Booking Discount ( 01 December 2026 )	$150
Previous International Pukekohe Travel Tour Discount	$100

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

Items of a personal nature
Travel Insurance (please ask us for a quote)
Suggested gratuities USD15 per person per day
Onboard laundry available
Items not specified

Booking Conditions

A non-refundable deposit of $3,500 per person will secure a place on the tour
Full payment is due no later than 30 March 2027

Cancellations

From the date of booking to 30 March 2027 – loss of deposit
After 30 March 2027 – no refund

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend all clients purchase travel insurance to protect against cancellations, lost items, and delays that could lead to unexpected costs. Please ask us for a quote.

General Information

Clothing - Daytime – comfortable touring clothes, good walking shoes. Evening – smart casual

Documentation

A current passport is required, valid six months beyond date of travel
No visa is required for New Zealand Passport holders
All other passport holders – please ask

Currency - USD on board the Heritage Adventurer

Temperatures Max Min

Darwin 32 ˚c 20 ˚c

Broome 30 ˚c 15 ˚c

Health and Mobility

A good standard of fitness and health is required for this tour. Clients must be independently mobile with the ability to walk on uneven ground and unaided for 30 minutes. Please note that mobility frames and wheelchairs are not practical or permitted on our tours. It is expected you will arrive on tour fit, healthy and ready to travel.

Terms and Conditions

For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.

Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change

Prices From

$19,539NZD

per person twin share

Travel Dates

Depart: Sun 11 Jul 2027
Return: Tue 27 Jul 2027
Duration: 16 nights

Early Booking Discount

Save $150 if your deposit is paid by 01 Dec 2026

Previous Client Discount

Our previous International Tour clients can save a further $100 per person