There are few true wilderness destinations left on the planet and one of the most significant is right here on our doorstep.
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Australia’s Kimberley in our North West has been voted as the top adventure cruise destination for Australians and is quickly ranking high on the global chart for ‘must do’ expedition cruising. While even a short exposure to this almost alien environment is enough to shift your perception of life on Earth, a thorough exploration of this remote coastline is even more transformational.
A journey such as APT’s 11-day ‘Kimberley Coast Cruise’ aboard the very comfortable and spacious, 114-passenger Caledonian Sky is one such comprehensive wilderness adventure that encompasses all the key locations that make Australia’s North West such a stunning and bewitching destination.
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Smaller cruise ships like APT’s Caledonian Sky, afford guests the opportunity to investigate the spectacular landscapes and natural wonders up close. Take the wild, turbulent ride through the incredible horizontal waterfalls in Talbot Bay fed by the torrential 10 metre tides, cruise among the swirling eddies and whirlpools around Montgomery Reef as it appears to rise from the depths like a returning Atlantis or hike to the awe-inspiring Wandjina rock art gallery at Raft Point for a glimpse of life long before the first Europeans and you might begin to get a feel for this prehistoric wonderland.
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APT’s expedition visits the less-frequently visited Prince Regent River in the northern region where you’ll have the rare opportunity to view the mysterious Gwion Gwion (aka Bradshaw) rock art that some experts believe could be the oldest known to man. The debate among anthropologists and ethnographers as the to their age, origin and meaning has been simmering for decades.
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The mighty waterfalls of the Kimberley will not fail to leave a lasting impact on even transient visitors. The majesty of King George Falls in full flight ranks up there with Victoria Falls and Niagara in terms of sheer beauty, if not water volume. Cruise operators like APT, bring their tenders so close that your whole body will shudder as the cascade plummets 80 metres into the river, enveloping you in a dense, misty spray.
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APT’s itinerary operates in both directions between Broome and Darwin from May until August giving you the chance to spend a few days at either end. In the intriguing frontier township of Broome, the region’s unofficial capital, or Darwin. A mixture of preserved frontier village and modern go-ahead business, Broome never forgets its roots, carved out of the dust and mud by graziers, pearlers, fishers and miners from numerous ethnic backgrounds over more than a century. Why not take the opportunity to extend your experience and explore inland with one of APT’s acclaimed 4WD Land Touring trips and see firsthand such wonders as the Bungle Bungles (Purnululu National Park) or the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu.
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