Orion Expedition CruisesOverviewOur 11-night voyages showcase the breathtaking splendours of the Kimberley in a way simply impossible to do from land. From spectacular waterfalls and awe inspiring gorges, to ancient cultural history and indigenous rock art, the only way you can access the best of the Kimberley is from the sea. This expedition opens up the ancient Kimberley wilderness and the historic pearling town of Broome with its cafes, art galleries and pearl boutiques. This voyage embarks and disembarks in Darwin, affording wonderful touring opportunities in the Top End and the most convenient air connections to northern Australia. Detailed ItineraryDay 1 - DARWIN - Dry LandingDarwin is Australia’s closest city to the equator and the gateway to the Top End. Following bombing during World War II, Darwin was more a frontier town of crocodile and buffalo shooters and pioneer cattlemen. After the city was wiped out by Cyclone Tracy in 1974 it was rebuilt as Australia’s cosmopolitan northernmost tropical capital. Beyond the city lies Litchfield National Park (about 2 hours drive) and to the south-east the teeming wetlands of Australia’s largest national park, Kakadu. Much architecture remains from the city’s early periods, with museums, markets and an incredible diversity of restaurants to keep visitors entertained. The harbour foreshore area is a great place to discover the city’s maritime links. Take a relaxing cruise on an old pearl lugger, a thrilling flight in a seaplane or a gentle hovercraft trip. Spend a day out fishing for barramundi, jewfish, golden snapper and threadfin salmon, or go for the adventure of scuba diving around shipwrecks. At sunset, savour a taste of Asia’s night markets at Mindil Beach, where you can browse the food stalls for a picnic dinner on the beach. Day 2 - VANSITTART BAY - Wet Landing Jar Island is our destination, located at the southern end of Vansittart Bay. The island was so named by the explorer Phillip Parker King for the shards of pottery he found there, most likely left behind by Macassan traders. Other remnants of visits by the Macassans are tamarind trees which are not native to the Kimberley. After landing ashore, our destination will be an outdoor art gallery of Gwion Gwion (otherwise known as Bradshaw) Aboriginal art. Named after Joseph Bradshaw, the first European person to record them in 1891, the rock images are hard to date. It is believed they were created at least 17,000 yrs ago with some theories indicating they could be even older, potentially up to over 50,000 years ago when humans first explored this continent. If this is the case, the images are possibly the oldest known to man. Of the two primary art forms found along the Kimberley coastline – the Gwion Gwion and Wandjina - the latter is more contemporary than the older Gwion Gwion. The Gwion Gwion is known for its symmetrical, mystical and graceful forms, depicting highly decorated figures adorned with tassels, delicate jewellery and elaborate headdresses. The Wandjina are instantly recognisable for the distinctive haloes around their heads. Inclusions You will be transferred by ship’s Zodiacs to experience a guided walk to view the Bradshaw rock art. Day 3 - HUNTER RIVER (for Mitchell Falls) – Wet Landing Arguably one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River are lined with green rainforest, mangroves and soaring red cliffs. Cliffs at the river mouth are some 200 metres high and to the north Mt. Anderson rises to an impressive 480 metres. Today Orion will drop anchor close to Naturalist’s Island, the proper name of which is “Wunumpurramarra”, on the northern side of the harbour. For those taking the flightseeing excursion, Orion's Zodiacs will land you on the main beach, some 300 metres long. An enormous number of shells can be found on the beach, many of which are home to hermit crabs who have taken possession of marine snail shells. This region has many crocodiles and you may be lucky enough to see them! For those wishing to explore some of the Kimberley’s vast interior, today presents a wonderful opportunity. The distance from Naturalist’s Island to the famous Mitchell Falls & Plateau is about 50km and you’ll fly over some spectacular terrain. From the air you’ll notice the natural bush landscape is littered with an unexpected feature – the palm! Livistona eastonii predominate and grow in the open eucalypt forest. Inclusions Should conditions permit Zodiac sightseeing excursions along the coastline may be offered today. Day 4 - KURI BAY – Wet Landing The pristine waters of the Kimberley not only support a rich diversity of wildlife and corals, but are also a perfect cultivating ground for pearls. Orion will anchor close by the Paspaley pearling base in Kuri Bay for an intriguing look at this fascinating industry. As pioneers of one of Australia’s premier export industries, the Paspaley Pearling Company enjoys a long and colourful history which began with a Greek family fleeing war-torn Europe during World War I. The family has been involved in the pearling industry in Australia for over 70 years and today the Paspaley name is known around the world as the producer of the world’s finest quality pearls. The mother-of-pearl shell initially drove Western Australia’s pearling industry which supplied up to 70 per cent of global demand for the shell, mostly for use as buttons. Following the boom years in the 1930’s, the invention of the plastic button changed Australia’s pearling industry forever, the pearling fleets were abandoned with many of the traditional luggers simply left to rot on beaches up and down the coast. Nicholas Paspaley, however, was determined to secure the future of his growing pearling business and inspired by the success that the Japanese had enjoyed with culturing pearls, he began producing South Sea pearls that could match, if not exceed the quality of the rare natural pearls. Kuri Bay itself was named after T. Kuribayashi, a Japanese pearl industry executive, in 1962. Inclusions Exclusive access to Kuri Bay pearling base of Paspaley Pearls and an insight to the industry is included in your fare. Day 5 - MONTGOMERY REEF/RAFT POINT – Wet Landing Montgomery Reef The tidal movements in this part of the world can be nothing short of massive and Montgomery Reef is a spectacular example of the impact of up to 12 metre tides. Arriving at high tide, there is very little in evidence, however as the tide drops, a raging torrent of water, cascading off the top of the reef, erupts as miles of surrounding reef appears to slowly rise out of the ocean. The phenomenon is due to the tide dropping faster than the waters trapped on the broad, flat top of the reef can escape. Onboard the Zodiacs you’ll be taken into a channel in the reef as water cascades down on either side. The waters around the reef edge are rich in marine life including whales, dolphins, dugong, turtles, manta rays and the black-tipped reef shark. There may be an opportunity to undertake a reef walk so you will need a high level of mobility and balance due to the uneven and slippery nature of the reef. Raft Point Raft Point, and its 188 metre high bluff, juts out into the entrance of Doubtful Bay and was so named because the local Aboriginals were observed using rafts. After landing ashore by Zodiac, your Expedition leader will guide you on a climb up to a saddle of rock that forms nothing short of an outdoor Aboriginal art gallery. The gallery is spectacular and the art is an account of the mythical Wandjina tribe on a ‘Great Fish Chase’. There are images of the Wandjina spirits with their distinctive haloes and dugong, crocodiles, fish and snakes. Solid footwear for walking is required for this physically demanding exploration ashore. Inclusions Zodiac excursions at Montgomery Reef and to Raft Point are included in your fare Day 6 - BROOME – Dry Landing Set between vast red desert and the azure blue sea, alongside a pure white beach lies the charismatic town of Broome. This town has a fascinating, colourful history and a unique, cosmopolitan feel about it which originates from its early pearling days when over 400 luggers plied the coast. Broome now boasts a multicultural population of many nationalities lured here by the promise of finding their fortunes. Stroll along kilometres of pristine white sand and swim in the clear water of Cable Beach. Marvel at Broome’s large tidal movement. On very low tides visit Gantheaume Point, home of the 130 million year old Dinosaur Footprints. While there, take in the vibrant colours of the red sandstone cliffs. Wander through Chinatown, once the bustling hub for pearl shell traders, gambling houses and Chinese eateries. The finest pearl showrooms, specialty boutiques and sidewalk cafes provide a great shopping experience and opportunity to soak up the charm of old and new Broome. Sit back in a deck chair and enjoy movies at the oldest operating outdoor picture theatre in Australia. Spend some time uncovering the town’s history at the Broome Historical Society Museum. Reflect on the dangers of the early days of diving at the Japanese Cemetery, final resting-place for over 900 pearl divers. The fishing is great in Broome so board a fishing boat or try your hand at landing a big one from the deep water jetty. For those who enjoy bushwalking, the Minyirr Park has a number of self guided trails to offer. The Broome Bird Observatory allow visitors to observe the many migratory birds which rest at the mud-flats of Roebuck Bay en route to southern Australian from Mongolia and Siberia. Inclusions Access into Broome is included in your fare. A complimentary shuttle bus will operate between Orion, the town centre and Cable Beach Club. You have an exclusive invitation to a private viewing at Paspaley Pearls Boutique with champagne and pearl meat. You will be given a brief introduction to the pearling process through to the finished product. Special strands and signature pieces will be on display. Day 7 - BROOME - many optional excursions are offered - examples are: HOT AIR BALLOONING As the morning sun peeps over the horizon, your balloon will gently lift you up into the sky. You’ll appreciate the vast 280 square kilometre view. Compare the open grass plains and the red dirt on one side and the ocean on the other. Gently land at your breakfast site where you’ll dine on a gourmet picnic before returning to Orion. Duration approximately 5.5 hours Cost A$360 per person (second day only) CAMEL SAFARI Enjoy the splendour of the famous Cable Beach riding a camel. Your friendly camel will slowly stroll along the sand enabling you to take in the local views. Choose the popular sunset ride at which time you will witness the magnificent sunset over the Indian Ocean. Along with an informative, interesting and fun walk you may view dolphins, whales and other marine life often seen close to shore. Duration approximately 1.5 hours This tour is tide dependant Cost A$60 per person for a morning ride (second day) Cost A$70 per person for a sunset ride (first day) HOVERCRAFT SCENIC & HISTORIC EXPERIENCE Your journey includes a scenic tour enjoying some of the magnificent and historic sights of the Broome town coastline. Enjoy the ride over very low water tidal flats and sand bars, inaccessible by other means. View old and perfectly preserved dinosaur tracks in rock on the beach that once was an ancient planal forest floor. The tracks near Broome are 115 to 120 million years old and they are tracks of meat-eaters related to the famous Tyrannosaurus and of possibly the largest dinosaur of all, an immense sauropod which left behind a print measuring 1.7 metres across. Marvel at the brightly coloured inhabitants that bask amongst the mangrove trees lining the coast and be amazed by the history that hides on the ocean floor. Duration approximately 1 hour This tour is tide dependant Cost A$75 per person (second day only) MALLARD SCENIC COASTAL FLIGHT A spectacular and nostalgic experience awaits you! This graceful aircraft takes off and follows the coastline over the famous Roebuck Bay, where you’ll be amazed by the ever-changing colours created by the ebb and flow of the tide. You’ll also note the extreme contrast between the blues of the ocean and the red of the land. Duration approximately 30 mins Cost A$250 per person (second day only) BROOME DISCOVERY TOUR This tour is an essential and enlightening orientation tour of Broome. Circumnavigate the town’s spectacular peninsula, visiting major icons and natural attractions. The rich multicultural and pearling history is revealed. Learn about cultured pearling, take in the spectacular Cable Beach, historic Gantheaume Point and ancient dinosaur footprints. Taste the local beer at Maso’s Brewery. Duration approximately 3.5hrs Cost A$77 per person Day 8 - TALBOT BAY/HORIZONTAL WATERFALLS - By Zodiac Talbot Bay is located within the King Leopold Mobile Zone. Approximately 1800 million years ago the Kimberley continent collided with the Australian land mass. The ensuing collision caused a massive heating along the boundaries of contact – in effect, the Kimberley land mass became welded to Australia & thus the Kimberley region of Australia was created. This caused a great deal of folding & buckling of the sedimentary rocks along the welded boundaries (including the King Leopold & Halls Creek Mobile Zones). This massive geological buckling has produced the spectacular folds you will see in and around Talbot Bay, the site of the Horizontal Waterfalls. Located about 20 miles to the east of Cockatoo Island in the Buccaneer Archipelago, the falls are a product of the massive tides the region experiences. The waterfall effect is created by the rapid tidal fall on the ocean-side of gaps in the cliffs. Waters on the inland side of the gaps cannot escape fast enough and so a ‘’horizontal waterfall’’ is created by the cascades. When conditions are right it is possible for there to be up to a 10 metre high “waterfall” as the waters trapped on the landward side cascade out through the narrow gap to the ocean side. Inclusions Zodiac excursions in Talbot Bay are included in your fare to witness the phenomenon of the Horizontal Waterfalls. Duration approximately 2.5 hours Day 9 - BIGGE ISLAND – Wet Landing Bigge Island, named by Capt. Phillip Parker King in 1820 after the man who led a royal commission of inquiry into the state of the colony of New South Wales, is the largest island in the Bonaparte Archipelago. The island is rugged and barren, being composed of ancient quartzose sandstone which has been weathered into some fantastic shapes. The island is populated by the small Monjon rock wallaby and the Northern Quoll. Being free of feral pests, our visit today must be carefully managed to protect the pristine environment on Bigge. The island is famous as a site for some amazing rock art, including “contact art” spread over many sites. Both Gwion Gwion (also known as Bradshaw) art and Wandjina art is in evidence. The Wandjina figures on Bigge Island, being close to the sea, are known as Kaiaira or Sea Wandjinas. The Wandjina figures are distinctive for what appear to be haloes around the head of each figure. In fact, these haloes represent clouds as the Wandjina are cloud spirits intimately linked to the weather. Painted by the Wunambal people, you may also see images of sailing ships and figures smoking pipes. Cost of This Itinerary11 Night Trip:The least expensive cabin costs: The most expensive stateroom costs: |