The Kimberley’s Iconic Red Coast - Silver Cloud
Journey through the Kimberley’s rugged beauty, encountering ancient rock art, vibrant ecosystems, and breathtaking cliffs, waters, and wildlife along the way.
SPECIAL OFFER
8.1*
ECO SCORE
254
PASSENGERS
11
DAYS
3/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Australia: Drink It In
Welcome Aboard the
Silver Cloud
The Kimberley's natural beauty dazzles and delights in equal measure. From Darwin, weave a course through towering cliffs, cobalt waters, and islands teeming with diverse wildlife. Witness the might of Montgomery Reef, where the tide recedes to reveal a thriving marine ecosystem. We'll also be privileged to encounter Gwion Gwion artworks - created tens of thousands of years ago — and feel the echoes of history resonate at Koolama Bay.
- • Explore ancient Aboriginal rock art in places like Swift Bay and Vansittart Bay, showcasing two distinct styles—one requiring you to lie down to fully appreciate.
• Witness the dramatic tidal shifts revealing a hidden river and cascading waterfalls, offering a rare glimpse of the semi-submerged world of reef birds, sea creatures, and turtles.
• This operator has fantastic, high-level guides and expedition staff; however, they don't overload you with information on these trips.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
SPECIAL OFFER:
Save $3,000 per suite plus a 15% reduced deposit when you book before Oct. 31, 2024.
Rates:
From $9,900 per person
Policies and protocols provided before you book.
June 12-22, 2025
June 22 – July 2, 2025
Please inquire for future dates.
June – July;
Hover here for specific dates.
Departures:
Trip Sustainability Awards
Community
Educates and supports the local communities by financing projects related to youth empowerment
Waste
Waste undergoes a rigid segregation procedure on board before recycling as much as possible
Water
Utilizes freshwater purification systems that convert seawater into drinking water
Itinerary
Day 1: Darwin
Australia's capital of the north is a uniquely tropical city, and a historically isolated outpost of this vast, diverse country. Reaching up towards the equator, a full 2,000 miles from Sydney and Melbourne, the city was named in honor of Charles Darwin by the British settlers who established a frontier outpost here. With a unique history, beautiful islands nearby, and a palette of sizzling Pacific flavors, colorful Darwin is an enchanting and exotic Australian destination. Crocodiles patrol the jungled waterways and tropical rainforests around Australia's gateway to the Top End. Explore via airboat to look down on the veiny waterways of the mist-laced Kakadu National Park. The sounds of chattering birdlife and the gentle splash of fountains and waterfalls will fill your ears in George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Soak it all in, before kicking back and relaxing with a picnic and a crackling barbecue.
The sunshine and famous tropical pink sunsets mean many visitors naturally gravitate to the city's soft sands to relax at spots like pretty Mindil Beach, as evening approaches. The adjoining market is filled with souvenirs and crafts stands and is the perfect great place to enjoy some fiery Asian flavors. Stroll the stalls, grab some food, and crack open an ice-frosted beer as the sunset show begins. It may be remote, but Darwin found itself on the front line during the Pacific War, as the Japanese air force unloaded their bombs onto the city in 1942. This relaxed, unassuming city has a deeply resilient backbone, however, and you can explore the museums to learn more of the war's impact on Darwin, as well as the devastating effects of one of Australia's worst natural disasters, Cyclone Tracy in 1973.
Day 2: Koolama Bay
Koolama Bay is found at the mouth of the King George River. Named after the ship that had been beached here after a Japanese aerial attack during World War II, Koolama Bay is the starting point for a Zodiac cruise to reach the King George Falls, one of the Kimberley’s most magnificent natural wonders. At 260 feet (80 m), the twin cascades are among the highest in Australia. Koolama Bay and the river weaving through an amazing landscape of near vertical red rock formations will offer a parade of wildlife —saltwater crocodiles and amazing birdlife, including giant raptors and the Brahminy Kite.
Day 3: Swift Bay
Australia’s jaw dropping Kimberley region shelters some of the oldest collections of rock art. This ancestral art depicting warriors, animals or nature is an authentic testimony to Aboriginal’s culture, rituals and traditions. Tranquil Swift Bay offers you the opportunity to discover astonishing Wandjina art galleries and wake up the adventurer in you. A quick zodiac ride on the turquoise water gives you a chance to admire the coast’s spectacular scenery, while a short walk across the rocky and wild landscape - 250 meters from the landing site, leads you to the historic and artistic caves.
In these ancient galleries, two different styles of rock art can be observed: the Gwion Gwion style, represented by long and skinny human-like figures and the much rounder Wandjina style. Both very impressive and special. You’ll need to keep your wits about you if you want to admire the most spectacular of the ancient paintings though, as it is painted on the ceiling and only visible by lying down. However, those with claustrophobia beware! The ceiling is only about a meter above your head. Those who do wiggle in to be the best position will fully appreciate the artwork’s enormous scale and size and surely won’t be left indifferent.
Day 4: Ashmore Reef
Lost in the immensity of the Indian Ocean and situated 630 km of Broome, Ashmore Reef Marine Park is an Australian External Territory that covers 583 square km. With its diverse shades of blue, its underwater wonders and feathery friends, this protected area is one of Australia’s most beautiful natural treasures. The three tiny islands and their surrounding waters are home to an oasis of flourishing wildlife. Ashmore Reef is known to be the favorite place of more than 40 bird species. 100,000 seabirds breed there every year, including crested terns, white-tailed tropicbirds and greater frigatebirds. The islands are also a haven for thousands of migratory shorebirds like curlew sandpipers, bar-tailed godwits and great knots – some of them coming from very far places like Siberia!
On the ocean side, the colorful reef is home to around 500 species of fish but also marine turtles, dugongs and many playful dolphins. Given the rich and fragile environment, Ashmore Reef has been declared a Sanctuary zone, providing the highest level of protection for the wildlife and minimizing disturbance from human activities. Only scientific research is permitted but the visitors can access the Recreational Use Zone, which includes a small area of the West Island, and thus discover this unique place.
Day 5: Adele Island
Appearing like a charmed apparition, Adele Island is an oasis of tranquility peeking out of the Indian Ocean. It’s hard to capture the sense of quiet perfection as you stand on this sandy paradise, 65 miles away from Kimberley’s rugged coast. The changeable sands of the island expand and contract with the contented sighs of the tides, and wide sandbanks ebb and flow with the whims of the water. At the core of Adele Island is a gorgeous tidal lagoon, rich in biodiversity. The island is a thriving ocean outpost for breeding birds and turtles, and the hospitable waters form a lively nursery for young humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins. Keep an eye out for large silhouettes sliding just below the shallow surface. The knee-deep sea here means you can easily spot wonderful sea creatures swimming agilely past.
Keep your wits about you though, there may also be beady-eyed crocodiles, slaloming menacingly. Encounter beautiful sea turtles, diverse fish life, and remarkable birds like the lesser frigate bird and brown booby, all while exploring this pristine island gem. Stand in awe as plumes of seabirds rotate around you like a gentle whirlwind. Endless fields of immaculate coral reefs coat the seabed, alive like underwater cities, bustling with life and characters. With only the sounds of rhythmic waves sloshing, sandy footsteps crunching and vocal bird life singing out, melodic Adele Island hits all the right notes.
Day 6: Buccaneer Archipelago
Set off the coast of Western Australia, the Buccaneer Archipelago is one of the Kimberley’s finest secrets. The Archipelago, 50 k2 (19 sq mi), is made up of around 800 islands and protects the mainland from the huge 12 meter tides and astonishing speed of the Yampi (or, in traditional Aborigine, “Yampee”) Sound. The speed and power of the water may not make for pleasant bathing, but do however result in fantastic natural phenomena. One fine example is the horizontal reversible waterfall in Talbot Bay. The tidal pull is responsible for the “reversible” nature of the falls, however, this also hides narrow gaps between the islands, making for treacherous sailing conditions. Isolated graves of sailors and divers are testimony to the danger.
William Dampier sighted the Archipelago in 1688 but it would not be until 1821 that the Archipelago would become known as Buccaneer (a term coined by Captain Phillip Parker King) "in commemoration of William Dampier’s visit to this part of the coast ". Commander John Lort Stokes also noted the area in his 1838 record. Enterprising individuals were initially attracted to the Buccaneer Archipelago in the 1800s due to the superior pearling as well as the rich iron ore deposits. Pearling conducted by luggers in the 1880s was concentrated in Cygnet Bay, Cascade Bay, Cone Bay and Strickland Bay. More recently, mining operators established open-cut mines on Koolan Island on the east side of the Sound. Some of the richest iron ore in the world is extracted here to this day.
Day 7: Freshwater Cove & Montgomery Reef
Adjacent to Montgomery Reef, but on the mainland, Freshwater Cove – locally known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Aboriginal guides will welcome guests with a traditional ochre welcome on the beach. The rock formations that can be seen along the shore represent spiritual ancestors relating to the great Wandjina battle. Caves with rock art are found in the vicinity, but can only be visited with local guides.
Montgomery Reef, which is some 300 square kilometers in size, can show an amazing tidal change of up to 4 meters. When the tide drops, the reef seems to rise out of the water. At low tide a river is exposed that allows access to an amazing semi-submerged world. When the tide continues to ebb, Zodiacs will be used to make the way to the edge of the reef where one is surrounded by cascading waterfalls up to 3 meters high. Continuing up the river one is able to 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.
Indigenous Experience
Enjoy an outstanding and unique opportunity to experience a window onto indigenous culture and history in a remote location. View ancient Rock Art and discover stories from the local knowledgeable guides. This is a memorable experience that very few people have had the privilege to witness.
Join a strenuous hike to Cyclone Cave (approx. 1.5 hour, 2km/1.2mi return). This is a challenging but rewarding hike to see the rock paintings at the cave. Once there, the Traditional Owners will provide information on the area and tell the story of the visible Wandjina rock art.
Please note: This activity is not recommended for guests with mobility issues as there is much rough, rocky terrain to traverse, some of it uneven and steep. Guests are recommended to wear sturdy hiking boots, sunscreen and wide-brimmed hat and to bring a walking stick and water.
Day 8: Hunter River Region
The Hunter River is home to an immense mangrove system surrounded by soaring red sandstone cliffs. Narrow mangrove channels shelter numerous bird species, mudskippers, fiddler crabs and the infamous saltwater crocodile; the most aggressive crocodile species known to man. Naturalist Island at the mouth of the river has a stunning stretch of sandy beach that makes a perfect landing site for small helicopters that can pick up visitors wishing to explore some of the Kimberley’s vast interior. The highlight inland is the famous Mitchell Falls where four tiers of waterfalls plunge into deep pools that flow out into the mighty Mitchell River. The headwaters of the falls are cool and a dip in the freshwater is a welcome reprieve from the heat of the heartland.
Day 9: Vansittart Bay
Vansittart Bay is located near the northern tip of Western Australia. The bay was named by Phillip Parker King during one of his four surveys of Northern Australia during the early 19th century. Interesting parts of the bay include Jar Island and the opportunity to view Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) and Wandjina styles of rock art. For these two different rock art styles there are two sites in close proximity.An area with an example of a more recent history is the Anjo Peninsula. A beach landing and a short hike across a lagoon or -depending on tides- a walk around the lagoon will lead to a World War II site. An almost intact wreck of an old airplane, a C-53, can be seen there.
Days 10-11: Darwin
Arrive back in Darwin and take some time to explore the tropical capital of Northern Australia.
Silver Cloud
After extensive refurbishment, Silver Cloud is the most spacious and comfortable ice class vessel in expedition cruising. Her large suites, her destination itineraries and her unparalleled service make her truly special. Her four dining options will tantalize your taste buds and as 80% of her suites include a veranda, watching a breaching whale or a few cavorting penguins has never been so personal. A limited number of guests in polar waters, mean that Silver Cloud has one of the highest crew to guest and space to guest ratios in expedition cruising. With her 20 zodiacs, 10 kayaks, possibilities are almost limitless with ship-wide simultaneous explorations.
• Capacity: 254 guests
• Cabins: 151 cabins
• Specialists: Highly credentialed naturalists & guides, nearly 1:1 guest to staff ratio.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2023 Cruise Critic "Best Luxury Cruise Line"
2023 Travel Weekly "Best Luxury Cruise Company"
2022 Food & Travel Awards "Best Boutique/Adventure Cruise Company"
"The Silver Cloud is more spacious than other expedition vessels as it was originally designed for more passengers than she carries today. With many beautifully appointed public spaces and many 2-room suite styles, the Silver Cloud is an outstanding luxury option for travelers hoping to head off the beaten track in style. This operator's VP of expedition cruising is one of the top experts in the business known for designing outstanding itineraries. If comfort and cuisine are very high on your list while adventuring, the Silver Cloud is an excellent choice."
Wild Nectar
Life On Board
Deck Plan
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Questions?
Rates
There’s nothing like traveling in the lap of luxury to one of the planet’s most striking and remote destinations, the Kimberley. Explore the rugged red rocky coastlines and mysterious, ancient petroglyphs by day and dine the evening away with Relais & Chateaux fine cuisine. Could be the best of all possible worlds!
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy: