Discover the Kimberley Coastline: An Ancient Wilderness

Embark on a voyage to one of the world’s most remarkable and precious environments - the vast wilderness of Australia’s Kimberley Coast. Marvel at the vivid contrasting colours and vast pristine wilderness boasting deep gorges, rainforests and cascading waterfalls. You’ll learn from the traditional owners of the land; a rare and unique cultural encounter that you will remember for a lifetime.

Our expert Discovery Team will take you on a journey into the Northern Territory’s Top End and remote Kimberley region to reveal the exotic natural wonders of Australia. On this unforgettable voyage, marvel at an ancient landscape of vivid contrasting colours, navigate gushing waterfalls on a Zodiac, spot saltwater crocodiles and endangered green sea turtles, walk among an incredible variety of native flora, and get to know the traditional owners of this ancient land. After a day of discovery, unwind in ultra-luxury and enjoy truly all-inclusive indulgence onboard Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht™.

Price Includes
Inclusions:
  • 10 night cruise from Darwin to Broome on board the luxurious Scenic Eclipse II
  • Up to 228 guests on board for a truly exclusive Discovery Voyage
  • Butler service for every guest
  • Up to ten onboard dining experiences, from casual to fine dining
  • Complimentary beverages all day, every day
  • 15 member Specialist Discovery Team
  • Scenic Discovery excursions and shore side expedition program
  • Exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences
  • Personalised Scenic Freechoice experiences
  • Engaging lecture and education program on board
 

ITINERARY 

Day 1: Welcome to Darwin
Thu, 30 May 2024
Welcome aboard. Settle into your spacious ultra-luxury verandah suite on board Scenic Eclipse II. Butler service will assist with unpacking and guide you through the pillow menu. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the unsurpassed amenities that include nine bars and lounges, up to 10 dining experiences from casual to fine dining, the expansive Senses Spa and the state-of-the-art theatre, just to name a few. Explore the length of Scenic Eclipse II. The open-bridge policy means your Captain will welcome you in the operational centre anytime during your voyage. Toast the beginning of your journey with a glass of French champagne at Lumière or a cocktail  at the open-air Sky Bar.

Please book your flight to arrive into Darwin prior to 02:00 PM.

Day 2: King George River 
Fri, 31 May 2024
Scenic Eclipse II sails from the Timor Sea to north of the King George River. The only way to access the 100-metre-wide King George Falls, the highest twin waterfalls in Western Australia, is on water or by air. With her sleek, yacht-shaped design, Scenic Eclipse II was custom-built to access such remote locations. Binoculars are provided in every suite to take with you on your Discovery excursions, so you can get a closer look at the amazing wildlife. 

Discovery: Take a roundtrip on a Zodiac for a breathtaking close-up of the falls, weaving past spectacular 80-metre-high sandstone cliffs and mangroves where you might spot a sunning crocodile or birdlife such as ospreys, falcons, egrets, and kingfishers. April and May are when the falls are at their most thunderous and, weather and tides permitting, our Discovery Team could take you close enough for a natural shower. With two helicopters^ available, you may have the option for a scenic flight^ for an aerial appreciation of one of Western Australia’s most astounding spectacles.

Day 3: Vansittart Bay
Sat, 1 Jun 2024
After an overnight journey on board your luxurious Discovery Yacht, you’ll stop at the sheltered and secluded Vansittart Bay, a place of significant indigenous cultural history. Fitted with state-of-the-art GPS Dynamic Positioning system, Scenic Eclipse II will be held in position close to Jar Island in the bay’s southwest pocket, negating the need to drop anchor on ecologically sensitive seabeds. Board a Zodiac for a transfer to a small sandy beach to explore the area with the expert Discovery Team.
Discovery: The Discovery Team will accompany you on a hike to see what’s regarded as the oldest art gallery on earth, dating back more than 20,000 years to the last ice age. The ancient and mysterious Gwion is the oldest rock art known to man and one of two primary art forms found in the Kimberley. ‘Tattooed’ into the rock rather than painted, the art depicts detailed, symmetrical, and mystical figures adorned with tassels, delicate jewellery, and elaborate headdresses.

Day 4: Ashmore Reef
Sun, 2 Jun 2024

The morning is yours. Book a Senses Spa treatment, a Yoga or Pilates session, plunge into the vitality pools, or simply relax and enjoy 6-star ultra-luxury on board Scenic Eclipse II. The afternoon is for exploring one of Australia’s most remote marine parks, Ashmore Reef. The three islands of the reef are uninhabited yet home to an abundance of bird and sea life. Internationally recognised, each year around 100,000 seabirds from 40 different species flock to the reef to breed. Underwater, find hard and soft corals, giant clams, sea sponges, green turtles, dugongs, crabs and about 500 species of fish in the reef. After the day’s exploration, settle in at one of the nine bars and lounges to enjoy a beverage of choice. Relish France’s finest at Lumière Champagne Bar or indulge in over 100 varieties of aged whiskey at the Scenic Lounge Bar. Scenic’s truly all- inclusive philosophy means you can leave your wallet in your suite’s safe and simply relax and indulge.
Discovery: The wealth of sea life coupled with underwater visibility make for wonderful snorkelling and swimming. Take a Zodiac cruise with the Discovery Team around the reef or talk to the expert team about a possible scenic helicopter^ flight for a bird’s eye view of the astonishing colours of land, sea, and reef.

Day 5: Hunter River
Mon, 3 Jun 2024

Today, Scenic Eclipse II glides through York Sound to the mouth of the Hunter River, the staging point for an unforgettable helicopter excursion^ to Mitchell Falls. The thrilling flight^ is a true wilderness ride with jaw-dropping panoramas of wild escarpments, tropical rainforests and the thundering four-tiered Mitchell Falls carved out over millennia. Look out for ospreys and saltwater crocodiles as you soar over the prehistoric landscape akin to Jurassic Park. You have time to explore the area on foot, and, if you wish, take a refreshing swim in one of the freshwater pools formed by the falls. Back onboard, watch Mother Nature’s magnificent show as the sun sets, cocktail in hand. The sky awash with pastel colours blending shades of apricot, pink and dusty blue until finally dark, then linger longer underneath a blanket of a trillion sparkling stars.
Discovery: Tides permitting, the Zodiacs can take you past towering sandstone cliffs, pristine mangrove forests and iconic landscapes such as Prince Frederick Sound, Porosus Creek and Hunter and Row Rivers.
While Scenic Eclipse II sails to Montgomery Reef, you may spot humpback whales and other wildlife in Camden Sound from your private verandah or on deck.

Day 6: Bigge Island - Lowe Rocks
Tue, 4 Jun 2024

After a leisurely overnight cruise, wake-up slowly. While Scenic Eclipse II sails toward Bigge Island, perhaps stretch in the expansive wellness facilities with a mindful Yoga or Pilates session or step it up with an invigorating session at the fully equipped POWER:Gym. Bigge Island, the second largest island in the Bonaparte Archipelago, is just 6km from the mainland. Being devoid of feral animals, it has allowed native wildlife to flourish. You may see a Monjon rock wallaby, the smallest of the kangaroo group, the northern quoll, sea turtles and crocodiles.
Discovery: Take a hike along rocky and scenic paths and visit caves to see well-preserved rock art by the Wunambal people depicting first contact with Europeans. Tides and timings permitting, a stop at Careening Bay in the Prince Regent National Park is where you may view the famous Mermaid Tree, an enormous boab on which the ship’s crew of the HMC Mermaid carved the words of the ship and year, 1820. There are saltwater and freshwater crocodiles in the Kimberley area, so please exercise caution and heed all advice and warning signs from the expert Discovery Team and local guides.

Day 7: Montgomery Reef - Raft Point
Wed, 5 Jun 2024
Wake to completely new vista at Montgomery Reef, the world’s largest inshore reef that boasts some of the earth’s biggest tidal changes reaching up to 14 metres (46 feet). As the tides rise or fall, both soft and hard coral are exposed, falling below sea level to create a remarkable spectacle you’ll explore by Zodiac. If the timing is perfect, discover thousands of small waterfalls cascading down the reef and see incredible marine life including sea turtles, octopi, sharks, rays, dolphins and more. In the evening, share stories of croc-spotting with new friends over an aperitif or meal in one of Scenic Eclipse II’s 10 truly all-inclusive dining experiences.
Discovery: Join the Discovery Team on a Zodiac cruise to Montgomery Reef. Conditions permitting, the Zodiac will transfer you to a sand bank for a swim just off the reef.
Scenic Eclipse II then sails into the calm waters of Doubtful Sound for mangrove forest exploration in search of saltwater crocodiles. An alternate stop is the scenic Raft Point where you’ll see two majestic bluffs, boab trees, and after a 45-minute uphill hike, some of the Wandjina Aboriginal rock art gallery.

Day 8: Talbot Bay
Thu 6 Jun 2024

Talbot Bay’s spectacular Horizontal Waterfalls is a natural wonder to tick off your Australian bucket list. This phenomenon is caused by a unique combination of geology and massive tidal surges.
Discovery: If time and tides permit, you may have the opportunity to go through these fascinating falls and around the narrow waterways of Talbot Bay in a Zodiac. Later, choose to embark on a challenging 9.5 kilometre walk into the Kimberley’s remote wilderness.

Day 9: Buccaneer Archipelago
Fri, 7 Jun 2024
Cruise overnight to the mouth of King Sound and into the spectacular maze of the Buccaneer Archipelago. About 1,000 tiny islands make up this jaw-dropping paradise that’s a kaleidoscope of vivid colours from iron-rich red rock to verdant pockets of lush rainforest, bright turquoise tropical sea, and alabaster beaches. One highlight during this full day is the exploration of Whirlpool Passage; 8-metre tides (26-feet) swirl as they are pushed through a narrow channel between two islands, adding a thrill to your transit. Rest assured, the state-of-the-art Scenic Eclipse II is fitted with custom-built oversized zero speed stabilisers that are50% larger than those of other ships, providing greater stability as it navigates through the roughest waters.
Discovery: Surrounding creeks and inlets offer additional opportunities for Zodiac expeditions, including a possible visit to Koolan Island, the site of an open pit mine that produces some of the highest-grade iron ore in Australia, best viewed overhead on a potential helicopter^ flight.  Within Yampi Sound, past the multi-coloured sandstone folding, beautiful beaches beckon for a refreshing dip. The entire region is teeming with marine and bird life.

Day 10: Lacepede Islands Nature Reserve
Sat, 8 Jun 2024

A special visit awaits you today on this chain of four flat coral islands, home to tens of thousands of seabirds with over 50 bird species including red-chested frigate birds, crested terns, pelicans, and speckled ruddy turnstones. Having eradicated the rats in 1986, these treeless islands are once again a wildlife haven. It’s a significant nesting site for an estimated 18,000 pairs of brown footed boobies, possibly the largest colony in the world, and 20,000 roseate terns have been recorded on the A-class Nature Reserve. Further, it’s Western Australia’s most important breeding habitat for green turtles and where thousands of humpback whales come to calve. Frequent sightings are possible between July and September when an estimated 40,000 humpback whales migrate between Antarctica and Western Australia. As this is your last evening on board, gather with new friends in one of the nine bars and lounges, or make a reservation for an intimate dinner with only up to 8 guests at the Night Market @ Koko’s.
Discovery: The Discovery Team will transfer you on Zodiac ashore for a snorkel, swim or a beach walk following the trail of local crabs.

Day 11: Broome
Sun, 9 Jun 2024

Your unforgettable voyage concludes today. Enjoy your final morning in the ultra-luxury of Scenic Eclipse II, and take the chance to reflect on the rare and incredible experiences and the remarkable places you’ve visited, some of which very few have been before. Take comfort knowing you’ve created a bank of memories which will last a lifetime. Bid farewell to your friendly crew and new friends as you disembark in Broome.
Please book your flight to depart out of Broome after 12:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. 

 

Bonus

 

Room/Cabin information
Category CA: Deluxe Verandah Suite

twin share

Travel Dates

Advertising price based on 30 May 2024 departure from Darwin. Other dates available, surcharges may apply. 

Offer Ends

30 Dec 23,

 

Exclusive Helloworld Travel discount $300

Helloworld Terms & Conditions

*Conditions apply. Prices correct as at 4 Aug 23 but may fluctuate if surcharges, fees, taxes or currency change. Offers subject to availability. Agents may charge service fees, rates vary. Payments by credit card will incur a surcharge.  All savings are included in the advertised price. Offers may be withdrawn without notice and are not combinable with any other offers unless stated. Please check all prices, availability and other information before booking. Scenic Cruises and Helloworld Travel booking terms and conditions apply, see in store for details.   

Supplier Terms & Conditions

*Terms and Conditions Scenic Select Savings offers: Offers and discounts are non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash. Full payment required 10 months prior to departure or at time of booking if less than 10 months prior to departure. Deposit per person (required within 7 days of booking): 10% of cruise fare. Offer is per person, in AUD and based on twin share. Offer is combinable with Future Travel Credits, Welcome Home offer, information session discounts but not combinable with any other offer. Prices are based on 101O080824.1 and 101O280824.2 in Cat. DA suites, per person, twin share in AUD. ~Savings based on GP,P,OP,OT suites on 101O departures. ^Flights on board two helicopters, helicopter experiences and submarine at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions and weather conditions. Submersible unable to operate in the Kimberley. +All drinks on board are included except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. ++Spa treatments at an additional cost. Prices correct as of 04/08/23.