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The Kimberley is one of the world's great art galleries where Aboriginal people have painted for many thousands of years, leaving a rich, imaginative and continuing record of their spiritual identity. There are myriad art styles, from the grace and dynamism of the Bradshaw figures to the awesome power of the Wandjina designs. In the Kimberley, art and nature fold into each other. The voyage will provide a unique opportunity to access the range of contemporary Aboriginal art from the region aboard a small ship cruise. Wyndham provides the location for specially hosted visits to the nearby art centers of Warmun, Jirrawun and Waringarri. And at the journey's end in Broome a program of events will be offered, bringing together artists and artworks from the surrounding communities.This voyage is currently only open to members of the Art Gallery of NSW. Please wait list your interest with our customer service team.

Day 1 - Darwin, Northern Territory

Darwin 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 harbor 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, savor a taste of Asia's night markets at Mindil Beach, where you can browse the food stalls for a picnic dinner on the beach. Then embark aboard the Orion for the small ship Australia cruise of a life time.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 & 3 - Wyndham (for Kununurra & Warmun)

Wyndham is the northernmost town in Western Australia and, for us, is the staging post for opportunities to discover the art of East Kimberley. Wyndham itself is surrounded by some of the most spectacular landforms, rivers and wetlands in the Kimberley. Wyndham is the launching pad to experience nearby art centers: Warmun Art Center, Jirrawan Art Center and Warringarri Art Center in Kununurra. The frontier township of Kununurra is about an hour's drive inland and the green capital of the north, owing its verdant surrounds to the largest man made lake on the Australian mainland; the nearby Lake Argyle and the smaller Lake Kununurra. White settlement of the region is documented by Dame Mary Durack in her books Kings in Grass Castles and Sons in the Saddle. The former Durack cattle station is now flooded by Lake Argyle, however the homestead has been reconstructed and is now a museum. The region is also famous for the Argyle Diamond mine, the world's primary source of rare pink diamonds, which have become the company's signature stone. Argyle Diamonds is the world's largest supplier of diamonds producing over 30 million carats which accounts for around 25% of the world's natural diamond production. Purnululu National Park affords a breathtaking perspective of the Bungle Bungles. They are an incredible sight, and resemble a beehive forming deep chasms with palm trees and long gorges. To appreciate the overall aspect of this weird landscape, one has to take to the air. Though the Aboriginals have lived in this region for generations, Purnululu was "discovered" only in the mid 1980's. A television crew came upon the unique beehive-shaped domes in 1982 and in 1987 it was proclaimed a National Park. The domes are bordered by great banded cliffs that glow fire-red in the late afternoon sun.
-Optional Expeditions Available for Additional Fares.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4 - King George River and Falls

Today Orion will drop anchor in Koolama Bay. Originally known as King George Bay, the area was renamed after the merchant ship Koolama was bombed near here by Japanese aircraft during World War II. The 12km journey up the King George River reveals some of the world's most spectacular scenery and a wealth of bird species. The almost vertical sheer canyon walls have been eroded over millions of years and look like stacks of sandstone reminiscent of a child's building blocks. The King George River drains the Gardner Plateau and the falls are the highest single-drop falls in the whole of the Kimberley (100m or 330ft). Whether you experience the mighty thundering of the falls early in the season, or have the chance to get up close and personal later in the year, you'll be in awe of the sight.
-Optional Expeditions Available for Additional Fares.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Vansittart Bay

Vansittart Bay 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 jewelry and elaborate headdresses. The Wandjina are instantly recognizable for the distinctive haloes around their heads.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Bigge Island

Bigge Island is a rugged and barren moonscape. Small Monjon rock wallabies and the Northern Quoll thrive here free of feral predators found on the mainland. The island is famous as a site for some amazing rock art, including "first-contact" art spread over many sites. Join the expedition team as they point out the Wandjina art that is in evidence. The Wandjina figures are distinctive for what appear to be haloes around the head of each figure. Painted by the Wunambal people, you may also see images of sailing ships and figures smoking pipes which have been interpreted as representing seafaring European visitors in the 19th century.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Hunter River (for Mitchell Falls)

Arguably one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, Prince Frederick Harbor and the Hunter River are lined with green rainforest, mangroves and soaring red cliffs. Cliffs at the river mouth are some 200 meters high and to the north Mt. Anderson rises to an impressive 480 meters. Today Orion will drop anchor close to Naturalist Island, the proper name of which is "Wunumpurramarra", on the northern side of the harbor. For those taking the flight seeing excursion, Orion's Zodiacs will land you on the main beach, some 300 meters 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.
-Optional Expeditions Available for Additional Fares.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Montgomery Reef / Raft Point

Arriving at high tide, you'll see very little of Montgomery Reef. However as the tide drops rapidly away a raging torrent of water, cascading off the top of this 400ha reef, erupts as miles of surrounding reef appears to slowly rise out of the ocean. A Zodiac will maneuver you into a channel in the reef as water cascades down on either side. It's the perfect spot to watch cormorants, egrets and sandpipers forage for sea life trapped on the surface of the reef. Below the waterline opportunistic sea turtles, reef sharks and many larger fish also take advantage of this feast. After landing ashore by Zodiac at Raft Point, your expedition leader will guide you on a climb up to a saddle of rock that forms nothing short of a spectacular outdoor Aboriginal art gallery. The art is an account of the mythical Wandjina clan on the 'Great Fish Chase'. There are images of the Wandjina spirits with their distinctive haloes and dugong, crocodiles, fish and snakes.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - The Lacepedes

The Lacepedes Islands offer a plethora of wildlife. They are home to the world’s largest colony of Brown Boobies. With no natural predators these birds are able to breed and thrive on these beautiful uninhabited islands. Their closest neighbors are the green sea turtles who also choose this pristine environment to mate and hatch their eggs. You may have heard of the Lacepedes Islands in relation to the incident where an American involved in the mining of Guano raised the American Flag in an attempt to claim the islands for American possession in the late 1800s.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 & 11 - Broome, Western Australia

The charismatic town of Broome has a colorful history and a unique, cosmopolitan feel, which stems from its early pearling days when over 400 luggers plied the coast. The town is full of contrasts: stroll along kilometers of pristine white sand and swim in the clear water of Cable Beach or skim across tidal flats aboard a hovercraft to Gantheaume Point, home of the 130 million year old Dinosaur Footprints. Visit the Paspaley Pearls Boutique to sip champagne at an exclusive private viewing or take a walk along the white beaches and impossibly blue ocean. Spend some time uncovering the town's history at the Broome Historical Society Museum or reflect on the dangers of the early days of diving at the Japanese Shinto Cemetery, final resting-place for over 900 pearl divers. The fishing is great in Broome so board a fishing boat or simply try your hand at landing a big one from the deep water jetty. And if you enjoy bushwalking, the Minyirr Park has a number of self-guided trails. This exciting town is the perfect ending to a great Kimberley small ship cruise aboard the Orion, so say farewell to Kimberley Australia, until next time.
-Optional Expeditions Available for Additional Fares.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, breakfast

Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be flexible makes our style of cruising unique.

Single, Triple and Quad Travelers: Single travelers may reserve sole occupancy of a twin occupancy stateroom for 25% less than the regular stateroom (twin occupancy) fare in categories JS, A and B. Subject to availability. Some staterooms accommodate a third or fourth person. Adults age 16 years and over pay 50% (children ages 2-15 years pay 25%) of the applicable stateroom category fare when sharing the room with two full-fare guests

Cost Includes: Included in your cruise fare are accommodations as booked, cruise transportation, all meals onboard, 24-hour room service, entertainment and educational programmes, use of ship's sporting equipment and facilities, port & handling charges, Zodiac excursions and tender transfers, access to the ship's library, Govt. Fees & Taxes. Fares also include the services of 75 experienced crew.

Not Included: Fares do not include items of a personal nature, including but not limited to: travel and medical insurance, laundry charges, shopping onboard, bar expenses, hair dressing and massage treatments, optional shore experiences, medical treatment, telephone and internet charges.

Deposit and Final Payment: To secure your reservation a deposit of 25% of the fare is required. The deposit must be accompanied by a completed and signed Guest Booking Form and is due within 7 days of booking. Final payment must be received no later than 90 days before sailing. Separate conditions apply to the Cancellation Protection Plan.

Cancellation Policy: The following cancellation fees will apply to all reservations. The day on which written notice is received will determine the applicable penalties.
Day on Which Notice is received Penalty
121 days and over - 50% of deposit
120 - 91 days prior 100% of deposit
90 days or less 100% of fare
No show - no written notice 100% of fare

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


Shoreside Expeditions: We include a number of complimentary shore experiences utilising our Zodiacs. In addition we offer an exciting and diverse selection of optional shore experiences which can be either booked for in advance or reserved onboard and charged to your onboard account. Due to limited numbers on some experiences we recommend you pre-register to avoid disappointment. Details will be provided with your ticket.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Any medical condition, advanced pregnancy or disability must be advised to AdventureSmith Explorations when a request for accommodation is made. On every Orion voyage extensive use of the ship’s Zodiacs will be made transporting guests between ship and shore. It is anticipated this travel may be physically demanding from time to time. In order for the crew to determine if safe passage can be offered, guests may be asked to provide additional information, such as a medical assessment of their fitness for expeditionary travel. All guests must sign a disclaimer onboard to participate in offship activities. Guests should be sure to bring onboard sufficient supplies of any prescription medication they may require.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms & Conditions:. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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