Ctgy	Type	Price  (AU$)
B	Stateroom	7,735
A	Stateroom	8,980
JS	Junior Suite	10,670
DS	Deluxe Suite	11,685
BS	Balcony Suite	13,945
OS	Owners Suite	16,195

     

Day 1-3 - 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. As the wharf is approximately 20 minutes from China Town (the main town area) a regular shuttle service from the wharf will be available throughout the two days of our visit in Broome. This shuttle service will also include stops at world famous Cable Beach. Orion guests are invited to a cocktail party at Paspaley Pearls Broome showroom. As well as viewing the fabulous pearl jewelry collection you will have the rare opportunity to taste pearl meat. Refreshments - including pearl meat tasting and transportation to and from Orion are provided.So get ready to enjoy your first stop on this small ship Australia cruise. Please note that the Broome to Darwin itineraries does not include the Paspaley Pearl cocktail party.
-Optional Expeditions Available for Additional Fees

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

Day 4 - Talbot Bay / Horizontal Waterfalls

The Horizontal Waterfalls in the Buccaneer Archipelago are a product of the huge tides in the region, and the effect is created by the rapid tidal fall on the ocean-side of gaps in the cliffs. When conditions are right it is possible for a "waterfall" up to 3 meters high to form as the waters trapped on the landward side cascade out through the narrow gap to the ocean side. A flotilla of Orion's Zodiacs will take you for an exhilarating trip to witness the phenomenon of the falls. For a totally different perspective, see the falls from the air aboard our exclusively chartered seaplane. You'll gain a completely different appreciation of the massive tidal movement and the prehistoric geology that created it. Later in the day join expedition team members on a Zodiac excursion to Cyclone Bay where the tortured geological folds of what was once seabed will be explained.
-Optional Expeditions Available for Additional Fees.

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

Day 5 - Montgomery Reef / Raft Point, Western Australia

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 6 - Hunter River (for Mitchell Falls), Western Australia

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. We will land ashore after a short Zodiac ride on a sandy beach close to a series of caves (landing time is dependant on tide to give clearance over a shallow reef). The caves are home to Wandjina and ship art galleries. Our Expedition Team will also keep an eye out for animal tracks in the sand around the caves often revealing the presence of small rock wallabies or large salt water crocodiles.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Bigge Island, Western Australia

This is a scenic and historic location. Local stories reflect the close association between the sea and the local Yolgnu clans, who regularly traveled between islands in bark and (later) dugout canoes. A special feature of Elcho is the Morning Star poles, feather decorated funeral rite poles each distinctive to their clan groups. Yolngu Art is a reflection of the past and allows the individual to find and maintain a connection with the guiding presence of the spirit that represents the past, present and future. Each art work is based upon inherited designs which originate with ancestral beings that created the land. Located on a cliff top south east of the Galiwin'ku town center is an Art Center with spectacular views over Mission Beach, Abbott Island and the surrounding sea.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Vansittart Bay, Western Australia

Vansittart Bay is our destination today, located at the southern end of Jar 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. After arrival in Vansittart Bay we will go ashore via Zodiac to a beach landing on Jar Island. There, our Expedition Team will take you on a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwion art gallery. The walk to the art site over uneven ground is relatively easy with only one small rock ledge to negotiate, however the access to the majority of the art is a little difficult and includes scrambling over large boulders and crawling under rock overhangs. The reward is a stunning gallery of this ancient and mystical art form.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - 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 10 - At Sea

Sit back and Relax aboard the Orion. Take time to enjoy the small ship cruise and admire the sights.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - 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. Say good bye to the Orion, as you depart from your Kimberley cruise and focus on memories the small ship cruise has brought to you.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: 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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