Outback to Ocean Kimberley Cruising 2026 – PONANT

Board The Ghan in Adelaide for an impressive journey showcasing spectacular inland Australia. As the train leaves the city heading for the Flinders Ranges and beyond, the dramatic changes in landscape will ignite your imagination over the next two days. (L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights The Ghan

After your first night enjoying the fine dining and relaxed comfort of this iconic train, you’ll wake to an unforgettable outback sunrise at Marla – a remote outpost 160 kilometres from the Northern Territory border that marks the start of the Oodnadatta Track. After breakfast in Marla, board The Ghan and head onwards to Alice Spring watching the colours of the outback change before your eyes. As the train pulls into Alice Springs, prepare for a day of immersive Off Train Experiences that’ll showcase the best of the red centre. (B,L,D)

When the landscape transforms into rocky gorges and fast-flowing canyon streams, prepare to experience one of the Top End’s most impressive natural wonders, Nitmiluk Gorge. Continue to Darwin, where you’ll disembark The Ghan and be transferred to your overnight accommodation. After checking in, you may wish to explore the Waterfront Precinct with its many restaurants and bars. (B,L)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront

Today is for further exploration of Darwin city, taking in the relaxed pace of life in the north. Alternatively, consider an optional tour (additional expense) to make the most of your time in the Top End. (B)

This morning is yours to explore Darwin at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will be transferred from your accommodation to the Port of Darwin to board Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal for your Kimberley cruising. Settle into your elegant cabin, make yourself comfortable, enjoy dinner and perhaps have a nightcap at the Blue Eye, a multisensorial underwater lounge. (B,D)

OVERNIGHT: 10 nights Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal

The journey up the King George River is nothing short of breathtaking. The 80-metre-high sides of the gorge display varying degrees of weathering of the ancient Warton sandstone. The colours and textures change with the light creating a continually changing vista that is simply stunning. The journey culminates at the King George twin falls, the highest single-drop falls in the whole of the Kimberley. Your Expedition Team will escort you to the foot of the twin falls and explain the stunning geological formations of the canyon. (B,L,D)

Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region. Gwion Gwion art may extend back to over 30,000 years before our time and represents the first wave of seagoing colonisers of the Australian continent. As it is, these are the oldest detailed depictions of human figures in the world. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwion art galleries. (B,L,D)

Located 600 kilometres north of Broome, on the edge of the continental shelf, Ashmore Reef consists of 3 low-lying tropical islands surrounded by coral reef. The islands have a combined land area of approximately 54 hectares and are a designated important bird area (IBA). Visitation to Ashmore Reef and Islands is strictly controlled and most of the reef is designated as a sanctuary zone where access is prohibited. Our visit to Ashmore Reef is required to ensure we comply with Australian government regulations. Should weather, sea and tide conditions permit, there may be an opportunity for guests to undertake a Zodiac tour of the vicinity of West Island. (B,L,D)

Careening Bay was named by Lieutenant Phillip Parker King after his ship, the HMC Mermaid, was careened there during his third voyage of discovery in 1820. At high tide, on a warm September afternoon, King ran the leaking HMC Mermaid onto the sands. As the crew worked hard to re-float the vessel, the ship’s carpenter carved the name of the vessel and the year into a conspicuous boab tree. The boab tree is now three metres wide and National Heritage listed. (B,L,D)

The Bonaparte Archipelago consists of a rugged maze of islands stretching almost 150 kilometres along Western Australia’s coast. Its remote location has ensured it remains a remarkably pristine location to explore and experience. The ‘T’ shaped bay is composed of heavily fractured sandstone providing an abundance of rock shelters. On the walls of these shelters are examples of Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a guided walk to a number of rock art galleries depicting these unique rock art styles. (B,L,D)

Arguably one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River are lined with pockets of ancient rainforest, pristine mangroves, and mosaic sandstone cliffs. The sandstone escarpment at the river mouth, known as “Kampamantiya” rises over 200 metres high before giving way to extensive mud banks and mangrove forests home to numerous bird species and the saltwater crocodile. The Expedition Team will share their knowledge as you explore by Zodiac, keeping a lookout for wildlife. You will also have the opportunity to reach Mitchell Falls by helicopter from Naturalist Island beach (additional cost). (B,L,D)

Lying to the east of the Buccaneer Archipelago, the ancient landscapes of Collier Bay have been shaped by massive tidal movements, creating a photographer’s paradise. With a tidal range exceeding 14 metres, this movement of water creates a unique phenomena. Nestled in the centre of the bay is Montgomery Reef, the world’s largest inshore reef system. As the tide falls a raging torrent of water cascades off the top of the reef, creating turbulent ‘rivers’ and mini waterfalls. (B,L,D)

At the southern end of the Bay, Talbot Bay is home to the world’s only ’Horizontal Falls’, described by Sir David Attenborough as “one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.” Hidden in the many caves and grottos of this ancient landscape are a multitude of ancient rock art galleries. Activities here will be determined by the weather and tide conditions. (B,L,D)

The Lacepede Islands are Western Australia’s most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles and have been named by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The breeding colony of Brown Boobies is possibly the largest in the world and up to 20,000 Roseate Terns have also been recorded here, amongst the plethora of other birdlife. Join your Expedition Team for a guided Zodiac tour to view the prolific wildlife. (B,L,D)

The town of Broome is reputed for its history and its glorious pearling era. This is where your Kimberley cruising will come to an end. Early this morning, Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal will dock in the Port of Broome, where you will disembark to join your half day tour of Broome and surrounds before transferring to your hotel. Enjoy your introduction to the fascinating history of Broome with a past marked by the immigration of numerous Chinese and Japanese workers, attracted by the pearl industry at the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax in the comfort of your accommodation or head out to discover more of Broome’s hidden treasures. (B,L)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Kimberley Sands Resort

Today is yours to explore at your own pace. Venture to Cable Beach where the white sand and blue ocean stretches as far as the eye can see. Visit Chinatown district or do a spot of pearl shopping in the Broome mall. (B)

Take in any last-minute sights in and around Broome as your rail and sail adventure concludes and you leave with memories to last a lifetime. (B)