You may never have heard of Australia’s Kimberley Coast, but if the idea of rugged scenery, and remote exploration appeals to you, then Kimberley should be on your radar.  

WHERE IS IT?

• The north part of the state of Western Australia – between Broome (on the Indian Ocean), and Darwin (in the Northern Territory on the Timor Sea).  
• This is a LONG way from Sydney or Melbourne (although you should probably visit those places while you’re down-under).  It’s about a 5-hour plane ride between those most populated parts of Australia and the Kimberley Coast – we forget how HUGE Australia is. 

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

• It’s remote and primal: where waterfalls crash right into the sea.
• It’s not on the way to or from anywhere else… it IS the destination.  
• Australia’s Aboriginal peoples are well represented here.
• There are spectacular beaches and seaside vistas, but it’s NOT a Beach Vacation
• There are more crocodiles than people in this region!

IS IT BEST BY LAND TOUR or CRUISE SHIP?

• DISTANCE:  Bob drove between Darwin and Broome, and says it was his longest drive EVER!  It’s over 1100 miles with very little in between.  The road is now fully paved. 
• SCENERY:  The scenery will be incredible, but there will long, bone-rattling drives.
• LODGING: The accommodations on land tours of this remote area will be spartan at best.  Darwin has some nice hotels, but in the few towns you’ll find in the Australian outback, there’s not many 5-star properties. 

Given the above, the region lends itself well to cruise ship exploration.  The normal advantages of only having to unpack once, and consistent quality of accommodation and food, makes it a good choice for a cruise ship vacation.  You will also be travelling with naturalists, scientists and specialists that can help you fully understand the geography, ecology, history and culture. 

WHAT VENDORS OFFER TRIPS TO KIMBERLEY?

• SILVERSEA – One of their vessels is deployed to KIMBERLEY May through September
• SEABOURN – Seabourn’s Expedition vessel is also in Kimberley in Austral winter.
• REGENT – A traditional cruise ship experience that makes a stop or two in KIMBERLEY.
• HOLLAND AMERICA – On HAL’s itineraries that circumnavigate Australia, they stop in at KIMBERLEY.  These cruises are a minimum of one-month (Australia is HUGE!)

WHEN TO GO? 

• Dry season is May to September, when Silversea and Seabourn deploy to the region.
• In the Austral summer (November through March), the weather is still very moderate (you are at a lower latitude here), but there’s a higher chance of rain. 

WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE GRAVITATE TOWARDS VISITING KIMBERLEY?

• The curious and nature lovers, that want to visit somewhere few have been.
• Previous Australia visitors that want to get to where very few others have experienced.  
• Those visiting the eastern side of Australia, may want to extend their visit, and take in the more remote Western part of the country.  

In Case You Missed It:

SILVERSEA has a fleet of 8 small-ship ocean vessels, AND 4 expedition ships – one of which is deployed to KIMBERLEY every year:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-classic-luxury/

Bob lived in Australia in 1988 and 1989 (and spent a couple of months in the OUTBACK including the KIMBERLEY Coast), and had a bit of nostalgia trip on our recent journey back to AUS:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/reconnecting-with-my-21-year-old-self/

TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS:  The promises made are very enticing, but you need to dig into the details of what the credit card company is offering to determine if it’s the best deal for you: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-credit-cards-the-devils-in-the-details/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

Introducing SEA CLOUD:  We were on board Sea Cloud Spirit a few months ago, and were blown away by the experience.  Imagine a ship the size of a river boat, with a first-class culinary experience, that can get into small ports and harbors that you’ve NEVER been to… even if you’ve been to that region several times before.  In this video, Bob chats with Kevin Smith from Sea Cloud from the deck of SEA CLOUD SPIRIT:

https://youtu.be/fy7Kfd1i3ZQ

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there.  It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

SILVERSEA in KIMBERLEY

If you want to explore the SPECTACULAR KIMBERLEY COAST in style, then look at Silversea.  Silver Cloud, that only carries 250 people:

Broome to Darwin for 10 days, with departures May through August:

• Start in Darwin and visit Ashmore Reef, Wyndham, King George River, Jar Island, Hunter River Region, Buccaneer Archipelago Region, and finish in Broome.

• 2026: May through August with fares from $8,480
• 2027: July & August with fares from $8,910

Darwin to Perth for 17-days, with departures May through August

• Start in Perth and visit Abrolhos Islands, Shark Bay, North Muiron Island, Montebello Islands, Dampier Archipelago, Adele Island, Buccaneer Archipelago Region, Hunter River Region, Ashmore Reef, Swift Bay, King George River, and finish in Darwin. 

• 2026: August with fares from $15,920
• 2027: August & September with fares from $14,400

REGENT Seven Seas – All-Inclusive Luxury

Regent is the most inclusive of all the luxury cruise lines, and one of their ships visits Western Australia in the dry season

Bali to Perth departing June 2, 2027 for 14-nights

• Start in Bali and visit Lombok, Komodo, Darwin, Broome, Exmouth, Geraldton, and finish in Perth.
• Fares from $7,599

Sydney to Perth departing September 20, 2027 for 24-nights

• Start in Sydney and visit Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Thursday Island, Darwin, Komodo, Bali, Lombok, Waingapu, Kupang, and finish in Perth. 
• Fares from $11,499

HOLLAND AMERICA

Australian Circumnavigation: round-trip Sydney departing November 15, for 35-days

• Start in Sydney and visit Brisbane, Alotau, Kiriwina Island, Cairns, Townsville, Torres Strait, Darwin, Broome, Exmouth, Perth, Albany, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Melbourne, Phillip Island, Hobart, Port Arthur, and finish in Sydney. 
• Fares from $7,024

KIMBERLEY LAND TOUR with INTREPID TRAVEL

If you’d rather visit Western Australia by land, INTREPID has an itinerary there: 

West Coast & Karijini Adventure:  Perth to Exmouth

• Start in Perth and visit Nambung National Park, Geraldton, Hutt Lagoon, Kalabari National Park, Shark Bay, Shell Beach, Carnarvon, Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, Cheela Plains, Tom Price, Karijini National Park, Hamersley Gorge, Hamersley Gorge, and finish in Exmouth. 
• Departures April through September from $5,466

OTHER DESTINATIONS:

If KIMBERLEY’S not on your radar, here’s some other destinations that came across my desk this week: 

SEA CLOUD Salt Water River Cruise

If you like the size and structure of a river cruise, but want to visit destinations on the ocean, then take a look at SEA CLOUD:

Greek Isles (Athens round trip), departing July 17th/24th/or 31st 2026 (7 nights) 

• Details: https://issuu.com/seacloudcruisesusa/docs/sea_cloud_big_book_2026_/68
• Visit Amorgos, Milos, Amorgos, Nauplio, and Poros
• Brochure Price: starting at $6995 per person
• SPECIAL PRICE: From $3495 per person

Eastern Caribbean: round-trip Philipsburg departing December 6 for 8-nights

• Visit Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, Iles des Saintes, Nevis & Antigua.
• Sail the scenic Eastern Caribbean islands, and get into small coves and harbors on board the 136 guest Sea Cloud Spirit.  
• Fares from $3425

See our SHIP TOUR video here: https://youtu.be/XkhWMx4dK20 

TAUCK RIVER CRUISES

Tauck is the most inclusive of the river cruise lines in Europe.  Here are two itineraries:

GERMAN OKTOBERFEST:  Amsterdam to Munich for 10-days in September

• Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Dusseldorf (to visit local craft breweries), sail the Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg for a beer-paired lunch, Strasbourg, Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus, Lake Konstanz, and then on to Munich for 2 nights for the world’s largest festival!
• 2026: Sold Out
• 2027: Depart September 15 or 22 from $8990

PORTUGAL & SPAIN on the Douro River for one-week:

• Visit Porto, Douro valley, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Mateus Palace, Guimaraes.
• See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
• Optional extensions to Madrid and/or Lisbon. 
• 2026: Departures April through October from $6990
• 2027: Departures April through October from $5990

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).

We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.

We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.

There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).

If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley