Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BOATING THE KIMBERLEY COAST
Boating this vast, unspoiled Kimberley coastline is a true adventure. Here you can
fish in rivers without names, hike through spectacular gorges, laze on isolated
beaches, gaze at Aboriginal rock art, eat oysters fresh off the rocks, spot giant
marine turtles, shower under waterfalls, swim in the odd croc-free rainforest pool,
and feel the wilderness is yours. But extremely strong tidal currents of up to 11m
(36 ft.), high cliffs, sharks, and saltwater crocodiles all pose dangers, so you should
be reasonably fit and independent to travel by boat. This is a big region, so you
will need to take an extended charter trip lasting anywhere from 5 to 14 days.
Half a dozen or so boat operators run fishing and adventure trips from Broome
or Derby 221km (137 miles) north, or from Darwin. Some incorporate short
inland expeditions on foot, or by light aircraft or four-wheel-drive. North
Star Charters, below, even travels with its own helicopter for flight-seeing and heli-
fishing. Some boats take scuba divers to Rowley Shoals, a marvelous outcrop of
coral reef and giant clams 260km (161 miles) west off Broome. Find a vessel that
suits you—some offer comfortable private cabins, while others are camp-on-
the-beach jobs. Some of the most established are
North Star Cruises
(
&
08/9192
1829;
www.northstarcruises.com.au) and
Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises
(
&
08/9193
6131;
www.pearlseacruises.com), both operating from Broome, and
Buccaneer
Sea Safaris
(
&
08/9191 1991;
www.westnet.com.au/buccaneer) operating out
of Derby. Contact the Broome Tourist Bureau for an up-to-date list of the boats
plying the coast, because some boats come and go from year to year.
The
Coral Princess
makes 10-day Broome-Darwin or reverse voyages April
through September. It's a 35m (115-ft.) motorized catamaran carrying no more
than 48 passengers in standard and deluxe staterooms or in budget cabins (all with
bathrooms en suite). Facilities include a Jacuzzi, sun deck, cocktail bar, and dining
room. The voyages depart about 10 times a year and give you the opportunity
to go ashore at least once a day to swim (in croc-free pools only), fish, hike in
spectacular scenery, croc-spot on river cruises, have a barbecue on an island beach,
take optional scenic helicopter flights over the Mitchell Falls, or see Aboriginal art.
Fares for 2004 range from A$5,660 to A$6,990 (US$3,679-US$4,544) per
person, twin-share. Contact
Coral Princess Cruises
,
&
07/4040 9999;
www.coral
princesscruises.com; in the U.S., contact S. H. Enterprises, 245-M, Mt. Hermon
Rd. #B, Scotts Valley, CA 05066 (
&
800/441-6880
or 831/335-4954; Coralpss@
aol.com).
