Kimberley Expedition: Northwest Australia and Indonesia

Arrive in Bali and transfer to our hotel where guests spend one night. On Day 2, board the National Geographic Orion in the afternoon and take to the waters of the Indian Ocean. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included on Day 2.

Today we visit the uninhabited Indonesian island of Satonda—a small circular island that is an ancient volcanic cone. Spend the morning snorkeling or diving the vibrant reefs or hike inland to the island’s sacred lake. This afternoon visit the island of Sumbawa, where villagers welcome us with a lively cultural display.

Explore Komodo National Park, home to the world’s largest living lizard—the Komodo dragon. Learn about the conservation of these prehistoric giants from park rangers, who join us on a hike to spot the lizards in their natural habitat. Then enjoy an afternoon of swimming, snorkeling, or beachcombing at Pink Beach, named for the soft pink hue that arises from the blending of red coral fragments and white sand.

The ancient harbor of Waingapu on East Sumba Island is one of Indonesia’s hidden gems, with a beautifully rugged coastline that beckons to be explored. Our arrival will be celebrated with music, bright costumes, and traditional dance. The quality, pattern, and motifs of the ikat of East Sumba make it one of the most unique textiles in Indonesia. We’ll head inland to meet the locals and learn the history of these colorful pieces of woven art.

This morning we arrive in Indonesia at the small island of Sawu, located in the Sawu Sea. The deep trenches and strong current of the sea in this region make it an important corridor for migrating whales and sea turtles. Many species of fish can also be found in the vibrant coral reefs. Explore the area both above and below the sea by snorkel, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard.

Spend time on deck with our team of naturalists; listen to compelling presentations in the lounge; or enjoy one of the many onboard amenities. National Geographic Orion is required to make a quick technical stop in Darwin to clear the vessel and guests out of Australia before departing for Indonesia.

Zodiac up the King George River with its almost vertical sheer canyon walls. Enjoy the opportunity to explore it at water level, and experience its towering red rock canyon walls. The river drains the Gardner Plateau here into spectacular King George Falls, the highest single-drop waterfalls in the Kimberley.

Today our naturalists lead us to an outdoor Gwion Gwion Aboriginal art gallery on Jar Island. Discovered by Joseph Bradshaw in 1891, the rock images are estimated to be up to 40,000 years old. Nearby there is a wreck of a DC-3 aircraft that
became lost and crashed during World War II. If time allows, explore the crash site and the remains of the plane.

Aboard Zodiacs, visit this rocky island jutting out of aqua seas, famous for Wandjina rock art. Composed of weathered sandstones and dolerites forming a rugged terrain, Bigge Island is crisscrossed by many deep grooves in the rock, forming valleys and fissures which support the island’s vegetation. Small monjon rock wallabies and the northern quoll thrive here free of predators.

This is one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, lined with green rainforest, mangroves, and soaring red cliffs. National Geographic Orion drops anchor near Naturalists Island, also known by its indigenous name, Wunumpurramarra—a stunning backdrop to our day’s explorations. The Hunter River has many crocodiles, and we keep an eye out for them on a Zodiac foray through the mangroves. For those wishing to explore some of the Kimberley’s vast interior, today presents a wonderful opportunity. The distance from Naturalists Island to the famous Mitchell Falls and Plateau is about 30 miles, and guests may choose to take an optional helicopter tour over some spectacular terrain.

Conditions permitting, the tide at Montgomery Reef may drop rapidly away and a raging torrent of water erupts, as miles of surrounding reef appear to slowly rise out of the ocean. A Zodiac maneuvers us into a channel in the reef as water cascades down on either side. It is the perfect spot to watch for cormorants, egrets, and sandpipers foraging 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.

The Horizontal Waterfalls in the Buccaneer Archipelago are created by the rapid tidal fall on the ocean side of the cliffs. When conditions are right, a “waterfall” up to ten feet high may form as the trapped landward waters cascade out through
the narrow gap to the ocean side. Enjoy a trip by Zodiac to witness this extraordinary phenomenon. Later in the day, guests can join our naturalists on an excursion to Cyclone Bay to explore the twisted geological folds of the ancient seabed.

Weather dependent, we will operate the Zodiacs through the low lying Lacepede Islands off the coast of the Dampier Peninsula or explore Yampi Sound. This group of islands has been classified an Important Bird Area where you will have the
opportunity to see what is possibly the largest breeding colony of brown boobies in the world. Other birds, such as the masked boobie, eastern reef egrets, and ruddy turnstones inhabit the islands as well.

Disembark in Broome and transfer to the airport for your flight home.