Kimberley Coastline, Darwin & Kakadu - Cruise & Land Journey: 15 days Darwin to Broome

Welcome to Darwin, the cosmopolitan capital of the Top End. Though it survived two cyclones and several wartime air raids, Darwin is distinguished by its relaxed lifestyle and proximity to the Northern Territory’s abundance of natural wonders. Crocodiles, culture and colourful characters abound as you explore the northernmost capital in Australia. Tonight, enjoy the first of two nights at your hotel, located in the city’s most vibrant precinct.

Scenic Freechoice:
Today, expand your visit with your choice of a range of illuminating activities.

Jumping Crocs and Nature Adventure: Experience these reptiles in the wild on the beautiful Adelaide River, where crocs leap out of the water pursuing their prey. Your tour also includes a visit to Fogg Dam, a wetlands nature reserve teeming with wading birds and other unique wildlife. The wetlands of the Top End are of great international importance on account of their accessibility, splendour and cultural significance.

Litchfield National Park: Litchfield National Park abounds with permanent spring-fed waterfalls, remnant monsoon vine forests, unusual rock formations and interesting scenery. An hour easily becomes a day relaxing in this wonderful park, which reveals its considerable wonders the further you explore.

WWII Bombing of Darwin Tour: Learn about the history and significance of the Pacific Campaign of WWII; the largest attacks ever launched against Australia. Visit landmarks, view relics of the war and take a cruise on Darwin Harbour in this informative guided tour, which outlines the shocking extent of the damage suffered by the city during the war.

Darwin City Sights – Hop-on-Hop-off Tour: The perfect introduction to the Top End city of Darwin. Take in all of Darwin’s main historical and cultural attractions with an opportunity to stop and visit during the tour.

After breakfast, travel south to the charming township of Batchelor, gateway to the lush wonders of Litchfield National Park. Soak in sweeping views of Florence Falls from the lookout, where twin cascades tumble into a tranquil plunge pool below.

Continue to Wangi Falls, a tropical oasis framed by monsoon rainforest. Here you can take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water and savour a leisurely light lunch in a serene setting.

In the afternoon, cross the Adelaide River as the landscape opens into one of Australia’s great wilderness regions: Kakadu National Park. Dual-listed by UNESCO for both its natural beauty and cultural significance, this remarkable destination promises ancient landscapes, rich Indigenous heritage and unforgettable sunset vistas.

Begin the day with an unforgettable 60-minute flight over Kakadu, soaring above rugged sandstone escarpments, vast floodplains and winding rivers that showcase the sheer scale and beauty of this ancient landscape. From the air, the patterns of wetlands and rock country unfold beneath you in a breathtaking tapestry of colour and texture.

Later, venture to the East Alligator River for a deeply enriching cultural cruise hosted by local Indigenous guides, who share stories, traditions and insights into caring for Country. Continue on to Ubirr, home to one of Australia’s most renowned rock art sites, where two gentle walking options reveal remarkable Aboriginal artworks that date back thousands of years.

As the afternoon light softens, make your way back to your hotel to relax and refresh before dinner, with time to savour the day’s experiences and lingering views of Kakadu’s timeless horizons.

This morning, journey back along the Arnhem Highway through the wetlands and woodlands of Mary River National Park. Cruise across vast floodplains and glassy billabongs, where prolific birdlife and saltwater crocodiles inhabit one of the Top End’s most remarkable natural environments.

Continue to Darwin, where your Kakadu journey draws to a close before the next chapter begins. Step aboard Scenic Eclipse II and be welcomed by the Captain and crew. Settle into your suite, explore the ship’s elegant spaces, and as you set sail, raise a glass to the journey ahead along the remote and dramatic Kimberley coastline.

The King George River carves its way through the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, culminating in King George Falls, a dramatic twin cascade dropping more than 80 metres over sheer sandstone cliffs. Accessible only by water or air, this immense gorge system reveals rust-red walls, tidal reaches and pockets of mangrove forest, with Brahminy kites, egrets and kingfishers often seen above the river’s tranquil surface. Your sleek Scenic Discovery Yacht is purpose-built to navigate such secluded waterways with ease and comfort.

Scenic Discovery:
A Zodiac cruise may take you deeper into the gorge for a striking perspective on the falls, gliding beneath towering rock faces and along mangrove-lined banks, where there may be opportunities to observe sunning crocodiles and an array of birdlife, including ospreys, falcons, egrets and kingfishers. Weather and tides permitting, the Discovery Team may be able to approach close enough for you to feel the cooling spray from the falling water.

Vansittart Bay, a sheltered inlet along the Kimberley coast, is known for its quiet beaches, red headlands and deep cultural significance for Traditional Owners. Here, traces of more recent history appear alongside ancient stories, including the remarkably well-preserved skeleton of a World War II Douglas C-53 aircraft resting in the landscape.

Scenic Discovery:
A guided visit ashore may begin with a short Zodiac transfer to a secluded sandy beach, where the expert Discovery Team can introduce the bay’s geology, history and cultural context as you explore this remote corner of the Kimberley at an unhurried pace.

The morning is yours to enjoy as you wish before arriving at Ashmore Reef. Perhaps sign up for a Senses Spa treatment#, a yoga or Pilates session, plunge into the Vitality pool, or simply relax on board Scenic Eclipse II.

Ashmore Reef, Australia's most remote marine park, consists of three tropical islands surrounded by a coral reef, covering 583 square kilometres. It's an Important Bird Area (IBA) and access is regulated, with most of the reef classified as a sanctuary zone. Scenic Eclipse II will be stopping at Ashmore Reef for technical clearance. There will be no opportunity for guests to go ashore.

While your ultra-luxury Scenic Discovery Yacht sails around Ashmore Reef, be ready to capture its breathtaking beauty with your camera. Join the experienced Discovery Team on the open decks for an informative birdwatching session. Learn about the diverse seabirds and marine mammals inhabiting the area while taking in the stunning surroundings.

In the evening, settle in at one of the eight bars and lounges to enjoy a beverage of choice. Indulge in over 130 varieties of aged whiskey at the Scenic Lounge Bar or perhaps book a wine tasting session to pair your day with the right drop.

Swift Bay offers a rare concentration of Kimberley rock art styles in one area, with Gwion Gwion and Wandjina galleries located within reach of your Scenic Discovery Yacht by a short Zodiac transfer. Towering sandstone escarpments and sheltered rock overhangs frame a landscape where culture and country are closely intertwined.

Scenic Discovery:
Accompanied by the Discovery Team, visit ancient Gwion Gwion galleries (formerly known as ‘Bradshaw’ paintings), where fine, elongated human figures appear in flowing headdresses and dynamic postures. Nearby, Wandjina rock art depicts powerful creation beings and rain-bringers that remain central to the living culture of the region’s Indigenous peoples.

Subject to conditions and scheduling, there may also be an option to join a scenic helicopter^ flight over the Mitchell Plateau to view the tiered cascades of Mitchell Falls from the air.

Today, Scenic Eclipse II will cruise through York Sound to the mouth of the Hunter River. A true wilderness with jaw-dropping panoramas of wild escarpments, monsoon rainforests and the four-tiered Mitchell Falls, carved out over millennia.

Subject to conditions and scheduling, for a fresh perspective embark on an optional helicopter^ flight for magnificent aerial views of the Hunter River or Mitchell Falls. Also known as Punamii-uunpuu, it’s an iconic Kimberley landmark and a place of cultural and spiritual significance for the Wunambal people.

Later, treat yourself to an indulgent time in the Senses Spa. Be pampered with a range of signature ESPA treatments# and relaxation lounges. Then watch the world slip by as you relax in a cabana on Deck 10, before taking a dip in the Vitality pool. Alternatively, ask your butler to deliver afternoon tea to your suite to enjoy on your private verandah while marvelling at the endless ocean.

Wake to a completely new vista at Montgomery Reef, the world’s largest inshore reef that boasts some of the Earth’s biggest tidal changes, reaching up to 10 metres (33 feet). As the tides rise or fall, both soft and hard coral are exposed, falling below sea level to create a remarkable spectacle.

Go ashore at Freshwater Cove located on Worrora country and meet with traditional Dambimangari guides of the Arraluli clan and be immersed into the importance of their culture. Hear about the Traditional Owners and the story of how the Wijingarra, or native spotted Quoll, came into being and how the area’s freshwater was created.

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to conditions and approvals, you may have the opportunity to explore Montgomery Reef by Zodiac, with your Discovery Team. If the timing is right, discover thousands of small waterfalls cascading down the reef and see incredible marine life including sea turtles, octopus, sharks, rays, dolphins and more.

Careening Bay, within Port Nelson, is closely linked to early coastal exploration. In 1820, British surveyor Phillip Parker King careened his vessel HMC Mermaid here for repairs, commemorating the event by having its name carved into the trunk of a vast boab tree that still bears the inscription today.

Scenic Discovery:
Guided by the Discovery Team, time ashore may include a visit to the historic “Mermaid Tree” and the surrounding shoreline, with opportunities to appreciate the bay’s quiet beaches, distinctive boabs and coastal vegetation. Later, cruising by small craft around nearby islands and inlets can reveal mangroves, sheltered coves and marine life such as sea turtles. As Port Nelson’s sandstone and basalt cliffs come into view, the interplay of light on rock and water provides a striking natural backdrop for photography and quiet contemplation.

Sir David Attenborough named the Horizontal Falls± at Talbot Bay “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.” Created by a unique combination of geology and massive tidal surges squeezed through two narrow cliff passages, this is the only place in the world where horizontal falls exist. After a full day exploring this fascinating region, relax in the Vitality pool and gaze out across the breathtaking panoramic views.

Scenic Discovery:
Explore some of the planet’s most unique waterways by Zodiac. Conditions permitting, journey through the narrow Talbot Creek, locally known as Cyclone Creek, to reveal gorgeous sandstone folding where you may spot rock wallabies on outcrops, or the 18 different species of birdlife including Australian Ibis, Brahminy Kite and Brown Honeyeater.

±Please note, guests will have the opportunity to view this natural phenomena however will not cruise through the Horizontal Falls.

Today discover the untouched beauty of the Lacepede Islands, just 120 km north of Broome. As an A-class reserve, these islands are a haven for nature lovers, famed for their abundant wildlife and vibrant seabird colonies. It’s also Western Australia’s top breeding ground for green turtles and a prime spot to witness majestic humpback whales during their seasonal migration.

In the afternoon, stop for a coffee or a cocktail at one of the eight bars and lounges on board or curl up with a book in the library of the Observation Lounge. Then join the Discovery Team in the state-of-the-art theatre for a recap of the extraordinary places you’ve visited.

Your Expedition Voyage concludes today in Broome. Enjoy your final morning and take the chance to reflect on the rare and incredible experiences and the remarkable places you’ve visited, some of which very few have been before. Bid farewell to your friendly crew and new friends as you disembark Scenic Eclipse II.

Please book your flight to depart out of Broome after 10:00 AM.

*Please be advised that the use of drones is strictly prohibited in this area.
#Spa treatments and services at additional cost. Daily activities may be subject to change; please consult your Daily Wonder for updates.
+All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.
^Experiences on board our two helicopters and submersible are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather conditions.
~Kayak and stand-up paddleboard not available in all locations

Submersible not in operation in the Kimberley.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.