Travel Advice
Duration
10 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
9 Ports
1 July
Setting sail from Darwin
More of a large town than a city, Darwin is less about what's contained within the city limits and more about the huge expanse of wild landscape that's outside it. Closer to Jakarta than Sydney, the city really does feel remote in its tropical perch. There are a number of waterfront restaurants and pretty parks, making it a pleasant place to relax after a long flight. For those with the energy we highly recommend a visit to Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks.
Our tip
Visit Litchfield National Park and embark on a crocodile-spotting boat trip, where you can see these intimidating, prehistoric beasts jump clean out of the water for a meal.
2 July
At sea
3 July
Australia: Vansittart Bay
Vansittart Bay lies close to the northern tip of Western Australia, and is home to some interesting examples of aboriginal rock art. You can also take a trip across a lagoon to visit the intact wreckage of a C-53 aircraft that crash landed here during the Second World War.
4-6 July
Australia: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Careening Bay, Swift Bay
7 July
Australia: Hunter River & Mitchell Falls
The Hunter River region is home to a spectacular system of mangroves surrounded by red sandstone cliffs, providing a habitat for mudskippers, fiddler crabs, saltwater crocodiles and numerous species of bird. Head further inland and you’ll reach the stunning Mitchell Falls, where the waters cascade from one shimmering emerald pool to the next.
8-9 July
Australia: Collier Bay
10 July
Australia: Lacepede Islands
The Lacepede Islands, situated just off Australia’s Kimberley coast, are a fantastic destination for birding enthusiasts, supporting over 1% of the world’s population of brown boobies and roseate terns. Other bird species here include masked boobies, Australian pelicans and lesser frigatebirds, and it’s also a key breeding site for green turtles.
11 July
Arriving in Broome
Western Australia is a closed book to many UK visitors, and those who do choose this coast often get no further than Perth and the Margaret River. For travellers by ship, however, Broome is the gateway to the extraordinary Kimberley region. But that's not all: it is also the pearling capital of Australia and boasts fantastic white sand beaches and memorable sunsets. Very relaxed nowadays, Broome was the centre of the 'pearl rush' in the 1800s, which resulted in a real melting pot of cultures here, with Japanese, Filipino and Malay influences.
Don't miss
Visit a local pearl farm to learn all about this fascinating process, not to mention the history of the first pearlers. Shop for samples in Chinatown!
Your home from home
Sleek and stylish, Ponant's wonderful Explorer yachts blend luxury and intimacy with a discreet elegance and tasteful décor.
What we love
Named after six of France's most famous explorers, Le Champlain, Le Lapérouse, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont d'Urville, Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier offer exciting and adventurous itineraries in the utmost comfort. Technologically advanced, with the latest in environmentally friendly hardware, the new ships embody Ponant's trademark élan and flair, with just 92 spacious rooms and suites, a stylish pool deck and an intimate, refined onboard ambience.
| Capacity | 184 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 110 Staff |
| Style | Refined with a wonderful mix of a modern super yacht and nautical tradition, all with a French flair. |
| Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Where to stay near Darwin
Don’t hang around in Darwin itself; if you want to see more of the Top End, we recommend Bamurru Plains.
Visit the Red Centre
From Darwin take a flight to the Red Centre to see the magical sites of Uluru and Kings Canyon, yet another one of those once in a lifetime experiences!
Where to stay in Broome
For a back to nature setting with added style, go for Eco Beach - a unique wilderness experience.
Explore the Kimberley region
At Gantheaume Point at low tide you will see ancient dinosaur footprints – magical!
