Travel Advice
Duration
10 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from Australia
Ports
10 Ports
9 July
Setting sail from 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.
Our tip
Try to visit between March and October (that works fine for Kimberley cruises). When the full moon coincides with low tide at Roebuck Bay, the illusion known as the Staircase to the Moon occurs.
10 July
Australia: Horizontal Falls (Talbot Bay)
Talbot Bay is home to one of the world’s most unusual natural wonders, the ‘Horizontal Falls’. This amazing spectacle occurs when tidal movements force water through the narrow gaps in the ridges either side of Poulton Creek, with the water building up on one side quicker than it can flow through the gap, causing a spectacular waterfall effect.
11 July
Australia: Montgomery Reef
Montgomery Reef was once described as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ by Sir David Attenborough. At low tide the sea level drops so rapidly that the waters trapped inside the reef create a raging torrent as they escape, teeming with wildlife including turtles, sea birds, sharks, octopuses and even dugongs.
11 July
Australia: Freshwater Cove
12 July
At sea
13-14 July
Australia: Swift Bay, Ashmore and Cartier Islands
15 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.
16 July
Australia: Koolama Bay
17 July
Australia: Wyndham
Wyndham is the oldest major settlement in the Kimberley region, a former gold rush town surrounded by mangrove swamps and mudflats. The town is also the gateway to the remarkable Bungle Bungle mountains, known to the local aborigines for centuries but only ‘discovered’ by the outside world in the 1980s.
18-19 July
Arriving in 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.
Don't miss
With rugged escarpments, sites of Aboriginal art, dramatic waterfalls and huge wetlands, Kakadu National Park is truly beautiful. The iconic scenery is some of Australia’s best, and served as the backdrop to the film 'Crocodile Dundee'.
Your home from home
The intimate and popular Silver Cloud is reborn as a stylish expedition ship, following an extensive refurbishment in August 2017.
What we love
The lovely Silver Cloud is now part of Silversea's Expeditions fleet, with a reduced capacity, an ice-strengthened hull and 18 zodiacs making this one of the most luxurious expedition ships at sea.
| Capacity | 254 guests (240 guests in polar regions) |
|---|---|
| Crew | 208 International Staff |
| Style | Cosy, welcoming, stimulating, exciting - this ship has it all! If you enjoy the finer things in life but have an adventurous spirit, you will find yourself in congenial company on board. |
| Inclusions |
|
| Year built | 1994 |
| Last refurbished | 2017 |
| Tonnage | 16,800 grt |
| Length | 514 feet |
| Breadth | 71 feet |
| Cruising speed | 18 knots |
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
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!
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!
