Day 1 — Broome, Western Australia
Embark Silver Discoverer for this stunning Silversea Expedition — The Kimberley, Australia’s Hidden
Treasure. This afternoon, you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and attend a Zodiac briefing,
and tonight we invite you to familiarise yourself with your new home away from home, meet some of
your fellow travellers and enjoy the first of many memorable meals in The Restaurant.
Days 2-7 — Kimberley, Western Australia
The Kimberley is famous for having the second largest tidal range in the world after the Bay of Fundy.
A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of this natural phenomenon. In the true spirit of
expedition cruising, each day the Expedition Leader and Captain will determine our best course
depending on tide, weather and sea conditions. Here are some of the places we may visit during our
time in this wondrous region.
Nares Point & Crocodile Creek, Kimberley, Western Australia
Nares Point is a long finger of sandstone protruding from the mainland alongside Koolan Island. With
its convoluted photogenic rock formations, this is a superb location for Zodiac exploration and beach
walks with our naturalists. In nearby Crocodile Creek — free of crocodiles despite its name — take a
refreshing swim in the cool natural pool to relax and beat the Kimberley heat.
Talbot Bay (Horizontal Falls), Buccaneer Archipelago,
Kimberley, Western Australia
The British naturalist David Attenborough described Horizontal Falls as “one of the greatest natural
wonders of the world“. This group of over 800 islands was created millions of years ago by the erosive
tidal changes. The region’s tides of close to 36 feet (or nearly 11m) create an amazing spectacle.
Depending on whether the tides are ebbing or flowing, we board our Zodiacs for an exhilarating ride
through the falls. Then continue deeper into the sandstone gorge of Cyclone Creek and explore
geological formations that were created over the last two billion years.
Montgomery Reef, Kimberley, Western Australia
At Montgomery Reef, which is over 400 square miles (1035 km2) in size, we observe the amazing tidal
changes that take place here. Timing of the tides is everything today; low tide reveals up to 13 feet (4
m) of reef exposing a river that allows access to this amazing semi-submerged world. As the tide
continues to ebb, we use our Zodiacs to make our way to the edge of the reef where we are
surrounded by cascading waterfalls up to 10 feet high (3 m), and continue up the river as we look at
the abundance of reef birds and every imaginable sea creature including turtles, manta rays and, if we
are lucky, the elusive dugong. A visit to Montgomery Reef is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Raft Point, Kimberley, Western Australia
At the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the world saw an enormous
Wandjina spirit rising out of the ground. It was a breathtaking moment, and for most spectators their
very first encounter with Aboriginal mythology. The image was actually that of a 114-foot sculpture (35
m) created by an artist who lives at Raft Point, home to indigenous Wandjina paintings. We zodiac
ashore and set out towards the top of Raft Point. Our hike takes us through the abundant Kimberley
Flora including the iconic Baobab Tree, also known by the local Aboriginals as the “upside down tree”.
Upon reaching the top of Raft Point, enjoy the spectacular views of the bay in the shade of the
overhanging cliff, which is home to the Wandjina Spirit and many other Dreamtime stories and images
representing daily aboriginal life. Take a seat, or lie on your back and take in the Wandjina Spirit and
listen to the Dreamtime stories associated with this extremely important Aboriginal spirit.
Hunter River, Kimberley, Western Australia
The Hunter River is home to an immense mangrove system. Be sure to look for the image of the
Indian Head in the soaring red sandstone cliffs as we set out in Zodiacs to explore the narrow
mangrove channels, watching for numerous bird species and keeping an eye out for the Crocodylus
Porosous (saltwater crocodile), the most aggressive crocodile known to man.
For those wishing to explore some of the Kimberley’s vast interior your on-board Silversea Expeditions
team can arrange an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion to the famous Mitchell Falls where four
tiers of waterfalls plunge into deep pools that flow out into the
Mitchell River.
Another option is to go fishing by helicopter where few others can go.
King George River & Falls, Kimberley, Western Australia
The King George Falls is one of the Kimberley’s most magnificent natural wonders. At 260 feet (80 m),
the twin cascades are among the highest in Australia. We drop anchor at the mouth of the river and
ride Zodiacs up this waterway, weaving through an amazing landscape of near vertical red rock
formations and a parade of wildlife — carnivorous saltwater crocodiles and amazing birdlife, including
giant raptors and the Brahminy Kite. Arriving at the falls, we can cruise quite close to the base to
contemplate the immensity of this thundering spectacle — a truly humbling experience.
Day 8 — Wyndham (Bungle Bungle), Kimberley, Western
Australia
Wyndham is our gateway to the breathtaking Bungle Bungle mountain range in Purnululu National
Park, a World Heritage Site — and with good reason. For more than 350 million years, nature has
shaped geological formations of giant orange and black striped domes rising out of the ground, a
landscape unlike anything you have ever seen. Known to the local aborigines for thousands of years,
the Bungles were only discovered by the outside world in the mid-1980’s. Today take part in an
inclusive overflight for an aerial view of these glorious panoramas, as well as seeing the majestic manmade Lake Argyle and Argyle Diamond Mine area from the air.
Day 9 — Cruising Arafura Sea
A leisurely day at sea permits you to exchange notes with fellow travellers and take advantage of the
luxurious amenities aboard Silver Discoverer. Attend a lecture about the Indonesian craft of Ikat
weaving or perhaps to recap the fascinating Dreamtime mythology of the Aborigines. Or just relax in
the comfort of your suite and watch a movie on the in-suite interactive television.
Day 10 — Fursui, Selaru Island, Southern Maluku, Indonesia
The islands of Southern Maluku long managed to escape unwelcome attention from the outside world.
No spices were grown here, so the only trade was largely limited to marine products. Selaru Island is
part of the Tanimbar Group. In Southern Maluku you have one of the few matrilineal cultures in
Indonesia. Silver Discovererwill make a short technical stop at Selaru Island, and weather and time
permitting we might be able to explore independently before starting back to Australia.
Day 11 — Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Following breakfast, disembark Silver Discoverer.