PONANT Iconic Kimberley Expedition
Darwin to Broome
Australia’s most extraordinary coastline, explored in elegant comfort.
15 – 25 August 2027
11 days
From $19,240 per person twin share
Deck 6 Prestige Balcony Stateroom
Single pricing and suite upgrades available on request.
Exclusive added benefits when booking with Emma Whiting Travel:
$500 EWT voucher
€200 onboard credit per person
Onboard gratuities included
Some places still feel untouched.
The Kimberley is one of them.
Ancient ochre cliffs rise from the sea. Waterfalls thunder through sandstone gorges. Tides reshape entire landscapes. Rock art galleries speak of stories tens of thousands of years old.
Exploring this remarkable region aboard a purpose-built small expedition ship is one of Australia’s great travel experiences.
On this selected August 2027 departure, PONANT’s beautifully appointed Le Jacques-Cartier sails from Darwin to Broome, combining genuine expedition discovery with refined French-inspired hospitality.
For travellers wanting adventure without sacrificing comfort, it is hard to imagine a better way to experience the Kimberley.
Departure Snapshot:
Dates: 15 – 25 August 2027
Duration: 11 days
Route: Darwin to Broome
Ship: Le Jacques-Cartier
Price from: $19,240 per person twin share
Stateroom: Deck 6 Prestige Balcony
Style: Luxury expedition cruise
Availability: Limited
Inclusions:
10 nights aboard Le Jacques-Cartier
All meals onboard
Fine French-inspired cuisine
Champagne, wine, beer and spirits
Soft drinks, teas and espresso coffee
Daily Zodiac excursions and guided landings
Expert expedition team onboard
Lectures and enrichment program
Port charges and landing fees
Transfer from pier to airport at journey end
Access to lounges, pool deck, wellness areas and fitness room
The Experience
This is not cruising in the traditional sense.
Days are shaped by tides, weather and wildlife. One morning may bring a Zodiac ride beneath the towering cliffs of the King George River. Another may reveal the tidal cascades of Montgomery Reef or seabird colonies circling the Lacepede Islands.
Then you return to the quiet pleasures of Le Jacques-Cartier — elegant lounges, polished service, a beautifully prepared lunch, and your private balcony waiting for sunset.
Adventure by day. Comfort by night.
Journey Highlights:
Explore the Kimberley aboard a luxury small ship
King George Falls and King George River
Montgomery Reef tidal spectacle
Hunter River mangroves and wildlife
Lacepede Islands birdlife sanctuary
Ancient Aboriginal rock art sites
Expert-led Zodiac exploration
Elegant balcony accommodation
Added value when booking with Emma Whiting Travel
Itinerary:
Day 1 – Darwin
Embark Le Jacques-Cartier in Darwin and settle into your stateroom before sailing this evening.
Day 2 – King George River
Cruise deep into one of the Kimberley’s most dramatic river systems, framed by towering sandstone cliffs. Explore toward the King George Falls, the highest twin waterfalls in Western Australia.
Day 3 – Vansittart Bay
Visit Jar Island and discover remarkable Gwion Gwion Aboriginal rock art, guided by the expedition team.
Day 4 – Ashmore Reef
A remote coral ecosystem rich in birdlife and marine life. Conditions permitting, guests may enjoy Zodiac exploration nearby.
Day 5 – Careening Bay
Discover the site linked to early maritime exploration, including the famous Mermaid boab tree carved in 1820.
Day 6 – Swift Bay
Explore a rugged landscape of islands and rock shelters featuring Wandjina and Gwion Gwion art.
Day 7 – Hunter River
One of the Kimberley’s scenic highlights. Mangroves, birdlife, crocodile habitat and towering escarpments make this a memorable Zodiac exploration.
Optional helicopter access to Mitchell Falls may be available.
Days 8–9 – Collier Bay / Montgomery Reef
Experience one of the Kimberley’s great natural spectacles as water cascades from Montgomery Reef with the falling tide.
This region may also include Talbot Bay and other tidal wonders depending on conditions.
Day 10 – Lacepede Islands
A sanctuary for seabirds and turtles. Explore by Zodiac, with landings prohibited to protect the fragile environment.
Day 11 – Broome
Disembark in Broome.
Ship: Le Jacques-Cartier
Part of PONANT’s elegant Explorer Series, Le Jacques-Cartier combines contemporary French style with a relaxed atmosphere.
Guests enjoy spacious lounges, refined dining, wellness facilities and the comfort of balcony staterooms — all while accessing places larger ships cannot.
Discover the Kimberley in exceptional style
Speak with our team about this selected departure.
Please complete our booking form, or call us now on (03) 9481 1077.
Terms & conditions: 25% deposit required at booking. Further deposit due 1 February 2027. Final payment due 1 May 2027. Prices subject to availability. Expedition itineraries may vary due to tides, weather and operational conditions. Full terms available on request.