2022-07-04
2025-01-01
from$ 20949 AUD
Note: Current p/p indicative rate. Final price may change due to currency fluctuations.
Ship
Le Ponant
Le Ponant
City
Wyndham to Kuri Bay
Wyndham to Kuri Bay
Up to 30% Off - Ponant Bonus
2022-07-04
2025-01-01
Overview
PONANT invites you to experience Australia’s unique and spectacular Kimberley coast in a remarkable new way, under sail aboard its emblematic yacht Le Ponant. The majestic three-masted yacht, with elegant lines and an intimate atmosphere for only 32 like-minded guests, is redefining barefoot luxury expeditions. A crew to guest ratio of more than 1 to 1 and an expedition staff to guest ratio of 1 to 8, combine to provide the pinnacle Kimberley expedition sailing experience. Unique to the experience, PONANT has partnered with the Paspaley group to include a spectacular scenic flight over the Kimberley landscape aboard their Grumman Mallard amphibious aircraft between Kuri Bay and Broome. Often referred to as the “Antarctica of the tropics,” the Kimberley is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural significance. It is the pristine environment, wild, rugged and remote landscapes that gives rise to the comparison. The ancient landscape is the epitome of a sunburnt country, the vast plains and rugged red sandstone gorges are quintessentially Australian and like nowhere else. The Kimberley is one of the world’s last great Wilderness areas, and one of Australia’s greatest natural assets. The 13,000km of remote isolated coastline boasts more than 2,600 islands and is home to the oldest continuous culture on earth, the world’s largest living reptile, the only two ‘Horizontal Falls’ on the planet, the world’s largest inshore reef, extensive undisturbed mangrove forests, wild rivers, important seabird and marine turtle breeding colonies and the largest population of migrating humpback whales on the planet. It is a national biodiversity hotspot and listed in the top 4% of least impacted marine environments worldwide. Some departures may have a slightly modified itinerary. Please get in touch for more information.
Departures
Note: Current p/p indicative rate. Final price may change due to currency fluctuations.
Cruise Itinerary
The day before embarkation – Kununurra Transfer from Kununurra airport to the hotel. Time at Leisure and dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Wyndham is the northernmost town in Western Australia and in many ways is the gateway to the Kimberley. It is surrounded by some of the most spectacular landforms, rivers and wetlands in the Kimberley.
Whilst there is no standard itinerary, our sailing expedition will feature the iconic destinations of King George Falls and Prince Frederick Harbour. Additional destinations that may be visited include the Prince Regent River home to the spectacular terraced waterfall of Kings Cascades and Camp Creek. Part of the Prince Regent National Park is the National Heritage listed Mermaid Boab at Careening Bay, recording the repairs undertaken by Philip Parker King and his men in September 1820 to Her Majesty’s Cutter, Mermaid. Prince Frederick Harbour is one of the largest and most scenic inlets of the Kimberley coast. Here, the Hunter River and Roe River curl through an awe inspiring landscape of flat top mesas, ancient folded mountains, deep gorges, craggy sandstone cliffs and spires. Just to the North lies the Mitchell River National Park known for its rugged scenery and First Nations Peoples heritage. From the cascading freshwater of the Mitchell Falls the Mitchell River has carved breath-taking gorges into the sandstone as it winds its way to the waters of the Admiralty Gulf. Within the gulf, the Low Rocks and Sterna Island Important Bird Area in the Montesquieu Islands support 4,000 breeding pairs of Roseate terns. The coastal embayments and offshore Islands of the Bonaparte Archipelago are rich in First Nations Peoples culture and heritage. Ancient rock art galleries depicting both the Wandjina and Gwion Gwion styles unique to the Kimberley region can be experienced at Bigge Island, Winyalkan Island, Swift Bay and Jar Island. To the North, the mangrove lined Drysdale River provides the ideal environment to spot crocodiles and an abundance of birdlife. Fed by wet season rainfall the nearby Glycosmis Falls and Casuarina Falls on the Berkeley River are at their most spectacular at the start of the season. No voyage along the North Kimberley coast could be complete without visiting the Iconic King George River. The colours and textures of the 80m high gorge change with the light as you travel further up the river creating a continual changing wallpaper of passing scenery that is simply stunning. Culminating in the Twin Falls of King George, the highest waterfall in Western Australia.
Located 370km north of Broome and 460km west of Kununurra, Kuri Bay lies at the heart of the Lalang – Garram/Camden Sound Marine Park. It was the location of Australia's first cultured pearl farm and is named after the company's first principal, Tokuichi Kuribayashi. Today it is the home of Paspaley, the world’s most important producer of cultured pearls. Such is the superior and widely recognised quality of the gems they are in their own category and recognised simply as Paspaley Pearls. Kuri Bay is the ideal location for starting or ending your Kimberley sailing expedition combining a spectacular scenic flight over the Kimberley landscape aboard a Paspaley Grumman Mallard amphibious aircraft between Kuri Bay and Broome or Kununurra
2 nights at the hotel.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Le Ponant
Vessel Type: Motor Yacht Length: 88 metres Passenger Capacity: 64 Built: 1991 This sleek, expertly designed 88-metre-long and 56-metre-high three-master is one of the most majestic yachts in the world. In an age when everything is becoming computer controlled, it shines the spotlight back on the more manual, skilful art of sailing, combined with comfort, elegance, exclusivity and sustainability. The striking lines, the quality of the materials, the sophistication of the way they’re combined: the common areas, designed by French design studio Jean-Philippe Nuel, exude a sense of timelessness and offer a genuine connection with the exterior scenery and landscapes. Their design offers a blend of purity, excellence and a sense of easy living through the prominent use of stylish plain tones: off-white, taupe and caviar grey. No flourishes or embellishments here, but instead a unity between the common areas and the staterooms. Exterior bar - Sun Deck Sun Lounge area - Exterior bar The Le Diamant panoramic restaurant - Zéphyr Deck Seats 34 guests - 61 m² - Buffet breakfast and dinner - Fine gastronomic cuisine made using exceptionally high quality organic and local products - Veuve Clicquot champagne - Wines from French artisan wine producers and the regions visited. The Marina - Alizés Deck Two standard kayaks and two glass-bottomed kayaks - Four stand up paddleboards - Snorkelling equipment - Fishing equipment - Scuba diving equipment (for a group of four people) - Saltwater swimming pool - Small equipment for children (noodles, rings, armbands and safety equipment) - Bicycles The lounge and Bar Emeraude - Alizés Deck Interior surface : 92 m² - Seats 35 guests - Exterior surface : 85 m² - Seats 24 guests The wellness space - Alizés Deck Spa / massages (18.5 m²): one cabin offering massages and Biologique Recherche treatments - Gym (16 m²) with dedicated fitness instructor - Yoga sessions on the Sun Deck
Highlights
• Sail through spectacular ancient landscapes aboard the luxurious and intimate three masted yacht, Le Ponant. • Discover the pinnacle Kimberley sailing experience, with fully flexible itineraries and no predetermined destinations. • Experience an aerial view of the remarkable Kimberley landscape aboard the unique Grumman Mallard amphibious aircraft. • View the spectacular 80m high sandstone cliffs of the King George River Gorge and its Twin Falls, the highest in Western Australia. • Uncover the stories behind the enigmatic Gwion Gwion rock art. • Experience Prince Frederick Harbour, one of the largest and most scenic inlets of the Kimberley coast. • Gain an insight into the remarkable culture and heritage of Australia’s First Nations Peoples. • Explore pristine mangrove systems by zodiac. • An opportunity to encounter the largest reptile on earth, the saltwater crocodile, in its natural environment. • Gain an insight into the geology, history, culture, flora and fauna of this fascinating region from your expert expedition team.
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