location icon telephone icon facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon
location icon mail icon

More than a few thousand million years ago, the Kimberley was a unique land, detached from the rest of the Australian continent. Geological forces caused it to collide with the ancient Pilbara and Yilgarn regions, laying the foundation of the great land we call home.

The Kimberley’s antiquity is visible in its unique topography, the many fossils that have been discovered here and its deep-rooted Aboriginal legacy. Your Discovery Voyage on board the 6-star ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse, will take you deeper into this wondrous land to reveal to you its many unseen, remote gems. Pristine islands, spectacular native birdlife, concealed reefs bursting with vibrant marine life, and the ancient spiritual heritage of the traditional landowners. The Scenic Discovery Team will introduce you to the Kimberley’s unseen richness of your homeland and our indigenous experts will guide you to a deeper appreciation of this vast land. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is the ultimate combination of ultra-luxury and captivating exploration.

Inclusions
  • Airfare to Darwin and return from Broome
  • 10 night all-inclusive cruise aboard Scenic Eclipse II
  • Airport transfers to and from the ship
  • Personalized butler service for every guest
  • Up to 10 culinary experiences, from casual to fine dining
  • The finest selection of included premium branded beverages, with a choice of over 100 whiskeys**
  • Up to 8-member specialist Discovery Team
  • Immersive excursions led by an expert Discovery Team and experience local guides
  • Engaging lectures and education program with on board experts
  • Complimentary WIFI
  • Port taxes and charges
  • All tipping and gratuities
  • FREE Airfare* and save $1500 per cabin! (price reflects discount)
August 17, 2024 Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Halifax
Deluxe Verandah Suite $18629  $17879
Grand Deluxe Verandah Suite $20229  $19479
Taxes & Fees Included

New bookings only – Full payment is due at booking
Promotion is subject to change without notice

* Maximum ticket cost, including taxes, not to exceed $1,800pp.
**All drinks on board are included except a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits.

text

Day 1 Sun, 18 Aug Darwin, Australia (D)
Your voyage of discovery begins in Darwin. Sitting at the crossroads of Australia, Asia and the Pacific Islands, this tropical capital is rich in history, culture and natural wonders.

Welcome aboard. Settle into your spacious suite on board Scenic Eclipse II. Your butler will assist with unpacking and guide you through the pillow menu. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the ultra-luxury amenities that include eight bars and lounges, up to 10 dining experiences from casual to fine dining, the expansive Senses Spa and the state-of-the-art theatre, just to name a few. Explore each deck of Scenic Eclipse II and visit the open bridge, where your Captain and navigational crew will welcome you in the operational centre throughout your voyage. Toast the beginning of your journey with a glass of champagne in the Scenic Lounge Bar or with a cocktail at the open-air Sky Bar on Deck 10.

Please book your flight to arrive into Darwin prior to 02:00 PM.

Day 2 Mon, 19 Aug King George River, Australia (B,L,D)
At 112 kilometres long and 100-metre wide, the thundering King George River Falls is an unforgettable experience. The highest twin waterfalls in Western Australia, it is accessible only by water or air. With her sleek, yacht-shaped design, Scenic Eclipse II was custom-built to access such remote locations. Make your way along the river’s tranquil waters, through towering gorges – home to Brahminy kites, egrets and kingfishers.

Discovery: Take a roundtrip by Zodiac for a breathtaking close-up of the falls, weaving past spectacular 80-metre-high sandstone cliffs and mangroves where you might spot a sunning crocodile or birdlife such as ospreys, falcons, egrets and kingfishers. April and May are when the falls are at their most thunderous, weather and tides permitting, our Discovery Team may take you close enough for a natural shower.

Day 3 Tue, 20 Aug Vansittart Bay & Jar Island (B,L,D)
After an overnight journey on board your luxurious Discovery Yacht, you’ll stop at the sheltered and secluded Vansittart Bay, a place of significant indigenous cultural history. Fitted with state-of-the-art GPS Dynamic Positioning system, Scenic Eclipse II will be held in position close to Jar Island in the bay’s southwest pocket, negating the need to drop anchor on ecologically sensitive seabeds.

Discovery: Board a Zodiac for a transfer to a small sandy beach to explore the area with the expert Discovery Team. Join a hike to see what’s regarded as some of the oldest rock paintings in Australia, dating back approx. 17,300 years. The ancient and mysterious Gwion-gwion is one of two primary art forms found in the Kimberley.

Day 4 Wed, 21 Aug Ashmore Reef (B,L,D)
The morning is yours to enjoy as you wish. Book a Senses Spa treatment~ a Yoga or Pilates session, plunge into the Vitality Pool, or simply relax and indulge in 6-star ultra-luxury on board Scenic Eclipse II.

After the day’s exploration of Australia’s most remote marine parks, Ashmore Reef, settle in at one of the eight bars and lounges to enjoy a beverage of choice. Indulge in over 100 varieties of aged whiskey at the Scenic Lounge Bar.

Discovery: Take a Zodiac cruise with the Discovery Team around the reef where the three islands are uninhabited yet home to an abundance of bird and sea life. Internationally recognised, each year around 100,000 seabirds from 40 different species flock to the reef to breed.

Day 5 Thu, 22 Aug Swift Bay & Mitchell Falls (B,L,D)
Today Swift Bay offers the opportunity to see both styles of Kimberley rock painting in close proximity to each other. Gwion-gwion and Wandjina paintings are within a short Zodiac ride of our Discovery Yacht.

Discovery: Join the Discovery Team in viewing the ancient rock art galleries Gwion-gwion (formerly known as ‘Bradshaw’ paintings) depict enigmatic human figures in dynamic stances. Wandjina are spiritual creators and rain-providers which continue to feature strongly in the Kimberley’s Indigenous culture.

Day 6 Fri, 23 Aug Prince Frederick Harbour & Hunter River (B,L,D)
Today, Scenic Eclipse II glides through York Sound to the mouth of the Hunter River. A true wilderness with jaw-dropping panoramas of wild escarpments, monsoon rainforests and the four-tiered Mitchell Falls, carved out over millennia. Watch nature’s magnificent show as the sun sets, cocktail in hand.

Discovery: Tides permitting, the Zodiacs can take you past towering sandstone cliffs, pristine mangrove forests and iconic landscapes such as Prince Frederick Harbour, Porosus Creek and Hunter and Roe Rivers. Look out for ospreys and saltwater crocodiles within this prehistoric landscape.

Tides and timings permitting, a stop at Careening Bay in the Prince Regent National Park is where you may view the famous Mermaid Tree, an enormous bifurcated boab on which the ship’s crew of the HMC Mermaid carved the name of the ship and year, 1820.

Day 7 Sat, 24 Aug Montgomery Reef > Freshwater Cove (B,L,D)
Wake to a completely new vista at Montgomery Reef, the world’s largest inshore reef that boasts some of the Earth’s biggest tidal changes reaching up to 10 metres (33 feet). As the tides rise or fall, both soft and hard coral are exposed, falling below sea level to create a remarkable spectacle.

Discovery: Join the Discovery Team to explore Montgomery Reef by Zodiac and if the timing is perfect, discover thousands of small waterfalls cascading down the reef and see incredible marine life including sea turtles, octopi, sharks, rays, dolphins and more.

Go ashore at Freshwater Cove located on Worrora country and meet with traditional Dambimangari guides of the Arraluli clan and be immersed into the importance of their culture. Hear about the Traditional Owners and the story of how the Wijingarra, or native spotted quoll came into being and how the area’s freshwater was created.

Day 8 Sun, 25 Aug Talbot Bay > Horizontal Falls (B,L,D)
Sir David Attenborough named the Horizontal Falls at Talbot Bay “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.” Created by a unique combination of geology and massive tidal surges squeezed through two narrow cliff passages, this is the only place in the world where horizontal falls exist.

After a full day exploring this fascinating region, relax in the Vitality Pool located on the Sky Deck, and gaze out across the breathtaking panoramic views.

Discovery: Explore by Zodiac some of the planet’s most unique waterways. Conditions permitting, journey through the narrow Talbot Creek, locally known as Cyclone Creek, to reveal gorgeous sandstone folding where you may spot rock wallabies on outcrops and 18 different species of birdlife including Australian ibis, Brahminy kite and brown honeyeater.

Day 9 Mon, 26 Aug Buccaneer Archipelago (B,L,D)
Koolan Island and Cockatoo Islands are known as the Iron Islands; for enthusiasts of geology and geography they are of significant interest. Over thousands of years, powerful tides have forged rugged cliffs of deep orange ochre.

Discovery: Our exploration by zodiacs and ashore will take in a unique native flora and fauna, including sea turtles and nesting birds, that flourish in the wilds of this remote location.

Over lunch onboard, we sail to remote and beautiful Oolin / Sunday Island, once home to the Jawi tribe that lived on the mission that was established in 1899. We meet local Jawi woman, Rosanna Angus, whose family lived on Sunday Island in the early days of the mission.

Day 10 Tue, 27 Aug Lacepede Islands Nature Reserve (B,L,D)
Today, we’ll visit a chain of four flat coral islands where tens of thousands of seabirds thrive, including over 50 bird species like frigate birds, crested terns, pelicans, and speckled ruddy turnstones.

As this is your last evening on board, gather with new friends in one of the eight bars and lounges, sharing stories and photos of your wonderful journey of discovery.

Discovery: Join the Discovery Team on a Zodiac cruise and learn and see about the amazing wildlife such as the successful eradication of rats in 1986 to rejuvenate these treeless islands into a wildlife haven. Notably, it’s home to around 18,000 pairs of brown boobies, possibly the world’s largest colony, and 20,000 roseate terns in the A-class Nature Reserve. Now, it’s Western Australia’s most important breeding habitat for green turtles and where thousands of humpback whales come to calve.

Day 11 Wed, 28 Aug Broome (B)
Your Discovery Voyage concludes today. Enjoy your final morning and take the chance to reflect on the rare and incredible experiences and the remarkable places you’ve visited, some of which very few have been before. Bid farewell to your friendly crew and new friends as you disembark in Broome.

Please book your flight to depart out of Broome after 10:00 AM.

The waterways of the Kimberly region are part of a tidal river system which results in changing water levels in the region. Every effort is made to keep to the itinerary stated above however based on tides and operational requirements the itinerary is a guide only and may be amended. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. ~Spa treatments at additional cost.

Scenic Flexible Booking Plan

Our Flexible Booking Plan has been introduced for your complete peace of mind. We understand you may need to adjust your plans, so we’re offering the flexibility to change your travel arrangements or re-book for a more suitable time if needed.

Our Flexible Booking Plan allows you to defer your booking to an alternative date, or cancel your journey, up to 90 day prior to departure, less third-party fees. We will provide you with a Future Travel Credit to use on an alternate tour/cruise, which is valid for 24 months.

This plan is available to purchase for a wide range of destinations* for departures in 2022 and onwards.

*Excludes Russia, Amazon and Galapagos Cruises.

River Cruising Land Touring Scenic Eclipse
$125 $125 $250

Terms and conditions:

  • Should you choose to defer or cancel your booking, the total monies paid to Us (less third-party fees) will be applied as a Future Travel Credit which is valid for 24 months for you to use on alternate tour/cruise.
  •  If you do not re-book within 24 months, your FTC it will be forfeited.
  • Non-refundable. Non commissionable.
  • Excludes Russia, Amazon and Galapagos cruising.
  • This policy is available for guests holding a COVID related Future Travel Credit to purchase when re-booking.
Platinum Protection Plan
The Platinum Protection Plan (“PPP”) is available for new river and ocean cruising bookings for travel after 1 January 2022 for Scenic (“Eligible Booking”).
The PPP must be purchased together with the Eligible Booking at time such booking is made and may not be added at a later date.
The PPP is provided at a cost of $395 per person per river cruise and $595 per person per cruise on Scenic Eclipse voyages (“PPP Fee”).
The PPP is not available on Russian cruises, Russian cruise tours, Amazon and Galapagos cruises or land tours and the PPP is also not available to new bookings using a Future Travel Credit.

The World’s First Discovery Yachts

Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery YachtsTM , have set the benchmark in ultra-luxury ocean cruising. An on board submarine^, two helicopters^, a fleet of Zodiacs, and the world class Discovery Team, all experts in their field, ensures Scenic Eclipse is unrivalled in truly all inclusive worldwide exploration. Reserved for up to 228 guests, or 200 in Polar regions, with an almost 1:1 staff to guest ratio, each moment on board Scenic Eclipse is truly spectacular.

Small Ship Experience

Experience the benefits of small ship river cruising and discovery voyages on board our custom-built luxury ships. Our ships are specifically designed to access smaller ports so you can start to explore from the moment you disembark, whilst offering the maximum in space and comfort.

Truly All-Inclusive Luxury

Luxurious holidays should be about exploring, unwinding and indulging. Our truly All-Inclusive philosophy means we take care of all details for you, so you don’t need to worry about a thing. All on board dining, premium beverages, excursions, return flights, transfers, tipping plus more are included as standard.

Exclusive Experiences

Discover destinations in depth with exclusive Scenic Enrich excursions; once in a lifetime experiences that take you to places inaccessible to the ordinary traveler. Personalize your days with our program of included Scenic Freechoice , with a range of activities to suit your tastes and pace.

Truly All-Inclusive Dining

Set your senses ablaze and ignite your inner gourmand with an impressive selection of on board dining venues from casual to fine dining. Enjoy unlimited premium beverages with a vast selection of wine, beer, cocktails, spirits. A journey with Scenic is a truly epicurean experience in itself.

Luxury Suites with Butler Service

Your Scenic suite is your own personal sanctuary. With exclusive private verandahs on board Scenic Eclipse, relax in your elegantly appointed spacious suite as your butler pours you a glass of Champagne, and recline in comfort on your signature Scenic Slumber Bed.

Your Wellbeing, Your Way

Scenic brings wellbeing to a new level. In the exceptional Scenic Eclipse’s 550m2/5,920ft2 Senses Spa, enjoy included facilities of a sauna, steam and Vitality plunge pool, relaxation lounges and extensive menu of ESPA treatments+.
+Treatments at additional cost.

Indulgent Spaces

Meticulously designed to create a sense of space, our ships offer the utmost in comfort whilst still feeling intimate. The multiple indoor and outdoor spaces, from bars and libraries to vitality pools and sun decks, makes it easy to find a quiet place where you can unwind and refresh.

Cruise with Confidence

For over 37 years, Scenic’s award winning approach to creating seamless journeys, with state of the art ships and best in class crew, have made us the number one choice for world wide luxury cruising. Our commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew remains our key priority.

 

 

 

Terms & Conditions

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy in Canadian dollars (unless otherwise stated) New bookings only. Space and price may be limited and subject to availability at the time of booking.  Errors or omissions may occur on the above information with no guarantee of being honoured. Terms and conditions apply. Tax is not included in the above base fare. Above tax amount includes non-refundable $30 per adult Booking Management Fee. $50 per adult cancellation fee. Not included in the above rates: Xpresspost fee, recommended medical, cancellation or baggage insurance. Child rate is applicable when travelling with 2 paying adults sharing 1 hotel room, using the existing bedding. Price Match Policy: Travel Best Bets makes every effort to remain competitive by offering our ‘Match or Beat Any Price’ offer however due to certain restrictions  there will be some product we cannot match or beat. Please note the star ratings found on www.travelbestbets.com are determined by Travel Best Bets based on a number of factors and may not match the star rating found in the Tour Operator’s brochure. Please view our star ratings by clicking here. Due to an increasing volume of disputed bookings, we will only accept payment for air only travel to India, the Philippines and the continent of Africa through the following means: book and pay cash in person or by direct deposit into our business account – once the transaction is verified and a copy of the receipt emailed or faxed to our office, we will confirm the booking. Please contact us for details on how to book using this method. Please contact [email protected] for photo credit information. BPCPA #3287