Visiting Australia is always a good option for the vivid travellers. Visiting the Kimberley is considered the best one. Being one of the most sparsely populated region on earth, the Kimberley is a home to only 50000 people. This, northernmost part of Australia with its size of two United Kingdoms, on the other hand is home to countless number of unique species, untouched earth formations, horizontal waterfalls and much more.
Biggest city with most to see is Broome, but it only consists of 12000 people. This is one of the three cities that have population bigger than 2000. Half of the people living in the Kimberley are of Aboriginal descent. This means that the culture and the traditions are thousands of years old. The Kimberley region is well known for Wandjina figures that are painted on rock walls. The Wandjina are cloud and rain spirits that are responsible for bringing rain and renewal of the land and people.
© Ponant
Reach the heart of the Kimberley by cruise
The best way to get to know the Kimberley is to merge with it. Hop on a cruise ship to bind with more than thousands of rocky islands, Aboriginal rock arts widespread on hidden walls and the peaceful nature unaltered by the human hand. There are many cruise companies, such as Ponant Kimberley cruises, which offer unforgettable time exploring this region.
Mick Fogg © Ponant
The coast of the Kimberley is jewelled with more than 2600 islands. Each of them unique and most of them unnamed. Most of them are home to the world’s most beautiful beaches and neighbours to unique and untouched coral atolls.
Explore the magic of Montgomery Reef
One of the most beautiful natural jewel of the Kimberley is the Montgomery Reef. More than hundred kilometres away from the human populated place, Montgomery Reef spreads on 400 square kilometres; it is Australia’s largest inshore reef. Montgomery Reef has some unique features. It has wide tidal rang and when the tide is out, then the magic happens. During the outward movement of the tide, it forms a torrent of water creating a river passing through the reef in a form of waterfalls.
© Ponant
The reef also reveals sandstone islets and lagoons when the tide is out. Like this, the reef and these kind of waterfalls attract many birds, manta rays, sharks and other animals.
© Ponant
Visit Western Australia’s highest twin falls
The King George River flow of the cliff in the North Kimberley Marine Park creates the King George Falls. This river and the falls are cultural meaning to the native people, for whom the twin falls are representing the male and female Wunkurr, which means Rainbow Snakes or creator god.
© Ponant
The King George Falls are inaccessible by vehicle because of the remote location. The only way to enjoy this place is by cruise or flight. If you decide to visit King George Falls by flight then you will be overwhelmed by the scenic view not only of the falls but also of all the surrounding soaring red gorges, the ancient sandstone cliff and the mosaic of more than 800 islands of Buccaneer Archipelago.
© Ponant
According to Australiasnorthwest.com, visiting King George Falls by cruise will make you one of the few privileged tourists with the opportunity to gaze at the wonders of this ancient attraction. You can also enjoy Zodiac® outings by Ponant to come real close to the falls with a chance to climb to the top of the cliffs and enjoy the view from above.
© Ponant
The best time of the year to visit these falls is in April and May when it is the wet season and the water level is higher.
Sail through the rainforest of Prince Frederick Harbour
Prince Frederick Harbour is an area consisted of many islands, monsoon rainforest and mangroves. A place where both Hunter and the Roe rivers are discharging, you can discover this place by ship. Phillip Parker King named this harbour in 1820 in honour of the Duke of Cambridge.
© Ponant
Because of the isolated location, this harbour is home to many predators. Sailing through the waters of Prince Frederick Harbour you cannot miss all the saltwater crocodiles and white-bellied sea eagles.
© Ponant
To get the best experience of visiting Prince Frederick Harbour it is best spend the whole day sailing its waters. During the high tides, the forests drowns and you can see one kind of fish swimming through the mangroves.
© Ponant
During the low tides, the harbour transforms into mudflats and different kind of fish and various mudskippers.
© Ponant
Final words
Although the Kimberley is mostly uninhabited, this region of Australia is accessible by cruises and flights. The tourist attractions are unique and unaltered by human hand, which makes them appealing for all the vivid travellers.