You don't exactly “rough it” when you explore the Kimberley Wilderness by cruise and 4WD with some programs new this year.

It is expected the most popular itinerary will be the voyage exploring the remote Kimberley coast between Broome and Darwin.

The 10-night program visits Kuri Bay, home of the South Pacific pearl industry, and sends passengers ashore to view the world-famous Bradshaw (Gwion) paintings, the oldest known indigenous art, and also the towering, 80-metre King George Falls, tallest in Western Australia.

It's an option but in the “mad if you miss it” category is a helicopter flight over the Mitchell Plateau for views of the four-tiered Mitchell Falls.

There are also excursions into secluded gorges and to rock pools perfect for swimming.

The cruise also explores the 800 islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago, and includes an exhilarating Zodiac ride through the Horizontal Waterfall, where the tide floods between rocky cliffs.

Next year, Coral Princess is venturing into the Kimberley by both land and sea, with a new 24-night expedition, combining the 10-night cruise and a 4WD tour through the Kimberleys’ rugged and beautiful interior.

Consider, if you will, the Kimberley wilderness of Western Australia is three times larger than England but has a population of just 30,000.

Spokesman for the operator, Kerry Lorimer, says the cruise/drive option gets to areas largely inaccessible by other means.
 
“The 4WD journey travels the length of the legendary Gibb River Road, stopping at million-acre El Questro station to hike into Emma Gorge and soak in the hot pools of Zebedee Springs,'' she said. “Further along the road, Lake Argyle is the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere, with 18 times the capacity of Sydney Harbour.''

If you need more convincing, add World Heritage-listed Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park, and camping out in style overnight at the award-winning Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge.

Coral Princess operates two ships in the Kimberley - Oceanic Discoverer, which accommodates just 72 guests and carries its own purpose-built excursion vessel, Xplorer, and inflatable Zodiacs, and The Coral Princess takes only 48 guests.

Prices for the 10-night Kimberley cruise are from $6450 in Coral Princess and $7750 aboard Oceanic Discoverer. The 24-night Cruise and 4WD Expedition starts at $12,610 (Princess) and $13,910(Discoverer) - all per person on a twin-share basis.
They include cruise and 4WD transport, all meals, lectures and staff services on board and group transfers.

There are regular departures from both Darwin and Broome.
If you want to know more - or book - call 1800 079 545.

Halong Bay’s a must    

And now it's a luxury extension of your Vietnam holiday
 
As the word spreads about the joys of holidaying in Vietnam, gems like Halong Bay (one the domain of those in the know) is an eagerly sought-after extension.

Now the people at cruise company Trails of Indochina have included a hard-to-resist three-day luxury cruise on the bay.
These are operated by the traditional but superbly equipped Halong Jasmine.

For creature comforts, when you are not ogling the scenery, Jasmine has an elegant restaurant, two bars, a library and a massage room - 21st century appointments, while a world unchanged for centuries drifts by.

This new cruise program includes exploration of World Heritage-listed limestone caves and grottoes plus visits to floating villages and local schools by canoe, how else?

There are also informative lectures by officials of Vietnam's Department of Conservation, which has a long-term plan to turn Ha Long Bay into a living museum.

The three-day program, which includes all on-board meals, accommodation and cruise activities, costs from US$346 pp twin share.

Talk to a licensed travel agent.