Discover the Kimberley Coastline: An Ancient Wilderness - Solar Eclipse

Day 1: Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Your Expedition Voyage begins in Darwin. At the tropical Top End, this northern capital sits at the meeting point of Australia, Asia and the Pacific, its harbour, wartime history and diverse communities giving the city a distinctive character.

Welcome on board Scenic Eclipse II, your ultra-luxury home for the days ahead. Settle into your spacious suite, with butler service on hand and thoughtful touches that range from a curated pillow menu to intuitive in-suite technology. Take time to explore the decks and find your favourite indoor and outdoor spaces, before toasting the start of your voyage with a glass of champagne in the Scenic Lounge Bar or a cocktail at the open-air Sky Bar on Deck 10.

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

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: King George River, Australia

The King George River carves its way through the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, culminating in King George Falls, a dramatic twin cascade dropping more than 80 metres over sheer sandstone cliffs. Accessible only by water or air, this immense gorge system reveals rust-red walls, tidal reaches and pockets of mangrove forest, with Brahminy kites, egrets and kingfishers often seen above the river’s tranquil surface. Your sleek Scenic Discovery Yacht is purpose-built to navigate such secluded waterways with ease and comfort.

Scenic Discovery:
A Zodiac cruise may take you deeper into the gorge for a striking perspective on the falls, gliding beneath towering rock faces and along mangrove-lined banks, where there may be opportunities to observe sunning crocodiles and an array of birdlife, including ospreys, falcons, egrets and kingfishers. Weather and tides permitting, the Discovery Team may be able to approach close enough for you to feel the cooling spray from the falling water.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Vansittart Bay, Australia

Vansittart Bay, a sheltered inlet along the Kimberley coast, is known for its quiet beaches, red headlands and deep cultural significance for Traditional Owners. Here, traces of more recent history appear alongside ancient stories, including the remarkably well-preserved skeleton of a World War II Douglas C-53 aircraft resting in the landscape.

Scenic Discovery:
A guided visit ashore may begin with a short Zodiac transfer to a secluded sandy beach, where the expert Discovery Team can introduce the bay’s geology, history and cultural context as you explore this remote corner of the Kimberley at an unhurried pace.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Ashmore Reef, Australia

The morning is yours to savour at leisure as Scenic Eclipse II approaches the remote beauty of Ashmore Reef. Indulge in a Senses Spa treatment#, join a revitalising yoga or Pilates session, take a refreshing dip in the Vitality Pool, or simply unwind on board.

Ashmore Reef, one of Australia’s most remote and pristine marine parks, is a protected haven of three tropical islands encircled by vibrant coral, spanning 583 square kilometres. Recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA), this carefully preserved sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to witness untouched natural beauty from your vantage point at sea.

As your truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury Scenic Discovery Yacht cruises gracefully around the reef, have your camera ready to capture its extraordinary landscapes. Join the expert Discovery Team on the open decks for an engaging birdwatching experience, where you’ll gain insight into the diverse seabirds and marine life that thrive in this secluded ecosystem, all while immersed in the serenity of your surroundings.

In the evening, settle in at one of the eight bars and lounges to enjoy a beverage of your choice. Indulge in over 100 whiskies at the Scenic Lounge Bar or perhaps book a wine tasting session to pair your day with the right drop.

Our visit to Ashmore Reef is required to meet Australian Government regulations. Exploration of the reef is subject to weather and sea conditions due to its exposed offshore location.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Swift Bay, Australia

Swift Bay offers a rare concentration of Kimberley rock art styles in one area, with Gwion Gwion and Wandjina galleries located within reach of your Scenic Discovery Yacht by a short Zodiac transfer. In 2028, this secluded coastline also lies within the path of a full solar eclipse, adding an extraordinary celestial dimension to an already powerful landscape.

Scenic Discovery:
Alongside the possibility of experiencing the total solar eclipse on 22 July 2028 in an exceptionally remote setting, the day may include visits with the Discovery Team to Gwion Gwion galleries (formerly known as ‘Bradshaw’ paintings), where delicate, elongated figures seem to move across the rock face. Nearby Wandjina sites portray ancestral beings and rain-bringers that continue to hold deep cultural significance for Traditional Owners.

Subject to conditions and scheduling, there may also be an opportunity to join a helicopter^ flight over the Mitchell Plateau to observe the dramatic tiered cascades of Mitchell Falls from the air.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Hunter River & Mitchell Falls, Australia

Today, Scenic Eclipse II will cruise 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.

Subject to conditions and scheduling, for a fresh perspective embark on an optional helicopter^ flight for magnificent aerial views of the Hunter River or Mitchell Falls. Also known as Punamii-uunpuu, it’s an iconic Kimberley landmark and a place of cultural and spiritual significance for the Wunambal people.

Later, treat yourself to an indulgent time in the Senses Spa. Be pampered with a range of signature ESPA treatments# and relaxation lounges. Then watch the world slip by as you relax in a cabana on Deck 10, before taking a dip in the Vitality pool. Alternatively, ask your butler to deliver afternoon tea to your suite to enjoy on your private verandah while marvelling at the endless ocean.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Montgomery Reef & Freshwater Cove, Australia

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.

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.

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to conditions and approvals, you may have the opportunity to explore Montgomery Reef by Zodiac, with your Discovery Team. If the timing is right, discover thousands of small waterfalls cascading down the reef and see incredible marine life including sea turtles, octopus, sharks, rays, dolphins and more.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Careening Bay, Port Nelson, Australia

Careening Bay, within Port Nelson, is closely linked to early coastal exploration. In 1820, British surveyor Phillip Parker King careened his vessel HMC Mermaid here for repairs, commemorating the event by having its name carved into the trunk of a vast boab tree that still bears the inscription today.

Scenic Discovery:
Guided by the Discovery Team, time ashore may include a visit to the historic “Mermaid Tree” and the surrounding shoreline, with opportunities to appreciate the bay’s quiet beaches, distinctive boabs and coastal vegetation. Later, cruising by small craft around nearby islands and inlets can reveal mangroves, sheltered coves and marine life such as sea turtles. As Port Nelson’s sandstone and basalt cliffs come into view, the interplay of light on rock and water provides a striking natural backdrop for photography and quiet contemplation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Talbot Bay & Horizontal Falls, Australia

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 and gaze out across the breathtaking panoramic views.

Scenic Discovery:
Explore some of the planet’s most unique waterways by Zodiac. 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, or the 18 different species of birdlife including Australian Ibis, Brahminy Kite and Brown Honeyeater.

±Please note, guests will have the opportunity to view this natural phenomena however will not cruise through the Horizontal Falls.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Lacepede Islands, Australia

Today discover the untouched beauty of the Lacepede Islands, just 120 km north of Broome. As an A-class reserve, these islands are a haven for nature lovers, famed for their abundant wildlife and vibrant seabird colonies. It’s also Western Australia’s top breeding ground for green turtles and a prime spot to witness majestic humpback whales during their seasonal migration.

In the afternoon, stop for a coffee or a cocktail at one of the eight bars and lounges on board or curl up with a book in the library of the Observation Lounge. Then join the Discovery Team in the state-of-the-art theatre for a recap of the extraordinary places you’ve visited.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Broome, Western Australia, Australia

Your Expedition Voyage concludes today in Broome. 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 Scenic Eclipse II.

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

*Please be advised that the use of drones is strictly prohibited in this area.
#Spa treatments and services at additional cost. Daily activities may be subject to change; please consult your Daily Wonder for updates.
+All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.
^Experiences on board our two helicopters and submersible are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather conditions.
~Kayak and stand-up paddleboard not available in all locations

Submersible not in operation in the Kimberley.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.  

Meals: Breakfast