The Kimberley Coast: Australia's Remotest Charter Destination

Abounding in native wildlife, majestic canyons, freshwater swimming holes, hidden beaches, ancient Aboriginal rock art and a coastline dotted with islands and reef systems, teeming with unique marine life, the Kimberleys is an area of rugged natural beauty with nearly 13,000km of dramatic coastline and waterways.

Despite its remoteness, charter guests enjoy the hospitality and amenities of a select fleet of 5-star charter yachts, with gourmet cuisine, ultra-luxurious accommodation and experienced crews who have expert local knowledge and a deep passion for the culture and history of the land.

Accessible only by boat in most parts, the Kimberley coast is among the planet’s least impacted marine environments, with a thriving, ancient indigenous culture.

Three times the size of the UK, the Kimberley coast boasts Australia’s largest inshore reef, geology millions of years old, seagrass meadows and open oceans alive with marine mammals such as the elusive whale shark, a diversity of corals, extensive mangrove forests, giant boab trees, wild rivers, the world’s largest population of Humpback whales and seabird breeding colonies.

For charter guests, this is the true heart of Australia: a panorama of craggy sandstone cliffs that change colour as you watch, spectacular gorges and waterfalls such as the King Cascade and Horizontal Falls, as well as prehistoric rock paintings dating back 60,000 years – predating those of Europe by 40,000 years!

Explore hidden gorges, glittering coastal lagoons and pristine bays and tributaries. Dive with giant potato cod at the Rowley Shoals or swim with dolphins, guided by your experienced charter crew who are adept at navigating this vast and rugged region.

Charters may depart from Broome, Wyndham or Darwin. Itineraries can be tailor-made to suit charter guests’ interests and requirements.

Options may include traveling through the Buccaneer Archipelago, where Bottlenose dolphins cavort in the green sea, and towards Talbot Bay to see the magnificent Horizontal Falls.

David Attenborough described the Horizontal Falls as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world” and visitors can be assured, it is a place of super-natural beauty. When the tide turns, strong currents rush through the two narrow gorges, creating a cascading effect. Take an exhilarating ride through the falls aboard a RIB tender – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

At low tide, witness Montgomery Reef, which stretches over 300 square kilometres, rise out of the ocean, creating miniature waterfalls which cascade down the exposed reef walls. Here, turtles, manta rays and reef sharks gather to feed and frolic.

The twin waterfalls along King George River are one of the most spectacular sights along the Kimberley coast. Aboard your yacht’s tender, you can get right up close to the base of the King George Falls for a breathtaking ‘Kimberley shower’ and awesome photo opportunities.

The Lacepede Islands are a group of four islands that are home to an abundance of marine birds., while at Vansittart Bay, you will see the wreckage of the US Air Force DC3 plane that crashed during World War II. Then visit Jar Island where ancient Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) rock art is estimated to be 25,000 years old. 

Your charter can include onshore excursions to significant Aboriginal sites, fishing spots and remote waterways, or helicopter excursions to places such as the four-tiered Mitchell Falls or the Bungle Bungle Range, in Purnululu National Park, is one of the most striking geological landmarks in Western Australia, offering a remote wilderness experience.

Contact the experts at Luxury Charter Group. We can arrange a charter itinerary to satisfy your every whim and truly capture the enduring allure of this ancient landscape and its myriad natural wonders.

Photo Credit: Drone shots by Salty Wings