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Exploring the Kimberley with Ponant
Experience one of Australia's most in-demand destinations in indulgent style with Ponant, world leader in luxury expedition cruising.
Of all the bucket-list destinations Australia has to offer, the iconic Kimberley is perhaps the crown jewel. The coast that stretches from Darwin to Broome is home to a vast diversity of stunning environs, from the ancient rock art that adorns the time-worn landscape to its mangrove waterways, the soaring 90-metre high sandstone gorges of King George River and the clear tropical waters off Ashmore Reef.
Travellers can experience the Kimberley at its best with PONANT and its 2024 Luxury Expeditions. Inspired by an equal blend of premium French-style barefoot comfort and adventurism, the PONANT philosophy is embodied in both its attention to detail, and in the character and quality of its two Kimberley expedition cruisers - Le Lapérouse and Le Jacques Cartier.
Part of the 13-stong PONANT fleet, each Cleanship-certified vessel offers travellers the chance to explore some of the most stunning remote regions on earth in eco-friendly luxury: replete with all meals and open bar, balconies for each stateroom and suite, 24-hour room service, an infinity pool, and the state-of-the-art 'Blue Eye' underwater multi-sensory lounge, these small expedition yachts represent some of the finest on the world's waters.
EXPERIENCE PONANT
ANCIENT WONDERS, PURE WATERS
With itineraries overseen by Mick Fogg, PONANT's Australian Expedition Manager and veteran of over 300 tours through the sub-Antarctic, Southeast Asia and Oceania, patrons of these luxury expeditions can expect to be treated to one of the most awe-inspiring stretches of the vast Australian coastline, up close and personal via Zodiac boats.
"It's the Antarctica of the tropics," says Fogg. "The Kimberley is one of the world's last great Wilderness areas, and one of Australia's greatest natural assets. It is a destination that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime." Of particular fascination for Fogg is the sight of the Horizontal Falls of Montgomery Reef as it rises from the receding tides.
"As Montgomery Reef breaks through the surface, water starts to cascade off the reef, forming one of the world's longest waterfalls," says Fogg.
"There really is no adequate way to describe it and photos and video don't do it justice. You have to see Montgomery Reef for yourself. It is an experience that will stay with you forever."
Fogg also cites the ancient rock art to be found along the Kimberley as a key highlight. "These intricate and complex descriptions of the human form may be more than five times older than the Egyptian hieroglyphs," he says of the Gwion Gwion rock art, believed by many to be amongst the oldest known pictorial representation of humans.
Untamed landscapes. Rich Indigenous history. Remote island paradises, home to a host of native birds and turtles. All presented to you by the most experienced Expedition Guides - anthropologists, botanists, marine biologists, naturalists and more - in peerless luxury and comfort. Old beyond measure as one of the world's last true wildernesses, the Kimberley is waiting for you to discover its depths and delights, thanks to the incomparable PONANT.
Cruise the iconic Kimberley Coast in 2024 with the masters of luxury expeditions - visit au.ponant.com to secure your booking.