Kimberley, Top End & East Timor

The region is a place of contrasts, with rich and striking scenery, from lush rainforests to arid red plains the land is full of surprises. Our expeditions depart from Darwin, where sultry sunsets will relax you whilst dining at a chic harbour side restaurant. The city is the perfect gateway to the Kimberley, and East Timor, one of the worlds newest nations and a wonderful place to see Portuguese colonial heritage. Experience rugged coastlines and breathtaking waterfalls as Orion's Zodiacs land on remote beaches and explore rugged gorges, inlets and waters famous for an abundance of wildlife.

“The Kimberley coast is one of the places I have visited that causes me to think deeply, about myself, my world, the plants and animals that abound and my fellow humans and what we do. I am humbled by this place…”
Len Zell, Speaker onboard Orion
A Guide to the Kimberley Coast

A travel commentator, so overawed by the sheer scale of the Kimberley landscape, described this region with typical Australian irreverence as “Oh my God country”. We agree.

Nothing can fully prepare you for the dramatic contrasts of Australia’s north-west. Arnhem Land in the east is rich in Aboriginal culture and galleries of ancient artwork record a culture pre-dating European presence by many thousands of years that will astound you. Towards the west, in the historic pearling town of Broome, the colours of nature are vibrant and intense: rich red earth, azure blue seas and brilliant white sand beaches. The light here is like nowhere else. Between lies the ragged Kimberley coast, a place you can only comprehend from the sea. Rugged gorges, inlets and waterfalls plunging 100 metres all combine for an awe-inspiring experience you simply can’t have by
travelling overland.

Beyond the Kimberley is the world’s newest nation, Timor Leste or East Timor. Orion was the first passenger ship to visit since independence, bringing travellers to a country that seems like Bali did when it was on the edge of a tourism boom so many years ago. With vestiges of the Portuguese colonial presence remaining, the countryside reveals terraced paddyfields, quiet villages and market towns.

Kimberley Expedition

Our 11-night voyages showcase the breathtaking splendours of the Kimberley in a way simply impossible to do from land. From spectacular waterfalls and awe inspiring gorges, to ancient cultural history and indigenous rock art, the only way you can access the best of the Kimberley is from the sea. This expedition opens up the ancient Kimberley wilderness and the historic pearling town of Broome with its cafes, art galleries and pearl boutiques. This voyage embarks and disembarks in Darwin, affording wonderful touring opportunities in the Top End and the most convenient air connections to northern Australia.

Contact Jetset Rose bay today on 9371 8166 or click here to enquire or book now.

Dragons, Dili & Dreamtime

This 10-night expedition will transport you back in time to destinations wild and remote. From fascinating encounters with majestic Komodo dragons to enchanting interactions with the warm and optimistic people of East Timor, your travel horizons will be expanded as never before. This region is rich in both the history of European exploration and Aboriginal culture. Our visit to Mt. Borradaile reveals unspoilt Arnhem Land, a pristine wilderness where the Aboriginal rock art can be traced back 50,000 years. This will be the travel experience against which you will compare everything else.

Contact Jetset Rose bay today on 9371 8166 or click here to enquire or book now.

Torres Strait & Arnhem Land

Just twice a year Orion offers the opportunity to journey from Cairns, in the centre of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef, across the top of the continent through Torres Strait, to the Arnhem Land coast and on to the northern capital of Darwin. You will visit historic towns, snorkel over pristine and secluded reefs, and meet the sea peoples of the Torres Strait Islands. The Wessel Islands are an important site for ‘first contact’ Aboriginal rock art, evidencing the intrusion of Europeans into these waters.

Contact Jetset Rose bay today on 9371 8166 or click here to enquire or book now.

Art of Ancient Arnhem Land (October 2006)

This leisurely 10-night expedition affords you an insight into the diverse art and culture of the peoples across northern Australia. The art of the Tiwi Islanders is distinctly different from the mainland and uniquely expressed on the community’s burial poles. Further east, the traditional bark painting exhibited by the co-operatives at Maningrida and Yirrkala, a short distance from Nhulunbuy, echoes the culture of the Arnhem Land sea peoples. By contrast, we’ll visit outdoor art galleries of immense age, with paintings anything up to 50,000 years old. The bond with the sea felt by the people of the Torres Strait islands is still strong, with fishing an important part of the local economy and at Stanley Island you’ll discover a rich repository of Aboriginal art evidencing first contact with Europeans.

Contact Jetset Rose bay today on 9371 8166 or click here to enquire or book now.

Exact itineraries for voyages to the Kimberley are influenced by the extreme tides experienced, wildlife encounters and prevailing weather conditions. Exact schedules will be announced on board.