Explore Australia's Kimberley Coast
Luxury Small Ship Cruises with Heritage Expeditions
Save up to 20% per person on select cruises when you book by 30 June 2025*
Experience nature on an unfathomable scale in Australia’s Kimberley Coast on an unforgettable adventure with pioneering expedition cruise company, Heritage Expeditions.
Kimberley’s remote location and small populace offer travellers a hidden haven and immersion into nature on a massive scale while learning about Aboriginal culture, the link to Australia’s ancient past. Explore a treasure trove of towering, iron-tinged red cliffs, torrential waterfalls, hidden coves, rare and endangered wildlife, white-sand beaches and magnificent reefs. Visit Aboriginal rock art galleries and discover indigenous customs and connections to this ancient land and rich history.
Join us, New Zealand's family-owned and -operated pioneering expedition cruise company, as we explore Australia’s dramatic Kimberley aboard our luxury 140-guest flagship Heritage Adventurer. Purpose-built for adventure and known as the 'Grande Dame of Exploration Cruising' she's perfect for navigating Australia’s intricate coast, islands and harbours and has a full fleet of Zodiacs for excursions to hidden coves, secluded white sand beaches, remote bays and up winding rivers.
Kimberley Season 2025-26
Join us on one of these extraordinary voyages
Kimberley Explorer: Expedition Cruising Australia's Iconic Kimberley Coast
11 DAYS
2025
27 Jun 2025
12 Aug 2025 SAVE 5%*
22 Aug 2025 SAVE 5%*
2026
13 Jul 2026 SAVE 20%*
23 Jul 2026 SAVE 20%*
2 Aug 2026 SAVE 20%*
Aboard luxury 140-guest Heritage Adventurer
- Unforgettable spectacle of King George River Gorge and Falls (male and female Rainbow Serpents or Wunkurr) cascading 80-metres down 2,000 million-year-old towering sandstone cliffs
- Outdoor galleries showcasing ancient Aboriginal rock art of the Gwion Gwion and Wandjina people
- World War II relics and early explorer history
- Massive tidal movements at Talbot Bay, the world's only Horizontal Falls described by David Attenborough as "one of the greatest wonders of the natural world"
- World's largest inshore reef system at Montgomery Reef
- The remarkably preserved skeleton of a WWII Douglas DC-3 Aircraft at Vansittart Bay
- Astounding observations of saltwater crocodiles
- Incredible wildlife reserve and birding paradise of the Lacepede Islands
- Hunter River, one of the world's largest and most pristine mangrove systems, home to White-bellied Sea Eagle, Osprey, Red-headed Honeyeater, Blue-spotted Mudskippers, Fiddler Crabs and more
- Untouched beauty of the 1,000 tiny islands, islets, waterfalls and secluded beaches of Buccaneer Archipelago
- Stunning scenery of beautiful islands, pristine white beaches, turquoise waters, secluded coves at Vansittart Bay historical World War II history and ancient Aboriginal rock art.
*Book by 30 June 2025 for savings. Landing fees not included, per person, new bookings only.
About Heritage Expeditions
Ambassadors for conservation, pioneers of discovery, and leaders in expedition travel to the world’s best-kept secrets.
Experience
For 40 years, Heritage Expeditions has pioneered voyages to some of the most wild and biologically rich regions on the planet. Our mission is to increase awareness and conservation of the natural world through responsible expedition travel.
Expert Team
Our team of naturalists, historians, biologists and ornithologists bring an enormous wealth of experience, knowledge and passion to our expeditions, both in the field and onboard our ship during our lecture series.
Our Ship
Our new flagship, the 140-guest Heritage Adventurer, combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating with an international flair and luxury amenities. Enjoy spacious suites, elegant common areas and cuisine prepared by top chefs.
Introducing: Heritage Adventurer
Heritage Adventurer is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Setting a peerless standard in authentic expedition travel, Heritage Adventurer (formerly known as MS Hanseatic) brings an impressive history of Polar exploration. Having held records for the most northern and southern Arctic and Antarctic navigations, and for traversing both the Northwest and Northeast Passages, makes Heritage Adventurer perfect for our signature expeditions. Originally designed for 184 guests, Heritage Adventurer now welcomes just 140 expeditioners ensuring spacious, stylish and comfortable voyages, while a fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures all guests are able to maximise their expedition adventure.
Indulge in an awe-inducing Observation Lounge with library, bar and sweeping 270-degree views, or relax the Oberservation Deck with 360-degree views and comfortable sun loungers. Reinvigorate in the heated salt water pool, well-equipped gym, enclosed hot tub, sauna and steam room. Savor daily international gourmet cuisine from talented chefs across two lavish restaurants, and settle into spacious and well-appointed accommodations each night.
Technical Specs
Year Built: 1991
Shipyard: Rauma, Finland
Classification: Lloyds 1AS, GL E4
Accommodation: 140 guests
Length: 124 metres
Beam: 18 metres
Draft: 4.97 metres
Gross Tonnage: 8,378gt
Engines: 3,940 horsepower (x2)
Maximum Speed: 15 knots
Cruising Speed: 12 knots
Range: 8,600 nautical miles
Zodiacs: 14
Introducing Heritage Adventurer
140-Guest Luxury Expedition Ship
Kimberley Explorer: Expedition Cruising Australia's Iconic Kimberley Coast
What a fabulous trip. We were blessed with wonderful weather and exceptional tides which enhanced our experiences. We saw and did so much. We were constantly learning from the exceptional expedition team whose knowledge was shared so generously. Just some of the highlights were Adele Island lagoon, Horizontal Falls, Montgomery Reef, Langgi, snorkelling in warm clear water at Ashmore Reef and seeing Rock art, as well as witnessing the amazing rock formations and wildlife. The ship was extremely comfortable, food wonderful, and the staff were so friendly, and obliging - nothing was too much trouble. We couldn't fault the whole experience. I would love to go on another Heritage Expeditions tour in the future.”
S Drummond
Kimberley Explorer: Expedition Cruising Australia's Iconic Kimberley Coast
Thank you for a glorious experience on this action-packed expedition cruise from Darwin. The care and attention to detail of every member of staff has been humbling. Collectively you are an outstanding lesson to the world in courtesy, consideration and generosity of spirit. God bless Heritage Adventurer and all who sail and work on her!
Kimberley Explorer: Expedition Cruising Australia's Iconic Kimberley Coast
“Fabulous trip. It was well organised and the staff go out of their way to look after the guests. The ship has an excellent kitchen which caters well to vegetarians. The sites we visited were fabulous. The swim at Ashmore Reef was spectacular. We saw sperm whales, dolphins, crocodiles, mud skippers, lots of bird species, turtles etc. This is my second trip with the Heritage Expedition. In January this year, I also went to the Antarctic. I would happily travel with them again.”
Judith A
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