Prefer a little adventure with your cruising? Want to see more than blue skies and ocean waves? Prefer a smaller boat rather than a cast of thousands?

Check out the luxury cruise operators that will take you to Australia’s remote Kimberley region. This is Australia’s true tropical north with a distinct wet season. The cruising and tourist season runs from March to September.

The Kimberley’s are renowned for their spectacular rock formations and amazing rivers and waterfalls. The whole area has a tidal range of over 10m so that the tidal surge creates its own “horizontal waterfalls” as the sea rushes through confined rocky outcrops. The tropical reefs also get exposed when the tide goes out. The wildlife is everywhere:turtles, dugong,and manta rays are common. This is also crocodile country so you won’t be doing much salt water swimming but the river bilabongs are generally safe. The North West is well known for its barramundi fishing - and your chef will no doubt be happy to cook your catch.

Helicopters or expedition boats allow you to land and visit one of the world’s most remote and untouched regions. The Kimberleys are 1800 million years old and feature rugged escarpments, dramatic ranges, spectacular gorges and waterfalls. Water lilies, ferns, and ancient rain forest covers the deep red gorges. This is one cruise where on board you will be barefoot but ashore you might want to take your hiking boots! Don’t expect to find any shops to buy trinkets in either, if you need it make sure you bring it with you on board. Smart casual is the dress code: but you will need a broad-brimmed hat to survive the fierce Australian sun.

All the ships operate out of Broome in northern Western Australia (fly from Perth, Darwin or Sydney). The old pearling town is a resort destination itself but its also the last major port heading north. Approximately 13 days cruising will take you to Wyndham with a transfer to Kununurra near the Northern Territory border. The ships are small with, typically around 100 guests, and have a shallow draft, so they can navigate close to shore,through the reefs and into the river systems such as the Mitchell, Sale and Drysdale Rivers.

The Kimberley’s are remote area, even by Australian standards, and also some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. To reach the area by land would take a well-equipped 4WD at least a week to 10 days ex-Broome. North Star Cruises has their own helicopter and this gives you unparalleled access to these remote beauty spots: without any of the hard work. Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises is another well-regarded operator based in Broome which offers daily shore excursions.