Insider Journeys: 7 Night True North Kimberley Cruise

Property Overview

I had the privilege of sailing on True North’s 7 Day Kimberley Cruise from Broome to Wyndham in July with my husband and the access it offered to this remote wilderness area exceeded all expectations. True North is a pioneer in the Kimberley, having recently celebrated 20 years leading expedition cruises along the remote Kimberley coast and river systems and one of its key points of difference lies in its size and ability to get to the hidden gems found in places like the Prince Regent and Hunter River. While larger boats cruise the coast, seemingly on the outside looking in, True North is immersed in the best parts of the Kimberley for the duration of the trip.

The boat sleeps just 36 guests across 18 cabins, with a choice of four cabin classes. We stayed in the Ocean Class cabin on the lower deck which features two single beds (L shape configuration) and ensuite, while others enjoyed the Ocean Premium (similar room on middle level but with side by side beds - pictured), River Class (queen bed on middle level) and Explorer Class (queen bed on top deck) options. Although small in hotel room terms, we found our cabin to be very comfortable and being on a low deck it was one of the most stable spots on the boat. Some rooms in particular spots experience more noise than others due to proximity to the engine and anchor so if you’re a light sleeper it pays to get advice before choosing your cabin - please ask us if if you have any questions.

The onboard facilities are perfect for an adventure cruise, as the focus is on getting guests into the landscape as much as possible. The mid level features the dining room, galley kitchen and a small shop, along with access to the back deck where the six tenders launch from for our (minimum) twice daily activities. The process of getting on and off the tenders couldn’t be simpler with our wet gear, hats and shoes in makeshift lockers on the back deck alongside the sunscreen and water station.

On the top deck you’ll find the large guest lounge and bar where we enjoy pre dinner drinks and candles each night, along with a spacious back deck with seating and outdoor bar stools. On the bow there is a wonderful space with comfy loungers to enjoy the views.

The dining on True North is included, along with house wines and beers with lunch and dinner. Drinks on excursions and presenter cocktail of the day is also included. Breakfast was a basic continental buffet selection with a cooked option that changed daily. For lunch we enjoyed a cooked set meal, ranging from freshly caught fish and chips to prawn laksa and Thai green chicken curry. Dinners included a set main and dessert, that changed each night (dietaries are well catered for). There was plenty of WA produce like lamb and steak, truffles, and occasional seafood. Pre dinner snacks featured freshly caught tuna and even mud crab claws - enjoyed on the beach on our final night.

What we loved

There is a lot to love about cruising the Kimberley with True North. As an adventure cruise, we got to experience more than most, with several gorge walks, swims at picturesque Kimberly water holes and daily fishing options (detailed below). The flexibility of the itinerary format was great, with the chance to do two or three experiences a day with a choice of options each time. Having a smaller boat and six tenders meant getting on and off the boat took only a minute, so there was no waiting around as can be the case on larger boats (who run less excursions as a result).

We also loved the crew and service onboard True North. The crew interact with guests in such a natural way - even joining us for a drink at the bar after dinner some nights. By day two, we were all on first-name basis, and they become such a key part of our experience, as did fellow guests. That's the beauty of a smaller boat, real relationships can be formed - great for solo travellers looking for an inclusive experience too.

Having visited the Kimberley a few times, the colours of the Kimberley landscape were as special as we remembered, but seeing them from the water seemed to heighten the sensory experience. There was a profound sense of peace in the still moments, particularly at sunrise and sunset, sitting on the back deck with the changing light, calm water lapping against the boat and only occasional birdsong breaking the silence.

What surprised us

When we boarded True North we assumed the guests would include many who enjoy traditional cruising, but we couldn’t have been more wrong. Most were adamant that they weren’t into cruises. The sentiment points to the uniqueness of the True North experience as a true adventure cruise that prioritises getting you off the boat and spending most of the time in the Kimberley’s landscape, not just watching it float by outside. Related to this point, it was surprising to see how many anchorages were not accessible to the larger boats that anchored on the coast not within the river systems.

The quality of rock art on the trip was another surprise, likely because photos of the sites aren’t commonly shared online (in accordance with the wishes of the traditional owners), so we had no expectation coming in. We visited rocky bay at Vansittart and saw incredible examples of both Wandjina and Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) art sites on a short walk. There were other equally exceptional sites visited by Heli. We can't share images of the rock art sites here out of respect, but trust us it's worth joining one of these experiences.

Recommended experiences

It goes without saying that fishing in the tenders is a must for any keen fisherman. Our group caught fingerling, snapper, tuna, nannygai and Barramundi. Mud crabs were also hauled up in pots during our time on the Hunter River. One tip - if you are a keen fishermen and wanting to get that classic shot with a big Barra, consider timing your trip for earlier in the season (April to June) when there are the most Barra around. Our group still caught some in late July, and there were plenty of other fish caught everyday, but Barra fishing specifically is at its best after the Wet season.

Fishing aside, the highlight for us were the four remote swimming holes we visited, some by Heli and others by boat and on foot. It’s hard to choose a favourite because they were all so different, so if you can, try to do them all. The first two - King Cascades and Ruby Falls - involved a tender ride to a rocky gorge and a short 15-minute hike to the clifftop from where we could walk to the pool at the top of the falls. Ruby falls featured a long gently flowing top pool lined with lily pads, while King Cascades top pool was a series of six individual cascading pools with a large pool at the base.

The hardest hike was to Jackson Falls on the Hunter River, and involved about an hour of climbing up a rocky riverbed with some serious boulders to climb as we moved up the gorge, but boy was it worth it. The swimming hole at Jackson Falls was seriously impressive, with a circular crystal-clear pool with a single drop fall at the back and vibrant orange gorge walls all around. It reminded us a little of the end pool on the El Questro Gorge hike.

The Heli-picnic and swim at Eagle View Falls was another absolute highlight. Having such a remote pristine waterhole to ourselves was a treat. We listened to the call of the Whistling kite as we dined on BBQ prawns, fresh fish and salads, and enjoyed drinks served by the true North team from a makeshift bar complete with shade. In total we spent close to four-hours in this slice of paradise with pool noodles to float with in the big pool at the top of the falls.

Many guests enjoyed the sunrise and sunset Heli experiences and scenic flights, but our favourite was the beach sunset drinks with bonfire in a picture-perfect location near King George falls.

What’s Nearby?

Many guests on our cruise were combining their Kimberley cruise with a luxury lodge stay at El Questro (pictured), Bullo River Station or Berkeley River Lodge - each of which are accessible from Kununurra (where the boat drops guests after disembarking in Wyndham). For the ultimate convenience, Walk into Luxury can arrange a Heli directly from the boat in Wyndham to El Questro - I honestly couldn’t think of a better place to unwind post cruise and conclude your time in the Kimberley.

For those travelling to the Kimberley via Perth, Como the Treasury is the place to stay.