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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail & Sail

Coastal Quest Kimberley Cruising 2026 - PONANT

Kimberley cruise and Ghan train through remote outback Australia

Illustration of Coastal Quest Kimberley Cruising 2026 - PONANT

Journey Beyond Rail's Coastal Quest combines a 10-night expedition cruise through Australia's Kimberley wilderness with a 3-night journey on The Ghan Expedition train through the red centre, connecting sea and outback over 16 days. The voyage begins with one night in Broome, then boards PONANT's Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal to explore pristine coastlines, tidal phenomena including the Horizontal Falls, ancient rock art galleries on Jar Island and in the Bonaparte Archipelago, and the spectacular King George twin falls. After disembarking in Darwin, travellers transfer to The Ghan Expedition, a luxury train journey that includes guided Off Train Experiences at Katherine's Nitmiluk Gorge, Alice Springs desert attractions, and the underground opal mining town of Coober Pedy, before arriving in Adelaide. All meals, beverages, and gratuities aboard both vessels are included, along with hotel accommodation and transfers. This combination suits luxury-seeking repeat rail travellers, couples, and photographers drawn to remote wilderness landscapes and Indigenous heritage sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • All three published 2026 departures (May and August) are currently sold out; confirm availability with Journey Beyond Rail
  • The helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls is an additional cost not included in the package price
  • Single supplement is high: AUD 23,375 compared to half the double cabin fare, representing a 34% increase

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Pinctada Hotel Broome (formerly Kimberley Sands Resort) (1 night)

    Broome

    Make your own way to Broome and check in to your hotel. The day is yours to spend at leisure exploring Broome or relaxing by the pool.

  2. Day 2overnight: Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal (10 nights)

    Board Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal in Broome

    Breakfast at the hotel and a morning in Broome before transferring to the Port of Broome to board Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal for the Kimberley cruising adventure.

  3. Day 3

    Lacepede Islands

    The Lacepede Islands are Western Australia's most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles and an Important Bird Area, with a guided Zodiac tour of the prolific wildlife.

  4. Day 4

    Collier Bay and Horizontal Falls

    Ancient landscapes shaped by massive tidal movements, including Montgomery Reef, the world's largest inshore reef system, and Talbot Bay's 'Horizontal Falls', described by Sir David Attenborough as one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.

  5. Day 5

    Collier Bay and Horizontal Falls

    Journey continued from the previous day.

  6. Day 6

    Careening Bay

    Named after Lieutenant Phillip Parker King's ship the HMC Mermaid, careened here in 1820; home to a National Heritage listed boab tree carved with the ship's name.

  7. Day 7

    Hunter River

    Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River, lined with ancient rainforest, mangroves and sandstone cliffs; Zodiac exploration with the chance to reach Mitchell Falls by helicopter.

  8. Day 8

    Swift Bay

    The Bonaparte Archipelago's rugged islands, with rock shelters bearing Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art on a guided walk.

  9. Day 9

    Vansittart Bay

    Jar Island's ancient Gwion Gwion rock art galleries, among the oldest detailed depictions of human figures in the world.

  10. Day 10

    King George River

    Travel up the King George River past 80-metre-high sandstone gorge walls to the King George twin falls, the highest single-drop falls in the Kimberley.

  11. Day 11

    Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal at sea

    A leisurely day at sea with an enrichment programme on Australian history, flora and fauna.

  12. Day 12overnight: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront (1 night)

    Darwin

    Disembark in the Port of Darwin and transfer to your hotel, with the day free to explore the city.

  13. Day 13railovernight: The Ghan Expedition (3 nights)

    Board The Ghan Expedition in Darwin and Katherine

    Transfer to the Darwin Rail Terminal to board The Ghan Expedition, with an Off Train Experience in Katherine choosing between a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, the Katherine Outback Experience, or the Cutta Cutta Caves.

  14. Day 14rail

    The Ghan Expedition and Alice Springs

    Off Train Experiences in Alice Springs including an e-bike adventure, the Alice Explorer tour, Standley Chasm and Simpson's Gap, or the Desert Park, followed by dinner under the stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

  15. Day 15

    The Ghan Expedition and Coober Pedy

    A morning stop at Manguri before exploring the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, including a gourmet lunch enjoyed underground.

  16. Day 16rail

    The Ghan Expedition and Adelaide

    Pass through the Flinders Ranges as the outback gives way to the green fields of South Australia, arriving in Adelaide to complete one of the world's great rail experiences.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Day 4: Talbot Bay's Horizontal Falls, tidal phenomena described by Sir David Attenborough as one of the greatest wonders of the natural world
  • Day 9Day 9: Jar Island's ancient Gwion Gwion rock art galleries, among the oldest detailed depictions of human figures in the world
  • Day 10Day 10: Travel up King George River past 80-metre-high sandstone gorge walls to King George twin falls, the highest single-drop falls in the Kimberley
  • Day 14Day 14: Off Train Experiences in Alice Springs, including e-bike adventure or Standley Chasm, followed by dinner under the stars at the Telegraph Station
  • Day 16Day 16: Pass through the Flinders Ranges as the outback gives way to green fields, arriving in Adelaide

Included

  • 1 night's accommodation in Broome including breakfast
  • Transfer from Broome hotel to ship
  • 10-night Australia's Iconic Kimberley expedition cruise aboard PONANT's Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal (subject to departure date), including prepaid gratuities
  • Transfer from ship to Darwin hotel
  • 1 night's accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast
  • Transfer from Darwin hotel to Darwin Rail Terminal
  • 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition, Darwin to Adelaide, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy
  • 15 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide with all meals, beverages, and Off Train Experiences. The 10-night cruise aboard PONANT is also included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
The cruise is led by a PONANT Expedition Team. The Ghan Expedition includes Off Train Experience hosts at Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy who guide optional activities; you choose which experiences to join.
What is included in the price?
The from-price covers 1 night in Broome with breakfast, the 10-night cruise with gratuities prepaid, 1 night in Darwin with breakfast, 3 nights on The Ghan Expedition including all meals and beverages, and Off Train Experiences at Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy. Transfers between hotels, ports, and terminals are included.
When does this trip run?
Journey Beyond Rail offers departures in May and August 2026. Current published departures are sold out; contact the operator for waitlist or future availability.
Can I add a helicopter flight?
Yes, a helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls is available as an optional extra at additional cost.
Which PONANT ship will I sail on?
You will sail aboard either Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal, subject to the departure date. The ship is confirmed when you receive your booking documents.

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