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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail & Sail

Coastal Quest Kimberley Cruising 2027 - PONANT

Kimberley coastal cruise and Ghan rail journey from Broome to Adelaide

Illustration of Coastal Quest Kimberley Cruising 2027 - PONANT

Journey Beyond Rail operates this 18-day rail and sail adventure combining two of Australia's most celebrated journeys: a 10-night PONANT small-ship expedition through the Kimberley wilderness and a 3-night sleeper-train passage on The Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide. The trip begins in Broome with two nights at the Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, where you have leisure time to explore the town. You then board either Le Soleal or Le Jacques Cartier for an expedition cruise through pristine waters, navigating past ancient rock art sites, massive tidal phenomena at Horizontal Falls, 80-metre sandstone gorges, and waterfalls. After disembarking in Darwin, you spend two nights at the Hilton before boarding The Ghan Expedition for the train journey south. Days on the train include guided off-train experiences in Katherine's Nitmiluk Gorge, Alice Springs with tours and a starlit dinner at the Telegraph Station, and Coober Pedy's underground opal mines. All meals, beverages, and most guided activities are included throughout, making this a premium, escorted experience suited to travellers seeking luxury, natural scenery, and cultural immersion across Australia's remote north and outback.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is significantly higher: AUD 31,290 compared to AUD 22,990 for double occupancy, nearly 36 percent more per person
  • Mitchell Falls helicopter excursion in Hunter River is offered at additional cost and is not included in the package price
  • Deluxe Suite bookings must be arranged by phone; lowest advertised price is for Prestige Stateroom (Deck 4)
  • The package includes only two departures in 2027, both in July; book early as availability is limited

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa (2 nights)

    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 2

    Broome

    A day at your own pace: Cable Beach's white sand and blue ocean, Chinatown district, or pearl shopping in the Broome mall.

  3. Day 3overnight: Le Soleal or Le Jacques Cartier (10 nights)

    Board Le Soleal or Le Jacques Cartier in Broome

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

  4. Day 4

    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.

  5. Day 5

    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.

  6. Day 6

    Collier Bay and Horizontal Falls

    Journey continued from the previous day.

  7. Day 7

    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.

  8. Day 8

    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 (additional cost).

  9. Day 9

    Swift Bay

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

  10. Day 10

    Vansittart Bay

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

  11. Day 11

    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.

  12. Day 12

    Le Soleal or Le Jacques Cartier at sea

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

  13. Day 13overnight: Hilton Darwin (2 nights)

    Darwin

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

  14. Day 14

    Darwin

    Further exploration of Darwin city at a relaxed northern pace, or an optional tour at own expense.

  15. Day 15railovernight: The Ghan Expedition (3 nights)

    Board The Ghan Expedition in Darwin

    A welcome drink, light refreshments and a photo with The Ghan's red locomotive, then an Off Train Experience in Katherine choosing between a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, the Katherine Outback Experience, or the Cutta Cutta Caves.

  16. Day 16rail

    The Ghan Expedition, Alice Springs

    Off Train Experiences in Alice Springs including an e-bike adventure, the A Town Called Alice tour, Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap, or the Desert Park, followed by dinner under the stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

  17. Day 17

    The Ghan Expedition, Coober Pedy

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

  18. Day 18

    The Ghan Expedition, Adelaide

    Pass through the Flinders Ranges as the outback gives way to the green fields of South Australia, arriving in Adelaide to complete the journey.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Guided Zodiac tour of the Lacepede Islands, Western Australia's most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles
  • Day 5View Talbot Bay's Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef, the world's largest inshore reef system, described by David Attenborough as one of the greatest wonders of the natural world
  • Day 11Travel up the King George River past 80-metre sandstone gorge walls to the King George twin falls, the highest single-drop waterfall in the Kimberley
  • Day 16Off-train experience in Alice Springs including an e-bike adventure, town tours, or natural attractions, followed by dinner under the stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station
  • Day 17Explore the opal mining town of Coober Pedy and enjoy a gourmet lunch in an underground restaurant

Included

  • 2 nights accommodation in Broome, including breakfast daily
  • Transfer from Broome hotel to cruise terminal
  • 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 cruise terminal to Darwin hotel
  • 2 nights accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast daily
  • 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
  • 17 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes 10 nights aboard a PONANT ship (Le Soleal or Le Jacques Cartier) and 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide, with all meals and beverages aboard both vessels included.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is escorted. An Expedition Team leads the ship; Off Train Experience hosts accompany guests on The Ghan Expedition. However, Days 1 to 2 in Broome and Day 14 in Darwin are unguided, you arrange your own activities.
Which trains and ships are used?
The cruise operates aboard either PONANT's Le Soleal or Le Jacques Cartier (assigned by departure date). The rail portion is The Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide.
What accommodation is provided?
Two nights at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa in Broome, two nights at Hilton Darwin, 10 nights in a cabin aboard the PONANT ship, and three nights in a cabin aboard The Ghan Expedition.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily in Broome and Darwin hotels. Aboard both the ship and train, all meals and beverages are included: 17 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 13 dinners across the 18 days.
What activities are included, and which cost extra?
Included are guided Zodiac tours of the Lacepede Islands, Collier Bay, rock art walks, and off-train experiences at Katherine (gorge cruise or cave exploration), Alice Springs (e-bike adventure or natural attractions), and Coober Pedy (opal town and underground lunch). A helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls is at additional cost.

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