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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail & Sail

The Kimberley with Coral Expeditions 2027

The Ghan to Darwin, then Kimberley cruise aboard Coral Adventurer

Illustration of The Kimberley with Coral Expeditions 2027

Journey Beyond Rail pairs The Ghan's famous outback rail journey with a 10-night expedition cruise through Australia's remote Kimberley coast. The 15-day package departs Adelaide and ends in Broome, blending two distinct travel modes and landscapes. Travellers spend three nights aboard The Ghan traveling north to Darwin, with guided off-train experiences exploring the Flinders Ranges, Alice Springs, and Katherine, stopping for a special dinner in the Clare Valley wine region on the first evening. From Darwin, the ship Coral Adventurer navigates the Kimberley's wilderness, calling at King George Falls, Vansittart Bay's Aboriginal rock art galleries, Mitchell Falls, Prince Regent River, Montgomery Reef (where 11-metre tides expose a marine spectacle), Horizontal Falls, and the Lacepede Islands. The cruise combines tender-boat explorations, walks to waterfalls and galleries, and opportunities to spot dolphins, turtles, and dugongs. All meals, accommodation, and most activities are included; helicopter flights are optional. This trip suits repeat rail travellers seeking a combined land-and-sea adventure, couples wanting shared immersive experiences, and photographers drawn to remote wilderness and Indigenous cultural sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplements are substantial: AUD 21,690 versus AUD 18,390 for a twin, nearly 18% higher than half the twin rate.
  • Most Kimberley activities (rock art galleries, waterfalls, reefs) are accessed by tender boat or optional helicopter; helicopter flights to Mitchell Falls carry additional cost.
  • Advance purchase fares are subject to availability; standard Everyday fares are higher. Prices vary by season and cabin tier.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: The Ghan (3 nights)

    Board The Ghan in Adelaide

    Settle into the rhythm of life on the rails as The Ghan heads north. By early evening, arrive at Long Plains and transfer to the Clare Valley wine region for a special dinner experience showcasing the region's produce and fine wines, before returning to the train.

  2. Day 2rail

    The Ghan, Flinders Ranges

    Wake to South Australia's changing landscapes and arrive at Port Augusta. A full-day Off Train Experience takes in the Flinders Ranges' rugged gorges and red rock outcrops before rejoining the train for the evening.

  3. Day 3rail

    The Ghan, Alice Springs

    Wake to a spectacular outback sunrise at Marla before a leisurely brunch on the journey north to Alice Springs, where a variety of Off Train Experiences awaits (e-bike adventure, A Town Called Alice tour, Standley Chasm, Desert Park, Simpsons Gap, or a scenic helicopter flight upgrade).

  4. Day 4overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin (1 night)

    The Ghan, Katherine and Darwin

    A cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge, the Katherine Outback Experience, or the Cutta Cutta Caves (helicopter flight upgrade available), before continuing to Darwin and transferring to accommodation.

  5. Day 5overnight: Coral Adventurer (10 nights)

    Board Coral Adventurer in Darwin

    Transfer from accommodation to the Port of Darwin to board Coral Adventurer, with an introduction to the Kimberley from the expedition team and Captain's Welcome Drinks.

  6. Day 6

    King George River and Falls (Oomari Falls)

    Cruise through steep-sided gorges to the 80m-tall King George Falls, the highest twin falls in Western Australia, fed by the King George River.

  7. Day 7

    Vansittart Bay (Banjal)

    Visit the Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) Aboriginal rock art galleries on Jar Island and the wreckage of a US Airforce C-53 Skytrooper aircraft on the Anjo Peninsula.

  8. Day 8

    Mitchell Falls, Winyalkan, & Swift Bay

    A scenic helicopter flight (additional cost) to the tiered Mitchell Falls and rock pools, or explore the sandstone caves of Wollaston Bay/Creek and Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock art galleries at Swift Bay, with a sunset BBQ.

  9. Day 9

    Prince Frederick Harbour and Bigge Island (Wuuyuru)

    Explore the mangrove- and monsoon-rainforest-lined islands of Prince Frederick Harbour, then cruise up Porosus Creek by Xplorer tender to view striking rock formations at Bigge Island.

  10. Day 10

    Prince Regent River and Careening Bay (Wunbung-gu)

    Cruise the Prince Regent River by Xplorer tender to the terraced King Cascade waterfall, and visit Careening Bay's Mermaid Boab Tree, carved by the crew of HMC Mermaid in 1820.

  11. Day 11

    Montgomery Reef (Yowjab)

    Watch Montgomery Reef rise from the Indian Ocean in 11m tides aboard Xplorer and Zodiac inflatable tenders, spotting turtles, dolphins, dugongs and sawfish as the reef emerges.

  12. Day 12

    Doubtful Bay and Raft Point (Ngumbree)

    Visit the ancient Wandjina rock art galleries near Raft Point, and Red Cone Creek's Ruby Falls and freshwater swimming holes in Doubtful Bay.

  13. Day 13

    Horizontal Falls (Garaanngaddim) and Buccaneer Archipelago

    Ride the rapids of the Horizontal Falls on Zodiac inflatable tenders through the McLarty Ranges, then cruise the Iron Islands past Koolan Island to Talbot Bay and Nares Point for sunset drinks.

  14. Day 14

    The Lacepede Islands

    Explore the protected class-A nature reserve, an important nesting rookery for brown boobies, roseate terns and green turtles, by Xplorer and Zodiac tender, followed by the Captain's Farewell Drinks.

  15. Day 15

    Disembark Coral Adventurer in Broome

    The Kimberley adventure concludes as Coral Adventurer docks in the Port of Broome, with a post-cruise transfer to Broome CBD or Airport included.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1After boarding The Ghan in Adelaide, travel north as evening descends, then transfer to the Clare Valley wine region for a dinner showcasing local produce and wines before returning to the train.
  • Day 2Full-day off-train exploration of the Flinders Ranges' rugged gorges and red rock outcrops from Port Augusta.
  • Day 3Wake to a spectacular outback sunrise at Marla; choose from e-bike adventures, the A Town Called Alice tour, Standley Chasm, Desert Park, Simpsons Gap, or an optional scenic helicopter flight.
  • Day 6Cruise through steep-sided gorges to King George Falls, the 80m-tall twin falls and highest twin falls in Western Australia.
  • Day 13Ride the rapids of the Horizontal Falls on Zodiac inflatable tenders through the McLarty Ranges, then cruise past the Iron Islands to Talbot Bay and Nares Point for sunset drinks.

Included

  • 3 nights aboard The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in the Flinders Ranges, Marla, Alice Springs and Katherine
  • Transfer from Darwin Rail Terminal to Darwin hotel
  • 1 night's accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast
  • Transfer from Darwin hotel to cruise terminal
  • 10-night Kimberley Cruise aboard Coral Expeditions' Coral Adventurer
  • Transfer from cruise terminal to Broome city centre or Airport
  • 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 13 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is train and cruise travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price includes 3 nights aboard The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin with all meals and off-train experiences, 1 night in a Darwin hotel with breakfast, and 10 nights aboard Coral Adventurer with 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, and 13 dinners. Transfers between transport and accommodation are included. Scenic helicopter flights are optional extras at additional cost.
How are the Kimberley destinations accessed?
Coral Adventurer is a small expedition ship. Most Kimberley sites are explored via tender boats (Xplorer and Zodiac inflatable vessels) launched from the ship. Some activities, such as the helicopter flight to Mitchell Falls, are optional paid upgrades.
What kind of accommodation is provided?
Aboard The Ghan, travellers stay in rail cabins for 3 nights. In Darwin, accommodation is at the DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin for 1 night. Aboard Coral Adventurer, cabins are on the Promenade Deck (Gold and Platinum tiers available).
When do departures run?
Departures are scheduled April through August 2027, with five sailing dates across those months. Advance purchase prices begin at AUD 18,390.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The itinerary includes full-day off-train experiences in the Flinders Ranges and at multiple Kimberley sites. Tender boat operations and guided walks at rock art galleries and waterfalls require moderate mobility. Helicopter flights are optional alternatives for those preferring reduced walking.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is escorted. Off-train experience hosts guide activities on The Ghan, and an expedition team leads activities aboard Coral Adventurer.

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