45-Day Kimberley Expedition, Indonesia & Papua New Guinea

Broome, a coastal town in Western Australia, is famous for its stunning beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture. Located on the Indian Ocean, it boasts Cable Beach, known for its white sand, turquoise waters, and iconic camel rides at sunset. Once a pearling hub, Broome retains its multicultural heritage, reflected in its cuisine and architecture. The town is also the gateway to the Kimberley region, offering breathtaking landscapes and unique natural attractions like the Staircase to the Moon. With warm weather year-round and a laid-back atmosphere, Broome is a perfect destination for adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences.

Talbot Bay is a remote and spectacular coastal bay located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Known for its dramatic scenery and powerful natural phenomena, it is one of the most unique and visually striking destinations in Australia.

The bay is famous for the Horizontal Falls, a rare natural wonder created by massive tidal movements forcing seawater through narrow gaps between coastal cliffs. This creates the illusion of horizontal waterfalls, with rushing water forming intense currents and whirlpools.

Surrounded by rugged red cliffs, turquoise waters, and untouched wilderness, Talbot Bay is accessible mainly by boat or seaplane, adding to its sense of isolation and adventure. Visitors often explore the area through guided tours, boat rides, or scenic flights.

With its raw natural beauty, powerful tides, and remote setting, Talbot Bay offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking adventure and one of Australia’s most extraordinary coastal landscapes.

Talbot Bay is a remote and spectacular coastal bay located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Known for its dramatic scenery and powerful natural phenomena, it is one of the most unique and visually striking destinations in Australia.

The bay is famous for the Horizontal Falls, a rare natural wonder created by massive tidal movements forcing seawater through narrow gaps between coastal cliffs. This creates the illusion of horizontal waterfalls, with rushing water forming intense currents and whirlpools.

Surrounded by rugged red cliffs, turquoise waters, and untouched wilderness, Talbot Bay is accessible mainly by boat or seaplane, adding to its sense of isolation and adventure. Visitors often explore the area through guided tours, boat rides, or scenic flights.

With its raw natural beauty, powerful tides, and remote setting, Talbot Bay offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking adventure and one of Australia’s most extraordinary coastal landscapes.

Montgomery Reef is one of the largest inshore reefs in the world, located off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia. Covering an area of over 300 square kilometers, it is a remarkable natural phenomenon shaped by some of the region’s largest tidal ranges.

What makes Montgomery Reef unique is its dramatic tidal movement. As the tide falls, vast sections of the reef rise above the sea, creating the illusion of a reef “emerging” from the ocean. Water cascades off the exposed coral platform like waterfalls, forming rushing streams and channels.

The reef is rich in marine life, including turtles, reef sharks, rays, and seabirds, making it an important ecological habitat. Visitors often explore the area by boat or scenic flight, where they can witness the shifting landscape and flowing water patterns.

Remote and largely untouched, Montgomery Reef offers a rare glimpse into the powerful natural forces of the Kimberley region, making it one of Australia’s most extraordinary and lesser-known природal wonders.

Freshwater Cove is a remote and culturally significant coastal inlet located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Surrounded by rugged cliffs, mangroves, and pristine wilderness, it offers a peaceful and untouched natural setting.

The area is best known as part of the traditional lands of the Worrorra Aboriginal people, who have lived in the region for thousands of years. Freshwater Cove is home to an Aboriginal community that welcomes visitors for cultural experiences, offering insight into ancient traditions, art, and connection to the land.

The landscape features tidal creeks, rich marine ecosystems, and opportunities to spot wildlife such as birds, fish, and crocodiles. Its isolation means it is usually accessed by expedition cruises or small boats, adding to its sense of exclusivity.

With its blend of natural beauty and deep cultural heritage, Freshwater Cove provides a unique opportunity to experience both the wilderness of the Kimberley and the living traditions of Indigenous Australia.

Ashmore Reef is a sanctuary for seabirds, shorebirds, marine turtles, dugongs, and many other marine species. Each year around 100,000 seabirds breed on Ashmore Reef including great knots, crested terns and white-tailed tropicbirds. The sanctuary zone provides the highest level of protection for wildlife.

Vansittart Bay is a beautifully protected large bay with several islands and coves. Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region. Mainly neglected by, or unknown to, the early European researchers of Aboriginal culture in the Kimberley in favour of the dominant & more dramatic Wandjina art, Gwion Gwion art has in recent years gained world prominence. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwion art galleries.

Darwin is the cultural hub of the continent’s northernmost region. The laid-back city got its name after the HMS Beagle sailed into the harbor during a surveying expedition in 1839. The famed naturalist Charles Darwin was so esteemed that its captain named this newest discovery for him. Today, it is the largest city in the thinly populated Northern Territory state. It boasts a rich and lively arts and culture scene, much of it centered on the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Its collection of art and artifacts reflects the region and its indigenous people.

Darwin is the cultural hub of the continent’s northernmost region. The laid-back city got its name after the HMS Beagle sailed into the harbor during a surveying expedition in 1839. The famed naturalist Charles Darwin was so esteemed that its captain named this newest discovery for him. Today, it is the largest city in the thinly populated Northern Territory state. It boasts a rich and lively arts and culture scene, much of it centered on the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Its collection of art and artifacts reflects the region and its indigenous people.

Ambon Island welcomes travelers to the historic "Spice Islands" through its bustling maritime heart at Pelabuhan Yos Soedarso Ambon, a port framed by dramatic green mountains and the deep blue waters of Ambon Bay. This vibrant hub offers a seamless entry into a world of colonial heritage and world-class diving, with the colorful markets and historic sites of Ambon City just moments away from the pier. The port serves as an inviting gateway to the island’s pristine white-sand beaches and the legendary nutmeg groves that once changed the course of global history.

Misool is one of the four main islands of Raja Ampat, located in West Papua, Indonesia, and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and biodiverse marine regions on Earth.

Characterized by dramatic limestone karst formations rising from crystal-clear turquoise waters, Misool offers breathtaking scenery both above and below the surface. Hidden lagoons, secluded beaches, and maze-like clusters of small islets create a surreal and untouched landscape.

The island lies within the Raja Ampat Marine Park, a global hotspot for marine biodiversity. Its waters are home to vibrant coral reefs, thousands of fish species, manta rays, reef sharks, and other extraordinary marine life, making it a world-class destination for diving and snorkeling.

Misool is also culturally significant, with ancient rock art sites found on some of its cliffs, offering a glimpse into early human history in the region.

Remote and carefully protected, Misool remains largely unspoiled, with eco-conscious tourism helping preserve its fragile ecosystems.

Mansuar Island is a tropical gem known for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. Located in the heart of Raja Ampat, it offers some of the world’s best snorkeling and diving, with frequent sightings of manta rays, reef sharks, and colorful schools of fish. Visitors enjoy pristine beaches, authentic Papuan hospitality, and unforgettable sunsets over untouched island scenery.

Only about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Indonesian border, Vanimo is the capital of the Sandaun (or Sundown) Province. It is one of only two towns in this remote region of Papua New Guinea. Although the Sepik River originates in the province, it bypasses Vanimo far to the south. The Sandaun Province is relatively undeveloped, but Vanimo has lovely beaches and some picturesque villages in the vicinity. The interior is covered in rainforest and logging is an important activity putting to use Vanimo's port and protected bay.

The volcanic island of Garove is part of the Witu Islands and once had a 5-kilometer-wide (3.1 miles) caldera. The island was historically used to produce copra and cocoa, and in fact, still is today. Most of the villages are located around the exterior of the volcano. Steep cliffs explain why there is only one area settled on the inside. A promontory at the entrance’s southwestern corner is taken up by the school and the catholic church of the village of Widu, the only village inside the caldera.

Rabaul, the former provincial capital, has quite a remarkable location. The town is inside the flooded caldera of a giant volcano and several sub-vents are still quite active today! The fumes of the volcano Tavurvur can be seen continually and the town suffered greatly during the last major eruption of 1994 when some 80% of the houses collapsed due to the ash raining down onto their roofs. Rabaul has a Volcano Observatory sitting atop the town’s center, monitoring the 14 active and 23 dormant volcanoes in Papua New Guinea. A small museum opposite the bunker used by Yamamoto during World War II shows exhibits relating to Rabaul’s local, German, Australian and Japanese past from the 19th century to Papua New Guinea’s independence in the 1970s.

Honiara is the capital city of the Solomon Islands on the north-western coast of Guadalcanal Island. It is the hub of all activity in the archipelago which has recently undergone an ‘urban boom’. Discover the cities beautiful landscapes and the significance of the city in the World War II.

Unlike Espiritu Santo with its raised coral reefs and white sand, Ambrym is a volcanically active island with dark sand beaches. Ambrym is known as the island of magic and is the source of five local languages that all evolved on Ambrym. This handful of languages contributes to the well over 100 languages of Vanuatu. Some of Ambrym’s magic takes place in the lush greenery of the local community of Ranon. Here the people perform a very special and traditional ‘Rom’ dance. Participants prepare their masks and costumes in secrecy and the dance is reserved for special occasions.

North of Nadi through sugarcane plantations and past the Sabeto Mountains is Lautoka, nicknamed the Sugar City for the local agriculture and its big processing mill. With a population of around 50,000, it's the only city besides Suva and, like the capital, has a pleasant waterfront. It's the sailing point for Blue Lagoon and Beachcomber Cruises but is otherwise unremarkable for tourists, itself having few hotels and fewer good restaurants. Locals recommend the city as a less-expensive place to shop for clothing, but note that it can take as long as 45 minutes to drive here. Legend has it that Lautoka acquired its name when two chiefs engaged in combat and one hit the other with a spear. He proclaimed "lau toka" (spear hit) and thus the future town was named.

Kadavu, the fourth largest of Fiji's islands, is a wild and rugged affair. Far enough from the rest of Fiji to fully retain its undeveloped, unspoiled, and irresistible allure, vertiginous slopes and sheer cliffs dominate this rainforest-clad island, ringed by coral-lined turquoise seas. A uniquely authentic, tropical island experience, Kadavu is just remote enough to ensure that its white sand beaches of lazy leaning palm trees are indulgently isolated and peaceful. Just offshore, the sweeping curve of the Great Astrolabe Reef softens the waves and shelters pristine sands. Dip into the mesmerizing underwater world of one of the planet's largest barrier reefs, where graceful manta rays glide by effortlessly, and light dances through crystal-clear waters. The reef hypnotizes snorkelers with a window into a biodiverse universe of bright hues, looking out for colorful damselfish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish among the hard corals and coral fans. Reef sharks slalom through the clear waters and dolphins and whales can also be viewed while visiting these shores in certain seasons. Relax on the beach or explore the hiking trails that wind through Kadavu's lush rainforest - trekking to the sounds of plunging waterfalls and rustling trees, with flashes of green and red as the island's famous parrots flutter overhead. Discover the remote beauty of this steep island, where villages and deep bays are linked by jungle paths and journeys in traditional sea canoes.

As part of the Southern Lau Group, Fulanga is one of Fiji’s easternmost islands. Fulanga has a large central lagoon with a 50-meter wide pass to the ocean on its northeastern side. The crescent-shaped raised limestone island is famous for its numerous islands, mushroom-shaped islets and many sandy beaches in the calm lagoon. Some 400 residents live in three small villages. The two villages of Muana-i-rai and Muana-i-cake are quite close together on the southern exterior side with a very narrow passage allowing access to the ocean, while Naividamu, the third village, is on the interior, i.e. lagoon side. Muana-i-cake is the main village and hosts the kindergarten and primary school, a post office and first aid station. Old-style houses made of corrugated iron are predominant with limited solar power for the odd refrigerator and television set. Although many islanders have left Fulanga to look for work in Suva, traditional crafts are still practiced by men and women. The weavers and carvers producing pandanus mats and wooden bowls for kava ceremonies are not only valued on Fulanga. Their products can leave on the monthly supply vessel and is highly sought after in Suva.

Nuku is a small tropical island to the west of the larger Kapa Island in the Tongan group. The vivid green vegetation of the low lying island is fringed by white sand beaches that were likely formed by centuries of bright white coral skeletons being eroded into sand grains by waves and time. Living coral reefs surround the tear-drop shaped island of Nuku with a kaleidoscope of color and diverse marine life.

Samoa is a group of ten islands located in the South Pacific. The tropical climate and volcanic landscape create a picturesque location for visitors to explore, together with the experience of Fa'a Samoa, the three thousand year old way of life on Samoa.

Even high praise like the 'world's most beautiful island' from Lonely Planet's co-founder, Tony Wheeler, won't prepare you for the intoxicating intensity of the coal blue ocean, the glow of the pure white sand, and the soothing ripple of the palm-tree forests at incredible Aitutaki. Breathless romance hangs thick in the air here, especially when a riot of purples, reds and oranges are spreading across the sky, accompanying the sun's descent each evening. It wasn't until 1789 that Europeans discovered this island haven, with the HMS Bounty's crew arriving, just a few weeks before a mutiny tore them apart. The Europeans were beaten to the islands, however, by the streamlined wooden canoes of the Polynesian settlers, who arrived around 900AD. While Western missionaries would eventually visit to spread Christianity to the island - evidenced by the white, coral-encrusted walls of the many churches - their efforts to repress the people’s deep love of communal singing and dancing ultimately failed, and music forms a key component of the islanders' culture to this day.The beaches here are flawless, and swaying in a hammock, suspended between leaning palm trees, as the ocean gently ruffles the sand nearby, feels gloriously indulgent. Aitutaki Lagoon is a huge aquamarine pool of water, alive with a kaleidoscopic swirl of tropical fish, which lurk just below the surface. You may even be lucky enough to spot turtles padding across the sand, scraping themselves towards the open ocean.The snorkelling opportunities here, and on One Foot Island - where you'll want to acquire the badge of honour of having your passport stamped with the island's iconic huge footprint - are sublime. Don't miss the tiny island of Moturakau either, which is crammed full of exotic birds and crabs, who have dominion over the island's tangled, jungle terrain. 

Known as the ‘Sacred Island,’ Raiatea is a fascinating haunt for archaeologists and historians as it's one of the islands in the Pacific where Polynesian culture can trace its roots. Visitors will find many of the older Polynesian structures still in place and are fascinating places to explore. In the 16th century, Raiatea developed a powerful cult dedicated to Oro the God of War, and built a large meeting ground, the Taputaputea Marae, which is still intact. Human sacrifice was practiced until around the middle of the 18th century and visitors should look for the sacrificial stone. Several tour operators run visits to the marae (ancient temples) along with some degree of informed commentary - although in fairness Polynesian storytelling can embellish things a little. The Faaroa River is the only navigable waterway in French Polynesia, and it can be traveled by powerboat or outrigger canoe. Running through the Faaroa Gorge it passes some spectacular scenery with steep-walled jungle foliage holding dozens of bird species and wild hibiscus. Trekking up Mount Temehani, a well-known landmark that's said to be Oro's birthplace, is relatively demanding. Keep a lookout for the rare, five-petal tiare apetahi. Said to be impossible to grow anywhere else, this white, indigenous flower can only be found above 1,300 feet (396 meters). Look, but don't touch. It's against the law to pick them.

Don’t be fooled by the vibe of this laid-back, secluded island. Many treasures are hidden among the lush rainforest and dramatic terrain. With a bit of exploration, you’ll uncover some of the best-preserved archeological sites in French Polynesia. Underwater treasures await as well, with a snorkel excursion in the lagoon.

Papeete will be your gateway to the tropical paradise of French Polynesia, where islands fringed with gorgeous beaches and turquoise ocean await to soothe the soul. This spirited city is the capital of French Polynesia, and serves as a superb base for onward exploration of Tahiti – an island of breathtaking landscapes and oceanic vistas. Wonderful lagoons of crisp, clear water beg to be snorkelled, stunning black beaches and blowholes pay tribute to the island's volcanic heritage, and lush green mountains beckon you inland on adventures, as you explore extraordinary Tahiti. Visit to relax inside picturesque stilted huts, which stand out over shimmering water, as you settle into the intoxicating rhythm of life, in this Polynesian paradise.