THE KIMBERLEY COAST 5-STAR EXPEDITIONS 4 DEPARTURES: JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2017 THE KIMBERLEY, Western Australia. This wild land of spectacular scenery is one of the world’s last great Wilderness areas. At 424,517km², it is twice the size of Victoria, two-thirds the size of France, yet there is only one sealed road traversing the region… It is an ancient land built on 1.8 billion year old sandstone that has been uplifted, contorted and eroded to form spectacular gorges, desolate mountains and magnificent waterfalls. Here is a living indigenous culture dating back more than 40,000 years, and Australia’s oldest rock art galleries contained within the rocky outcrops. The isolated coastline boasts more than 2,633 islands, extensive mangrove forests, wild rivers and important seabird breeding colonies. It is a national biodiversity hotspot listed in the top 3.7% of least impacted marine environments worldwide. YOUR COMPLETE KIMBERLEY EXPEDITION WITH PONANT • Experience a refined adventure on board L’Austral, 132 staterooms & suites, 95% with private balcony: French lifestyle, unique comfort & service, Open Bar, Sophisticated Cuisine & Fine Wines, and the facilities of a 5-star yacht including a pool • Join our highly qualified local expedition team • Enjoy regular Zodiac® outings & shore visits to get close to Kimberley nature • Discover billions of years-old landscapes & ancient rock art • Listen to stories of the dreamtime from the oldest continuous culture on the planet • Explore pristine mangrove environments, home to the world’s largest living reptile • Witness unique tidal phenomena such as the Horizontal Falls • Encounter the world’s largest population of migrating humpback whales • Travel on the most environmentally sustainable vessel in the region, certified “Green ship” YOUR EXPEDITION TEAM MICK FOGG, DARRIN Each voyage is accompanied by 12 EXPEDITION BENNETT Expedition Guides. Travelling with a LEADER team of renowned anthropologists, marine biologists, historians, As an award-winning Darrin has spent over botanists, geologists, naturalists wildlife photographer 15 years working in and ornithologists, enables you to and adventurer, Mick has spent the Lands, Parks & Wildlife Management gain a greater understanding of the past 17 years leading expeditions and in NT. He worked as an Ecotourism destination, for a rewarding and photographing some of the world’s Officer & Guide at the famous El Questro memorable experience. Selected for most remote destinations from Wilderness Park in WA and and as a key their knowledge and expertise, they Antarctica to South East Asia. He has Expedition team member, leading groups enhance your experience on board contributed to articles on the Kimberley throughout many tropical and temperate and in the field, providing fascinating to newspapers and magazines around regions but nowhere draws him back lectures and valuable insight into the the world. His photographs have been like the Kimberley. He says “There is no Kimberley culture, history and wildlife. published in a long list of travel and place like it. The isolation of this ancient Each journey is different, planned daily natural history publications. Mick landscape re-energizes the mind, by the Expedition team and ship’s joined PONANT in 2014 as Expedition body and soul. Incredible geological Captain to take advantage of the local Manager Asia Pacific, bringing his years landscapes, beautiful turquoise waters, conditions. Accompanied by our regional of experience in itinerary design and iron stained sandstone, tidal movement, experts, enjoy regular commentated operation. Having led more than 120 amazing flora and fauna, incredible rock Zodiac outings and discover the expeditions through the Kimberley, he art… That is what the Kimberley means Kimberley hidden treasures. will be the perfect Expedition Leader. to me.” MARK MARK BRAD “HARRY” WATSON SIVIOUR CHRISTENSEN Harry is a Marine Mark has been Brad gained degrees in Biologist with extensive working as a Naturalist both Marine Biology and experience in educating people about & Field Guide for more than 20 years. Ecotourism and has since been working Indo-Pacific Coral Reef biodiversity. After watching a Malcom Douglass as a naturalist, guiding people through For over 25 years, he has provided documentary on the Kimberley, he some of the most remote regions on the educational programs to visitors in packed his bags, landing a job as a planet. 4 years ago, he joined the world of many regions including the Kimberley, Ranger at El Questro Wilderness Park. Expedition cruising as a naturalist, lecturer and also led several Expeditions in this He immediately loved the rugged rusty and marine biologist in many regions area. His passion is based on watching ranges and the wildlife the Kimberley including the Kimberley. Brad enjoys Malcolm Douglas adventures throughout offers. He also worked on the pearl passing on his extensive knowledge to this rugged & remote coastline. He says farms along the Kimberley coast and as guests about the Kimberley’s abundant “I love the contrast of the red colour of an Adventure Guide, leading exclusive wildlife, dramatic landscape and ancient Kimberley sandstone, the greens tours to inland gorges looking for extraordinary tidal changes. He says “The of the woodlands & mangroves, all set ancient rock art. Mark looks forward diversity there is incredible, every voyage upon cloudless blue skies. It gets into to sharing his experience, passion and brings something new. My favourite place: your blood. When I am in the Kimberley, I knowledge of this vast land, with all of King George River, its ruby sunsets, rugged am at home; when not, I crave to return.” PONANT guests. cliffs and unique wildlife.” L’Austral : 132 staterooms & suites RA DIT Arafura Sea TU LIS PE IO A T X N CHAIRMAN N E DARWIN CRUISE - August 12th Vansittart Bay Koolama Bay and King George River & Falls Scouting the Kimberley by Timor Sea Swift Bay helicopter and sea plane in Hunter River & Mitchell Falls 2004 is as vivid as the memory of operating Freshwater Cove the first Luxury Expedition Cruise into this Buccaneer archipelago Montgomery Reef magnificent part of Australia in 2005. I am AUSTRALIA The Lacepede Islands excited to be travelling back to one of the Talbot Bay and Horizontal Falls most pristine wilderness areas on this BROOME planet, with many new ports to explore and discover. Doing this with friends makes it just that more exciting. We have specifically Iconic Kimberley Jewels of the Kimberley included new destinations like Freshwater DARWIN • BROOME DARWIN • DARWIN Cove, Swift Bay, and Koolama Bay along 3 DEPARTURES: JULY 3RD AND 23RD - AUGUST 12TH 2017 DEPARTURE: SEPTEMBER 1ST 2017 with our favourites - Vansittart, Hunter River, Lacepedes, Montgomery Reef, Horizontal EXPEDITION CRUISE: 11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS EXPEDITION CRUISE: 11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS Falls, King George Falls. Naturally, we will DAY ITINERARY ARRIVAL DEPARTURE DAY ITINERARY ARRIVAL DEPARTURE have a few surprises along the way, and 1 Darwin 1 Darwin if time permits, I hope you can join us at a Embarkation from 16.00 to 17.00 18.00 Embarkation from 15.00 to 16.00 16.30 gala event in Darwin the night before we Koolama Bay and King George River 2 2-3 Vansittart Bay depart. As an Australian, I feel so proud of & Falls 3 Hunter River & Mitchell Falls 4 Vansittart Bay 4 Freshwater Cove the Kimberley region, and being able to 5 Hunter River & Mitchell Falls 5 The Lacepede Islands share this with as many people as possible, 6 Freshwater Cove 6 Montgomery Reef knowing that we do so responsibly, with 7 Montgomery Reef 7 Talbot Bay and Horizontal Falls the utmost of marine, environmental and 8 Talbot Bay and Horizontal Falls 8 Swift Bay technical capability and know how. Come 9 Buccaneer archipelago Koolama Bay and King George River 9-10 10 The Lacepede Islands & Falls join me and re-live, or experience for the 11 Broome Disembarkation. 08.00 11 Darwin Disembarkation. 08.00 first time, this ancient land. Our Kimberley voyages are true expeditions, where each day’s stops and activities will be determined by the Expedition Leader Sarina Bratton AM and Captain taking into account the tide, weather and sea conditions. Chairman Asia Pacific T BO T BO AN N AN N N U N U O S O S P P Up to Up to PRICE LIST IN AUD PP* -30% PRICE LIST IN AUD PP* -30% CRUISE (10 nights on board) CRUISE (10 nights on board) Superior Stateroom 8 550 5 980 Superior Stateroom 8 550 5 980 Deluxe Stateroom 9 230 6 460 Deluxe Stateroom 9 230 6 460 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4 9 970 6 980 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4 9 970 6 980 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5 10 270 7 180 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5 10 270 7 180 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6 10 580 7 400 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6 10 580 7 400 Deluxe Suite 14 810 10 370 Deluxe Suite 14 810 10 370 Prestige Suite - Deck 5 20 540 14 370 Prestige Suite - Deck 5 20 540 14 370 Prestige Suite - Deck 6 21 160 14 810 Prestige Suite - Deck 6 21 160 14 810 Owner Suite 22 640 22 640 Owner Suite 22 640 22 640 3rd adult Passenger in a Superior Stateroom 4 270 2 990 3rd adult Passenger in a Superior Stateroom 4 270 2 990 3rd and 4th adult Passenger in a Prestige Suite 10 270 7 180 3rd and 4th adult Passenger in a Prestige Suite 10 270 7 180 One Child (8-11 years old) (1) - One Child (8-11 years old) (1) - Individual stateroom rate Consult us Individual stateroom rate Consult us Additional safety and port taxes 780 Additional safety and port taxes 780 * The Ponant Bonus is subject to availability and can change without notice. Details on pricing and conditions available on www.ponant.com.