MV Great Escape: Northern Gorges

7 or 8 Day Cruise

MV Great Escape is a 26 metre, custom built, fully air-conditioned catamaran perfect for cruising the Kimberley Coast in comfort and style. With only 7 cabins available and a crew of 5, guests will experience small, intimate cruises. MV Great Escape now boasts an on-board chopper to give guests the option of thrilling scenic heli-flights!

A specially designed 8-person spa is located on the bow, the perfect place to enjoy an ice-cold beverage and a spectacular Kimberley sunset.

The Great Escape operates 3x 5m tenders enabling variety and personalisation. State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, games and extensive book libraries are available to guests.

Cruise Details

This cruise covers the best of the northern Kimberley Coast between Wyndham and the Mitchell Plateau. You can choose to cruise from north to south (6 nights), or in reverse (7 nights). The Northern Kimberley coast is BIG gorge country, the landscape is grand and regal often referred to as the Kings of the Kimberley. Highlights include the spectacular Berkeley River, secluded Atlantis Bay , the magnificent King George River and Twin Falls, fishing for the elusive barramundi on the Drysdale River, and a scenic helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls.

Reverse Destination Option Available

Related Cruises

Accommodation

All cabins have private bathrooms (toilet, shower, basin) with another 2 bathrooms located on the main deck. Each cabin has modern state-of-the art facilities, including plasma screen TVs and DVD players.

Horizon View Stateroom
Panoramic View Stateroom

Horizon View Stateroom

All on Lower Deck
Private bathroom (toilet, shower, basin)
2x very large Portholes
Plasma screen TV, DVD player
2 of these Staterooms can convert from Double bedding to Twin bedding

*Please note: You can request to have a particular cabin number. Cabins are allocated on booking, but only confirmed 30 days prior to travel. Room Request allocations are not guaranteed.

Panoramic View Stateroom

Main Deck and Upper Deck
Viewing Windows
Private bathroom (toilet, shower, basin)
Plasma screen TV, DVD player
Double beds can convert to singles if needed

*Please note: You can request to have a particular cabin number. Cabins are allocated on booking, but only confirmed 30 days prior to travel. Room Request allocations are not guaranteed.

Cuisine

Great Escape has an onboard chef whose culinary skills are consistently praised by guests. All meals are five star quality and only fresh produce is used. Special dietary needs can easily be accommodated. Please discuss any special requirements with us. Water is taken out in the tenders along with soft drinks (and beer if required) on ice in the eskies on every excursions.

Destination : Wyndham
Departure : Mitchell Plateau

Included:

Accommodation
Non-alcoholic beverages
Shore excursions by tender boat
Meals
National park fees
Non-alcoholic beverages
Coffee & tea

Not Included:

Alcoholic beverages
Flights to/from your cruise
Optional extra helicopter flights

Wyndham to Berkeley River

Your crew will welcome you aboard around 5:00pm at the Wyndham Jetty with drinks and canapés, before we set off for the spectacular Berkeley River. Dinner will be served underway and then you’ll have the rest of the evening to settle into your cabin, familiarize yourself with the boat, and relax.
Berkeley River

The Berkeley River is a stunning river system that offers a wide variety of soft adventure options, including nature walks and swimming in fresh water pools. You’ll also have the opportunity to dangle your line and possibly catch that elusive 50-pounder barramundi, before enjoying a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we’ll cruise back down the river and anchor just outside the mouth for the late afternoon.
Atlantis Bay, Whiskey Creek

Start the day with a sumptuous breakfast as we cruise to the secluded Atlantis Bay. Here we’ll go ashore for a quick walk to a lovely waterhole, or perhaps take a leisurely stroll along the beach. We’ll then head toward Cape Whiskey and Whiskey Creek where we can go fishing on the low tide. In the afternoon, we’ll cruise to the magnificent King George River and set anchor for the night.
King George Falls

Your backdrop for breakfast will be cathedral-like gorges as we cruise down the magnificent King George River. Your vessel will be driven right up to the cascading waterfalls and you can take a shower right on the bow of the boat. We’ll then spend the day trekking, exploring and enjoying all the fantastic scenery this river has to offer.
Drysdale River

We’ll kick things off with a fishing excursion to organise the daily lunch buffet. We target a variety of pelagic species here, including giant trevally, queenfish, tuna and mackerel. There are also a few places to pick up a mangrove jack, fingermark or bluebone as well. We’ll then cool off with a quick swim before trekking over to view the mysterious Bradshaw ancient rock art galleries. Back aboard the boat, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous fresh lunch as we cruise into the cove to explore a crashed World War II DC3 plane. In the evening, we’ll cruise around Cape Bougainville to the mighty Mitchell River.
Mitchell River

This open estuary river is the perfect hunting ground for the elusive barramundi. We’ll also take the opportunity to drop some mud crab pots, before kicking back to have a bite to eat. After lunch, we’ll head off to Surveyors Creek, which is a pretty little gorge about halfway down the Mitchell River where you can enjoy a swim in a huge waterhole. We’ll then stay at anchor tonight on the Mitchell River ahead of the next morning’s transfers.
Berkeley River

This spectacular river system offers a wide variety of entertainment options. Following a leisurely cruise through the sandstone cliffs, you can head off for a nature walk and then cool off in a beautiful fresh water pool. When the tide is right there’s also the opportunity for a spot of fishing, before enjoying a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we’ll move back down the river and anchor just outside the mouth of the river. This is a chance for a last-minute fish, a sunset wallow in another freshwater lagoon, or to just kick back and relax on the deck. We’ll then depart the Berkeley River for a 7-hour cruise down the Cambridge Gulf to Wyndham port.
Fly from Mitchell Falls to Kununurra

Today you’ll be transferred from the boat via helicopter over the picturesque Mitchell Falls to the Mitchell airstrip. Here you’ll be greeted by a fixed-wing aircraft that will fly you back to Kununurra airport.

Special Offer! El Questro $199pp (Usually $725pp)

El Questro day tour for $199 per person! Your guide will drive you to Great Escape at Wyndham port with a personal 4wd tour of El Questro wilderness park. Soak in Zebedee thermal springs, enjoy a delicious lunch at Emma Gorge Resort, then (if you’re feeling up for it) enjoy a guided walk to stunning Emma Gorge. Option for a pre-cruise overnight at ELQ – please enquire.

Prices

2023

Staterooms	6 Nights	7 Nights
Horizon View Stateroom (Twin Share)	$11,620 pp	$13,465 pp
Panoramic View Stateroom (Twin Share)	$13,363 pp	$15,485 pp
Exclusive Charter	Please enquire	Please enquire

2024

Single travellers: Double per person rate and deduct 20% (sole use).
(Costs are dependant on total numbers for air transfers and may vary)

Cruise Dates

2023 and 2024

31 Mar – 09 Apr 2023	Broome – Wyndham
10 – 16 Apr 2023	Wyndham – Mitchell Plateau
16 – 23 Apr 2023	Mitchell Plateau – Wyndham
24 – 30 Apr 2023	Wyndham – Mitchell Plateau
22 – 28 May 2023	Wyndham – Mitchell Plateau

2024

30 Mar – 5 Apr 2024	Wyndham-Broome
5 – 12 Apr 2024	Mitchell Plateau- Wyndham
13 – 19 Apr 2024	Wyndham- Mitchell Plateau
19 – 26 Apr 2024	Mitchell Plateau- Wyndham
27 Apr – 3 May 2024	Wyndham – Mitchell Plateau