Orion Kimberley Expedition

Zodiac adventures, theatre lectures, fishing, art sites, gorges, helicopter flights, fast boats, food, dancing, captains cocktails, champagne – so much happening onboard every day!

by Marlene Nolan

All aboard for a 5pm departure from Darwin Harbour with Orion Expedition Cruises for my much-anticipated trip along the coast line from Darwin to Broome. Drinks were served on the sun deck as we quietly slipped away from Darwin with the most stunning sunset and all the excitement of our 10 night voyage ahead of us.

The Orion is the most magnificent cruise vessel; maximum guests are 106 with no less than 75 staff! Hotel Manager, Staff Captain, Chief Purser, Expedition Leader, Expedition Administrator, Executive Chef, Maitre D’Hotel, Bar Manager, and of course the Captain together with their teams make this a wonderful experience and you are absolutely spoiled rotten.

My favourite mooring was the Hunter River where we took a zodiac to the beach and caught a helicopter flight up to Mitchell Falls. We flew over the vast Kimberley Plateau to Mitchell Falls, on the approach we circled around the falls giving us spectacular views from all angles. We hiked, swam in the river and soaked in the natural beauty in this massive canyon. The flight back was even more stunning as the sea was a mill pond and gave us the most spectacular view of our 5 star floating hotel (The Orion) awaiting our return from the wilds!

So much happening every day onboard the ship – we did absolutely everything there was to do, zodiac adventures sometimes twice a day, theatre lectures, fishing, art sites, gorges, helicopter, fast boats, food, food and more food, dancing, captains cocktails, champagne, champagne, champagne – even at the bottom of King Gorge Falls served with a ham and cheese croissant no less!

Take particular note of my BIG fish – golden snapper – wonderful!

This was my first cruise – I feel like I chose well and now I have spoiled myself I will travel again on the magical Orion.

I’ll let the photos do most of the talking – but this is only the beginning!

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