I’m a very definite maybe……… well maybe just a maybe. In case it’s not apparent I’m not good at setting rigid plans, I’d rather have general idea and let things work themselves out but the Kimberly is the focus of the trip.

Depending on work and how fast we travel we will leave from Brisbane April-ish, I’d like to have a good look around, I expect we will probably make Darwin and leave it there for the wet then come back in 2020 and continue a slow trip anticlockwise,  lots of time in the Kimberly and a run out to Rowley Shoals.

Dave

Hi, we are planning to leave Fremantle May 2019 and make our way North to spend 2~3 months in the Kimberley. May push on to Darwin for the wet or try west to east crossing to Queensland.

will update as plans become firmer…..Dave & Fonny

From Perth – We are planning to leave either Carnarvon or Exmouth around the 1st of May 2019 making our way North, and probably departing Broome around the end of May, spending the majority of time in the Kimberley and planning to be in Darwin around September 2019.

Will also update as plans become firmer….. Craig & Putu

SV Sirocco

Fountaine Pajot Athena 38 – Catamaran

• This reply was modified 5 years, 9 months ago by test777.

1. Hi we are planning our first trip north to Kimberley’s 2019 slowly making our way north. Leaving about mid march for some time at Abrolhos ,shark bay ,Ningaloo etc and hopefully in Broome late June and Darwin October .Boat will stay there until heading east to FNQ when safe to do so 2020.

Exact dates will be known early 2019 .Paul &Rose SV Arabella 45 leopard .

We’re a 6.5m trailer boat so not exactly “saling” – but I hope you will still talk to us regardless 😉 We’re thinking we’ll be launching from Derby around 24th of June and returning on about 15th July. This will be our first time on the water in the area. Hope to make it as far north as the Sale river.

There will be two boat – ours, “Skull Drag’n” and another boat “Bundy Runner”.

Party will be 4 adults and 2 kids (14 & 12).

Nat

We have a tentative plan to undertake our 5th Kimberley visit in 2019 from Airlie Beach Central Qld in our Nordhavn 57 M.V. COMMANDER. Nordhavns are displacement power boats so we will average about 8 knots. At this moment just Marilyn and myself on board and our two dogs. We will generally day sail from Airlie to the top of Cape York then continuous run to Gove. Weather will influence our travel time as our boating is for pleasure not an endurance trial. There are a few boats on the east coast that have expressed a desire to cruise with us but nothing firm as yet. We would like to return to Airlie late 2019 – weather permitting. I sincerely trust the numerous shore side fires ( supposedly controlled burn offs) have ended since during our last Kimberley visit in Commander in 2015 the offshore smoke right across the top end and north of JGB was intolerable.

Hi any body know of an insurance company that covers you in cyclone season north of 26 parallel

Paul Rose Arabella

Planning our First Time Kimberley trip. Ketch, cutter rigged steel Mauritius 43 drawing 1.8m. Two of us plus the dog.

Roughly leaving Perth in April 2019 and arriving in southern Queensland before December 2019. Like Paul & Rose on Arabella we are planning on spending some time in Abrolhos, Shark Bay, Ningaloo, Montebello Is on the way up.

Thank you everyone for your patience as I am sure we will have a 100 questions.

Cheers

Ian

2 Trailer boats 7.2 Preston Craft and 7.5 Oceanic, heading to derby on our first Kimberley Adventure.Arriving in Derby about the 23rd/ 24th July. Spending 3 weeks on the water and hopefully get as far as Doubtful Bay. We Would love as much information on safe anchorages and things to see and do.

Cheers

Glenn

We completed the first half of our maiden Kimberley Voyage in 2018 – we left Darwin on 01 May and arrived in Exmouth on 10 September. We had a wonderful 4+ months enjoying the magic of the Kimberley – my husband, myself and our two pet chooks we got for the voyage!

We are now spending time in Exmouth (working unfortunately) getting ready to head back to Darwin in the cruising season of 2020.  We look forward to catching up with the Northbound travellers as they pass through Exmouth.

Safe Travels All

Michelle, Dan and Spicks & Specks

Kildarra

Hi All

Myself and a mate are planning our first trip up the Kimberly Coast leaving from Broome or Derby from May 1 till May 28.

We havent been further North than Broome in the past and would welcome any advice regrading the trip. Fuel ( petrol ) , spots to visit , tides , route etc.

We would also consider buddying up with another boat if the opportunity is there .

We have planned on the trip taking 2 weeks Max and have the whole of May to adjust dates.

Cheers Dave

Hi, We are continuing our lap of Australia planning on being back in Freo for Xmas 2019. Will start heading north from Sunshine Coast, QLD in late March with an eye on the weather. Rough plan is Darwin in June/July and Exmouth by November. We are pretty keen to get out to Scott Reef on the way through. We are sailing on a Fountaine Pajot, Lipari 41. Its a cruising catamaran. Currently spending time cruising between Sunshine Coast and northern NSW.

Frank & Marianne

SV Barbarossa 1

• This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by Barbarossa.

We are planning to leave Mackay late April / early May 2019 and cruise around the top, have a re stock in Darwin and end up at Honeymoon Bay for the months of July and August or more. Then slowly cruise back to Darwin.

Hi

This is Russell&Vickie we are sailing to the kimberley this March/april 2019

on our 48′ crowther cat WILDTHING . Leaving Mindarie late March for the

Abrolhos,Sharkbay,Carnarvon and the Montebellos on the way

cheers Russell

Hi all,

Casuarina, Samantha and Moon Mist all leaving Port Douglas far North Queensland around 1st week of May 20019 heading to Darwin and onto the Kinderleys. Hope to meet up with you all.

Carl

Hi,

I will be taking my 6m centrecab, SeaCow, around the kimberly coast. Leaving Wyndham April 9th and arriving in Derby about a month later. If i can get the car and trailer transported by road otherwise i might go Wyndham to cassani island and back then go from derby up the coast and back. I’ll be traveling solo and I’m sure I’ll see some of you along the way.

Having trouble actually speaking to the right people at shorebarge and paspaly regarding fuel. I have left several messages and sent emails over the last month. I’ll keep trying unless someone has any advise?

Cheers,
Sean

Thanks Ross,

I will keep trying to contact them. It will be a minimum of 400L of ULP from both shorebarge in the Truscott area and Paspaley in the kuri bay area.

Thanks for the advise, I have a good idea of what I’m up against.

Cheers,Sean

Ross , is R&R currently sitting on the hard at Boatworks ?

I recall following that boat during its build blog , considered purchasing her last time she was up for sale , great boat

The Kimberley is a few years away for us unfortunately

• This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by SVDefino.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by SVDefino.

Hi,

we will be leaving Two Rocks in mid-April aboard Cosmic Drift , an 11m Schionning sailing cat, headed to Darwin by early July.  Stops include Abroholos, Shark Bay, Montebellos, Dampier, Broome, Kimberley’s.

This is our first major adventure.  The boat has outboard motors so we too have the problem of finding/carrying enough ULP for the Kimberley section. Hoping that someone may want to do a joint order with us???  Our email is cosmicdrift@outlook.com.au

Cheers

Liz & Mike

Hi, we are heading up to Broome and then on to the Kimberley mid April. Leaving from Perth. we have a Lagoon 470 thats looking forward to leaving the jetty.

does anyone have any insurance company advice, as i have had a bad run out of Pantanius.

Regards Cliff

Greetings Ross, hope to shack your hand on the 4th.July, Palm Is, to Thankyou for this CLUB, absolutely brilliant work. I’m a new member, joined today, and haven’t put the iPad down since. Our mod of transport is a Schionning Wildness 1100, the good SV “Cetacea”. Other aim, is to weigh anchor on the 5th April, out of Mangles Bay Rockingham, out of FSC 7th then to the annual party. Party Party Party people, hope to bump into at the right time of day…..back to Uncle Dans again. Cheers

Annabel, Paul and Rose great to see your “Living the Dream”, where are you? Please.

Hi Colin this is rose and Paul on the Arabella,
Were at the port Denison marina until Saturday 30th March and heading over to the Abrolhos for a couple of weeks. We were really happy with the sail up here and look forward to the next leg of our trip.

Terrific thank you Rose, with a high degree of probability, we’ll meet in the Abrolhos, cheers.

Hi Ross, Thanks for the great site enjoy to meet up at your place.

We are planing to leave in company from Wyndham around early June then down to Derby around end September this winter 19. Busy getting set up with fuel food and spare parts. Look forward to catching the some of boats as we pass.

We are planning to sail from Darwin to the Berkeley River in early May 2019, if the weather lets us. We have SV Red Knot, a 40ft Dephia which draws 2.2m

Latest information about the entrance to the Berkeley would be greatly appreciated, we heard that last year it was a lot easier to get in & out of the entrance….

Bob & Shaz

Cullen Bay Marina

Thanks for the updates Ross,

I look forward to getting the latest Berkeley depths and waypoints if you get a chance.

We went to KG last June and only had about 300mm clearance at the shallowest point close to high tide. It was so beautiful to have the yacht in the gorge for a few days

Shaz

We are heading north towards the end of April, via the Abrolhas, Shark Bay, Exmouth and onto the Kimberleys.  Plan to be heading to the Kimberleys in June and will return to Exmouth area by September.   Boat is called Ngalla Maya and will have two of us onboard. First time to the Kimberley region.

Giday ross dave and marcia s v Spiritofsherry after our 3rd attempt we finally made it 10 nm out cape leveque migjt catch up at beach party regards dave stuart

So far so good had a few rough days and night from Perth to Dirk Hartog, then only 6hrs wind from Carnarvon. We are at Tandabidi fishing until wind picks up.

Could not ask for better weather ! Just wind.

Regards Cliff

Hi there!  I’m a new member and joined as my partner and I have a strong desire to do some cruising along the Kimberley coast in our 21ft GRP cuddy.

It’s  early days yet and have not made any definitive plans as to exactly when we want go, but are just researching and gathering information at this stage.

Although I am fairly familiar with the Kimberley having spent 4 years working in mineral exploration and mining up there, I’m not too familiar with the waters. I have done a lot of 4WDing and camping in the area, just no boating.

Some of the challenges and questions that immediately come to mind are;

1. suitability of my boat – fibreglass, 21ft half cabin/cuddy. 210 litre fuel tank (considering having a custom made   fuel bladder made to fit the kill tank)
2. range – rough average fuel economy 1 kilometre per litre
3. security for car and trailer while away
4. Tides and currents
5. obtaining fresh water – 20 litre onboard tank
6. cost!  Particularly in relation to fuel drops. Can imagine there would be an understandable high premium to pay for the convenience
7. inexperience with the waters and local conditions.

There are many other things to consider (communications, reserve power supply, provisions etc, etc) but  I am hoping that with the help of guidance and assistance from KCCYC members my partner and I can turn this idea into a reality.

So, ANY information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Andrew & Masayo

Hi

I’ve just joined as we are heading up to the Kimberley’s from Fremantle in our 48ft Ron Given Catermaran “Playground”. Leaving early June and taking about 4 weeks to get there then a month or so up there before the return home mid August. Planning in full swing now!

Cheers Greg

Update for Spot On, we are currently anchored at Horn Island and will head off across the Gulf midweek, the weather is supposed be on our side with a full moon. we plan to drop into Gove then head to Darwin. After a big stock up we will cruise to the Kimberley catching up with friends and family at Honeymoon Bay WA.
Hope to catch up with others enjoying this beautiful part of our country,
Steve and Stephanie

Apoligises to you Ross and the rest, we want make the 4th July party, but will if it goes on for a month or so. The Beastly Easterlies and the inclination to having a good look around have slowed the progress. Presently “stocking up” at Dampier (26th), with favourable winds forecast from Friday to make Broome, fingers crossed. Cheers to you all.

Hi all, just letting you know that the bar at Cockatoo island is open and resort is also in low key operation. Dog leg creek fuel barge was out of action so Cockatoo island jetty was pumping fuel. We stopped for fuel and went up for some refreshments, and ended up at the bar. Staff are helpful and friendly, call them on channel 16 with regards to tidal height for fuel access.

Regards Cliff

Hi, Jamie and Ned McCall are sailing 7m Simpson Catamaran Marlyall through the Kimberley leaving Darwin around 12th July. Be great to catch up with any Kimberley sailors before we leave. Jamie is on 0457 572 139. Just arrived from Cairns today.

Hi everyone,

We are about to bring our Voyage 500 sailing catamaran from Perth to Darwin.  Hoping to leave Hillarys on Sunday 15th or Monday 16th September, and expecting to be entering the Kimberleys at the beginning of October.  Planning to be home in Cullen Bay by around 10th October.  This is a delivery trip so we don’t have lots of time, but hope to get in a few stops at iconic places along the way.

Does anyone use OpenCPN .kap files for the Kimberley coast?

Tam and Dee Little

SV Oceaneer

Greetings all,

‘Opal Lady’ (43′ Nordhavn passagemaker) got a much later start than we hoped for (sorry we missed the party).  We are in Exmouth heading to the Montebellos, Broome and then hope to cruise the Kimberley coast to Darwin.  We keep the AIS on when travelling, feel free to call if you see us on your screen.

Susan and Peter

Hi Ross,

Thanks for your reply. Currently passing the Montebellos towards the Rowley Shoals.

Yes, we are interested if others use them because have only been able to find the King George available online.  We have Open CPN (as well as Navionics) and would use .kap files for the Rowley Shoals, and Broome to Darwin, if anyone has them available to share.

Cheers,

Tam and Dee 🙂

Thanks for your advice Ross.  We have just purchased new Navionics charts so it’s good to know they are reasonably accurate.  We’ll be watching out for rocks!

Thanks for such a helpful forum and informative website.

Cheers,

Tam and Dee

SV Oceaneer