Exit Forum › Forums › Kimberley Coast Boating Forum. › General Interest › Boats Sailing to the Kimberley in 2022
- This topic has 51 replies, 21 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 8 months ago by Molly. This post has been viewed 3283 times
-
AuthorPosts
-
-
13/11/2021 at 3:27 pm #3593
If you’re planning a cruise to the Kimberley in 2022, use this topic to post a brief outline of your sailing plans. You can arrange to meet up with other vessels, cruise in company, ask questions, get info etc.
Hope to see you out there.
Ross
-
25/11/2021 at 5:23 pm #3600
Hi All
We are planning a trip ex Derby late April/early May next year for about a month. Going as far as Honeymoon Bay then back to Derby. After that will tackle King George and Berkeley from Wyndham for another week or so.
Myself and my wife are flying solo due to a late withdrawal from another boat.
We are in a bright blue 6.4m Stabicraft, ‘Blue Horizon’ If you are out there during this time look out for us and do come and say hi. Will post a picture, just waiting on some mods to be finished.
Have been plotting and planning for 18mths during covid so feel we are well prepared. And yes, in case you are wondering we do have remote experience…
The KCCYC site has been a gold mine of information, thanks so much to Ross and many others behind the scenes for providing such a valuable service.
If there are any other trailer boat folks planning or thinking about a trip next year do get in touch. We can swap notes and see if we have compatible plans and travel ideas.
Cheers
Ian and Mieneke Collins-
22/02/2022 at 9:06 am #3737
Me and two mates boating from Wyndham to Broome, planning to leaving Wyndham around 21st April 2022 , we are time poor and only allowing weeks on water.
We will be in a 8.5 Razorline with a 350hp.
Have just been in discussions with the different parties finalising fuel at Honeymoon bay, Kuri bay and dog leg creek and pretty much all sorted.
Cant wait to get amongst it and meet some of the other KCCYC Crew. Tight lines and cheers.
Paul C
-
-
30/11/2021 at 7:22 pm #3602
Greeting
Wife and I have plans to leave Perth in April 2022 and working our way up coast to Darwin taking in the sights along the way. We should be in the region around August with a view to make Darwin before the wet. Then next year going over the top with exploring the east coat for the next 3 to 4 of years. Full time live aboard flyin flyout still running my business….
Starting planning in detail over the next couple of month. Will create a thread when have more context.
More questions to follow while I get my head around some of the issues. Currently working on Insurance including cyclone plans, has anyone done there current plan for 2022? I feel I have to get the squared away first. I have a number of plans from a contact but they are commercial type and looking for a recreational example. Trying to keep it as simple as possible.
Membership is paid Thanks for the Merch. Looking forward to seeing you all next year. Thanks Ross and Co.
Contented Cruising
Alex and Catherine
-
02/12/2021 at 1:28 pm #3603
Hi Alex and Catherine,
If you are at sea in a cyclone area in the non cyclonic months (May – October), you shouldn’t need a cyclone plan for your insurance. My policy states that the vessel must be in a cyclone rated marina during a named cyclone. If you are leaving your boat in Darwin over the wet, there are 3 cyclone rated marinas. The norm in Darwin in the wet season, is not to sail any more than a few days away from the marina, so you can get back there quickly if a cyclone develops.
Check your policy carefully, as there are very few insurance companies that will insure private boats in northern waters, except when they are transiting through and not left unattended. Even then, its likely you will need to get the insurer’s written permission to go above the 26th parallel, and there may be strict conditions such as the vessel cannot be left unattended while moored, which usually includes moored in a marina.
Cheers, Ross.
-
04/04/2022 at 6:40 am #3786
Hi Alex and Catherine,
Are you on track for your planned April departure from Perth North? We are on our way on our anticlockwise circumnavigation having departed Port Stephens NSW in Jan and are now in Scarborough QLD awaiting the end of the official cyclone season. We have no particular schedule beyond ‘Fremantle by Christmas. Would love to read occasional updates from you if you get underway.
Our only problem at the moment is insurance cover for Northern Australia. Any advice from you or others most appreciated.Moderators: We have searched for previous items mentioning insurance. 15 items come up. Should we start a new thread about insurance or is this query OK. Thanks
Lindsay and Jacqueline
-
04/04/2022 at 12:18 pm #3790
Hi Lindsay and Jacqueline.
I suggest leaving the insurance question here. It will probably get more relevant views here.
Unless you can comply with the conditions placed on your policy by your current insurer for vessels up north, which could be things like not being able to leave the vessel unattended, (even in a marina), your best bet might be to reinsure the vessel with one of the very few insurers who do boat insurance in the NT. The 2 I am aware of are QBE and Pantaenius.
No doubt you will pay higher premiums and excesses, but the choices are very limited.
Cheers,
Ross
-
-
-
09/12/2021 at 12:53 pm #3700
Hi everyone;
I sailed my catamaran Sundowner from Paynesville on the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria from March 2021 up the east coast to Cullen Bay Marina in Darwin at the end of August. Spent September and October on land exploring Darwin and surrounds. My Seawind 1000 XL2 doesn’t have A/C and by the end of October I’d had enough of the heat and humidity and flew back home to Melbourne. I may regret that decision come time to sail to the Kimberley next May. I think I will be allowed to fly back to Darwin but I have no idea if WA Covid rules will be permit me to sail on down to Perth.
And worry number two is ULP fuel. My boat has twin outboard motors. I planned to take on 200L of ULP at McGowan Island camp. And another 200L at Dog Leg Creek. But McGowan Island fuel supply is no longer available and I have no back up plan. I have lots of time to explore the Kimberly so expected to use quite a lot of ULP (motoring, dinghy, water maker, generator). I would really appreciate any information on the plans for availability of ULP next season.
And, will we be permitted to go ashore at any interesting locations along the Kimberly Coast? Or will all permits be rejected as were all my requests for permits to go shore on the Arnhem Coast.
Robert
-
10/12/2021 at 12:11 pm #3701
Hi Robert, I have a similar problem. We live in Perth and our boat is at Cullen Bay. If the pollies do as they say, the state borders should all be open by February. I don’t foresee a problem with getting permits to go ashore in the KC. It’s easy enough to apply on line for both of the paid permit systems. The ALT free permit has an awkward on line app, but not impossible to navigate. You must get the ALT permit after the 2 paid permit systems, otherwise ALT wont issue their permit for the paid permit areas. Travellers probably wont be allowed into the remote communities, such as Kalumburu, which is not a problem, as its unlikely you will need to go there.
We did Darwin to Perth with G2G passes mid 2020 while the WA/NT border was closed. Police accepted time at sea as our 14 days quarantine when we got to Broome. The 2021 dry season had the WA/NT border open and a G2G pass was easy to get, and no quarantine. Hopefully 2022 dry will be the same.
Getting ULP might need a bit of pre-arranging by you, but not impossible. If you are looking for a 200 litre drum of ULP, start talking to Honeymoon Bay Camping Ground. They get drums of fuel delivered to them by road after the Gibb and Kalumburu roads open. (Usually around April/May). Also talk to Shore Barge in Darwin. They have a supply barge from Darwin to Truscott Air Base and Kalumburu every 2 weeks. They are probably your best bet. There should not be any problem getting ULP at Dog Leg Creek.
Paspaley Pearls in Vansittart Bay and Osborne Islands are an another option to get a 200 litre drum shipped out. Phone their Darwin office. Until further notice, their Kuri Bay operation is in a Covid Bubble and they will not have any contact with outsiders. That situation may have changed by the time you get there next year.
Cheers, Ross
- This reply was modified 2 years, 4 months ago by Ross.
-
-
10/12/2021 at 12:45 pm #3702
Ross;
What an encouraging and detailed reply. I thank you so much for going to the trouble of writing down all your thoughts and advice. I feel much more confident about plans for sailing the KC next year.
Robert
-
11/12/2021 at 10:08 am #3703
Hi Ross & Everyone here;
I don’t want to wear out my welcome but I have another question or two.
I’ve been on the ALT site and tried to match their site names with places on my route. There are many places I will anchor and perhaps go ashore that do not have a site name on the ALT “Places of Interest” list. Just to name two, Silver Gull Creek and Dog Leg Creek.
If I can arrange to re-fuel at West Bay do I need a permit for West Bay if I don’t need to go ashore?
Does my first draft list look reasonable or nuts? Have I missed key stops? Am I asking for to many permit locations? Am I asking to go to ‘no-go’ locations?
Berkeley River Falls/Gorge
King George Falls
Honeymoon Beach
McGowan Island
DC3 WWII crash site
Ngula (Jar Island) #2 South West
Freshwater Cove
Mitchell Estuary Upstream
Surveyors Creek
Wuuyuru (Bigge Island)
Wunbung-gu (Careening Bay) ‘Mermaid/Boab Tree’
Purulba Cave
Banjadoo (Camp Creek Falls)
Banjadoo (Rock Art)
Langgi
Ngumbirri (Raft Point)
Ngumbirri Cave (Art Site)
Robert
-
11/12/2021 at 11:30 am #3704
OK. Think I’ve got it.
On closer look, the application system says which locations require a permit, which don’t require a permit and which they will not permit access to.
The last 9 locations on my list (and Jar Is.) either don’t require a permit or no access is permitted to the location.
-
12/12/2021 at 12:28 pm #3706
Not all the KC coastline comes under the ALT control, therefore you don’t need an ALT permit in those areas. However, you may need a paid permit in non ALT areas. I suggest you wait until you are about to sail into the KC before getting permits, as last year there were several late changes to the permit systems, some due to Covid restrictions, some due to National Parks restrictions, others due to bureaucracy.
Cheers, Ross
-
-
12/12/2021 at 8:49 pm #3709
Hi All, 26 ‘ Macgregor trailer sailor looking at 5 to 6 weeks cruising from Broome to as far as Time / conditions allow in June . No set plans ,just happy to experience more of wonderland . Thankyou Ross for this website .
It really is a goldmine of Intel for a first timer.
Would like to catch up with anyone along the way
Widiasih
-
14/12/2021 at 5:05 pm #3710
We are hoping to spend around 3 months cruising in the Kimberley next year, departing Broome in mid May and travelling through to Darwin. This will be dependant on any regional travel restrictions imposed by the State Government – which we believe are highly likely after the WA state border is opened in February 2022. Given the very low vaccination rates in the Kimberley, and the local immune compromised aboriginal population, don’t be surprised if is not possible to cruise there next year. The Government has already flagged this possibility.
-
15/12/2021 at 5:58 am #3711
Hi Infinity skipper and crew;
Thanks for your thoughts.
My yacht is currently in Darwin. I don’t like the idea of attempting the sail upwind back to Victoria via the east coast and I’ve waited a long time to sail the Kimberley Coast. I’m 73 years old. I don’t want to spend all of 2022 in Darwin waiting in hope for permits in 2023. I feel I have to sail to Perth next season and if that means not going ashore anywhere in the Kimberley then sadly that’s what I’ll have to do. However, I will need to refuel with ULP. Hopefully from the Shorelands barge in West Bay and at Dog Leg Creek.
I agree there will probably be restrictions on entry to Aboriginal communities. And ‘cruising’ the area in the normal sense of going ashore to see the sights with an ALT permit and purchased visitor Passes from Wunambal Gaamera, Dambimangari and the Department of Parks & Wildlife may be restricted or not permitted at all.
I am very concerned about what I can do next year and I need to be sure I understand. Please tell me if you have a different opinion.
Robert
PS I sailed along the Arnhem Coast this year but not permitted ashore.
-
15/12/2021 at 8:52 am #3712
Hi Robert,
I believe it’s possible the State Government will ban travel to the whole Kimberley region – via the permit system or otherwise – but more likely they will just restrict entry to the communities. In fact the communities themselves can choose to close off to outside access. Kalumburu did this last season and have indicated they will remain closed next year.
In this case it would be possible to cruise the KC and land in most places, subject to other restrictions or limitations imposed by the land councils.
I believe we are unlikely to know about any restrictions until after the State borders open on 5th February so we won’t be applying for our permits until some time after then.
Does anyone else have a view or any insights into the issue?
Cheers, Andrew
-
-
16/12/2021 at 5:43 am #3714
Thanks Andrew;
You and Ross are correct.
I have information in an email from ALT lands Officer regarding ALPS permits saying that given my departure date from Darwin of start May, I should apply for ALPS permits at end of March / early April.
Robert
-
19/12/2021 at 4:57 am #3715
Hi Everyone,
We are presently in Sydney and planning to sail to Tasmania on La Boheme (Amel Super Maramu 2000) in January and then onwards to WA in March/April.
Hoping to get to the Kimberley in August/September. At this point we shall make a decision as to whether we head North to Indonesia are carry on to Darwin to sit out cyclone season.
-
31/12/2021 at 4:30 pm #3717
Loose ideas at the moment, do not dare to plan to far or too firmly.
However, ‘Anteater Blues’ is leaving from Port Geographe Bay circa late April for an Abrolhos holiday, then depending on the weather outlook, heading ASAP to Broome.
‘Anteater Blues’ is a big blue thing, cannot be missed, love to see any W.A. sailors along the way.
Kirk & Barbs and Pete
(Formerly Do-it) -
07/01/2022 at 1:27 pm #3720
How many vessels heading west from Darwin in April 2022? We are planning on departing early as possible in April for a brief 1 month tour, probably as far as Honeymoon Bay. Need to organise diesel, looking at scheduling a barge delivery bound for Kalumbaru . Anyone else interested in oredering some diesel or even ULP in drums?
- This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by Play Mate.
-
07/01/2022 at 6:54 pm #3722
G’day,You should check with Kalumburu,i heard on the radio that due to poor immunization rates they may restrict access for 2022,cheers steve
-
08/01/2022 at 6:55 am #3723
Yeah, I’ll organise to get fuel delivered by barge from Darwin, I’ve got a few contacts, just thought if there were any others wanting to do the same it would make sense to work together if possible.
-
12/01/2022 at 2:18 pm #3724
Hi Guys, You should be able to get bulk diesel and drums of ULP off Shore Barge when they come into West Bay and Kalumburu about every 2 weeks. You need to arrange it in advance.
However, WA govt just made the NT a Covid Extreme Risk today (12/1/22). Until that is lifted, I suggest any Darwin barge coming into WA waters will be under strict quarantine rules and allowed very limited contact with others, which may rule out fuel transfer at sea. Hopefully Covid rules will change by the dry season.
Ross
-
12/01/2022 at 2:25 pm #3725
Hi Ross, I see that – looks like it might be a quiet season in the Kimberley. More trips to Cobourg Peninsular coming up for 2022.
-
-
-
-
14/01/2022 at 9:31 am #3728
Hello fellow KCCYC members,
We will be sailing our 11m catamaran north in 2022 as far as the Prince Regent River or perhaps Prince Frederick Harbour. This will be our 7th Kimberley adventure and like previous trips we will spend June, July and August exploring the bays, rivers and creeks. We explored the east Kimberley when the boat was based in Darwin for a few years so focussed on the west Kimberley for now. Give us a call on the radio if you see us about.
Regards
Janie and Kevin
Sailcat ‘Sojourn’ -
14/01/2022 at 4:28 pm #3729
Hi all,
We will be leaving Exmouth 1st of May, fingers crossed, up to Wyndham n back, keenly watching the fuel situation and where we will be able to get it, like everyone else I guess, all depends on what happens when we open up on the 5th.
Amanda n Colin
Northern Spirit
50′ Key West
- This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by oceanspirit.
-
14/01/2022 at 9:11 pm #3731
Hi all
vickie and myself off the ‘Wild Thing’ 48’ sailing cat,will be planning to leave from Darwin for the Kimberley in the first week of April hope to catch up with some other boats on the way. Going as far as Rothesay water them returning to Darwin in August /September
Cheers
Russell and Vickie
WildThing
-
28/02/2022 at 11:59 am #3738
Hi All
We are planning our 11 day trip from Derby and going up as far as Horizontal Falls, taking my wife and 2 x teenage kids and will have another mate in his boat with wife and similar age kids.
Will be our first trip up that way and looking forward to all the sights and experiences and hopefully meet some of the crew up that way.
We plan to depart Derby boat ramp on Saturday July 3rd July.
7m Genesis Craft Islander Cab/Full Length Hardtop
300hp Mercury
Fuel: 450L main tank & 200L Bladder
200L Water Tank
“Repeat Offender”
Thanks
Chris
-
20/03/2022 at 1:24 pm #3757
Hi Everyone,
We are very nearly ready to depart Fremantle, and expect to be underway next week!!! We will spend some time in the Abrolhos Islands on the way North, and should be in Broome by mid May. From there we have about 3 months up our sleeves to cruise the Kimberley Coast and reach Darwin.
Looking at earlier posts it seems there are a couple of options to refuel en route through the Kimberley;
- Dog Leg Creek – which is too early in our trip to be much help, and
- Honeymoon Bay from a visiting fuel barge – can anyone please advise contact details so I can talk to someone to find out how this works and pre order if necessary
Can anyone also please advise if there are any public transport options in and out Honeymoon Pool which might allow a crew changeover there?
Lastly – will there be a KCCYC Beach Party this year? If so, whereabouts and when? Wed love to join in!!
Cheers Andrew and Donna
-
21/03/2022 at 3:41 pm #3758
Hi Andrew and Donna,
Check the weather next week. Not good.
For fuel options and contact details see https://kccyc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Fuel-in-the-Kimberley-Coast.pdf
Paspayley Pearls at Kuri Bay is currently shut to outsiders for Covid reasons, but they might open for fuel sales before you get there. Phone their Darwin office for confirmation when you get to Broome.
There is no public transport at Honeymoon Bay or Kalumburu. Kalumburu is currently a Covid restricted area. If indigenous remote area Covid restrictions don’t apply at the time you are there, you can usually get a lift into town from the camp manager or from one of the campers. Check that they are opening this year. Covid may prevent road access to campers via Kalumburu.
You will also need to check with your preferred air charterer to find out if you can fly crew into the Kalumburu airstrip, which is just out of the township and might be OK to access without entering the town itself. Otherwise, talk to Kimberley Air Tours for a float plane charter. I suggest you book them well in advance as they get very busy.
Beach party will tentatively be 4th July at Caves Beach, just south of Palm Island. This is a good option for crew transfer from Kununurra via float plane. They did 4-5 trips in at last year’s party with crew and supplies.
Cheers,
Ross
-
24/03/2022 at 2:48 pm #3766
Andrew \ Donna. I will also be at Abrolhos Islands from 1-9 April and will be at Big rat Island, will make an effort to come and see yas. Our Kimberley trip has been push back a few weeks as unable to obtain new motor for boat being built.
Cheers Paul.
-
25/03/2022 at 9:52 am #3767
Hi Paul,
We’ll be cruising between the Abrolhos Island groups and will keep a lookout for you when we pass Big Rat. What type of boat is Humdinger – how will we recognise you? We are a 50ft Jeanneau sailing monohull.
Cheers Andrew
-
-
-
21/03/2022 at 6:33 pm #3765
Hi Ross – Thanks for the good advice. Hopefully we’ll get to meet you at the Beach Party. Cheers Andrew
-
25/03/2022 at 12:35 pm #3768
Andrew.staying on a 54 riviera named drought proof 2 will be moored just east side of rat island not far off cray fishermans jetties.
Cheers paul
-
11/04/2022 at 3:39 pm #3798
Andrew, it appears I missed you, I did chase a few yachts looking for you on jet ski. Anyways have a fantastic trip and we may cross paths in the Kimberlies -safe travels
-
-
02/04/2022 at 5:55 pm #3769
With our USA Catamaran Begonia we are AGAIN hoping to get to the Kimberly after several COVID failures. This will be our last chance. We are coming from QLD. It doesn’t look good.
WA still doesn’t seem to have opened the border *for boaters* from NT – please tell me i’m wrong? https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-travel-wa implies that all travellers must somehow check in and only mentions air and road travel.
Additionally NT wants arrivals from QLD to go direct to Darwin and not stop at all the lovely places in NT along the way (from QLD) – that sucks, but we’ll do it if we know WA is open. https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/arriving-by-sea.
I keep hoping the rules will update and change, but if not, there doesn’t seem much point in leaving QLD with all it has to offer.
Please someone feel free to give me hope. Our cruising permit and visas will expire later this year, so this is our last chance to see the Kimberly!
-
02/04/2022 at 7:38 pm #3772
Hi Begonia,
You can enter WA waters from Darwin. You need to get a G2G Pass from https://www.g2gpass.com.au/
Select entry by sea and use Broome as your port of entry and as the address where you are staying when arriving. If you do get as far west as Broome, ring the police and let them know you have arrived before going ashore. You will need to include approx dates and times for leaving Darwin and entry to Broome. If you don’t actually get to Broome on your boat, but return to Darwin after sailing the KC, I suggest you cancel the G2G when you get back to Darwin. My understanding is that until you arrive at Broome, (official port of entry) you have not officially entered WA, I just successfully applied for a G2G by boat from Darwin to Broome. G2G was emailed to me instantly.
Remote Aboriginal communities are still restricted entry, hence the no go community areas along the top of the NT coast. But you can still sail along the coast, islands and into many rivers etc. Just cant visit the communities. Same covid restrictions apply to Kalumburu on the KC. But there is no need to visit there unless in emergency.
You need permits to go ashore along parts of the Kimberley cruising areas, which are available. But you can sail almost anywhere including the rivers in the Kimberley without restriction. There are a few restricted areas in the Marine Parks along the KC, but its unlikely you would want to sail into them anyway.
I can definitely give you hope to cruise the KC this year, and it would be a shame if you missed it. You will love it.
Happy sailing, Ross
-
-
10/04/2022 at 6:59 pm #3797
HiRoss
i have never sailed the Kimberly’s or Wetern Australian coast before
i am planning on leaving Darwin early July and heading down the coast to Freemantle.
how long should I allow to do this?
Do you know of any other’s who know this coast heading in this direction
Richard
-
20/05/2022 at 2:11 pm #3815
We made it to Darwin – here for a week or so, and then THE KIMBERLEY (Finally) – We are so very excited. 🙂
-
-
11/04/2022 at 7:01 pm #3800
G’day Richard,How long should you allow,you could see the major sites in a matter of months,i’m off on my third trip this year,barely scratched
the surface.
go to https://fsc.com.au/cruising-section/wa-cruising-guide/ and download it ,print off the kimberley section and carry it with you.
Also print tide charts of areas you will travel from the BOM website then with a bit of common sense you should be right.
Always be CROC wary
cheers steve -
11/04/2022 at 7:21 pm #3801
Hi Richard, Steve’s suggestion about downloading the FSC WA Cruising Guide is spot on. It is the bible for sailing the West Coast.
Ask around the marina’s in Darwin where you will likely find other boats sailing to Perth. Ideally, you should try to get to Perth by end of September before the wind starts to blow consistently from the south.
Cheers, Ross
-
28/04/2022 at 4:17 am #3812
G’day Everyone,
Jarrod, Kat and our dog called Alaska. Sailing on our Beneteau Oceanis 393 monohull called Jaraman.
Currently in Cullen Bay departing mid May heading down the WA coast eventually to Geraldton.
If you see us on AIS or nearby in an anchorage feel free to pop over and say G’day.
Cheers,
Jarrod & Kat
SV Jaraman
-
08/07/2022 at 7:10 am #3825
Hi all. Just an update on our movements and to the insurance question we posted on this thread some time ago. Our problem was that our boat is a 32 year old Clem Masters Pilothouse Cruiser (Trawler) and our previous insurer had very restrictive cruising limits in our policy. They basically acted as if there are Dragons anywhere beyond the NSW borders. We got a replacement policy with ‘Oceanic Marine Risks’, more expensive but the cruising limits are ‘within 250NM of the Australian mainland and Tasmanian Coasts’. They deal with cyclones or named storms, not by date/area restrictions but by adding 10% of insured value being added to the excess if damaged by one of these events. Of course you only know if an insurance company is any good once you make a claim. Hopefully it will not come to that.
We have continued our track North from Port Stephens and are currently anchored off the Low Isles. Will go into Port Douglas on Saturday for a while and to service main engine. Picked up a copy of the Cairns to Darwin Anchorage Guide in Darwin. A good thing to have if you are cruising that area.
Looking forward to meeting some of you in the Kimberly.
Regards
Lindsay and Jacqueline
-
08/07/2022 at 8:33 am #3826
SV Black Diamond
Hello all,
We are setting sail from Darwin Tuesday 12th July heading to Wyndham first then onto Kimberlies as far as Talbot Bay then back around end of September to Darwin and across to Cairns via bottom of Gulf weather and winds permitting.
Regards Mark and Eileen
-
10/08/2022 at 6:19 pm #3834
10 weeks after leaving Broome we arrived in Darwin, and what an extraordinary Kimberley experience we had. The landscapes are wild and timeless, the anchorages dramatic and inspiring, the rock art remarkable, and the remote isolation deeply moving. Where else in the world can you cruise for 2.5 months without any settlements, built infrastructure or internet access. My version of paradise!!
Unfortunately we missed the beach party – only by a few days – but did enjoy impromptu sunset drinks on the beach at Swift Bay with a few KCCYC die hards! Aside from these 3 cats we only saw 7 other private yachts on the whole trip, so we really enjoyed the company and helpful insights.
I’d like to pass on BIG thanks to Ross and all the KCCYC crew for the very helpful anchoring notes we downloaded from the website. Used in combination with Denis Ford’s notes from the DSC website we found lots of amazing anchorages and shore trips.
After much debate we came up with our 5 top Kimberley locations – it was very hard to trim them down – which we loved the most:
1. St George Basin / Prince Regent River / Kings Cascade
2. Hunter River / Porosus Creek
3. Palm Island / Swift Bay area
4. King George River
5. Berkeley River
And because that didn’t start to capture all the amazing places we visited and the experiences we had, our top 5 hidden gems were:
1. Crocodile Creek – probably the most amazing overnight anchorage I will ever enjoy!
2. Rainforest Ravine
3. Pauline Bay rock art site in Vansittart Bay
4. The waterfall and waterhole up the creek at Deception Bay
5. Sheep Island in Camden Harbour
I could keep going, but I think the magic of the Kimberley is finding your own special places, so I hope everyone who has / is cruising the Kimberley coast this season found their own places that touched their heart and soul.
Thanks again to the KCCYC for helping us plan and enjoy such a remarkable part of the world.
-
14/08/2022 at 12:00 pm #3836
Hi all
Is it generally reasonable to cruise from Darwin to BerkeleyRiver and then back to Darwin in September ?
Richard
-
14/08/2022 at 1:15 pm #3838
Hi All
I should have said heading to Berkeley River from Darwin in late September, early October and then back to Darwin in late October
Richard
Celebrity
-
14/08/2022 at 1:29 pm #3839
No problem. SE winds start to drop off around September and you might get the start of the W to NW breezes. September starts to warm up and by October its getting pretty humid.
Cheers, Ross
-
-
14/08/2022 at 2:24 pm #3840
Hi KCCYC members,
The family is excited! We are preparing our trip from Darwin to Broome from 10 September to 1 October. Any advice or critique of our itinerary would be welcome, also if anyone will be around the Kimberley at this time let us know and we’ll keep an eye out for you.
The general itinerary is:
Darwin to Berkeley River
Berkeley River to King George River
King George River to Freshwater Bay
Freshwater to Prudhoe Island
Prudhoe Island to Careening Bay
Careening Bay to Sampson Inlet (or Jungulu Island*)
to Adele Island
Adele Island to Thomas Bay (Cape Leveque)
Thomas bay to Broome via Beagle Bay
We are an 45 ft Aluminium cat with 5 adults and 2 kids on board. This is part of a trip around Australia. We put together the plan based on the info here, the Western Australian Cruising Guide and the Darwin Sailing Club Website. There are some long stretches between anchorages, but we certainly don’t plan on night sailing around Islands so can break up further if anything looks unrealistic. Also I’m keen if anyone could comment on the idea of anchoring at Jungulu Island. There’s a bay at the North and West, both of which look ok on Google Earth but I can’t find any information from anyone who has been there online. It looks like a better route towards Adele Island which we would really like to see.
Thank you for any comments in advance, I can’t wait to see some of this amazing place.
Rob
-
15/08/2022 at 2:49 pm #3841
Hi Rob, There are some big tidal rips around Jungulu Island. I don’t know anyone who has anchored there. Sampson Inlet is the best anchorage in that area by far. You might be better sailing through Rogers Straight and past Kuri Bay to get there, which will keep you out the tidal rips down the west side of Augustus Island.
I haven’t been to Adele Island, but it looks good. Be aware that most of the KC offshore islands offer little protection from the SE trades, and you are also coming into the westerly season. Adele is likely to be a low wind anchorage. You might be better off inshore around Yampi Sound area.
Are you heading south to Perth? If so, be aware that you have left it late in the season to sail down the west coast. It’s likely you will get some strong weather south of Exmouth to Perth, with very few bolt holes to seek shelter. Do your homework on where you can get out of strong winds and wait for weather windows.
Cheers,
Ross
-
16/08/2022 at 2:37 pm #3842
Thank you very much Ross!
We will go with Sampson Inlet anchorage. I had in mind that we would only head out to Adele if light conditions but will be doubly mindful of that now. Yampi sound will be the go if any concern regarding weather. We’ve got satellite weather on board so will keep a close eye on the weather. I did want to get a dive in over in the Kimberley hence the trip out to Adele. From the sound of it inshore diving is not clever…..
We are heading to Perth eventually, but are planning on keeping Molly in Broome a couple of months on the hard-stand while we go back to work and school etc. Broome to Perth might have to be a delivery trip with no kids and experienced crew. I was planning on early December and heading away from the coast. There’s no massive rush but I did want to be in Perth by Christmas.
We decided not to take a year off to do the trip so having to make the best of the seasons and school holidays which is proving a challenge..
Thank you again for your advice and any more is welcome.
-
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.