True North
A cruise on the True North or True North II has long been regarded as one of Australia’s outstanding and most revered adventure tourism experiences. All itineraries are activity based and designed for the discerning traveller who truly wants to 'experience the destination' in some of Australia’s most remote and hard to access coastal regions. True North has 18 cabins while her sistership, True North II has 11.
The “Kimberley Wilderness Cruise” is a 7 or 13 night panorama of spectacular gorges, majestic waterfalls, islands and rugged coastline. Other cruise options include the “West Coast Explorer” which features the Abrolhos Islands, Ningaloo Reef and the Monte Bello Islands; the “Coral Atoll Cruise” to the magnificent Rowley Shoals; “Sydney Rocks”, an opportunity to discover wilderness on the doorstep of Australia’s largest city and the “Southern Safari”, a safari at sea along the stunning South Australian coast including must-see Kangaroo Island.
The True North fleet has been designed to go where no other ship can go, with high levels of comfort and style. All cabins are spacious and feature modern décor and en-suite facilities. Daily activities can include scenic walks, helicopter flights, fishing, snorkelling, cultural visits, picnics, wildflowers, bird and wildlife watching, diving, exploring and much more…
Multiple expedition boats or ‘tenders’ take guests away in small groups to experience the wilderness ‘up close’ and, the luxury of having numerous tenders also means that everyone on-board has greater opportunity to do “what they want, when they want”. Most cruise options feature a ship’s helicopter opening-up a range of options from scenic flights and heli-picnics to overnight camping adventures. Discover virtually unseen and untouched parts of Australia as well more 'known' locations such as Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef. There's a stagggering amount of nature cruises all over Australia as well Papua New Guinea. and Indonesia.
Cruise passengers are able to take advantage of lavish vantage points including a forward observation lounge, ship’s lounge, alfresco bar and outdoor sundeck. The naturalist presents interpretative info on plasma screens. An internet cafe enables communication with the outside world.
Ship's dining room (on the lower deck) offers the ultimate in comfort with large panoramic windows that ensure passengers never miss any of the action, even while enjoying the ‘finest in fine dining’.
True North cruise ships cabins feature stylish decor, in-house entertainment, satellite telephones and en-suite facilities. The Explorer and River Class cabins provide king size beds which can be converted to singles. The Ocean Class twins have roomy single beds.
The ship offers a new Western Australia cruise tour program with 7-day itineraries between Fremantle-Perth and Esperance. Kimberley itineraries have lengths 7-10-13 nights. Each cruise is served by a resident biologist in charge of 6 tour guides (1 per tender boat). The ship also has top-deck helipad with a helicopter (max capacity 6 passengers, all with forwarding view seating). Onboard and ashore activities include photography classes, fishing, diving and snorkeling trips.
There are three choices of cabins on the True North: Explorer Class Stateroom, River Class Double and Ocean Class Twin.
EXPLORER CLASS STATEROOM
Located on the upper deck – Explorer Class staterooms feature a king size double (that can be converted to singles) and a twin basin en-suite. Cabin size is 18 square metres (193 square feet). Other features include large panoramic windows, amenities fridge, in-cabin entertainment and satellite telephone.
RIVER CLASS DOUBLE
Located on the middle deck – River Class doubles feature a king size double (that can be converted to singles) and en-suite. Cabin size is similar to Explorer Class. Other features include large panoramic windows, in-cabin entertainment and satellite telephone.
OCEAN CLASS TWIN
Located on the lower deck – Ocean Class twins feature roomy singles and en-suite. Cabin size is approximately 12 square metres (129 square feet). Other features include 2 portholes, in-cabin entertainment and satellite telephone.
Day 1: Welcome Aboard
Your “welcome aboard” the magnificent TRUE NORTH is in the pearling port of Broome. Embarkation is at 1700 – time for a cocktail with your fellow adventurers before departing at approximately 1830. Dinner is served shortly after leaving port for the overnight cruise to Yampi Sound.
Day 2: The Horizontal Falls
Awake to the majestic Kimberley and savour an irresistible TRUE NORTH breakfast as we glide past Cockatoo and Koolan Islands – our attentive crew will be happy to introduce the colourful histories of both! Then it’s time to ‘personally’ introduce you to a Kimberley icon – The Horizontal Falls.
Day 3: The Sale River
This morning is devoted to exploring the Sale River. Join naturalists and adventurers alike as we ‘ride the tide’ on a classic river expedition! For those who can’t wait one minute longer, the mouth of the Sale offers the first opportunity to ‘land a barra’! Or, take-off for a heli-fishing adventure to a rarely fished spot where the fresh meets the salt!
Enjoy lunch as we weigh anchor and cruise for another Kimberley icon – Montgomery Reef! Montgomery is a unique ecosystem that must be seen to be believed – and see it you will – as 140 square miles of coral reef rises out of the ocean right before your very eyes! Water cascades from the reef as the tide falls exposing a privileged glimpse of another world! Turtles, dugong, crocodiles and every imaginable sea creature abound and the helicopter puts all in perspective!
Day 4: The Prince Regent River
The scenery will astound and there are some not-to-be-missed fishing spots as the TRUE NORTH graces the majestic Prince Regent River. This morning’s target species include delectable mangrove jack and fingermark bream. At King Cascade we will manoeuvre the TRUE NORTH right under the falls. Then it’s time for more ‘adventure in the tender’ – a chance to stretch the laces on your hiking boots and an opportunity to swim in yet another picture perfect billabong, or perhaps you’d like to venture further upriver to visit the spectacular ‘Amphitheatre’ waterfall. The helicopter will be popular again when the first group of intrepid explorers returns from Jurassic Park!
Day 5: The Hunter River
If you think the Regent was good – wait till you see the Hunter! With stunning red cliffs set behind rainforest and mangroves - the Hunter River is yet another awesome setting for fishing, mud crabbing, bird watching and just simply exploring!
Enjoy an exhilarating hike to the hidden Jackson Falls and there’s even more splendour from the helicopter! Hopefully we’ll have time for a sunset drink on Naturaliste Island before an overnight cruise to Vansittart Bay.
Day 6: Eagle Falls
Today there will be an opportunity to see the “Bradshaws” – ancient rock art that pre-dates other examples of Aboriginal culture. In fact, they are possibly the oldest ‘paintings’ known to man. Vansittart Bay also has a reputation for producing monster mackerel! The heli-picnic at Eagle Falls is always a ‘big hit’ – enjoy a sumptuous picnic lunch amidst breathtaking scenery. The tenders will also be busy exploring the local beaches and creeks. Overnight we cruise to Koolama Bay.
Day 7: The King George Falls
Yet another mighty Kimberley river – The King George! As soon as the tide is high enough, we’ll cross the sand bars at the mouth to reveal even more breathtaking river vista. Then our journey upstream will take us to the very ‘jewel in the crown’ – The King George Falls. Here we anchor at the base of the Twin Falls and you will find endless places to explore. Take the helicopter to the top of the falls for another highlight. Just the thought of leaving this magnificence will inspire mutiny! Learn about the bombing of a state-ship during WWII, then take a stroll at Tranquil Bay before we continue onto the frontier port of Wyndham.
Day 8: Transfer to Kununurra
Your courtesy coach will arrive at approximately 0800 hours for transfer to Kununurra and your crew will already be looking forward to the next opportunity to welcome you aboard the mighty TRUE NORTH!
