Riviera owners experience the Kimberleys

The rich, red, rugged terrain and remoteness of the Kimberleys will take Riviera owners on an adventure to remember on board the Orion cruise ship next year.

Riviera Syndication director Sharon Russell is organising the annual trip and said the remoteness of the Kimberleys and its famous salt water crocodiles made it a daunting location for Riviera owners to cruise to alone, but the untouched, natural beauty of the Kimberleys makes it high on the wish list of places to see for many Riviera owners.

On board the Orion, which is an expedition yacht, they can experience the Kimberleys in five-star luxury and with the guidance of skilled tour operators.

“The time of year that we have chosen, the Kimberleys will be in full flood as they would have had so much rain in Darwin the river systems will be full, the waterfalls will be the best that we can see them at that time of year,” Sharon said.

“It’s a 10 night cruise from Darwin to Broome, there will be the opportunity for people to explore the Kimberleys each day in a high speed rubber ducky.”

The cruise departs on April 25, 2011 but Sharon and her husband, John, will arrive a day early so they can attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Darwin.

From February 1942 until November 1943, Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin. The first raid killed 251 people and wounded more than 350 people. Today, Darwin’s Naval Base keeps watch over Australia’s northern coastline.

The 10-day cruise departs from Darwin and concludes in Broome. It includes a scenic flight over the ancient Bungle Bungle ranges and Purnululu National Park as well as daily tours of the rivers and waterfalls.

“Riviera owners enjoy doing these things because they are with like-minded people, they all talk about boats and they love a bit of adventure and luxury,” she said.

“We host these annual trips so that our owners can explore places they wouldn’t normally explore in five-star comfort with experience people.

“We have also found that after these tips our owners have formed strong friendships and will often fly to visit each other.

“Orion’s catchcry is ‘A path less travelled’ and that’s how I see our owners – they like to go out on their boats and find somewhere different, a path less travelled.”

In the past, Riviera Syndication has hosted trips to Egypt, the Greek Islands, Anzac Cove in Turkey, and the Americas Cup in Spain.

“We have taken our owners to many destinations and experiences from cruising the Nile and seeing the Pharoahs and Pyramids to being the lead boat out for the Kiwis in the finals of the America’s Cup in Spain,” Sharon said.

Riviera Syndication has managed to organised a 15 per cent discount for Riviera owners who wish to explore the Kimberleys on board the Orion but places are limited as the ship can only take 50 couples.