AUSTRALIA
United Kingdom, but has fewer people per square metre than almost any other place on the planet. Its stunning coast is recognised as one of the world’s most pristine marine environments, and it is argued that the coral biodiversity and rich sea life here surpasses that of its far more famous east coast counterpart, the Great Barrier Reef. However, I quickly discover that everything here is big and bold: the weather systems, with monsoonal rains thundering down in the wet season; and the colours – giant brushstrokes of amber, crimson and vermillion, which make it look as if someone has turned the saturation dial up to max.
A ship to remember Ƃ £Ó-`>Þ VÀÕiÃi ÜiÌh ƂLiÀVÀomLii E inÌ ià Ìhi ÛiÀÞ wniÃÌ way to explore this otherworldly destination. Running from the old, storied pearling town of Broome to the busy port city of Darwin, it takes guests through remote, rarely visited landscapes that certainly have to be seen to be believed. The cruise is a perfect add-on for any Western Australia adventure, and many of the people I meet are pairing it with trips spent swimming with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef, or food-and-wine sojourns in WA’s most spectacular gourmet region Margaret River, just three hours south of the capital city of Perth.
Our ship, the 184-capacity Le Lapérouse (a Ponant vessel chartered by A&K), is a brilliant base from which to explore the thousands of islands that speckle the Kimberley coastline. Luxury is the name of the game on board, with the ship’s 92 staterooms and suites offering private balconies and muted, elegant decor (all suites also come with personalised butler service). When you’re not exploring the land for hidden Aboriginal rock art or snorkelling among sea turtles >n` ÛilÛiÌÞ LlÕi ÃÌ>ÀwÃh] ÌhiÀi½Ã > Vh>nVi Ìo Àil>Ý >Ì Ìhi Ponant Yacht Spa, or grab a glass of champagne and head below decks to the Blue Eye Lounge, an underwater viewing area that’s designed to look as if you have been swallowed by a whale. Unsurprisingly, the food on Le Lapérouse is impressive,
FROM TOP: Mitchell Falls; Aboriginal rock art; a crocodile glides through the water Credits: Tourism Australia/Sarah Duguid, Sean Scott; Shutterstock/paulmichaelNZ
too. Before we head out on our daily excursions, a buffet breakfast – a hearty feast of omelettes, eggs Benedict, pancakes, sausages, fruits and pastries – is served at Le Nautilus restaurant (with plenty of champagne for those
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aspiretravelclub.co.uk
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