Riviera and Riviera Syndication Owners experience the Kimberleys in Australia’s rugged West

In an expedition of a lifetime, 25 Riviera and Riviera Syndication owners experienced the rich, rugged terrain of one of the world’s last great wildernesses, the Kimberleys.

They met in Darwin on April 24 after flying in from Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Perth and began their adventure with a sunset dinner at La Beach, a seafood restaurant at Cullen Bay in Darwin.

On April 25, the Riviera Syndication team rose early for the Anzac Day dawn service before boarding the expedition ship, Orion for a sail away party on deck.

Day One – Wyndham, northern most town in Western Australia, the gateway to the Kimberleys.

Riviera Syndication director and event organiser Sharon Russell said they had a choice of excursions that day such as a fly over the Bungle Bungle ranges, Argyle Diamond mine and Ord River landing in Kununurra or a cruise up the Ord River to Lake Argyle.

“At 6pm we sailed for the King George River, we were all looking forward to this landing, some owners were going to climb to the top and have a swim while others were going to travel up the river in Zodiacs to the waterfalls,” Sharon said.

Day Two began early with many leaving the ship at 7.30am for a six hour round adventure climbing the King George waterfall before enjoying a swim and climbing back down to the awaiting Zodiacs and then returning to the ship.

“We can tell you that this was worth every minute; the falls were flowing at a rate of one million litres per second and were absolutely incredible,” said Sharon.

That night John and Sharon Russell hosted a private Riviera Syndication and Riviera cocktail party on the Sun deck complete with Captain Frank and his officers, Gus playing sax and keyboard.

“Everyone agreed this was going to be a hard day to beat.  Later we enjoyed a seafood extravaganza on the deck under the stars – just fantastic and celebrated the marriage of Kate Middleton & Prince William,” said Sharon.

On day three Orion anchored in Vansittart Bay where they enjoyed an expedition to the wreckage of a C-53 transport aircraf.

“At about 11.30am Orion repositioned to Jar Island where we walked up to the famous Gwion Gwion or Bradshaw art gallery these rock paintings are estimated to be 17,000 years old.”

By day seven they had arrived in the Hunter River and at 7am flew by helicopter to Mitchell Falls.

“As we board our helicopter without doors I am a little nervous but as we take off and fly along the Porosus creek and follow the river for about 30 minutes up to the falls I don’t want to get off.  The falls are spectacular and very different to the King George Falls.  The expedition team announces that they have never seen them this big and big they are. We all enjoy a cooling dip in the pools at the top of the falls and relax before flying back to the ship.”

Barry and Libby Cox, Riviera 4700 Sport Yacht owners celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with an ice cold bottle of Moet waiting for Libby at the falls where they enjoyed a toast.

Another highlight was Raft Point where they hiked up to a saddle of rock that forms an outdoor Aboriginal art gallery.

“The rock art presents and account of the mythical Wandjinas on a ‘Great Fish Chase’, this is an amazing country,” said Sharon.

Another spectacular sight was watching Montgomery Reef emerge from the ocean as the tide went out.

“We boarded the Zodiacs and raced out to the reef where we waited in anticipation for about three hours as the tide went out and then finally this enormous reef emerged from the ocean.  This is an spectacular site as fish, turtles and other sea life are caught high and dry too slow to get out into the open water. The sea life is amazing and sea birds swoop and pick up fish that have been left behind.”

The next adventure was Horizontal Waterfalls, which lie about 20 miles to the east of Cockatoo Island in the Buccaneer Archipelago.  Riviera owners and Riviera Syndication owners boarded a Zodiac with twin 3000hp outboards and flew through the Horizontal Waterfalls.

“The effect of the waterfall is created by the rapid tidal fall on the ocean-side of gaps in the sandstone cliffs. This ride is fantastic and none of us want to get off, we beg to go again but the tide is now against us and we adjourn to the back deck of Orion for drinks where we all recount this exhilarating experience,” Sharon said.

The last day on board included a trip to Yampi Sound and Crocodile Creek where they went for a swim.

“Now I’m a bit worried about swimming at a place called Crocodile creek especially after seeing so many crocs and sharks during the past nine days,” Sharon said.

“We are assured that there is nothing to worry about and they have checked the watering hole for crocs.  As we arrive at what looks like a gap in the rocks we see a waterfall in the background and our expedition team awaiting our arrival. As we climb up the rocks it takes my breath away this magical water hole complete with waterfall.  Another surprise was seeing Roger and his team in the water hole dressed in their finest tuxedos mixing up margaritas for us to enjoy at the floating bar.  This is now my favourite place to swim and we all had a fantastic time listening to Gus play his saxophone and recount our adventure over the past 10 days.

“This has been an amazing experience, one that you have to see, smell, feel and touch.  This has to be the best way to see the Kimberleys on a remarkable small ship with a fantastic crew that is Orion.”

To conclude the experience, Riviera Syndication organised a three night stay at the Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa where they hosted a private function at the Sunset Bar and Grill.

“We had the best seats in the house to watch the sunset over Cable Beach, complete with open bar, fresh prawns, tapas and calamari.

“We have had such a fantastic time and another highlight was the Paspaley Pearl shop in Broome where we enjoyed drinks and a private showing of their beautiful pearls,” said Sharon.

The following day they spent the afternoon exploring Broome and visiting the dinosaur foot prints before taking a camel ride along Cable Beach at sunset.

Riviera Syndication treated their guests to a dinner at The Club, Cable beaches signature restaurant to say goodbye and thank you.

This is what some of our owners had to say about their Kimberley Expedition hosted by Sharon and John Russell from Riviera Syndication;

“Our trip through the majestic Kimberley’s was a wonderful mixture of adventure, luxury and fun.  The awesome scenery of the Kimberley coast and the wonderful service on the Orion ship exceeded our high expectations, but the biggest surprise was just how much we enjoyed travelling with the Riviera Syndication crowd. What a fabulous group of fun loving, social, like-minded people! We loved the good company and relished coming together in the evenings to share our adventures and stories.  Congratulations to Sharon for a brilliantly organised and executed group travel holiday experience. Can't wait for the next one!

Graeme and Deb Street - Sydney owners

“We very much enjoyed our Kimberley adventure on the Orion and have many stories to share with both friends and family. Thank you both again for making this a wonderful holiday. We enjoyed catching up with everyone and appreciate the effort by you both to make the trip enjoyable for all, this was our 3rd trip.

Peter and Pam Robbie - Gold Coast owners

“Thanks for the opportunity to participate in what was truly a wonderful trip though the Kimberley Coast aboard the 'Expedition Ship' Orion. We had both always wanted to do that trip and this presented an opportunity too good to miss. Everything went like clockwork and Jules and I both agreed that travelling as part of a group of like-minded individuals significantly enhanced the whole experience. We are so pleased to be part of the Riviera Syndication family and can't wait to head off on our next adventure.

Scott and Julia Moses - Brisbane owners

“The Kimberley trip was fantastic and we must thank you. It was a really good place to go and we did it in style. I enjoy expedition type cruises as they teach you a lot and I am always interested to learn. The satisfaction of acquiring knowledge outweighs the guilt felt from living in self indulgent luxury. Thank you John & Sharon we cannot wait for the next one.

Alan, Susan and Brooke Lock - Gold Coast owners.

“Here is our 'couple' of sentences. We could of course have written a book or two! Many thanks; the cruise was a lifetime experience full of adventure, education, enjoyment and socialising.  As usual Sharon and John 'One More' were the convivial hosts our 3rd trip.

John and Josseline - Gold Coast owners

“Thank you both for the wonderful Kimberley trip, the organization and company was exceptional. We thoroughly enjoyed our Kimberley Experience with the Riviera Syndication Group aboard the 'Orion'. The trip was fantastic with great company, wonderful and informative expeditions ashore and some of the most beautiful scenery we have ever seen anywhere in the world. The service onboard the 'Orion' was first class and this is definitely a 'must do' trip.

Graham and Mandi Robertson - Gold Coast Riviera owners.

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