Kimberley Vessel Guide: Heritage Adventurer

Heritage Adventurer was originally built as a polar expedition vessel, and that expedition ethos remains at her heart.

In the Kimberley, that means getting into Zodiacs, heading ashore, looking for wildlife, visiting rock art sites and learning about the landscapes and history you’re travelling through.

The ship itself is comfortable and surprisingly spacious, without trying to be an ultra-luxury expedition ship.

For many travellers, that’s exactly the appeal.

This is one of Heritage Adventurer’s biggest strengths.

The Expedition Team includes specialists such as marine biologists, ornithologists, naturalists and photographers.

They’re not simply onboard to give lectures. They join you ashore and on Zodiac excursions, helping you understand the wildlife, landscapes and places you’re seeing along the way.

There’s a real emphasis on learning and discovery, particularly around wildlife, birdlife, marine life, photography and natural history.

There are also lectures and presentations onboard. You certainly don’t have to attend everything — you can head to the pool, gym or find somewhere quiet to read instead — but if you enjoy learning about where you’re travelling, you’ll get a lot out of them.

Days in the Kimberley can include Zodiac excursions, guided walks, waterfall visits, Aboriginal rock art sites and wildlife encounters.

There can be early mornings, and you’ll need to be reasonably comfortable getting in and out of a Zodiac and walking over uneven ground to make the most of everything on offer.

One thing Dani was particularly impressed by was how well the crew assisted older and less-mobile guests. Different touring options were offered where possible, and there is also a lift onboard.

So I certainly wouldn’t rule Heritage Adventurer out just because you’re a little slower on your feet. If you have significant mobility limitations, though, I’d want to talk through the excursions with you before recommending it.

There’s actually quite a lot onboard Heritage Adventurer.

You’ll find an Observation Lounge, library, gym, sauna, spa facilities and a heated outdoor saltwater pool, along with plenty of indoor and outdoor areas to relax after a day exploring.

The atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal, and the pool and outdoor areas can be a lovely place to spend some downtime.

Evenings tend to be fairly quiet, which isn’t surprising after a full day out exploring. There’s a bar and some entertainment if you feel like staying up for a drink — and according to Dani, the live music had a distinctly 80s feel to it!

There are two dining venues onboard: the Main Dining Room and The Bistro.

The Main Dining Room offers a buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch and multi-course dinner, while The Bistro offers a more relaxed alternative. Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner.

Dani really enjoyed the food, with fresh produce and plenty of variety throughout the trip. The style is relaxed rather than formal — think good, well-prepared meals rather than highly plated fine dining.

For me, that fits Heritage Adventurer perfectly. The emphasis is on enjoying good food at the end of a day exploring, without dining being overly formal or fussy.

One of the things that surprised Dani most was how spacious the cabins were.

And when she said spacious, she meant it.

There’s plenty of wardrobe and cupboard space, comfortable seating and good-sized bathrooms.

Most cabin categories are also quite similar in size. As you move up through the categories, you’re generally paying for location and additional inclusions rather than a dramatically larger cabin.

The style is more traditional than some of the newer expedition ships, but the cabins are comfortable and practical.

There are no tea or coffee-making facilities in the cabins, although coffee machines are available around the ship.

One other little thing worth knowing: Dani stayed on Deck 3 and found it noisier, with more noticeable vibration from the ship.

It’s exactly the sort of detail we like to know when we’re helping you choose not just your ship, but your cabin as well.

While many Australian travellers discover Heritage Adventurer through her Kimberley itineraries, her expedition season extends well beyond Australia’s northwest.

She also explores destinations including Antarctica, Japan, New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands, the South Pacific and other remote corners of the world.

It’s this breadth of experience that has helped establish Heritage Expeditions as one of the world’s most respected names in authentic expedition cruising.