Sailing to the Kimberley in 2025 – Kimberley Coast Cruising Yacht Club

This topic has 39 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 2 days, 1 hour ago by Kirk Zulsdorf.

Viewing 16 reply threads

Author

Posts
- 23/10/2024 at 3:07 pm #4239
  Ross
  Keymaster
  R&R is heading back to the Kimberley in 2025. After a minor refit at BoatWorks Feb/March 2025, we will be heading up to Port of Airlie Marina waiting for the cyclone season to end, then heading around the top to Darwin for a short stay and catch up with friends, before sailing into the Kimberley for a few months before sailing down to South of Perth Yacht Club (R&R’s new home) by around September 25.
  
  This will be our 16th trip over the top end, either to or from Qld to Darwin, and about our 24th extended trip into the Kimberley coast. If you are sailing there next year and seeking advice or tips, I am happy to pass on my experience. Either post your query in this forum, or contact me directly through the Contact Page.
  
  Cheers, Ross and Ros
  - 13/03/2025 at 6:57 pm #4846
    John Peirce
    Participant
    John and Kerryn on ‘Esoterica’, a Martz 46, are heading back to the Kimberley in 2025, for our third visit. We will leave from Darwin early to mid-April, will turn-around at Cockatoo Island and we will be back in Darwin mid-July.
- 06/11/2024 at 9:41 am #4267
  Northbank 181
  Participant
  Anyone with experience petrol at Burkley River would be 1 drum or less
  - 01/01/2025 at 12:32 pm #4680
    JIM Bailey
    Participant
    Contact Ross at Sea TRuck. He operates a barge to Berkeley 0429827896
- 09/11/2024 at 4:38 am #4270
  Counting Stars
  Participant
  We are planning our first trip to the top end and Kimberley in 2025, then continuing South. Our 43ft mono Counting Stars is our home. Looking forward to meeting members on the way! Julie & Tony
  - 07/02/2025 at 8:03 am #4788
    SlowMotionWA3
    Participant
    Morning Julie and Tony.
    
    We have just joined the forum yesterday and noticed you guys are heading to the Kimberleys aswell from Perth.
    
    We are Ed and Bev onboard a Perry 43 Cat.(Slowmotion)Berthed at Port Coogee.
    
    Waiting ……
    - 08/02/2025 at 9:06 am #4790
      Counting Stars
      Participant
      
      Hi Ed and Bev, we’re in Townsville to start our journey North. We’ll hope to see you up there. 🙂
  - 09/02/2025 at 10:33 am #4794
    Liberty VI
    Participant
    Ahoy Julie & Tony
    
    We plan to sail to Kimberley late April early May and then not sure whether to continue south or return around to the East coast.
    
    Our home (46ft mono) is at Tipperary Waters atm, whilst we are away seeing families.
    
    We hope to meet you along the way.
    
    Regards, Shane & Sharon
    - 19/03/2025 at 2:37 pm #4847
      Counting Stars
      Participant
      
      Hi there Shane and Sharon,
      
      We,ll keep an eye out for you along the way. We are considering going down the West Coast but will probably go to the Kimberly this year from Townsville and then return to Darwin for Christmas and The cyclone season before heading back down the West Coast in 2027. But who knows plans change! look forward to seeing you along the way.
      
      julie
- 03/12/2024 at 4:00 pm #4287
  iiCAPTAIN
  Participant
  Hi Ross and Ros, we are refitting a recently purchased 50ft ally sailing cat at the Boat Works at the moment and will also be doing the same as you and heading over the top once cyclone season is over. Home Port to be Fremantle, though in all likelihood we may just keep going and do a circle, depends how we feel. Hopefully we can catch up with you when you are in the area and we can benefit from your experience.
  
  Attachments:
  You must be logged in to view attached files.
- 10/12/2024 at 1:30 pm #4613
  Ynot57
  Participant
  We will be heading to the Kimberley at the end of April in our 41 ft mono Nellie out of Busselton
  
  And plan to attend the beach party then over the top to Bowen North QLD hope to meet some other members along the way Tony and Diane.
  - 05/01/2025 at 7:14 pm #4686
    Red Cloud II
    Participant
    Hi Tony and Diane,
    
    We are leaving Mandurah 2nd April to do the Kimberley also. We have a 39 ft mono, Red Cloud II
    
    Would be great to catch up somewhere along the way.
    
    Bruce
    - 11/01/2025 at 10:48 am #4690
      Ynot57
      Participant
      
      <!–more–>We will leave end of April and would be good to catch up along the way , will try to make it happen .
      - 13/01/2025 at 5:46 pm #4692
        
        Red Cloud II
        Participant
        
        Yep, that would be great. We plan to leave Broome early May. Cheers
        
        30/01/2025 at 10:44 am #4724
        
        Ynot57
        Participant
        
        We will catch you guys in Broome then
        
        31/01/2025 at 3:42 pm #4725
        
        Red Cloud II
        Participant
        
        Great. Should you wish to chat prior to departure my number is 0459 549 109.
        
        Perhaps give us a call.
        
        13/02/2025 at 7:56 am #4796
        
        Ynot57
        Participant
        
        Thankyou
        
        12/03/2025 at 11:16 am #4845
        
        Red Cloud II
        Participant
        
        Hello Tony and Dianne, How are you? Just wondering how your plans for the Kimberley are looking and if we are still on track to meet up in Broome. Our plans are progressing well and we would really like to catch you there.
        
        Cheers Bruce
    - 07/02/2025 at 8:05 am #4789
      SlowMotionWA3
      Participant
      
      Morning guys.
      
      We are Ed and Bev heading north aswell around the same time.
      
      We have a Perry 43 Cat.(Slowmotion)Port Coogee….
      - 08/02/2025 at 6:15 pm #4793
        
        Red Cloud II
        Participant
        
        Hello Ed and Bev,
        
        Look forward to meeting up, maybe cruising in company.
        
        What do you think about the very late monsoon? Cyclones in April??
        
        Cheers, Bruce and Pat
        
        11/02/2025 at 7:23 am #4795
        
        SlowMotionWA3
        Participant
        
        Morning Bruce and Pat.
        
        My mobile is 0434998658.
        
        Happy to chat.
        
        Ed.
      - 01/04/2025 at 11:05 am #4851
        
        Ynot57
        Participant
        
        Sorry no content
        
        This reply was modified 3 weeks, 2 days ago by Ynot57.
- 25/12/2024 at 4:46 pm #4678
  martinchambers
  Participant
  we sailed 2024.
  
  I highly recommend the VR film of the Kimberley, on now at WA museum and some regional museums. Great 360 panorama film, excellant narration on art, geology, history.
  - 29/01/2025 at 3:10 am #4700
    Red Cloud II
    Participant
    Yes, it is fantastic.
    
    Bruce and Pat, Red oud II
- 05/01/2025 at 6:20 pm #4685
  Red Cloud II
  Participant
  We are planning a trip to the Kimberley from Perth beginning in April 2025. Plan to be in Broome by end of April and then departing Broome for a cruise of the Kimberley coast to Wyndham, arriving late May?? Not sure how long it takes to enjoy this large coastline and we have not sailed there before. We have an open timetable.
  
  We have a 39’3 Beneteau monohull.
  
  Would be great to meet and hear from other yachties who are doing similar.
  
  Regards,
  
  Bruce
- 06/01/2025 at 2:29 pm #4687
  Ross
  Keymaster
  Hi Bruce,
  
  Everyone has a different perception of what it takes to explore the KC. People who really want to look around and explore the hundreds of anchorages, rivers and creeks will spend 3-4 months out there, then go back again next year and the next year after that to look at the places they missed. While others go there to sail around the coast in the limited time and capabilities they have available, but don’t really stop and explore. A month between Broome and Wyndham will put you in the latter category. If you have the time, spend as much of it as possible exploring this fantastic coastline.
  
  Cheers, Ross
- 07/01/2025 at 5:23 pm #4689
  Red Cloud II
  Participant
  Thank you Ross,
  
  My mistake, depart Broome 1st May, arrive Wyndham end of June.
  
  Bruce
- 13/01/2025 at 7:41 am #4691
  Red Cloud II
  Participant
  The VR film of the Kimberley was fantastic.
- 08/02/2025 at 9:16 am #4791
  Counting Stars
  Participant
  Hi Ross and Ros,
  
  We’re RSVPing for the BBQ at this stage 🙂
  
  Looking forward to a great year of cruising,
  
  Julie and Tony, Counting Stars
  - 08/02/2025 at 3:08 pm #4792
    Ross
    Keymaster
    Thanks Julie and Tony,
    
    Hope to see you there.
    
    Ross
- 09/04/2025 at 11:38 am #4857
  MunroThorpe
  Participant
  Hi Everyone,
  
  we are two families who planned on boating from Wyndham to Derby by trailer boats in late July-August. Unfortunately our plans have unravelled with news we can not access fuel at Kuri Bay – which we were relying on after Kalumburu (carrying 650L each). Looks like we have to cancel/change entire plans plans – unless anyone has a solution?? Anyone pre-booked at Kuri and willing to give us a barrel or 2 (400L pref) to continue south to Dog Leg or Cockatoo??
- 09/04/2025 at 4:47 pm #4858
  Ross
  Keymaster
  Have you spoken to the Paspaley people in Darwin? With that much notice it’s unusual that you have a problem getting ULP at Kuri. What about a 200 liter fuel bladder (or 2x100lt) on deck of each boat? Use it up first so you aren’t carrying it further than you need to.
  
  Cheers, Ross
  - 10/04/2025 at 3:26 am #4859
    MunroThorpe
    Participant
    Hi Ross,
    
    Have both emailed and spoken to Paspaley in Darwin and managers at Kuri Bay and they have all their fuel allocated and sold for the season.
    unfortunately with 2 adults and 3 teenage kids on each boat we need every bit of space we can. We already have fuel bladders under floor and a number of jerry’s on board to be able to carry 650L each so pretty maxed out.
    - 10/04/2025 at 2:40 pm #4864
      Ross
      Keymaster
      
      That’s a shame. What’s your fuel range? I assume you are topping up at Truscott or from one of the beach camps out of Kalumburu and you need to have enough range to get to Dog Leg. Is that correct?
      - 12/04/2025 at 3:39 pm #4865
        
        MunroThorpe
        Participant
        
        Yes we were planning to fill up from Kalumburu and head to Kuri – with 650L on board we won’t have enough to make it to Dog Leg. Obviously will depend on weather and winds etc but with fishing and exploring added we have to maybe reconsider just completing from Derby
- 10/04/2025 at 10:55 am #4860
  9 Lives
  Participant
  Good morning
  
  Jane and Mark on catamaran 9 Lives. We’re currently in Rajah Ampat and hope to be in Darwin early May.
  
  Will then sail Kimberley for approx 2 months, then continue home to Perth by around September. Anyone with similar plans please advise as will be great to have some buddies
  
  Attachments:
  You must be logged in to view attached files.
- 10/04/2025 at 1:22 pm #4862
  iiCAPTAIN
  Participant
  Hi 9 Live and Jane and Mark, we are Shashi and Mike on the 16m ally Crowther cat SAIL2, currently Gold Coast headed back to home port Fremantle same timeline as you guys. We are on AIS, so you will see us there.
  
  Attachments:
  You must be logged in to view attached files.
- 22/04/2025 at 11:46 am #4874
  Robbie Standaloft
  Participant
  Hi All,
  
  Robbie Standaloft formerly of Cullen Bay Marina now at Tipperary Waters Marina will be heading to the Kimberly once again in the good ship ILUKA with my best mate Harry mid-May. Looking forward to possibly meeting up with some of our old friends from years gone by and of course the friends we have yet to meet. We will be concentrating on the King George and Berkley and posting our adventures on our YouTube channel “Sailing Iluka”
  
  Look fwd. to seeing you there.
- 22/04/2025 at 3:55 pm #4875
  Kirk Zulsdorf
  Participant
  Kirk & Allan on Anteater Blues. (Hanse 461)
  
  Departing from Mangle Bay around 30th April on favorable weather window, heading North and hoping to enjoy the Kimberly. Intend to sail South again around the end of September.
  
  We will keep a look out for any other boats on their way.
  
  Warm regards
  
  Kirk
Author

Posts