Coral Princess heads to the Kimberley following $1million refurbishment

Coral Princess Cruises’ 35 metre catamaran Coral Princess has re-entered service following a $1 million upgrade. The small ship, which is currently en route to Darwin on her 11-night Cape York and Arnhem Land expedition, will commence the company’s Kimberley season on 6 April. 

The 50 passenger Coral Princess, which operates alongside the company’s flagship Oceanic Discoverer in the Kimberley between April and October each year, has received new, state-of-the-art engines, expansive teak decking and a completely remodelled dining room and lounge area as part of the full refurbishment. The new look dining room offers significantly more space, incorporates a comfortable lounge alcove, rejuvenated décor and modern furnishings. All accommodations aboard the ship have also been upgraded, with plush carpets and stylish artworks creating a warm and welcoming onboard atmosphere.

Coral Princess founder and Managing Director Tony Briggs said he “couldn’t be happier” with the ship’s new look and initial reaction from guests has been very pleasing. “This is a significant upgrade of Coral Princess and we’ve no doubt our guests will be very impressed by the high quality amenities, furniture and fittings throughout the ship when they step aboard” he said. “We’re pleased we’ve been able to incorporate modern stylings, whilst retaining the welcoming ambience and ‘home away from home’ feeling our guests are accustomed to.”

Coral Princess Cruises, an accredited eco-tourism operator, is committed to the concept of sustainable cruising, and the ship’s new “whisper quiet” engines have been developed to minimise emissions. Following recent sea trials off Cairns, Briggs said the ship’s new engines provide increased power and greater stability, along with significantly improved fuel efficiency.

Australian-owned Coral Princess Cruises pioneered small-ship expedition cruising on the Kimberley coast in 1996 and has 34 departures scheduled across the 2012 season, which runs between April and October. The company has rooms remaining available on several departures. Coral Princess’s fleet of three small ships also operate year round cruises on the Great Barrier Reef, and further afield to exotic destinations including Papua New Guinea, Melanesia and New Zealand. 

http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/130002/coral-princess-heads-to-the-kimberley-following-1million-refurbishment

Croc Spotting

STEPHEN SCOURFIELD, TRAVEL EDITOR, The West Australian

March 23, 2012, 1:09 pm

DE MG Ranger Andy Reid at the helm on the Ord River. Picture: Stephen Scourfield/The West Australian

The Ord River snakes behind, flat and steel-grey in the darkening afternoon - slashed by the white wake of the boat.

Beside it, red bluffs pass, fired by the late sun.

This part of the East Kimberley's upper Ord, between Lake Kununurra and Argyle Dam, is naturally inhabited by Johnson freshwater crocodiles. Johnson's crocodile - Crocodylus johnsoni, the freshwater crocodile, the humble freshie - is not aggressive but not completely harmless.

But there has been a report that there may be a saltie here - the bitey estuarine crocodylus.

Department of Environment and Conservation wildlife officer Len Terry and DEC Miriuwung Gajerrong (MG) ranger Andy Reid are here to check, though Len does admit it's rather like looking for a needle in a haystack, on this long, wide stretch of silty river.

And particularly as tourists who see a big croc might think it's a saltie, and report it, when, in fact, it's not.

With Andy at the boat's controls and Len up on the bow, inside a big frame, the river is gently scoured. If they were to spot a saltie, they might come back with a trap (Len says it generally takes between two and seven weeks for a crocodile to be caught), might noose the snout, or harpoon him with small hooks and haul him in. "We use a lot of duct tape," Len says.

We end up not far from the dam as the light dies and then come back slowly, with Len spotlighting for croc eyes and giving instructions to Andy, who's driving in the dark now, with the beam of his torch.

I, of course, am sightseeing, the other chaps are working.

I'm pleased to have spotted three, maybe four, freshwater crocs and ask Len how many he reckons he saw. "A couple of hundred," he says. Of course, once you've got your eye in …

Back at the office the next day, DEC Kimberley regional manager Daryl Moncrieff asks how we went and I tell him about the interesting and enjoyable evening.

Yes, he says, and he can see potential for DEC croc-spotting trips for the public. "We could have the MG trainees and rangers telling people about the crocs and the country." And maybe another idea is born …

But there has been a report that there may be a saltie here.

New conference facilities for Kimberley Coast

KIM BENJAMIN, 16 November 2011 

The Berkeley River, a multi-million dollar development located on the Kimberley Coast in Western Australia is scheduled to open next year.

The property will feature 20 suites with panoramic ocean views and a main lodge with state of the art conference facilities.  

Incentive activities including boat cruises, fishing and helicopter rides will also be available.

http://www.citmagazine.com/News/MostEmailed/1104716/New-conference-facilities-Kimberley-Coast/