Rapidly growing French expedition brand Ponant will return to Australia’s remote Kimberley region for a second year in 2018, in response to strong demand among travellers for the brand’s quintessential style of luxury exploration which will debut in the area later this year.

A few months ahead of the company’s maiden four-voyage foray into the remote area from July, Ponant has confirmed it will be back in 2018 with four more adventures between the major ports of Darwin and Broome.

The 10-night ‘Iconic Kimberley’ journeys will take place over one-month period from 19 July to 18 August, with Deluxe Staterooms on each itinerary priced from AUD$9,010 per person twin share. Fares are inclusive of port taxes, with guests ending their voyage in Broome also receiving a transfer between the cruise terminal and the airport.

Each journey aboard the line’s 264-passenger yacht L’Austral will cover much of the region’s 13,000 kilometres of the Kimberley coastline, stopping at many well-known highlights as well as hidden spots only known to experienced members of the ship’s expedition team.

Each trip will be led by Ponant’s resident expedition leader, adventurer & photographer Mick Fogg, who will head up a team of 12 experts in a variety of fields, who will be able to share their knowledge in fields such as marine biology, photography, botany, naturalism and conservationism. Travellers will be in prime position to witness migrating humpback whales as well as areas known as the home to thousands of saltwater crocodiles.

Guests will be able to go ashore in certain areas to view Indigenous rock art, meet tribal elders and hear stories from the Dreamtime.