True North $4m refit & new itineraries revealed (with tricks for solos)

As the Kimberley cruising season gets under way, True North has revealed the $4 million refit that has freshened up True North and True North II.

And they come as the company, which also sails the vessels in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, moves towards its 40th anniversary.

+ For True North, the refit includes new engines and interior improvements. Some cabins now feature an additional Pullman bunk, offering new options for solo travellers. As you can see from the pictures, shared rooms have Pullmans arranged in bunk-bed style, or can be used as a single room.

+ True North II gets improved guest areas, and new adventure boats that can take travellers to shorelines, river systems and reefs.

There has also been crew training and team development across both vessels.

NEW ITINERARIES

The 2026 season introduces new itineraries, including Kimberley Untold.

A True North spokesperson says: “After nearly 40 years exploring the Kimberley coast, the itinerary opens up entirely new areas, taking guests to remote rivers, waterfalls and sandstone gorges alongside fishing, wildlife encounters and guided bushwalking.”

True North will also venture into Papua New Guinea with Navigate New Britain. The region has volcanic landscapes, rainforest coastlines and vibrant reef systems. The expedition moves between land and sea, pairing snorkelling with visits to remote island communities.

True North also returns to the Great Barrier Reef.

“We’ve put a lot into the fleet this year,” True North Adventure Cruises director Chad Avenell says.

“It’s about how far we can go, how flexible we can be, and what that opens up for guests once we’re out there.

“A big part of that is making sure everything’s dialled in, the vessels and the crew, so we’re set up properly from day one. At the end of the day, it’s about our guests, their safety, and making sure they leave having had a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

truenorth.com.au