Vansittart Bay lies along the remote Kimberley coast, a sheltered inlet framed by rust-red sandstone headlands and quiet, untouched beaches. The region holds deep cultural significance for Traditional Owners, whose connection to this landscape stretches back millennia and is reflected in ancient Gwion Gwion, or Bradshaw, rock art found in nearby sandstone shelters. Rugged terrain and isolation have preserved both the art and the land in a state largely unchanged over time.
More recent history surfaces here too, in the form of a World War II Douglas C-53 aircraft wreck resting remarkably intact on the coastal plain. Access to the bay is by small excursion craft launched from anchored vessels, making this a true tender port with no formal pier or town infrastructure. Travelers venture ashore for a rare combination of ancient cultural heritage, dramatic geology, and a tangible link to wartime history.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Vansittart Bay.
View the C-53 Wreck
Walk out to the remarkably intact WWII Douglas C-53, resting on the coastal plain since it went down decades ago. Reachable via a short walk from the tender landing, it's a rare chance to stand beside a tangible piece of wartime history.
Seek Out Gwion Gwion Rock Art
Join a guided excursion to sandstone shelters holding ancient Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, among the oldest rock art traditions on Earth. Traditional Owner-led context adds depth to these fragile, millennia-old images.
Explore by Tender Craft
With no pier or town, small excursion boats are the only way ashore, revealing hidden coves and rust-colored headlands along the way. Book landing slots early, as capacity is limited and conditions dictate timing.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Click a cruise line to see its Vansittart Bay sailings and Pavlus pricing.
