OTHER INFORMATION

FOOD

All food is supplied. We have an on board cook who will prepare the daily catch for you. There is no shortage of good food aboard Utopia.

Please advise when you book your cruise of any dietary requirements you may have.

A guide to our eating schedule is as follows:

Breakfast

The crew will have the billy boiled by the time you wake up. We serve a continental breakfast every morning. This consists of three choices of cereals, fruit, tea and coffee, orange juice and toast. A cooked breakfast is served every other morning, this may consist of bacon or sausages and eggs, poached or scrambled eggs, pan cakes etc.

Morning Tea

At 10am, we have morning tea on board Utopia. We have tea and coffee, cordial, home made cakes, fruit and nut, muesli bars, fresh fruit, and every so often a big batch of pikelets to share.

Lunch

If you have managed to catch some fish before lunch, the cook will use the barbeque aboard Utopia to prepare some succulent fresh fish. A buffet lunch with cold meats will be served every day and includes garden salads, potato salad, coleslaw, fried rice or a pasta dish. Oysters à la Utopia are always a hit.

Afternoon tea

Tea / coffee and sweet biscuits are served in the afternoons.

Dinner

After arriving at the beach camp for the night, enjoy a plate of nibblies with a glass of you favourite wine while watching the sun set. We light a camp fire every night. An entré of sushimi, susme or crumbed oysters is served before the main meal of the catch of the day. Occasionally, we will have a barbeque or a curry meal for something different. On the longer trips, it is nice to have a change from fish. Desert is served for those who may have a sweat tooth, followed by tea and coffee. After all the fishing, swimming and eating you've been doing, it's good night and lets do it all again tomorrow.

BEVERAGES

When you book, you will be asked to send an order of what drinks you would like to have during your trip beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks etc. We will then purchase these drinks and have them on ice aboard Utopia upon your arrival. You can either pay for your drinks during or before your trip. We are unable to offer refunds on drinks that are ordered and not consumed during the tour but you are free to take them with you.

CAMPING

We like to think of our way of camping as luxury camping with a million star rating. We camp on beaches most of the time, except at times when we are far up a river rock gorge. The only thing you are expected to do is to carry your own swag and set up your tent. The crew will assist if you are having any difficulties. All cooking, washing up is done by the crew but feel free to join in at any time. The crew camp ashore with you while Utopia sits at a safe anchorage.

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS

We provide dome tents for either one or two persons. All sides of the tents can be opened to let the breeze through or can be closed if you want some privacy. We also have covers for the tents in case of rain. Swags are made up with fresh sheets before your trip. Roll your swag out in your tent and have a deep sleep in the fresh night air of the Kimberley.

SHOWERING ARRANGEMENTS

We have a base camp at Gibbings Island which has fresh water for a wash. When we go to the rivers, we camp beside freshwater streams that you can wash in. Other beaches have no fresh water so the shower on the boat comes in handy. As we can only carry a certain amount of water on the boat, it is always a good idea to have a wash when we visit the waterfalls.

PERSONAL - WHAT TO BRING?

Luggage should be kept to a minimum (about 10kg each), in a soft, preferably waterproof bag.

• Sandshoes and thongs or sandals (shoes that won't mind getting wet).
• Long pants and a long sleeved shirt, to keep the sandflies at bay.
• Light tropical type clothing.
• Torch and batteries.
• Toiletries and towel.
• Sunscreen and hat.
• Personal insect repellent.
• Camera and film.
• Daypack or small bag to take ashore with you at night time.
• If you are susceptible to sand flies, please bring some "Stop itch" and some soothing tea tree lotion with you. Anti histamines are also a good idea.

We supply first aid equipment such as band-aids and antiseptic ointment. Utopia also has a fully equipped Royal Flying Doctor Service Kit. Our HF radio allows us to contact a doctor from wherever we are in the case of a medical emergency.