The Great Escape Charter Company

What The Great Escape Charter Company does

The Great Escape Charter Company Pty Ltd is an Australian privately-held tour operator and small-group adventure cruise line founded in 1999 and headquartered in Broome, Western Australia. Its core asset is the MV Great Escape, a custom-built 26-metre luxury catamaran carrying 14 guests in seven en-suited staterooms and a crew of seven, built in 2006 and Australian-flagged. A permanently stationed Bell Jet Ranger helicopter (operated via the Salty Wings partnership) and three custom 5-metre expedition tenders enable access to remote Kimberley waterfalls, Aboriginal art sites, and fishing locations that are out of reach of larger vessels or land-based operators. Onboard systems include satellite WiFi and telephony, air conditioning, desalination, and real-time television.

The company's revenue model is direct-to-consumer sale of all-inclusive multi-night cruise packages (twin share, AUD 5,285–6,510+ per person for short itineraries and materially higher for 7–13 night Kimberley voyages), supplemented by Exclusive Charter bookings of the full vessel (minimum 14 guests / 12 for fishing) and optional helicopter scenic flights. Itineraries include the Kimberley Classic Adventure (13 nights), Southern Kimberley Experience (7 nights), Kings of the Kimberley Northern Gorges (6–7 nights), Waterfall Safari (10 nights), Kimberley Fishing Extravaganza (4 nights), Rowley Shoals Underwater Adventure (5–7 nights), and the annual West Coast Adventure (10–11 nights). Operations run March to November, with booking lead times of 12–18 months driven by word-of-mouth referrals, magazine features (Qantas, Outback), travel trade, and a Broome-based Guest Relations Coordinator. The customer base is high-net-worth individual travellers, fishing enthusiasts, certified divers, and private charter groups across Australia and select international markets (notably the UK), with no enterprise anchor contracts and no external funding.

Name

The Great Escape Charter Company

Legal name

The Great Escape Charter Company Pty Ltd

Website

https://greatescapecruises.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Great Escape Charter Company is a Broome-based, family-owned small-group luxury adventure cruise line operating a 14-guest catamaran with onboard helicopter, sailing Kimberley, Rowley Shoals, and West Coast itineraries for affluent travellers, fishing parties, divers, and private charter groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Adventure Cruising

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation (483114), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests) (THAEADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Yacht & Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (THAEABAF), Adventure Expedition Cruise Lines (Warm-Water & Remote Islands) (THAEABAE), Luxury Cruise Charters & Private Expeditions (THAEABAG)

Keywords

• Luxury adventure cruises
• Small ship expeditions
• Kimberley coast cruises
• Helicopter expedition cruises
• Fly fishing charters

Headquarters

HQ city

Broome

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Cruise Package Sales: All-inclusive cruise packages sold per person with twin share pricing. Packages include transfers, accommodation, meals, beverages, activities, equipment, and crew services. Pricing varies by cabin type (Panoramic View vs Horizon View) and cruise duration (4-13 nights).
2. Exclusive Charter Bookings: Private charters of the entire vessel for families, corporate events, or special occasions. Corporate companies can charter for meetings, incentives or special events. Pricing quote-based for exclusive use (minimum 14 people, 12 for fishing charters).
3. Optional Extras and Add-ons: Satellite WiFi access, helicopter scenic flights (arranged onboard, payable via credit card at end of cruise), and alcohol purchases through preferred local suppliers. Dive and snorkelling equipment hire arranged for Rowley Shoals cruises.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Great Escape Charter Company operates small-group luxury adventure cruises on the MV Great Escape, an award-winning 35-metre vessel carrying 22 guests in 10 cabins. Itineraries take guests along the Kimberley Coast, Rowley Shoals, and West Coast of Australia, with all-inclusive packages covering fine dining, beverages, fishing tackle, excursions, and a dedicated onboard helicopter for transfers, scenic flights, and remote access.

Product overview

The Great Escape Charter Company offers small group luxury adventure cruises aboard MV Great Escape, a custom-built 26-metre luxury catamaran. The product portfolio centers on the MV Great Escape vessel with multiple itinerary-based cruise products including Kimberley Classic Adventure (13 nights), Kings of the Kimberley Northern Gorges (6-7 nights), Southern Kimberley Experience (7 nights), Waterfall Safari (10 nights), Kimberley Fishing Extravaganza (4 nights), Rowley Shoals Underwater Adventure (5-7 nights), and West Coast Adventure (10-11 nights). The company also offers Exclusive Charters for private group bookings. All cruises feature onboard helicopter access, expedition tenders, gourmet cuisine, and fully-inclusive pricing with BYO alcohol policy. The offering is a unified luxury cruise service rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MV Great Escape: The main luxury catamaran vessel operated by the company, accommodating 14 guests
• Salty Wings

Products and services

• Kimberley Ultimate Cruise A 13-night flagship expedition cruise along the Kimberley Coast, fully inclusive of meals, beverages, fishing tackle, excursions, and helicopter access, targeting affluent travellers seeking the signature extended Kimberley experience.
• Rowley Shoals Cruise A multi-night luxury expedition cruise to the Rowley Shoals for diving, snorkelling, and reef experiences, with all-inclusive dining, beverages, and excursions.
• Kimberley Snapshot Cruise A shorter-format Kimberley Coast cruise (3 to 6 nights) offering an all-inclusive introduction to the Kimberley with helicopter transfers and selected excursions.
• West Coast of Australia Cruise A multi-night expedition cruise along the West Coast of Australia, with all-inclusive dining, beverages, and excursions aboard the MV Great Escape.
• Private Charter of MV Great Escape A full-vessel private charter of the MV Great Escape for corporate groups, families, or private parties seeking an exclusive, tailored itinerary with helicopter access.

Quantifiable outcome

• Small group size of 14 guests enables personalized service and itinerary flexibility
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Kyle Andrews FoundationminorOthersCharitable partnership supporting the foundation's initiatives. The company collaborates with this organization as part of their community engagement and philanthropy.
• Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS)minorOthersPartnership with RFDS for emergency medical evacuation support in remote operating areas. MV Great Escape carries a Royal Flying Doctor kit for emergency situations.
• MANDALAHminorOthersCharitable partnership with MANDALAH organization as part of the company's community giving and social impact initiatives.
• Variety - The Children's CharityminorOthersPartnership with Variety for charitable initiatives. The company supports their programs through donations from recycling proceeds.
• JDRF AustraliaminorOthersCharitable partnership with JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Australia as part of the company's community engagement.
• Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia (CFWA)minorOthersPartnership with Cystic Fibrosis WA through events such as the George Hones Family Cystic Fibrosis Golf Classic. The company supports CFWA fundraising initiatives.
• Wunambal Gaambera Traditional OwnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Wunambal Gaambera traditional owners on a special project to share their story, celebrating 20 years of operation through cultural collaboration. This partnership celebrates Country and Culture through collaboration.
• Cover-More InsuranceminorOthersThe company is an agent for Cover-More Insurance, offering guests cancellation insurance including 'cancel for any reason' coverage. Insurance must be taken at the beginning of booking.
• Channel 7 TelethonminorOthersParticipation in Channel 7 Telethon events as part of community engagement and charitable giving.
• Parkerville Children and Youth CareminorOthersSupport for Parkerville Children and Youth Care through charity events and fundraising as part of the company's community engagement program.
• MADALAH Indigenous Scholarship ProgramminorOthersPartnership with MADALAH providing Indigenous scholarship opportunities, supporting education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kimberley Quest: Broome-based small-ship Kimberley cruise operator running Kimberley Quest (18 guests). Direct competitor for the same Broome-originating small-group Kimberley adventure cruise customer.
• Coral Princess Cruises: Australian small-ship cruise line operating Coral Princess II (50 guests) on Kimberley and Cape York cruises with included helicopter excursions. Competes directly for the same small-group luxury Kimberley passenger.
• Aurora Expeditions: Australia-founded small-ship expedition company operating Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle on global itineraries including Kimberley. Comparable small-ship expedition model and adventure-travel customer segment.
• Ponant: French luxury expedition cruise line operating small ships (Le Lapérouse, Le Soléal and sister vessels) on Kimberley itineraries, providing an upscale, international alternative for the same Kimberley destination experience.
• Silversea Expeditions: International luxury expedition cruise brand running Silver Cloud and Silver Explorer on Kimberley expeditions, targeting the same ultra-high-net-worth traveler seeking small-ship, expert-led adventure cruising.
• True North Adventure Cruises: Australian-owned luxury small-ship adventure cruise operator running True North (~22 guests) on Kimberley, Rowley Shoals and West Coast itineraries. Closest direct competitor by geography, vessel size and target affluent adventure traveler.

Emerging players

• Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: German luxury expedition line whose HANSEATIC-class ships occasionally sail Kimberley and Australia itineraries. Comparable small-ship luxury expedition format and similar premium positioning, though a more intermittent presence in the Kimberley.

Broad incumbents

• Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours: Australian-founded luxury travel company whose Scenic Eclipse expedition yachts (with onboard helicopter and submersible) offer Kimberley voyages. Larger, more diversified operator competing for the same luxury expedition customer.
• Hurtigruten Expeditions: Norwegian expedition cruise line with small-to-mid-size vessels sailing Kimberley and remote Australian coast itineraries. Larger global player but overlaps on small-ship expedition cruise format and adventure traveler base.
• APT - Luxury Travel: Established Australian luxury tour operator offering Kimberley small-ship cruises and related land itineraries. Overlaps on Kimberley routes and shared affluent customer base but operates across a much broader product portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@GreatEscapeCruises
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheGreatEscapeCharterCompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/great_escape_cruises
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-great-escape-charter-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Great Escape Charter Company