Aussies left thousands out of pocket after luxury cruise company collapses

Published: 04:35, 24 August 2026 | Updated: 04:37, 24 August 2026 Holidaymakers have been left thousands of dollars out of pocket after luxury cruise company Kimberley Pearl Tours went into receivership amid a bitter dispute over a loan taken out by its director. Retired farmer Ian Grant paid a 'hefty deposit' for a private family trip and was later sent an invoice asking him to pay another $140,000 to complete the booking. It was only by chance that he discovered the company had gone into receivership before transferring the money. 'We could have paid that thinking it was hunky-dory,' he told the ABC. Another customer, Bob Shawyer, narrowly avoided paying his outstanding balance after also discovering the company's financial troubles by chance. 'My wife and I didn't get a holiday we've been dreaming of,' said Shawyer, who is $8,500 out of pocket. Despite having receivers appointed in January, Kimberley Pearl Tours is continuing to advertise cabins for the latter part of 2026 and the start of 2027. According to its website, the Kimberley Pearl is a 'beautifully restored and refurbished pearling vessel, now cruising the Kimberley Coast'. The Kimberley Pearl offers stunning cruises around the north-west of Australia The company's troubles began in 2024 when sole director Daniel Brown took over the business and reportedly borrowed $395,000 from non-bank lender Blackbird Private Equity to help complete his purchase of the Kimberley Pearl. Brown later fell behind on repayments and the debt reportedly grew to more than $1million, prompting Blackbird to appoint receivers from accounting firm Hall Chadwick. But Brown claims the loan arrangement was unfair and has challenged the receivership in the Federal Court. He has accused Hall Chadwick managing partner and receiver Richard Albarran of threatening to sell the vessel for less than its market value and alleged he was acting as a 'shadow director' of Blackbird. Last month, Justice Michael Feutrill temporarily banned the receivers from selling the company's assets, including the boat, while the two sides continue mediation. The judge said it was 'reasonably arguable' that Hall Chadwick had been appointed in bad faith and pointed to questions about a potential family trust link between Albarran and Blackbird. Albarran strongly denied the allegations, saying any suggestion he had acted in bad faith was 'completely false'. Blackbird is also under investigation by class action firm Adero Law over allegations of unfair lending practices. The luxury vessel includes spacious rooms, an onboard chef, and an itinerary packed full of activities The legal battle has left Kimberley Pearl Tours customers waiting for answers and refunds. Creditor Noel Blackmur told the ABC he was concerned about the lack of communication from those overseeing the company. Hall Chadwick partner Brent Kijurina blamed the delays on Brown, claiming he had withheld company records and login details for its website and social media accounts. '[This] required us to seek intervention from ASIC to obtain them,' he said. Kijurina added that some refunds were being held up because of an 'active court injunction'. Brown strongly denied the claims, arguing the receivers had already seized company assets, including the Kimberley Pearl, leaving him unable to access the records. 'It was therefore the receivers' own refusal of access that placed the books and records beyond reach,' he said in a statement to the ABC. Brown apologised to customers and said it was his 'firm intention' to provide refunds and get the boat back on the water. 'You trusted us with your holiday of a lifetime … that trust was broken by people who were never entitled to your money,' he said. Company director Daniel Brown defaulted on a loan to buy the vessel, which soon blew out to over $1 million Hall Chadwick managing partner Richard Albarran, one of the appointed receivers The Kimberley Pearl cruising during happier times Blackbird is itself currently under investigation by class action firm Adero Law over allegations of unfair lending practises.     The murky legal situation has left KPT customers in the lurch, with one creditor, Noel Blackmur, telling the ABC he was concerned by the lack of communication from receivers and administrators. Hall Chadwick partner Brent Kijurina said the communication delays were due to Brown withholding the company books and records from receivers, as well as refusing to provide login information for the KPT social media pages and website. 'This required us to seek intervention from ASIC to obtain them,' he said. He added that some refunds were being withheld due to an 'active court injunction'.  Brown strenuously denied Kijurina's claims, saying that company assets had already been seized, including his personal belongings and the Kimberley Pearl itself. 'It was therefore the receivers' own refusal of access that placed the books and records beyond reach,' he said in a statement to the ABC.  Brown also apologised to customers and said his 'firm intention' was to issue refunds and get the boat back on the water.  'You trusted us with your holiday of a lifetime … that trust was broken by people who were never entitled to your money,' he said.