Coastal Kimberley

[drron]

What fantastic pictures of the osprey and whales.Jealous.Plus the Kimberley is fantastic.
Waiting for a bit about the ship.We will be boarding her in a little over 6 months.

 

[Major]

With this trip Beer, White and Red wine were included with all meals. If you didn't fancy the wine variety for that night you could ask for something else with no problems. There was a good variety of local and imported wines.

The meals were very good with quite a variety of choice. We used the dining room for most evening meals and the outside deck for breakfast and lunch.



There is a couple of lounges for drinks and presentations



There is also a nice open deck up forward



There is fantastic use of timber throughout the ship, particularly in the cabins.

This is a very comfortable ship. We had 96 passengers and 75 crew

 

[Major]

The Horizontal waterfalls are located at the end of Talbot Bay and are created by the rapid tidal fall on the ocean side of gaps in the sandstone cliffs. Waters on the island side of the gaps cannot escape fast enough and so a "horizontal waterfall" is created by the cascades, with water levels differing sometimes by several meters on either side of the gaps. Depending on the time of the year the tide can up to 12 m.

We launched the zodiacs for a gentle tour around the area



But then transferred to a local fast boat. They are fitted with 3 x 300 hp outboards. We used these boats for exhilarating rides through the horizontal falls.

 

[Major]

 

[Major]

The next day we arrived at Raft point and after a zodiac ride to shore we walked up for about 1 km to see Wandjina style aboriginal rock art. The same family has been repainting the images for many generations.

 

[Major]

There are some great views from this area and several Boabs

 

[Major]

One of the first items mentioned in the safety brief is not to stay around the water's edge but move up the beach as soon as you exit the zodiac.

There is no swimming allowed

 

[Major]

After lunch we positioned a short distance to Montgomery Reef. This is one of the most amazing natural features I have ever seen. A true spectacle.

The entire reef appears to rise from the ocean on a falling tide. with tidal differences of over 10m over a single tide cycle, nearly 5m of reef gradually emerges from the ocean as water cascades down numerous channels.

 

[Major]

When the tide is almost out sand keys suddenly appear from the ocean and for us it was also sunset. A couple of zodiacs nudged up to the sandbank with some people stepping off for sunset

 

[JohnM]

After lunch we positioned a short distance to Montgomery Reef. This is one of the most amazing natural features I have ever seen. A true spectacle.

Absolutely agree with that!

 

[Major]

Some more shots from Montgomery Reef

 

[drron]

Brings back memories.Good fishing at Montgomery Reef as well.

 

[TomVexille]

That is stunning :mrgreen:

 

[Major]

The next day saw us at Bigge Island which is fairly rugged and free from feral animals. The island is known for its indigenous rock art created by the Wunambal people and includes contact art and Wandjina figures.

 

[Major]

There was also an opportunity to explore the caves and some wildlife in the area

 

[Major]

After this very tiring effort it was time to return but not before the sound of saxophone music and thirst quenchers

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Excellent photos Major !! :mrgreen:

 

[Major]

The last day ashore was to explore the King George River as it runs into Koolama Bay

 

[Major]

 

[Major]

Some wildlife in this area