Great Northern Highway The highway is the longest in Australia with a total length of 3,200 km. This inland highway connects Perth to Wyndham in the far North of Western Australia. The highway route passes through Newman and onto Port Hedland on the coast. Newman is the turn off to the town of Marble Bar. Marble Bar Road continues to the small stop of Nullagine and onto Marble Bar. A road distance of about 300 km. Marble Bar A town in the Pilbara of north-western Western Australia. Extremes of hot weather, with a mean maximum temperature second only to Wyndham, Western Australia. Claimed to be the hottest town in Australia. A town of less than two hundred people in the Pilbara region of north-western Western Australia. A famous Jasper rock outcrop can be seen along the Coongan River near town. Marble Bar Comet Gold Mine has an interesting museum seven km out of town. The most famous building in the town is the Ironclad Hotel built in the 1890s, constructed of corrugated iron. There is one Caravan Park within Marble Bar. Entry is across a small dry creek. Shaded sites. I was told by a fellow camper to spray ant killer around the parked car as Singapore ants may damage the electrical wiring in the engine bay. Several large gold nuggets were discovered in the area. Among them the 413-ounce Bobby Dazzler found in the 1890s. I used a White’s gold detector a few km out of town in a dry creek bed. Hot dusty work. No finds. On another much earlier road trip I drove solo Marble Bar to New Norcia on the then unsealed Great Northern Highway. A driving distance of thirteen hundred km of gravel via Newman an iron ore mining town in the Pilbara of several thousand residents. The drive continued down the Great Northern Highway through to Meekatharra and onto New Norcia. This road trip was in a two-wheel drive car. Meekatharra Translates as 'place of little water'. Established as a small gold mining town and currently has about one thousand residents. There is accommodation available in the Meekatharra Hotel. Petrol and Diesel fuel is available. New Norcia A monastic town of numerous abbey's a little over an hour's drive from Perth. Abbey tours do not include the monastery as monks live in the building. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP MARBLE BAR MEEKATHARRA NEW NORCIA GOOGLE MAPS CURRENT MARBLE BAR FIVE DAY FORECAST TRAVEL DOWN UNDER & DRIVE PORT HEDLAND - MARBLE BAR EARLY DAYS OF MARBLE BAR MARBLE BAR & OUTBACK DEATHS DRIVING INTO MARBLE BAR MARBLE BAR MARBLE BAR WELCOME SIGNS CATTLE HORSEMEN OF THE OUTBACK BIGGER THAN THE STATE OF VICTORIA OLDTIMER WALKING INTO MARBLE BAR MARBLE BAR ROADTRAIN FOUR TRAILERS PRIME MOVER WITH FOUR TRAILERS OUTBACK HOMESTEAD OR BE IN THE SHIT PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 10 Try my luck finding gold in a hot and dry creek bed - Traveldriven Marble Bar The town of Marble Bar was named after a nearby jasper bar was mistaken for marble. The jasper bar runs across the bed of the Coongan River. Large gold nuggets were discovered as a result of the Marble Bar goldrush. The 333 ounce Little Hero The 413 ounce (11.7kg) Bobby Dazzler The 332 ounce (9.4kg) General Gordon All were found in the goldfields around the town. I gathered several hand size samples of jasper for a keepsake. SEEK OUT GOLD Try my luck and go find gold nuggets I told myself. I carried a White Gold Detector machine for a little scratching around. A basic and capable detector. Raising a sweat swinging the pick in an out of town creek bed. It's hard work in the heat. The creek bed not all sand & somewhat stony. I hung the pick on a tree branch for a short rest. Driving towards Marble Bar a fellow in a old 4wd pulled over and talking through the wound down car window showed me a small 30ml clear plastic container like you get chemist tablets in. GOLD NUGGETS FOUND Inside were odd sized small gold nuggets he said he had found a couple of km away up a side track. Try your luck around there he said and drove off. I knew all the side tracks were covered in the sharp gibber like stones. I thought who needs a tyre puncture in this heat. Me driving a sedan with road tyres only. I called it a day and returned to Marble Bar. Plenty of Jasper Jasper is commonly known as a spotted or speckled stone. Apparently seen to have healing properties for some and is used as jewellery and for decorative oddments. When jasper is water covered many bright and strong banded colours are bought to the fore. Quite pleasing to the eye. There was plenty of raw Jasper in plain sight, unlike gold or marble. The Price of Jasper Raw jasper taken from the ground is worth up to about one dollar per half a kilogram. Could be quite a bit less. Not a high monetary valve even when cleaned and polished. On the other hand, a square foot of actual raw marble is sixty dollars on average. A square foot weighing four to seven kg. Traveldriven CLAIMED AS AUSTRALIA'S HOTTEST TOWN THERE IS NO PUBLIC ACCESS TO TOP OF WATER TOWER HARD TO FIND AROUND HEREWATER & GOLD TRAVELLERS REST MOTEL AND PETROL AVAILABLE MARBLE BAR CLAIMED AS AUSTRALIA'S HOTTEST TOWN & BEER AVAILABLE MARBLE BAR pub notice Collingwood ban good idea. DETECTING FOR GOLD IN CREEKBED NO LUCK WATER BRINGS OUT THE COLOURS THE MARBLE BAR/JASPER ROCK BARS OF JASPER JASPER ROCK JASPER ROCK DISPLAY ROAD OUT OF TOWN NORTH to where? PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 11 The sand being so hot it appeared to be on fire. -Ludwig Leichhardt (explorer) 1845 diary entry Sandfire Roadhouse Western Australia The place is in effect just a roadhouse on the Great Northern Highway in Western Australia between Port Hedland and Broome. On the western edge of the Great Sandy Desert. Sandfire is one of three fuel stations (the others being Pardoo closed 2023, and Roebuck outside of Broome) in the six hundred and ten km between the two towns. No general access to Le Grange. Permit only. Sandfire is the only practical fuel stop between Port Hedland and Broome. Hot and dusty. Caravan sites, fast food restaurant and bar. 290 km north of Port Hedland. 315 km south of Broome. Opened in 1970. The first fuel payment was made with a carton of beer. In 1981 the road was sealed. Resident peacocks wander near the roadhouse. The name Sandfire apparently comes from a diary entry of the explorer Ludwig Leichardt (1813-1848). 'The sand being so hot it appeared to be on fire'. The roadhouse was damaged by fire in 2007 and 2009 and was rebuilt. Sandfire Roadhouse is the home of the hitchhiking Chook Salt'n'Pepper as seen on television. Pardoo Roadhouse Closed in 2023 (reopened 2024) sustained $4 million damage from Cyclone Lisa. No fuel or food available. Roebuck Plains Roadhouse is 35 km from Broome. Hence, Sandfire is the only fuel stop in a practical sense for the large distance between the two towns of Port Hedland and Broome if Pardoo is closed. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP SANDFIRE GOOGLE MAPS DRIVE PORT HEDLAND - PARDOO - SANDFIRE ROADHOUSE SANDFIRE UNITS OVERNIGHT STOP BASIC BUT CLEAN ON THE ROAD ROADTRAINS & CARAVANS SANDFIRE ROADHOUSE PEACOOKS OUTBACK SOLO RIDER SANDFIRE ROADHOUSE ABANDONED ROADSIDE WILDLIFE DAMAGE? PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 12 CABLE BEACH BROOME WESTERN AUSTRALIA Cable Beach is a twenty-two km (14 mi) stretch of white sand beach on the Indian Ocean in Broome. Although it's not unheard of to see crocodiles, the sea water can be somewhat cold. Cable Beach was named after the telegraph cable laid between Broome and Java in 1889. Broome is a former pearling town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Cable Beach is famous for swimming and beach activities. Beware of sea snakes. Crocodile sightings are rare. Broome is 1,700 km north of Perth. Staircase To The Moon One night accommodation was in the Mangrove Hotel, Broome and is highly recommended for a short stay. The hotel was my early morning departure point for the MV Oceanic Kimberley Islands seven day adventure cruise. The Mangrove Hotel gardens are a very popular viewing spot for the Staircase To The Moon. The hotel often has a feature night of live music and activities on Staircase To The Moon nights and is popular with families. Staircase To The Moon is a natural phenomenon occurring on a full moon rising over exposed tidal flats between March to October. The play of moonlight reflecting off of the tidal flats gives the illusion of a golden staircase. Free for all to observe. The phenomenon lasts until the moon is quite high in the night sky. Of course, if the sky is cloudy there is little effect. Fortunately, during this time of year most nights are clear. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP BROOME GOOGLE MAPS CURRENT BROOME FIVE DAY FORECAST RIP CURL WAVES FAMOUS CABLE BEACH Molly's Broome roadtrip. Video of famous Cable Beach and sunset camel rides. Swimming is allowed. The water is usually cold. On my visit I was told sea snakes may sometimes be seen in the Cable Beach water. Thanks to Molly Dixon Youtube channel for enabling Youtube sharing. Traveldriven BROOME PEARL DIVE HAT PEARL SHELL MANGROVE HOTEL MANGROVES MOTEL/HOTEL WATCH THE STAIRWAY TO THE MOON FROM THE REAR OUTDOOR GARDENS STAIRCASE TO THE MOON MANGROVES MOTEL/HOTEL GARDENS BABY SHARK IN TANK AT FISH FARM BROOME TROPICAL FISH A FISHY TALE TROPICAL REEF FISH PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

tales of the week's activities that quite often ended with a quiet night time beverage at sea -MV Oceanic shipmates DAY 13 Sunday Broome Broome has tide waters that encroach on both sides of the town. The waters of Roebuck Bay extend from the main jetty at Port Drive to Sandy Point. The Town Beach shoreline. Site of the famous ' Staircase to the Moon '. A receding tide and a rising moon combine to create the illusion of a staircase above the mud flats. Matso's Brewery The Brewery was an ideal location to meet up with MV Oceanic shipmates after the Kimberley Islands voyage. Sitting around outside dining tables an onshore sea breeze sprung up and yarns were told between new friends over cold drinks. Highly recommend trying Matso's ginger beer varieties. Yarns of getting your sea legs, being stuck in mud up to the knees, scrambling over rock outcrops, beach sleeping, swimming, retelling tales of the week's activities that quite often ended with a quiet night time beverage at sea. Most experienced none, or very little sea sickness on the entire voyage. All were returning home in the next day or two. Many flying interstate. I was staying in Broome a little longer, then driving to Wyndham, the very tip of Western Australia. Shipmates and Retelling of Shipboard Life All shipmates agreed the seven days roaming the sea in the Kimberley Islands was a once in a lifetime opportunity and exceeded expectations. No complaints with crew or expeditions. Notwithstanding a few things. The captain of the MV Oceanic said the fore deck spa could not be used at all. Also, onboard stowed sails were never used on either of the two masts. Few fish were caught. Sometimes the tender craft were hard to restart on a quickly receding tide. No cell phone reception. Passengers were encouraged to help with meal clean up and use water sparingly. These things did not distract from the experience at all. A great time enjoyed by all. ICON'S OF BROOME WESTERN AUSTRALIA Sun Pictures opened on 9 December 1916. The cinema underwent very regular tidal flooding. Some claimed you could catch a fish watching a movie. In 1974, a levy was built to stop flooding. Currently claimed as the world's oldest open-air cinema in operation. Restored with the help of the unofficial, 'Lord of Broome'. Robert Alistair McAlpine. Streeter's Jetty was built for pearl dealer operations out of Short Street, in1886. A channel was cut through mangroves to Dampier Creek and provided access to Streeter's Jetty for pearl luggers. Streeter's Jetty is 69m in length and was rebuilt in 2022 for the fifth time because of water damage with high tides. Traveldriven TRAVEL DOWN UNDER ENTER CLICK/TAP MATSO'S BROOME BREWERY GOOGLE MAPS IN REALTIME GINGER BEER ALCOHOL SHIPMATES AT MATSO'S GINGER BEER SELECTION MATSO'S BROOME BREWERY. Australia's most remote brewery. Alcoholic ginger beer. BROOME Two weeks in Broome including cruising the Kimberley IsIands. Ahoy Buccaneers cruise office in Broome. CITY OF BROOME SUN PICTURES BROOME INSIDE SUN PICTURES BROOME SUN PICTURES OUTDOOR THEATRE BROOME CHINA TOWN FAMOUS STREETER'S JETTY OFF SHORT STREET BROOME FAMOUS STREETERS JETTY ENDPOINT OF BOARDWALK THE MANGROVES FLOOD WITH AN INCOMING TIDE BROOME HISTORY PEARL DIVER PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

OVERNIGHT SLEEP ON THE BEACH SWAGS ROLLED OUT Exploring uninhabited islands in Western Australia. No mangroves. Clear warm water. No crocs. Of course, strictly speaking, anywhere in the Kimberley is crocodile habitat. A large chasm receded back into cliffs on this particular beach foreshore. At the far end of the beach away from our overnight swags. Receding into the cliffs perhaps fifty metres or so. The rock face smoothed by tides and storms. Damp sand felt underfoot with low tide and sounds of small birds twittering up above in the clifftop trees. The yellow beacon light carried from our tender staked in the beach sand still flashing in the early morning light. Beach swimming is generally regarded as safe on islands far from the coast away from coastal mangroves. Swimming in a pristine environment. Shipmates along with ship crew together exploring uninhabited islands. Kimberley of Western Australia Surrounded by Kimberley rock structures weathered into strange shapes and various colours. The huge high tide marks on rocks are a testament to the powerful forces of nature at play. These marks, etched into the rugged surface of the rocks, tell a story of the relentless ebb and flow of the tides. Each mark represents a moment in time when the sea surged forward with immense strength, leaving its mark for all to see. The sheer size of these tide marks serves as a reminder of the sheer power of the ocean, shaping the coastline over countless years. As the waves crash against the rocks, carving out new patterns and designs, the high tide marks stand as a silent witness to the ever-changing dance between land and sea. Sometimes impromptu Kimberley sand crab racing was arranged. A few crabs moved quickly to the outer circle drawn in the sand. Others not so. Make your own fun in these remote islands. Frequent swimming is enjoyed in the warm sea by some. All enjoying cruising the untamed Kimberley Islands of Western Australia. Traveldriven A large natural split receding back into the rock cliff. Smoothed by high water tides ON THE BEACH WINTER SWIM TEN METRE TIDE MARK EXPLORE UNINHABITED ISLANDS NOTE THE HIGH TIDE MARK BEHIND THE WALKERS KIMBERLEY ISLANDS SUNSET CRAB RACES ONLY IN THE KIMBERLEY PREV KIMBERLEY ISLANDS NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 15 Beware death adder snakes rumoured to be in the rocks. -ship crew Beach Sleep, Kimberley Western Australia Away from the mother ship. For those shipmates who were interested. A sleeping overnight experience on a beach. On one of hundreds of unnamed smaller Kimberley islands. Remote and untouched. No facilities. Each Kimberley night is clear and cool. Every star in the starry night sky shining brightly. A still calm and silence. Interrupted only by the sound of small waves lapping the beach. The sound of the occasional swag zipper opening and closing to check the beach for unusual movement. Sleep is in overnight swags on dry beach sand well away from water and any threat of crocs. Beware death adder snakes rumoured to be in the rocks. Navigation beacon light flickering all night on the sandy beach as guidance for the outboard tender if required. Small beach campfire in the cool Kimberley night. Quiet adventure cruise in the Kimberley Islands of Western Australia. Traveldriven KIMBERLEY ISLAND CAMPFIRE SWAG ONE OF TEN. CLOSEST TO THE BEACH? CROC DANGER. Beach Camping All swags were placed well above the waterline in dry sand. All were repositioned further from the water upon consideration it's in a saltwater crocodile environment and after a crew member joked, he would take first croc watch and placed his own swag on two metre high rocks. However, there were no mangroves and water was clear and clean. Unfavourable crocodile habitat. Beach overnight swag shipmates wanted an abundance of caution just in case, so moved setup swags further away from the beach towards a gully perhaps a couple of hundred metres from the beach. All shipmates relocating their swags meant I was now the closest swag to the beach. Accessing the situation. I decided best to not move closer to the scrub filled gully or rocks. Who knows what lives in there to emerge at night. Traveldriven HARD OVERNIGHT SLEEP FOR CREW MEMBER PAUL BEACH CAMPING ON THE ISLANDS Paul, the deckhand taking first Croc watch. Joking? Our night beacon to guide us with night boating Swags in background at Gully entrance THE MOTHERSHIP. MV OCEANIC SKIPPER STEVE HARD AT WORK. AGAIN WHEELHOUSE SWAGS STORED ON TOP DECK MAST SAILS WERE NEVER USED READY FOR THE MORNING ACTIVITES Breakfast preparation from our two cooks, Brian and Sue SUE THE COOK HARD AT WORK EATING QUARTERS GALLEY FOR SHIPMATES & CREW WE ARE SOMEWHERE ON HERE. ICE MACHINE AND WATER SUPPLIES IN REAR OF SHIP MY LOCKER FELL APART UNDERNEATH ME ON DAY TWO THROWING ME ONTO THE SAFETY RAIL SPA PROBLEMS. BUT WHO CARES! PREV KIMBERLEY ISLANDS NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 16 beware of the fierce Stone Warriors -fellow shipmate Many of the Kimberley Islands have waterfalls. Tendercraft were piloted up a rock weathered murky green coloured creek followed by a short hike to Ruby Falls . A water dip is safer in the higher shallow rock pools. Crocodiles are rarely seen on many of the islands preferring mangroves. The higher rock pools are considered safe swimming in the latter half of the dry season. It's best to avoid the larger low pools and their darker water such as the base of Ruby Falls. Stone Warriors, Cruise Kimberley Islands An excursion highlight was to the Stone Warriors on an uninhabited island. Named Langgi Inlet. Remote and rarely visited. Hundreds of weathered rock outcrops appearing to the imagination as human faces and shapes. Even as animals. Best seen on the low tide. Stone Warriors overlooking this remote island shoreline in the Kimberley heat and sea breeze. The beach sand disturbed only by our footprints in this pristine environment. The Stone Warriors weren't a safety concern. Unless you fall off of one to get a better view. Perhaps with hindsight not the best idea. No medical aid is available in these remote islands. A lengthy drawn-out helicopter evacuation the only option for serious accidents. We were cruising Kimberley Islands both large and small. Exploring by small tender. Tender craft navigating past swirling whirlpools created by the tides. Often multiple whirlpools in more open bodies of water are seen in between small island groups and their creeks. Dangerous waters ready to claim the unwary. Fishing by hand reel was largely unsuccessful. The Skipper occasionally anchored the ship above coral reefs so as to catch tropical fish. Use of depth and fish finder equipment to a large extent was unfruitful. Perhaps the bait, lures, or time of day were not suitable as few fish were caught. Any caught fish was cooked by Sue the ship's cook. Assisted by Brian. Traveldriven MV Oceanic Ruby Falls Don't go in the water Saltwater crocodile danger UP ANOTHER CREEK VISTING CATAMARAN CREW MEMBER ON TOP RIGHT ASSISTING A SHIPMATE RUBY FALLS SCENIC AREA SALTWATER CROC HABITAT UNSAFE WALKING THE TOP OF RUBY FALLS SMALL COOL ROCK POOLS TOP OF RUBY FALLS TENDERCRAFT IN CREEK HIKE TO AND FROM RUBY FALLS MARKERS & ODDMENTS RUBY FALLS TRAIL KIMBERLEY ISLANDS STONE WARRIORS FACE OF THE STONE WARRIORS STONE FACE CREW MEMBER GAINING A BETTER VIEW MV OCEANIC VIEW UNDER THE GAZE OF THE STONE WARRIORS BACK TO THE SHIP BY TENDER RETURN TO THE BOAT FOR DINNER EARLY SUNRISE, SWAGS & FISHING BY HAND REEL PREV KIMBERLEY ISLANDS NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 17 Cruise Amongst the Kimberley Islands Feels like we are caught up the creek without a paddle. The tide variation is very swift. Our tendercraft operator's must be mindful at all times of a fast receding tide. If no attention is paid to the tide, the water level will drop and tendercraft will be left high and dry. Awaiting the next turn of the tide. I understood this occurred twice per day. On more than one occasion multiple attempts were needed to start outboard engines. All started within a few minutes. The Kimberley Islands sunsets are very striking. Sunrise also. Deep reds, orange and yellow colours. No shipmates complained about swag comfort on hard decks. We all agreed the comfort felt good. The hum of the ship's engine towing the three tendercraft behind and their bopping about on the water seemed to have a calming effect motoring along between excursions. The warm sea water is good to swim in, in the few safe places. Much more inviting than the year-round cold water in southern Australia. A few shipmates attempted daily to catch fish by hand reel and rod. No one really did any good and were unsuccessful. The remote Kimberley coastline begins at the Western Australia/Northern Territory border and ends at Wallal, which is a bore within the cattle station of Wallal Downs Station. Here is where the Pilbara Coast commences. The Kimberley coast is over twelve thousand km in length and has more than 2,500 islands and archipelagos. Cruise the Kimberley Islands with a certified tourist operator and enjoy untamed Australia. Traveldriven SUNSET ANOTHER SUNSET TAKEN FROM SHIP UNLEVEL HORIZON ROCKING SHIP SWAGGING ON DECK SAFE FROM CROC'S DOUBLE SWAG MY SWAG ON DECK SWAG POSITION DESPITE APPEARANCES, VERY COMFORTABLE EXPEDITION TENDER CRAFT Another creek. Be Croc. aware UP THE CREEK FURTHER UP THE CREEK ONE OF THREE TENDER CRAFTS GONE SWIMMING KIMBERLEY BUGS KIMBERLEY ROCK OUR HOME, THE BOAT TIDE MARK FISHING FOR DINNER NO LUCK. TWO OF THE TENDER CRAFT & WINTER SWIMMING WARM WATER PREV KIMBERLEY ISLANDS NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 18 Will we finish our island dinner party before the sea and tide covers the small sandy island along with all of us. It's miles to shore? -fellow shipmates Land rises out of the sea and ten metre tides. Montgomery Reef & Cruise the Kimberley Islands The large reef is off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia. Situated near the Montgomery Islands. About twenty kilometres (12 mi) offshore, opposite Doubtful Bay to the east and Collier Bay to the south. The nearest inhabited place is Bardi an aboriginal community. Bardi is about one hundred and thirty kilometres (81 mi) to the southwest on the Kimberley coast. Montgomery Reef has a total area of four hundred square kilometres (154 sq mi) making it Australia's largest inshore reef with a length of about eighty kilometres (50 mi). Montgomery Reef has a huge tidal range, up to ten metres (33 ft). On the receding tide, large lagoons, raised inlets, small creeks and a central mangrove island are revealed. The receding tide forms hundreds of cascading waterfalls. When the tide is lowest, more than four metres (13 ft) of reef may be exposed. Raft Point In the general area is Raft Point. Ship plans allowed for a morning highlight excursion to visit Raft Point. An indigenous rock art site in Doubtful Bay. Raft Point is one hundred and fifty metre's above sea level. Shipmates were dropped off by tendercraft and waded through a shoreline of mud. All sinking to the knee if unlucky on the retreating tide. Navigating the mud, hot sand and flies. All walked to the base of a large rocky hill and followed the dusty winding steep walking track surrounded by dry bush. A hot and thirsty trek to the rock art site. Once there, were rewarding elevated and very scenic expansive views of surrounding Kimberley islands. Tendercraft look very insignificant and small in the expanse of Doubtful Bay. Our only connection to the relative safety of our ship and the unavoidable return trek back through the sticky sucking mud again. Island Dinner Party Our ship the MV Oceanic anchored off of a small pristine sandy cay. Exposed by a low tide and many kilometres from land. Ship crew arranged tables, chairs food and wine. Crew told tall sea stories, and a good time was enjoyed by all. Tendercraft returned all shipmates to the ship before the island was reclaimed by the sea. Whether you are seeking adventure, relaxation, or a deeper connection with nature, a cruise through the Kimberley Islands promises an enriching and unforgettable experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. All the while watched over by the rising full Kimberley brightly lit moon followed by a warm and starry, still night. Traveldriven Our tenders returning to the MV Oceanic shipmates joked are we in tender, 'Seal Team 6' no minions amongst our shipmates see Montgomery Reef video below for explanation KIMBERLEY ISLAND SUNSET OUR TENDERCRAFT MOTORING TO STEEP ISLAND READY FOR PICKUP HIKING UPHILL TO ABORIGINAL ROCK ART ROCK ART STEEP ISLAND ABORIGINAL ROCK ART Shoreline of sinking mud up to the knee if footing misplaced Very informative talk given by crew man Brian on Raft Point rock art MONTGOMERY REEF KIMBERLEY THE TIDE TURNS Montgomery Reef tour by 'the minions' A term coined by the MV Oceanic shipmates of larger ship guest tours wearing bright yellow life vests & line astern Our tender hard to restart in shallow water on a fast-receding tide (not caught on camera) MONTGOMERY REEF & RECEDING TIDE Our private island dinner party captain Steve 'Tux' heard talking in the background about Broome OUR ISLAND RISING FROM THE SEA SANDY ISLAND DINNER EAT & DRINK SHIPMATES DINNER ON OUR PRIVATE ISLAND BACK TO THE SHIP BEFORE OUR ISLAND DISAPPEARS UNDER THE RISING TIDE KIMBERLEY MOON PREV KIMBERLEY ISLANDS NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 19 Horizontal Falls Locals call them the (Horries) is as described by David Attenborough a great natural wonder of the world. Located on the coast of the Kimberley region in Western Australia. The falls form when seawater rushes through two short and narrow gorges which are about three hundred metres (1,000 ft) apart. The falls are located in the coastal Mclarty Ranges within Talbot Bay and within the Buccaneer Archipelago. The seaward gap is about twenty metres (70 ft) wide. The landward one is about ten metres wide (30 ft). The natural wonder is caused by the sea level change due to tides of up to ten metres (33 ft). Water builds up on one side or the other of the gaps faster than it can flow through. Creating a wall of water up to four metres (13 ft) high. With the change of the tide, the direction of the falls reverses from inflow to outflow and back again. Cruise Kimberley Islands Captain Steve, dropped anchor in Talbot Bay. Tendercraft took those who decided on a helicopter flight to the pontoon floating in the bay. Helicopter doors removed and flown by a barefoot pilot. Best for the heat or a water ditch, I guess. Several passes over the falls and back along the ranges. Rising air thermals buffered the helicopter on banking. Just the secure seatbelt to hold you in place stopping a fall to the water far below. Headset commentary. A few seaplanes out of Broome doing sightseeing flights. These were landing and taking off from the bay. Allowing passengers to go jet boating through the narrow gap. Most of our ship mates and I did the jet boating as an excursion extra. Too dangerous for anything other than multi-engine jet boats to pass through the Horizontal Falls entrance. A high speed thrill similar to jet boating in river canyons. On steroids. Expect a wet ride. Our ship MV Oceanic safely anchored alone in Talbot Bay for the night surrounded by rugged mountain ranges. There is no land access to Horizontal Falls by road or track. Seaplane or ship only. There are calls for a complete ban on travel to Horizontal Falls by the traditional landowners for the reason given below and cultural obligations. Access through the narrowest gap by tourist jet boat are discontinued as of 2023. Talks are ongoing between Dambeemangarddee Aboriginal Corporation and the Western Australian state government. Traveldriven Tuesday, May 30, 2023, Media Release Charges were laid last Friday 26 May 2023, against the master and company that owns the high-speed vessel Falls Express , which collided with rocks at Horizontal Falls on 27 May 2022 while carrying 25 passengers and 2 crew on an eco-tour of Talbot Bay in Western Australia. Dozens of people onboard Falls Express were seriously injured as a result of the domestic commercial vessel’s operation at high-speed through the narrow 7.5m gap at Horizontal Falls. The response effort, by emergency services and other domestic commercial vessels operating in the area at the time, was rapid and commendable. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has meticulously investigated the incident, gathering, and analysing evidence over the past year. With support from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, charges have now been laid under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 (the “National Law”). The master, Edward James Whisson, has been charged with two safety-related offences— failing to take reasonable care, and not implementing and complying with the safety management system for the vessel and its operations. The owner, Journey Beyond Adventures Pty Ltd (trading as Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures), has been charged with two offences for failing to, so far as reasonably practicable, ensure the safety of the vessel, its equipment and the operation of the vessel; and failing to implement and maintain a safety management system that could ensure Falls Express, and its operations, were safe. As this matter will now proceed to the Magistrates Court of Western Australia, it would be inappropriate for AMSA to comment further. Australian Maritime Safety Authority CLICK/TAP TO ENTER HORIZONTAL FALLS GOOGLE MAPS IN REALTIME ISLAND CAMPFIRE ON A HOT KIMBERLEY DAY MV OCEANIC & BROOME SEAPLANE HORIZONTAL FALLS BY HELICOPTER HORIZONTAL FALLS THROUGH THE GAP HORIZONTAL FALLS BY DAVID ATTENBOROUGH HORIZONTAL FALLS BY SEAPLANE HORIZONTAL FALLS JET BOAT CRASH 2022 A REST BETWEEN EXPEDITIONS CREW GETTING THE CRAFT READY TO EXPLORE HIGH TIDE MARK ISLAND SNACK OR DRYING WET HAT? NEST HIGH ON ROCKS EAGLE'S NEST GOING UP RIVER CROC SPOTTING COCKATOO ISLAND UNLOADING IRON ORE TRUCK OUT THE HATCH STEPS TO THE GALLEY INSIDE SHIP WALKWAY THE BOAT ENGINE ACTIVITIES FOR TODAY & SUE THE COOK ROLLED UP SWAGS PREV KIMBERLEY ISLANDS NEXT PREV WESTERN AUSTRALIA NEXT HOMEPAGE

a female passenger had been left behind on Raft Point leaving the woman stranded on the remote beach - Australian Maritime Safety Authority KIMBERLEY ISLANDS OF AUSTRALIA DAY 20 SUNDAY End of Kimberley Islands Cruise Western Australia All crew and passengers had an incident free, safe and enjoyable time on this Kimberley Island cruise. Final day at sea and back to home port. Crew member Paul was to captain the next cruise of the MV Oceanic. Not unusual for ships to rotate skippers. Captain Steve was helicopter certified with a private licence and Geraldton based. Paul, Wyndham based. During a cruise in late 2017 to the Raft Point indigenous rock art site in Doubtful Bay. A report released by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority noted a female passenger had been left behind on Raft Point. No head count undertaken by crew. Leaving the woman stranded on the remote beach. Before the MV Oceanic set sail a tendercraft was dispatched to retrieve the distressed woman. Attention was also drawn to MV Oceanic previous issues with the seaworthiness, stability, electrical wiring and firefighting equipment. Asserting the vessel owners Ahoy Buccaneers lacked basic safety practices. I and none of the passengers of our cruise had fault with crew on our safety. Crew were disciplined, motivated and helpful. It was reported in the Western Australian ABC Kimberley news media Mv Oceanic sustained damage in April 2018 after running aground on a reef in remote Western Australia leading to the helicopter evacuation of 14 passengers. Mv Oceanic placed into administration and out of service as of 2020. Vessel to be sold. There are no accounts of further sailings up to 2025. A sorry conclusion for all who sailed on the Mv Oceanic. Traveldriven CRUISING THE KIMBERLEY ISLANDS TROPICAL REEF FISH SWAG ON THE BOAT UNDERCOVER MV OCEANIC MY SWAG ON DECK MY SWAG SLEEP ON DECK IN THE TROPICAL NIGHTS OUT OF DATE? SELF SERVE BREAKFAST BREAKFAST DOWN THE HATCH LITERALLY CATCH OF THE DAY STORAGE SHIP CAPTAIN STEVE'S OFFICE PREV KIMBERLEY ISLANDS NEXT GO TO ROADTRIP WA/NT/SA RELAXING AT MATSO'S IN BROOME WITH SHIPMATES AFTER THE CRUISE NEXT