Tuesday 31 May 2011
Monday 30 May 2011
Kimberley Trip 2011 - Oceanic Discoverer
Sunday 29th May 2011
And the pace continues.
Today we visited Bigge Island (Wary Bay) and Winyalkan. Xplorer, our flat bottom boat took us ashore to view aboriginal art and a nature walk to an Aboriginal ceremonial site. The art of the Wandjina is integral to this area of the Kimberley and gives us a window into the indigenous spiritual world as well as a clue to much of the early Dutch explorers of the time.
We were able to see lots of interesting plants, birdlife, rock formations and shelly beaches. The shells remind me of our childhood when there was a vast array of different shells.
These islands are Australia’s last bastions for many animal species, particularly small rock wallabies. The wallabies scat (scientific term for poo!)is easily ground up in one’s palm for a roll your own – no lung cancer from these smokes. This is the bit of information I (Jo) retained from our scientists’ briefings!!
In the afternoon we cruised amongst the bays and beaches of this area. We visited Hathway’s Hideaway where ancient aboriginal middens (rubbish dumps!!) lie at the entrance of sandstone caves. We did a spot of caving to find some micro bats.
In the evening what better way to have sunset drinks then on the beach with a BBQ. We boarded our ship around 7.30pm and were entertained with a number of grey nurse sharks attracted by our lights.
Monday 30th May 2011
Today was the big helicopter ride up to the Mitchell Falls. The flight up the Hunter River and onto the plateau was pretty exciting. There was still plenty of water flowing over the falls with lots of photo opportunities for Jan. We had a swim up the top, although it was pretty cold.
In the afternoon we opted not to go on the fishing activity and were able to have a nana nap at last.
We were then off up Perosis Creek to do a bit of bird and croc spotting – we were not disappointed.
How many ways can you enjoy drinks at sunset – well tonight we were on the top deck to watch the distinctive red ball sunset of the Kimberley.
Unfortunately I have to report the food is great and lots of it. Three sumptuous meals a day and we even look forward to a couple of bikkies and a cuppa for morning and afternoon tea!!!!
Tuesday 31st May 2011
One does not realise the vastness of our coastline until you do a trip like this one. The scenery is spectacular and although you continue to have the red rock escarpments as we saw on the first couple of days we have seen more treed areas and mangroves over the past two day. The rivers are big and there are many islands along the coastline.
Today Explorer took us along the heart of the Kimberley – the Prince Regent River. The river follows an incredible fault line and flows in a straight line. All tributaries enter the river a right angles.
We first stopped at King Cascade -a lovely set of waterfalls. Then onto Camp Creek for a swim in a fresh water pool. The seas and rivers look sooooo inviting but with crocs, the sharks and others one never hangs their arm over the side of the boat.
Currently the Oceanic Explorer is steaming to Careening Bay for the night. A late afternoon beach walk is on the agenda. Here we will see the famous BOAB tree inscribed by Philip Parker King
On our return we offcourse will have to have the mandatory drinky poos before tea – with a recap of the day and a briefing on tomorrow’s activities.
Sunday 29th May 2011
And the pace continues.
Today we visited Bigge Island (Wary Bay) and Winyalkan. Xplorer, our flat bottom boat took us ashore to view aboriginal art and a nature walk to an Aboriginal ceremonial site. The art of the Wandjina is integral to this area of the Kimberley and gives us a window into the indigenous spiritual world as well as a clue to much of the early Dutch explorers of the time.
We were able to see lots of interesting plants, birdlife, rock formations and shelly beaches. The shells remind me of our childhood when there was a vast array of different shells.
These islands are Australia’s last bastions for many animal species, particularly small rock wallabies. The wallabies scat (scientific term for poo!)is easily ground up in one’s palm for a roll your own – no lung cancer from these smokes. This is the bit of information I (Jo) retained from our scientists’ briefings!!
In the afternoon we cruised amongst the bays and beaches of this area. We visited Hathway’s Hideaway where ancient aboriginal middens (rubbish dumps!!) lie at the entrance of sandstone caves. We did a spot of caving to find some micro bats.
In the evening what better way to have sunset drinks then on the beach with a BBQ. We boarded our ship around 7.30pm and were entertained with a number of grey nurse sharks attracted by our lights.
Monday 30th May 2011
Today was the big helicopter ride up to the Mitchell Falls. The flight up the Hunter River and onto the plateau was pretty exciting. There was still plenty of water flowing over the falls with lots of photo opportunities for Jan. We had a swim up the top, although it was pretty cold.
In the afternoon we opted not to go on the fishing activity and were able to have a nana nap at last.
We were then off up Perosis Creek to do a bit of bird and croc spotting – we were not disappointed.
How many ways can you enjoy drinks at sunset – well tonight we were on the top deck to watch the distinctive red ball sunset of the Kimberley.
Unfortunately I have to report the food is great and lots of it. Three sumptuous meals a day and we even look forward to a couple of bikkies and a cuppa for morning and afternoon tea!!!!
Tuesday 31st May 2011
One does not realise the vastness of our coastline until you do a trip like this one. The scenery is spectacular and although you continue to have the red rock escarpments as we saw on the first couple of days we have seen more treed areas and mangroves over the past two day. The rivers are big and there are many islands along the coastline.
Today Explorer took us along the heart of the Kimberley – the Prince Regent River. The river follows an incredible fault line and flows in a straight line. All tributaries enter the river a right angles.
We first stopped at King Cascade -a lovely set of waterfalls. Then onto Camp Creek for a swim in a fresh water pool. The seas and rivers look sooooo inviting but with crocs, the sharks and others one never hangs their arm over the side of the boat.
Currently the Oceanic Explorer is steaming to Careening Bay for the night. A late afternoon beach walk is on the agenda. Here we will see the famous BOAB tree inscribed by Philip Parker King
On our return we offcourse will have to have the mandatory drinky poos before tea – with a recap of the day and a briefing on tomorrow’s activities.
Wednesday 1st June 2011
And the pace continues.
Today we visited Bigge Island (Wary Bay) and Winyalkan. Xplorer, our flat bottom boat took us ashore to view aboriginal art and a nature walk to an Aboriginal ceremonial site. The art of the Wandjina is integral to this area of the Kimberley and gives us a window into the indigenous spiritual world as well as a clue to much of the early Dutch explorers of the time.
We were able to see lots of interesting plants, birdlife, rock formations and shelly beaches. The shells remind me of our childhood when there was a vast array of different shells.
These islands are Australia’s last bastions for many animal species, particularly small rock wallabies. The wallabies scat (scientific term for poo!)is easily ground up in one’s palm for a roll your own – no lung cancer from these smokes. This is the bit of information I (Jo) retained from our scientists’ briefings!!
In the afternoon we cruised amongst the bays and beaches of this area. We visited Hathway’s Hideaway where ancient aboriginal middens (rubbish dumps!!) lie at the entrance of sandstone caves. We did a spot of caving to find some micro bats.
In the evening what better way to have sunset drinks then on the beach with a BBQ. We boarded our ship around 7.30pm and were entertained with a number of grey nurse sharks attracted by our lights.
Monday 30th May 2011
Today was the big helicopter ride up to the Mitchell Falls. The flight up the Hunter River and onto the plateau was pretty exciting. There was still plenty of water flowing over the falls with lots of photo opportunities for Jan. We had a swim up the top, although it was pretty cold.
In the afternoon we opted not to go on the fishing activity and were able to have a nana nap at last.
We were then off up Perosis Creek to do a bit of bird and croc spotting – we were not disappointed.
How many ways can you enjoy drinks at sunset – well tonight we were on the top deck to watch the distinctive red ball sunset of the Kimberley.
Unfortunately I have to report the food is great and lots of it. Three sumptuous meals a day and we even look forward to a couple of bikkies and a cuppa for morning and afternoon tea!!!!
Tuesday 31st May 2011
One does not realise the vastness of our coastline until you do a trip like this one. The scenery is spectacular and although you continue to have the red rock escarpments as we saw on the first couple of days we have seen more treed areas and mangroves over the past two day. The rivers are big and there are many islands along the coastline.
Today Explorer took us along the heart of the Kimberley – the Prince Regent River. The river follows an incredible fault line and flows in a straight line. All tributaries enter the river a right angles.
We first stopped at King Cascade -a lovely set of waterfalls. Then onto Camp Creek for a swim in a fresh water pool. The seas and rivers look sooooo inviting but with crocs, the sharks and others one never hangs their arm over the side of the boat.
Currently the Oceanic Explorer is steaming to Careening Bay for the night. A late afternoon beach walk is on the agenda. Here we will see the famous BOAB tree inscribed by Philip Parker King
On our return we offcourse will have to have the mandatory drinky poos before tea – with a recap of the day and a briefing on tomorrow’s activities.
Sunday 29th May 2011
And the pace continues.
Today we visited Bigge Island (Wary Bay) and Winyalkan. Xplorer, our flat bottom boat took us ashore to view aboriginal art and a nature walk to an Aboriginal ceremonial site. The art of the Wandjina is integral to this area of the Kimberley and gives us a window into the indigenous spiritual world as well as a clue to much of the early Dutch explorers of the time.
We were able to see lots of interesting plants, birdlife, rock formations and shelly beaches. The shells remind me of our childhood when there was a vast array of different shells.
These islands are Australia’s last bastions for many animal species, particularly small rock wallabies. The wallabies scat (scientific term for poo!)is easily ground up in one’s palm for a roll your own – no lung cancer from these smokes. This is the bit of information I (Jo) retained from our scientists’ briefings!!
In the afternoon we cruised amongst the bays and beaches of this area. We visited Hathway’s Hideaway where ancient aboriginal middens (rubbish dumps!!) lie at the entrance of sandstone caves. We did a spot of caving to find some micro bats.
In the evening what better way to have sunset drinks then on the beach with a BBQ. We boarded our ship around 7.30pm and were entertained with a number of grey nurse sharks attracted by our lights.
Monday 30th May 2011
Today was the big helicopter ride up to the Mitchell Falls. The flight up the Hunter River and onto the plateau was pretty exciting. There was still plenty of water flowing over the falls with lots of photo opportunities for Jan. We had a swim up the top, although it was pretty cold.
In the afternoon we opted not to go on the fishing activity and were able to have a nana nap at last.
We were then off up Perosis Creek to do a bit of bird and croc spotting – we were not disappointed.
How many ways can you enjoy drinks at sunset – well tonight we were on the top deck to watch the distinctive red ball sunset of the Kimberley.
Unfortunately I have to report the food is great and lots of it. Three sumptuous meals a day and we even look forward to a couple of bikkies and a cuppa for morning and afternoon tea!!!!
Tuesday 31st May 2011
One does not realise the vastness of our coastline until you do a trip like this one. The scenery is spectacular and although you continue to have the red rock escarpments as we saw on the first couple of days we have seen more treed areas and mangroves over the past two day. The rivers are big and there are many islands along the coastline.
Today Explorer took us along the heart of the Kimberley – the Prince Regent River. The river follows an incredible fault line and flows in a straight line. All tributaries enter the river a right angles.
We first stopped at King Cascade -a lovely set of waterfalls. Then onto Camp Creek for a swim in a fresh water pool. The seas and rivers look sooooo inviting but with crocs, the sharks and others one never hangs their arm over the side of the boat.
Currently the Oceanic Explorer is steaming to Careening Bay for the night. A late afternoon beach walk is on the agenda. Here we will see the famous BOAB tree inscribed by Philip Parker King
On our return we offcourse will have to have the mandatory drinky poos before tea – with a recap of the day and a briefing on tomorrow’s activities.
Wednesday 1st June 2011
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