07 Aug 2023

The Peak Ebb and Flow of Buccaneer Archipelago's Horizontal Falls

Today was a very special day, certainly when it came to geology, as Heritage Adventurer arrived at Talbot Bay to experience Buccaneer Archipelago's iconic Horizontal Falls.

Famously described by Sir David Attenborough as "one of the greatest natural wonders of the world" our Expedition Leader and Captain had arranged our visit to coincide at their peak ebb and flow, giving us the best opportunity to take our Zodiacs up close and fully experience these turbulent waters as they thundered out of the two main embayments through the eroded gaps among Warton and Pentecost sandstone layers of rock. With options of a longer and shorter Zodiac cruise of this incredible display, it was a thrill to feel the rush of water and our drivers were certainly put to the test to power through the strong flows. It was a spectacular sight to see, as we were surrounded by sheer vertical layers of rock above and all around us, rather than the usual horizontal blocks typical of many other locations we've visited.

After the Falls we explored Talbot Creek, or as it's more commonly referred to as Cyclone Creek, to marvel at more geologic formations of rock that have been folded, buckled, bent and reshaped over millennia - truly magnificent scenery. At the end of the creek, among the Kimberley Rose trees, the Wedge-tailed and White-bellied Sea Eagles, we also observed several crocodiles! Our guides pointed out the strong claw marks in the mud of one sunbathing atop a steep mudbank and watching us watching it, while another was observed sliding into the water.

Today though the star was truly the geology as we cruised out of Talbot Bay, taking in the many islands with all their picturesque and varying degrees of horizontal to vertical layers in this region that's been so drastically changed over time. With presentations, a near U-turn of our trusty expedition vessel for the sighting of a Humpback Whale, and plenty of warm sunshine poolside up on Deck 7, today was another incredible day exploring Australia's endlessly fascinating Kimberley.

Image on file (c) by S.Bradley