29 Jul 2025

WW2 history at Vansittart Bay and ancient rock art on Jar Island

With the tides working in our favour, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and headed out on the Zodiacs for a beach landing at Vansittart Bay. With the Expedition Team on Crocodile watch, we exited the Zodiacs and headed up the beach to start our morning adventure. 

We walked up the sand dunes and down the other side heading across the salt pan into the recent bushfire area where the C-53 Skytrooper plane lay wrecked, deserted and surprisingly intact. Along the way, we spotted Fiddler Crabs, tracks in the sand from nocturnal creatures, a myriad of wildflowers, Boab Trees, Pandanus Trees and Termite mounds.

All aboard Heritage Adventurer for lunch and a quick relocation, then back on the Zodiacs for our afternoon at Jar Island. Here we experienced our first ancient Kimberley rock art of the voyage, Gwion Gwion rock paintings at two sites on the island. Heading along the beach and into the sandstone formations, the rock art appeared in the caves and overhanging areas, to tell us a story of past times and traditions. Some found a seat in the "dentist chair" to enjoy the fish drawn above. Back on the beach, we enjoyed the golden hour as the day finished with another beautiful red Kimberley sunset. 

Images © E. Bell, Heritage Expeditions