Horizontal Falls - pctures speak louder than words

It was here - THE day – our day trip to the Horizontal Falls.

The day dawned grey and overcast with a forecast of only 28 degrees.

We were picked up outside the caravan park just after 8.15 and were surprised to see a couple of friendly faces, Terry and Coral, who had been parked next to us at the caravan park in Kununurra.

There were 6 others on the trip, 10 of us in total.

As we turned into the airport I spotted 2 pairs of Brolgas on the edge of the runway.

There was no check in, no security, just wait for the plane to be refuelled and we were then escorted onto the runway by the pilot. Bags were stowed in the 'floats' and then we boarded according to the pilots seating plan, no front seat for Michael this time. But as there were only 10 of us we nearly all got a window seat.

We took off and flew over the tidal flats, such amazing images in the sand.

Then we were over Talbot Bay and our first sight of the Horizontal Falls.

We had a beautiful smooth landing in the Bay and then 'taxied' around to the moored boats.

It had started to rain but certainly not enough to dampen anyone's enthusiasm or enjoyment. After a brief discussion the crew decided that we should go now on our first trip through the Falls as the tide was rising quickly.

It was low tide and the second Falls can only be passed through when the tide is low. You can see the tide line in the photos.

We boarded, grabbing front row seats and we were off.

The rain drops stung our faces but we really didn't care.

Then we reached the Falls.......

slowed down, lined up....

and then raced through! WOW! 

And this was the start – plenty more to come.

We made about 4 passes through the first falls and then moved on to the second falls.

A much narrower gap.

Same procedure, slow....

line up....

rev up and go.

Fantastic!

Then to wind down we were taken on a tour around some of the bays and inlets 

                                                 

Back at the base the two youngest amongst us donned their swimsuits and got into the diving cage whilst a young staff member starting to feed the visiting sharks.

The sharks were 'our pets', they know to appear everyday when they sense the vibrations of people around the feeding cage.

They are Tawny Nurse Sharks and although they don't have huge teeth they could still 'rasp' your skin off.

Alongside the sharks there were Batfish and Yellow Trevally Fish coming in for a feed.

Then it was our time to eat. A small but beautifully prepared lunch of crispy skinned grilled wild Barramundi, green salad, pasta salad and bread rolls. (10 out of 10.)

There were 2 couples who opted to take a 10 minute helicopter ride out over the Falls. ($100pp).

(We have been 'warned off' riding in a Robinson helicopter, by our helicopter pilot friend so declined this trip.)

Then, as the tide had risen, it was time to head back out on the boat.

The tide was indeed high.

 

The trip through the first falls was doubly fantastic.

We couldn't safely pass through the second falls but our amazing driver (pilot) reversed up to the gap, kept the boat revving at 7 or 8 knots which held our position against the tide.

The water force was truly incredible.

This trip is right up there as equal first on the best so far (equal with the kangaroo sanctuary in Alice).

Then we had to leave.

We took another trip along the bays and inlets, sailing over the tops of the mangroves and were able to travel further up the inlets and gorges.

We were both thrilled by the adventure and although it was 4 months early Michael was very happy with his birthday present.

All too soon we were back at base, waiting for the plane to return to collect us.

The rain continued as we flew back to Derby, flying over a Barramundi farm

 and I noticed that our pilot was using his phone to take quite a few photos as we travelled over the clouds. When we landed he explained that in the 5 years that he'd been flying this route he had never seen those formations before.

We were picked up by the shuttle bus and dropped back at the caravan park around 3.15pm.

One of the best days ever – if you only ever do one thing in the NW of WA, you really should do this. An amazing experience.