Broome
Arrive in Broome on Friday16 for a three day mid trip layover. We’ve been busy (museums, things to see) but in our own time.
The only firm booking we had here was to the Horizontal Falls, a one hour flight from Broome. We were picked up at our camp at 5.40 am for the floatplane flight. (For Ron: Cessna Caravan amphibian 14 seats). The flight was amazing - we had great views of the barren, red countryside and then the huge King Sound. The latter part of the flight was quite bumpy as the land was a series of steep ridges interspersed with sea inlets. Landed close to the floating Horizontal Hotel, a series of large pontoons with two storey accommodation, restaurants, briefing areas, toilets, showers and boat moorings. We were one of four float planes there at the time. Boarded the so-called fast boats 30 passengers, 4x 300 hp outboards on the back of each, and headed for the wider of the two waterfalls. What a hoot! The water was literally gushing through the narrow gap about 7 m wide and falling probably about a metre. We stood off and observed and photographed and the attacked the gap with all 300 hp. We could feel a distinct up-hill feeling. But on the return going with the tide it was a definite downhill rush. Repeated these manoeuvres several times for the thrill of it (and many many photos), and then moved on the much narrower gap close by.
Oh man, this was something else again !! The gap was only about 3 or 4 metres wide and the waterfall about 2.5 m from the high side to the low side. Unfortunately it was unsafe to transit the gap today as there was a very nasty “roll” of the water which you will see if I ever get photos to load again. However our skipper did push his boat right up into the falls. It was very strange to be sitting in. Huge fast boat with its bow into the fall and looking forward to the rushing gushing coming from a level 2.5 m higher than we were. The force of the water as it left the narrow gap caused whirlpools and fierce currents. Thank goodness for 1200hp. Played around there for some time as passengers were reluctant to leave such an amazing awe-inspiring place. Finally we had to leave but the skipper took us backwards and forwards through the wider fall, until we were called back to base for a sumptuous cooked breakfast.
After breaky we re-boarded the fast boat and cruised the Cyclone Creek area, reputedly the safest. Anchorage in the North in times of Cyclones.
Then feeding of wild tawny nurse sharks from one of the pontoon
Finally boarded the float plane for the return journey but instead of flying direct to Broome we flew east to the tip of the Dampier Pensinsula at Cape Levique, and then had a great flight-seeing trip down the peninsula to Broome, spotting aboriginal settlements and communities dating back to the early pearling days.
A great day!
You’ll love the photos when (or if) I can get them loaded.
We are both well, hope you are too
Luv to all
The only firm booking we had here was to the Horizontal Falls, a one hour flight from Broome. We were picked up at our camp at 5.40 am for the floatplane flight. (For Ron: Cessna Caravan amphibian 14 seats). The flight was amazing - we had great views of the barren, red countryside and then the huge King Sound. The latter part of the flight was quite bumpy as the land was a series of steep ridges interspersed with sea inlets. Landed close to the floating Horizontal Hotel, a series of large pontoons with two storey accommodation, restaurants, briefing areas, toilets, showers and boat moorings. We were one of four float planes there at the time. Boarded the so-called fast boats 30 passengers, 4x 300 hp outboards on the back of each, and headed for the wider of the two waterfalls. What a hoot! The water was literally gushing through the narrow gap about 7 m wide and falling probably about a metre. We stood off and observed and photographed and the attacked the gap with all 300 hp. We could feel a distinct up-hill feeling. But on the return going with the tide it was a definite downhill rush. Repeated these manoeuvres several times for the thrill of it (and many many photos), and then moved on the much narrower gap close by.
Oh man, this was something else again !! The gap was only about 3 or 4 metres wide and the waterfall about 2.5 m from the high side to the low side. Unfortunately it was unsafe to transit the gap today as there was a very nasty “roll” of the water which you will see if I ever get photos to load again. However our skipper did push his boat right up into the falls. It was very strange to be sitting in. Huge fast boat with its bow into the fall and looking forward to the rushing gushing coming from a level 2.5 m higher than we were. The force of the water as it left the narrow gap caused whirlpools and fierce currents. Thank goodness for 1200hp. Played around there for some time as passengers were reluctant to leave such an amazing awe-inspiring place. Finally we had to leave but the skipper took us backwards and forwards through the wider fall, until we were called back to base for a sumptuous cooked breakfast.
After breaky we re-boarded the fast boat and cruised the Cyclone Creek area, reputedly the safest. Anchorage in the North in times of Cyclones.
Then feeding of wild tawny nurse sharks from one of the pontoon
Finally boarded the float plane for the return journey but instead of flying direct to Broome we flew east to the tip of the Dampier Pensinsula at Cape Levique, and then had a great flight-seeing trip down the peninsula to Broome, spotting aboriginal settlements and communities dating back to the early pearling days.
A great day!
You’ll love the photos when (or if) I can get them loaded.
We are both well, hope you are too
Luv to all
Awesome blogs you are keeping us well entertained. Andrew&Karen
ReplyDelete