Kimberley cruise, Western Australia, Part 4

 Hi all, I hope you and yours are doing well. 

So here we are now at final part of bringing to you our Kimberley Cruise. I wouldn't normally have so many posts for only 9 days, but it was such an AMAZING trip I just had to share with you. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you. If you missed any of the previous posts you can catch up with them here - 

Kimberley cruise intro

Kimberley cruise - Part 1 - meet the crew, take a look around the boat, dramatic coastlines, swimming holes, waterfalls, wonderful food, Horizontal Falls, Montgomery Reef, crocodiles, sunsets

Kimberley cruise - Part 2 - King Cascades, Amphitheatre Falls, flying foxes, dinners, Rothsay Waters, Gwion Gwion aboriginal rock art, Wandjina aboriginal rock art 

Kimberley cruise - Part 3 - fishing, crabbing, oystering, throw net, Sheep Island, Mermaid Tree, Pebbles & Bam Bam rock hole, honeyeater nest

I can't thank enough Diversity Charters, the five crew of Diversity III and our ten fellow passengers for making our holiday so memorable and everything we had hoped for. Diversity Charters actually have 2 boats - Diversity II and Diversity III. Diversity II is slightly smaller. Both sleep 12 and all rooms have en-suites. The rooms were beautifully fitted out and we were looked after so well. 

Our last full day of our cruise was a relaxing day spent in and around Prince Frederick Harbour. Those that wanted an early morning fish went out, followed by a cooked breakfast - smoked salmon and egg on pancake. All our meals had been restaurant quality and so delicious - thanks chef Sam! Sam is on his way to live in Spain with his partner. We wish him well for the future. 

After breakfast we went over to rock Art Island to see some Wandjina aboriginal art: Kimberley cruise Part 2 and then the guys had a go at throw net fishing. And after lunch some more fishing, where I finally caught a fish! Kimberley cruise Part 3. Could this really be our last day already? 

For our last night we were treated to a bonfire on the beach of Naturalist Island with bubbly, Sashimi, steak, barramundi and salad. And music supplied by our resident musicians from York, Western Australia - fellow passengers Ron and Tim. Thanks guys. 

You might like to know that the bon-fire was set below the high tide mark, so when the tide came in that night all remnants of the fire would be washed away. 

Photos were taken and we talked about the wonderful time, sites and adventures we had experienced.  Here you can see crew Tommy, Skipper Mark, Crew Adam, and Hostess Lecette. And our new friends - our wonderful fellow passengers. 

As the fire died down and the sun set on our last night, it was with some sadness we returned to the boat. 

Next day was sadly goodbye. They had flown the next lot of passengers in from Broome that morning, and landed on the beach in helicopters. We were taken to the shore in the tenders and climbed into the helicopters. We had never been in a helicopter before and I really hoped we were going in the bigger helicopter, but no we were assigned to the smaller helicopter. Below is me getting into the helicopter - do you really want me to get in there? - where's its mummy? 

I was so nervous, and felt so vulnerable in that tiny helicopter, and so I didn't really enjoy the flight, and yet small planes don't bother me. 

Most of these pictures were taken by my husband. The waterfalls in the images below are the Mitchell Falls. 

The falls are an iconic Kimberley landmark and a place of spiritual significance to the Wunambal Gaambera aboriginal people who know the falls as Punamii-unpuu.

To reach the falls on foot there is a 4-wheel-drive unsealed track north of the Gibb River Road. The172km Mitchell Plateau track is unsealed, narrow, and can have steep inclines and river crossings, necessitating a high-clearance 4WD. Allow 2-3 hours each way. Here is a link to an excellent Kimberley guide - www.Kimberley Australia. Their blog post about the Mitchell Plateau track shows many photos of the drive in. 

From the Mitchell Falls campground there is a 4-6 hour moderately difficult 4.5km each way trek to the falls. As well as camping there is a lodge and you can hire a helicopter for the trip to or from the falls. Swimming is not permitted below the falls due to crocodiles. Be well prepared for the trek, and you need to be reasonable fit and be careful of the cliff edges. 

As I doubt we would ever walk to the falls, the helicopter ride over the falls from the boat was a bonus. We had taken a small plane flight over the Mitchell Plateau from Drysdale Station in 2016 when we drove the Gibb River Road. 

About 45 minutes later we landed at a bush air-strip and for the light plane flight back to Broome - about 2 hours. Time for one last photo with our travel group.

It was wonderful seeing the Kimberley from the air on our way back to Broome. We were amazed with the detail we captured through the window with a mobile phone! 

Mudflats 

Horizontal Falls

Before we knew it we were back in Broome. Goodbyes and hugs to the wonderful group we had shared the last nine days with and then back on the bus to our hotel for 1 night. Then the next day the flight back to Perth, back home, and the wind-down and getting back into reality of everyday life after an incredible adventure.

Thankyou Diversity Charters and the crew of Diversity III. 

I thoroughly recommend a small boat cruise across the top of the Kimberley. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 
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