Kimberley Kapers

 Western Australia

August 26 to September 7, 2025

First stop in WA was Kununurra. 
We've been there a few times and always enjoy it. 
A few photos from our lakeside location. 

Such a pretty spot

Morning yoga by the lake

Sunrise
Early start to get across to Derby for our boat charter

The eight day boat charter with One Tide had been drawing us west since leaving home. 

Finally it was happening ... and WOW it was amazing!

Kimberley Xplorer. Our home for the next eight days.
She's not flash but solid and comfortable

Many photos of ancient Kimberley sandstone cliffs coming up

A deck with an ever changing view

Deckie Mac was the first to haul a fish in - a queenie - but then it was on 

Mac with her queenfish ...

... which very quickly became numus (like ceviche)

Everyone casting and reeling ....

Garry's first barramundi.
Many more followed...

With nannygai (trumpet emperor). 

Shark on the hook

But this was his pride and joy - a blue fin tuna
 which later became sashimi and sushi

I scored a double hookup (two fish on the same line) of nannygai

Looking very stylish!

Deckie Adam took me barra fishing ....

 I cast my little heart out with Adam acting as coach
but the barra remained elusive.

Needless to say we ate a lot of fish, a lot of seafood actually. 

G and Adam fossicking for oysters

Success ...

Fresh as...

Later served as oysters kilpatrick

I was amazed by how much swimming we were able to do. 

Mainly in spring fed waterholes but also in the sea

 ... when the coast was declared clear of crocs, of course

Beginning the ascent up Spring Creek

Delicious dip 

Refreshments at the top 

Group photo.
There were nine guests and four crew including skipper Aaron and cook Maureen

The remains of a hippy camp.
The story goes that a fellow hid out here for years with a few ladies,
growing vegetables and other weedy plants. 
Pretty nice spot with permanent fresh water

Silica Beach

I decided to don goggles and go for a swim across the bay.
Half way I heard the sound of a boat engine.
Mac was right beside me in the tender on croc lookout.
I headed back in!   

This waterhole is called Croc Creek ... 

But there were no clockadials ....

Maybe a furry faced one!

The group enjoying more refreshments.
It's hot, about 35 degrees

The lower pool which occasionally hosts crocs on spring tides

But not this time. Garry jumping from the cliff

The real story is Jen actually jumped first.

Garry had decided to "act his age" and not jump

 but when he saw me launch off the cliff he became ageless!

The clockadials were definitely around though.
This one came visiting one night

We spotted another basking in the sun on a mud flat

Other night visitors included sharks ....

 
... and a delightful dolphin

Through the day we often encountered humpback whales

The coastline is magnificent, the colours and contours breathtaking. 

Especially at sunset! 

Natural silt stone sculpture on Edaline Island

Making our way through Whirlpool Passage

Exciting being pushed around by surging water!

There's also an industrial side to the Buccaneer Archipelago.
This iron ore mine on Cockatoo Island produces the highest grade ore in the world. 
But it's a bit of an eye sore :( 

Tassal are farming barramundi in the pristine waters of Cone Bay.
They currently have 32 cages and are seeking approval to add another 84 cages.
Tassie all over again?

On a lighter side, G and I managed a few yoga sessions on the deck

Mac took this photo of us ...

 ... then turned the camera on herself with skipper Aaron in the background

A beach fire was on the agenda one evening

Collecting firewood ...

Loading it on the tenders ...

Off we go ...

... and there we have it

Magic!

One of my most favourite days was to Montgomery Reef 

Fisheries boarded us along the way ...

...but all was good.
All our keeper fish had been recorded and measured.

Garry's tuna making a reappearance as sashimi and sushi

The crew set up a table on a sand bar ...

... and we gorged ourselves in this amazing setting

I was allowed to frolic in the ocean

Beach babes...

Then it was off to Montgomery Reef to watch the tide cascade off the 400 sq km reef.
Not your usual coral reef, this one started life as an ancient dolomite mesa 1.8 billion years ago

It was spectacular

Mac couldn't help herself when she saw this turtle stranded high on the reef in the hot sun.
She and Adam succeeded in getting it back to the water where it swam off happily.

More swimming and exploring

Ruby Falls

Through the mangroves

Up to Sapphire Falls. 
No crocs can get past this rock wall

Even so I was a bit dubious ... but trusted our deckies and plunged in.

G and Jen under the waterfall

Sadly all good things do end. 

But there was one more adventure to be had on our way back to Derby

Crabbing in the mangroves

Mud crabs for lunch

Jen striking a pose after wrestling a huge muddie into the boat
 which was clinging to the bottom of the net.
Hah. More than just a poser.

It was one of the best adventures we have ever ever had :) :)