DERBY

SATURDAY 7.09.2013: Our main reason for staying in Derby was to experience the Horizontal Waterfalls at the peak of the tides. With that in mind today had been carefully selected and we rose excited at the thought of the day's outing. We then view Madison shaking and panting in the corner - we went through our options and finally decided that as it was a shorter timeframe for the outing we would dose her up and if need be drive to Broome when we returned.

One of the most amazing natural features of the Kimberley region is the tidal waterfalls located deep within Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago, but unlike any other waterfall, the water passes horizontally. Although they are called waterfalls, this natural phenomenon actually consists of intense tidal currents hurtling through two narrow coastal gorges. Massive tidal movements create a waterfall effect as water banks up against one side of the narrow cliff passage, to be repeated again on the turning tide. The twin gaps are part of the McLarty Ranges, which have two ridges running parallel approximately 300 metres apart. The first and most seaward gap is about 20 metres  wide and the second, most spectacular, gap is about 10 metres wide. It is possible to drive boats through the two gaps to the bay behind. The tides in this area have a 10 metre variation which occurs over six and a half hours from low tide to high tide and vice versa. The effect of the waterfalls is created by the tide building up in front of the gaps faster than it can flow through them and there can be a four metre high waterfall between the bays. The waterfall phenomena has been described by David Attenborough as "one of the greatest natural wonders of the world".

We were picked up from the caravan park and dropped at the airport where we boarded a seaplane (14 seat). We flew out to a pontoon situated near the Horizontal Falls. Had morning tea then we donned the life jackets and stepped aboard the "Jet Stream" (the fastest boat in the Kimberley) to "experience an exhilarating thrill ride through the Horizontal Waterfalls with our highly experienced skipper" - yes Sybil took TravelCalm! The ride was superb, but there were many kneecap and sky photos taken. 
Next a swim with the sharks, them on one side of the cage and humans on the other.
A "barra" lunch followed by a scenic boat ride and then a final burst on the "Jet Stream" to experience the waterfall at high tide. The morning ride was at low tide. 

LOW TIDE

LOW TIDE










 

HIGH TIDE

 

HIGH TIDE









WHERE THE SALT WATER
MEETS THE FRESH WATER

Madison was greatly improved by the time we arrived home so we will travel to Broome tomorrow as planned. In the interim we headed for the local school to cast our vote - later realised when Sybil kept maintaining that their were 1-9 options to be completed and that she knew none of the candidates, that she had been given the incorrect form to complete. Can imagine when the mail hits town and the counters try to make sense of the information!