13 Aug 2024

A journey through time at Vansittart Bay and Jar Island

Our morning started with an exciting Zodiac cruise to the beach at Vansittart Bay, where we were greeted by our friendly Expedition Team. Upon arrival, we were led over sand dunes, past the Echidna and Dingo tracks, and across the salt pan into the bush to the site of the C53 plane that crash-landed here in 1942. It was a journey through time discovering this war relic and exploring the nearby botany of the Boab tree and Pandanus, alongside the Green-head Ants and their impressive nest-building skills. 

The afternoon was spent at Jar Island, named by Phillip Parker King upon finding many earthenware jars on the island once used for storing Sea Cucumbers. We followed our guides across the beach and into the rocky scene to find the magical Gwion Gwion rock art. The early pieces of art could be up to 40,000 years old, dating them is difficult unless they were painted over a wasp’s nest, which can be used for scientific testing. We then headed to the second site, enjoying the cave sitting in the ‘dentist chair’ and looking at the 3 fish depicted above. Others explored the rocks around us, finding a serpent and an echidna. 

After a fantastic day of exploration, we returned to the comforts of Heritage Adventurer during a magical sunset.

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions