14 Aug 2024

Ancient Indigenous art at Swift Bay

For some, the day started early with the optional helicopter excursion to Mitchell Plateau to experience the expansive land and coastline of the Kimberley region. We landed at Mitchell Falls with time to explore and enjoy the scenery, being greeted by a Monjon (the smallest of the rock-wallabies endemic to the Kimberley Region). The views and vistas were spectacular, and we also spotted crocodiles in the rivers below as we soared in the helicopters above.

For those who chose to stay closer to the water, it was a day of Indigenous Rock Art, with our morning spent on a secluded beach adjacent to Wollaston Island. We climbed past the rocks and followed the trail through the long Spinifex grasses to the expansive site beyond. This was our first look at Wandjina Art, with large individual pieces, strong colouration present, and the ability to lie down and enjoy the art above. The abraded grooves in the rock added to the story that the site is very special, as the dust from the grooves was spread around the land to increase abundance. 

The afternoon was a delightful excursion for all to the nearby Swift Bay to explore two further rock art sites: a Wandjina Art site and a Gwion Gwion Art site. The first site was a nice shady spot with beautiful turtles, Namarali figures (the greatest and most powerful Wandjina of the Worrorra people) and different birds and marsupials. The second site was more Gwion Gwion Art, but different to yesterday's, with Straight-part figures displaying the stories of bygone eras. 

The day ended with a stunning Zodiac cruise back to Heritage Adventurer during a spectacular sunset.

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions