27 Aug 2024

Expedition Cruising the Kimberley’s Porosus Creek and Hunter River

Heritage Adventurer sailed into Prince Federick Harbour at the start of what will be another stunning day in the Kimberley. We pile into our Zodiacs for a cruise around Naturalist Island and up the Hunter River into Porosus Creek, our main destination for the morning.

Along the way our talented guides share the history of the area and its fascinating geology. The monsoonal rainforest surrounding the sandstone cliffs here is quite different from the rest of the coastline we have explored.

The low tide has exposed huge mudflats and we watch crabs and mudskippers going about their activities while birds search the banks for their next meal. Porosus Creek is an impressive, huge mangrove system and we learn how its plant communities exist in the low oxygen, high salinity waters and their unique adaptations.

This is ideal crocodile habitat and we see several in the water and on the mud banks basking in the morning sunshine. While Zodiac cruising some guests encounter an uninvited passenger with a fish leaping into their Zodiac while others watch in awe as an Osprey swoops down and plucks a fish from the water in its powerful talons – an incredible sight.

Guests who opted for the helicopter flight up to the Mitchell Falls enjoyed a spectacular flight from an idyllic beach and across the Mitchell Plateau before landing at the Mitchell Falls. Although its late in the dry season, there is still water flowing and an incredible experience and opportunity to explore this magical place.

After lunch in the air-conditioned bliss of our trusty expedition ship we take an exploratory Zodiac cruise to explore the Hunter River coastline where find a tranquil beach and stretch our legs with some beachcombing. Back on board and sailing, we enjoy a burnt orange sunset which highlights the stunning red sandstone cliffs surrounding us.

Images © Gill Scott-Douglas & Stephen Bradley, Heritage Expeditions