19 Jul 2023

The Mesmerising Feeding Grounds of Montgomery Reef

The early morning sun painted the sky gold as Heritage Adventurer anchored at the waters near the awe-inspiring Montgomery Reef. We boarded our Zodiacs to cruise our way to the world's largest inshore reef - a phenomenon where whitewater rapids and cascading waterfalls drain with the tide to expose 400-square kilometres of reef, creating a feeding frenzy for turtles and birds.  We arrived to experience the full spectacle with waterfalls in full flow as Montgomery Reef appeared to rise up out of the water. Turtles filled the main channel while Reef Herons took up position on each waterfall catching little fish that found themselves cascading over the falls.

A few Siberian Tattlers were feeding along the edge with some Beach Stone-curlews. Immaculate, coralline red algae Rhodoliths were present on the edge of the reef while a Green Sea Turtle seemed  to be waiting for the next tide.

During the afternoon at Freshwater Cove we divided ourselves into groups to go ashore and join the local Worrorra people who delivered to us a Welcome to Country, a formal ceremony that acknowledged our arrival as guests by the traditional owners of the land, and then lead us on an uphill rocky hike to one of their sacred art sites. We listened to their stories and enjoyed the surrounding views, birds, flowering foliage and this incredible culture.

Images (c) by: C.Finch