15 Aug 2024

Zodiac cruising Prince Frederick Harbour

Our day started with a magnificent ship cruise through Prince Frederick Harbour, anchoring near Naturalists Island after a stunning sunrise.

We departed on a Zodiac cruise, spotting a regal Osprey in their nest. As we continued through Hunter River, past amazing sandstone bluffs and nature-rich Hart Dolerite hills, we observed some always-intriguing Snubfin Dolphins.

As our Zodiacs turned into Porosus Creek, marvellous Mudskippers were spotted flumping, jumping and skipping around on the mud, throwing up their sails to propel their small amphibious bodies across the mud flats. Amongst the mangroves, we saw Fiddler Crabs putting on a display and Sandpipers, Brahminy Kites and sea eagles soaring. Crocodiles were also spotted in the shallows and the mud.

We repositioned in the afternoon to Thunder Creek to explore the geological channels and islands. On our Zodiacs, we saw ‘Thors Hammer’, a stunning sandstone structure, caves, raptor nests and more crocodiles amongst the mangroves.

The day ended with a spectacular sighting of a mother and calf pair of Humpback Whales from Heritage Adventurer.

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions