First stop was Derby, the town with the second highest tidal change in the Australia. On a full moon it can range up to 10 metres. Funny how no matter how small a town is, there is always something they can claim makes them different and special. Here it is tide change. The tidal range creates one of the major attractions of the area which is the very remote Horizontal Waterfalls.
The Horizontal Waterfalls are located in the Buccaneer Archipelago, a half hour flight north of Derby. The falls are created through two gaps in a parallel range of cliffs. The first and most seaward gap is about 20 metres wide and the second, most spectacular; gap is about 10 metres wide. The tides in this area have a 10 metre variation. The effect of the waterfalls is created by the tide building up in front of the gaps faster than it can flow through them thus creating a four metre high waterfall between the bays. We deliberated as to whether we would go on the tour to the falls as it cost and arm and a leg. But hey unlikely we will back this way again and we had been told it was well worth it so off we went early Sunday morning.
We caught a 14 seater seaplane to the falls which was an adventure in itself. The views from the sky on the half hour flight of the Derby tidal flats and turquoise bays were memorable. We transferred onto a jet boat and zoomed up and over the falls which were dropping about 2 meters. Must admit a bit nervous to start with but the boat handled it without a problem. We then transferred onto a larger boat and headed off to Turtle Reef about 2 kilometres away. The captain nudged the boat onto the reef and we all disembarked for a bit of reef walking and fishing. Everything was a bit rush as the tides change quickly and significantly once they turn. At high tide the reef is 4 metres under water. We stopped at the Blue Hole which was a 8 metre hole in the reef and threw in a couple of fishing lines.
Pulled out a fish every minute or 2 (Punto you would have been very impressed!) As one person put it, it was like shooting fish in a barrel. We didn’t keep any. It all went back in the water as the tour operator was not licensed for charter fishing. Fun anyway.
While we were fishing we noted that, our boat, probably 500 metres away seemed to be moving away from shore. And if our eyesight was correct, the captain appeared to be on the shore. In the distance we could hear him yelling for our guide who then bolted off to speak to him. Sure enough, for some reason the captain had gone ashore and left the engine idling. The oncoming tide had lifted the anchor while he wasn’t looking and off the boat went without a sole onboard. Swimming after it was not a real option as not only was the engine going but the waterway was infested with all sorts of sharks.
I think we call this an oh s#!T moment.
Our guide came running back and said we had to move quickly to try to get to the nearby island and higher ground as the tide was coming in over the reef at a rapid rate. Once on the island we would have to wait until our plane which was due to return at 1:30 and discovered we were missing. It was now about 11:30.
We all felt much relieved once we reached the island where there was plenty of shade.
Our plane arrived in due course but had no idea where we were. We could see it in the distance as it searched and found the boat which had drifted some kilometres away from us. As the pilot had a plane load of tourist and probably no idea as to how to drive the boat, he apparently called in for assistance from a nearby pearling farm and the only other tour operator in the area. The other tour operator was able to put a skipper onto the boat and send a plane up looking for us. The plane flew by us a few times without seeing us, but with
everyone jumping up and down waving we finally caught the attention of the pilot. Very relieved as it was getting late in the day. It was well past when we had been scheduled to be back in Derby.
They radioed our location to the pearl farmers who then sent a boat to pick us up from the island and drive us back to the tour boat. Gosh I wouldn’t want to be in our captain’s shoes…lucky he is one of the owners of the business. Because time was getting on we were quickly transferred back on to the plane and flown back to Derby safe and sound.
The Horizontal Waterfalls are located in the Buccaneer Archipelago, a half hour flight north of Derby. The falls are created through two gaps in a parallel range of cliffs. The first and most seaward gap is about 20 metres wide and the second, most spectacular; gap is about 10 metres wide. The tides in this area have a 10 metre variation. The effect of the waterfalls is created by the tide building up in front of the gaps faster than it can flow through them thus creating a four metre high waterfall between the bays. We deliberated as to whether we would go on the tour to the falls as it cost and arm and a leg. But hey unlikely we will back this way again and we had been told it was well worth it so off we went early Sunday morning.
We caught a 14 seater seaplane to the falls which was an adventure in itself. The views from the sky on the half hour flight of the Derby tidal flats and turquoise bays were memorable. We transferred onto a jet boat and zoomed up and over the falls which were dropping about 2 meters. Must admit a bit nervous to start with but the boat handled it without a problem. We then transferred onto a larger boat and headed off to Turtle Reef about 2 kilometres away. The captain nudged the boat onto the reef and we all disembarked for a bit of reef walking and fishing. Everything was a bit rush as the tides change quickly and significantly once they turn. At high tide the reef is 4 metres under water. We stopped at the Blue Hole which was a 8 metre hole in the reef and threw in a couple of fishing lines.
Pulled out a fish every minute or 2 (Punto you would have been very impressed!) As one person put it, it was like shooting fish in a barrel. We didn’t keep any. It all went back in the water as the tour operator was not licensed for charter fishing. Fun anyway.While we were fishing we noted that, our boat, probably 500 metres away seemed to be moving away from shore. And if our eyesight was correct, the captain appeared to be on the shore. In the distance we could hear him yelling for our guide who then bolted off to speak to him. Sure enough, for some reason the captain had gone ashore and left the engine idling. The oncoming tide had lifted the anchor while he wasn’t looking and off the boat went without a sole onboard. Swimming after it was not a real option as not only was the engine going but the waterway was infested with all sorts of sharks.
I think we call this an oh s#!T moment.
Our guide came running back and said we had to move quickly to try to get to the nearby island and higher ground as the tide was coming in over the reef at a rapid rate. Once on the island we would have to wait until our plane which was due to return at 1:30 and discovered we were missing. It was now about 11:30.
Nick chilling out waiting to be rescued....
We all felt much relieved once we reached the island where there was plenty of shade.
Our plane arrived in due course but had no idea where we were. We could see it in the distance as it searched and found the boat which had drifted some kilometres away from us. As the pilot had a plane load of tourist and probably no idea as to how to drive the boat, he apparently called in for assistance from a nearby pearling farm and the only other tour operator in the area. The other tour operator was able to put a skipper onto the boat and send a plane up looking for us. The plane flew by us a few times without seeing us, but with
everyone jumping up and down waving we finally caught the attention of the pilot. Very relieved as it was getting late in the day. It was well past when we had been scheduled to be back in Derby.They radioed our location to the pearl farmers who then sent a boat to pick us up from the island and drive us back to the tour boat. Gosh I wouldn’t want to be in our captain’s shoes…lucky he is one of the owners of the business. Because time was getting on we were quickly transferred back on to the plane and flown back to Derby safe and sound.
*Lucky we were rescued before dark
*Lucky there was shade
*Lucky the others in the group were all good natured
*Lucky the reef was connected to an island
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