Horizontal Falls, Western Australia - May 2021

We were in Derby to do the Horizontal Falls overnight tour. Found in Talbot Bay, in the Kimberley's, the Horizontal Falls is a natural phenomenon in the ancient McLarty Ranges. We had researched all the different Horizontal Falls tours for months before even starting this trip, and as we didn't know when we would actually get there, we didn't book until late. We had no problem getting a booking. There are a few different sellers, and the flights leave from both Derby and Broome, at different times. We chose Horizontal Falls Adventure, overnight tour, expensive for us but a once in a life time experience. We got the seniors discount and the RAC(Q) discount, and it was still the cost of a 6-7 night cruise but it was worth it - as I said, once in a life time. The staff we spoke to, Bonnie and Sarah, were so helpful and went out of their way to assist us, being three of us, and most cabins being for two. We were picked up around 2pm from the caravan park, did the flight safety video, boarded the small planes in groups, I think there were three planes, and flew over to the falls. I was surprised we were not told to wear masks on the plane, as we were on the Lake Argyle flight. The sites we flew over were spectacular.

We flew over the falls a few times.

On arrival we were shown to our cabins.

We were booked into a three berth cabin, but as there was a spare cabin, Peter and I were given a double, and Jonnie had the 3 berth at the front of the pontoon. Bonus. The rooms were basic, a bed and a small set of drawers, small and with air-conditioning. We didn't spend a lot of time in the room, literally to get dressed for dinner and to sleep.

We next put on our life jackets and went in the jet boat to visit the falls. We were only able to go through one of the falls, as the other fall was too dangerous to go through.

 

David Attenborough called the Horizontal Falls 'one of the greatest natural wonders of the world'. The area has huge tidal surges up to 10 metres with the force of millions of litres of water through two narrow gorges, one of 10 metres and the other of 20 metres. 

Back at the pontoon, Peter changed to go swimming with the sharks. Not many were wanting to do this, Jonnie and I didn't. We were told about the sharks and the other sea creatures that live in the inlet, including the crocs.

We then boarded the jet boats again for a trip along the river, a much slower pace. 

Arriving back just before sunset, to get ready for dinner.

The pontoons are linked and there are two, two story pontoons and other attached smaller pontoons - including a bar and a pool and a helipad. After refreshing in our cabins, we went to the bar area for pre dinner drinks and snacks. This tour is a BYO alcohol and provided are water, soft drinks - Soda Stream - tea and coffee. Soda Stream drinks needed to be pre ordered before our slow boat trip. We didn't do that, but should have for Jonnie. We had taken Coca-cola and beer and scotch. We went to the pre-dinner drinks and snacks, only to find very limited seating and very few snacks left.  I made a plate for the three of us to share, and we took it upstairs to the dining area to eat.

A little disappointing, but the sun set was amazing. My drinking view.

Dinner was a buffet, baramundi, boiled potatoes, beans, bread rolls. It was ok, not spectacluar, not what one would get on a cruise, but ok.

Dessert was good, didn't take photos, but was good. We met some lovely people and talked to almost midnight. One thing I thought we would see was the beautiful stars, being so far away from the town light, but there were no stars.

Early morning breakfast was great, scrambled eggs, bacon (not crispy like I like it), mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, fresh fruit, juice, tea and coffee. A very nice breakfast (for me missing was pancakes 😉) 

A lovely way to start the day. My drinking view ....

We then boarded the jet boats for another go through the falls. This time the tide was changing and the falls were very flat, and we were able to go through both falls. We did see a croc on the other side.

It was then back to the pontoons, bags were already loaded onto the planes and were headed back to Derby, flying over the long curved jetty.

It was easy to see the vast mudflats from the air.

Arriving at our van site about 8.15am. A really good trip, a lot of money, but worth it. Petallitravellers has two Youtube videos for our visit to the Horizontal Falls.

Horizontal Falls Western Australia and 

Horizontal Falls Part 2.

Tourist season is from March through to October. The temperatures, although still hot, are bearable and the wet season has finished. With the season halted by the cyclone Seroja, we were the second group for the 2021 season. I was aware of the tides and knew that the falls are caused when the tide falls fast, and we wanted to see 'falls' fall, so we chose dates appropriately. A too low tide and the falls will not be noticeable, a too high tide and the boats will not go through.  

More information here