Sat, 23rd April, 2022 Kimberley Coast Cruise, WA (Koolan Island, Iron Islands, Silica Beach etc)

We were anchored near the Iron Islands.

Another beautiful sunrise. Glad we stayed on NT time otherwise 7am would be 5.30am WA time and that would be hard to convince everyone to get up!

The sun was still climbing when we went down for breakfast which made a great photo through the dining room windows.

Back into the Xplorer. 

First we passed the Iron Islands - easy to see how they got their name - looks like rusty iron. But actually there is iron ore there and on the other islands around here. This one is Ballast Island because in the past ships would stop and pick up the iron ore to use as ballast in their ships. It explains why the ore was found washed up on beaches etc as the ships offloaded their ballast along the way.

We went through the Channel and around the end of Koolan Island to check out the iron ore mine there. One of the guests, Peter, had worked for BHP so Ian asked him to tell us a bit about it. The mine is now owned by another company and it is an open pit going down 200m. The sea depth below us is 70m - amazing. There are some big pumps to keep the water out. The iron ore is loaded with a gravity fed conveyor belt - once the iron ore is put on and the belt started it keeps rolling to load the ore onto the ships.

We continued down the Canal to Nares Point which shows the upheaval of the countryside.

We pulled into a little beach and had a walk around. There were bats in the cave and someone has left their fuel supply - probably one of the smaller fishing boats.

Looking across to Cockatoo Island which was also an iron ore mine. Once owned by Alan Bond and had a resort too which his wife ran. Now the island has been handed back to the traditional owners and they have a community on it.

We went back down the Canal to Ballast Island (one of the Iron Islands). Mike and Goyma got off and found us some iron ore. Steve is holding magnetite (affected the magnetic compass) and I have haematite.

Across the Channel I spotted a house which is a fishing shack - this is called Barramundi Bay.

Back onboard the ship for a cuppa and cake on the sundeck. We prefer to be in the fresh air rather than the air conditioning.

11am we joined the others for a presentation by Ian and Goyma about ‘Kinship’. Ian had spent a lot of time in East Arnhem as a young man because his uncle and aunt had moved there to help with the communities after WW2. He loved the area and the bond of the ‘families’ and became part of their mob. They explained the kinship rules well and we all asked lots of questions and finally understand how it all works and why everyone is aunt and uncle to each person. We hope to go there next year and now feel more knowledgeable about their customs though time has changed things too and they are moving with the modern way as well. Goyma had an opportunity to study in Fiji for 7 years of high school so he learnt another language and a lot of different ways there. He is a very interesting chap to talk to.

The moving map isn’t working - well the boat is there but no map.

I went to the Bridge which has an open door policy. No one was about but the maps Jo was marking our course on was there so I could look at where we were and heading too as my map doesn’t show this area in detail and there was no map on our daily itinerary today.

You can see our course by her pencil marks and lines from Montgomery Reef around all the island to Byron Island. Takes a lot of working out as there are so many islands in the Buccaneer Archipelago.

While we were having lunch we headed around to Byron Island. This is Cockatoo Island with its closed iron ore mine.

We have moved on the moving map.

So many islands. The tide is coming in to the swirls are happening again (high 4.37pm 8.9m)

I am doing my laps around the Promenade. 

3pm we boarded the Xplorer to have a swim at Silica Beach on Hidden Island. The crew will keep guard in case of visiting sharks but it usually a safe spot. Mike says the silica comes from the quartz and it is squeaky and clean.

Another two boats were there and the guys were enjoying a drink or two with the music blaring. Jamie wasn’t impressed but we all thought the music was great.

The sand was so fine and felt strange. There were no shells or anything mixed in with it.

Clive and Rebecca found a hide-hole to get ready for their swim.

It was lovely. Not cold of course and very salty but it was nice to have a float around. The guys cranked up the music asking for requests and we waved our arms to the music which made them happy.

Mackerel cloud covering the sun.

Heaps of little fish were zooming around the shallows.

The water is very clear but the sand was strange to walk on - bit like a paste rather than sand.

The crew swapped over and everyone had a swim which was good. Ian went walking up the hillside looking for plants. They are always exploring trying to find new things - hence the name Expedition for the cruise. 

We got back on board and headed back to the ship. Had a shower and changed - have worn my dresses a couple of times but with no shoes as our sandals are wet and everyone gets about without shoes on.

Up anchor and off we go towards the Lacepede Islands. Great view from the Sundeck as we had our drinks etc.              

More islands and then we passed Silica Beach. The boys have gone and another fishing boat is in there.

More islands. Love the tree at the top of this one.

The sky changed colour as the sun started setting.

The flat sea makes for great photos.

The sun looks great through the windows as Mike was gave us a recap on today’s activities. Jamie then gave us the itinerary for tomorrow.

The red ball drops into the sea.

Another delicious dinner chatting away the hours. 

We joined a few others to watch ‘Crocodile Dundee’. Ian also helped with this movie while he was with the NT National Parks. I would have preferred the second one when he returns to Aust as I reckon it was better.

Crossing across King Sound which leads down to Derby. Then we will go around Cape Leveque which has a light house but I think I will be sound asleep when that happens.