We got up at 06:00 and quickly had breakfast and got ready
to head over for our power boat ride just as a helicopter and three sea planes
were coming in to land.
The staff at Horizontal Falls Sea Planes were really
friendly and nice and their setup is awesome. This would have to be one of
Australia’s best tourism sites.
I got the front seat in the power boat before all the other
punters arrived from Broome and after a brief safety induction and donning of
life jackets, off we went. These boats have four three - hundred horsepower
outboards and absolutely fly.
We went in and out the first waterfall several times getting
a bit wet and thrown around in the rapids and then we sped up to the second
water fall that was much bigger and too dangerous to attempt.
We powered back and forth and in and out quite a few times
and every time was super exhilarating and we also hung in the current halfway
up the falls doing ten knots and not moving. Overall the power boat ride lasted
about thirty minutes and was the best $77 I have ever spent, and I highly
recommend it.
A day trip from Broome via sea plane will set you back
around $700, including lunch and a power boat ride and I think this is very good
value for money.
While all the punters were having lunch, we waited downstairs
for our helicopter ride and when no one was looking we stuffed our faces (and
bag) with lovely fresh fruit and drank juice with ice, luxuries we have not had
for quite some time now.
The facility has croc proof spa’s and swimming pools to
relax and chill out while waiting for your ride. This is a family owned business
from Mandurah and they must be making a killing.
Finally, it was our turn to go up in the Bell 525 helicopter
and I got to sit in the front seat and chat with the young pilot who is the owners son. It was a brand
new helicopter with full glass instruments and no doors.
The flight lasted around twenty minutes and gave a great
view of both the horizontal waterfalls and the surrounding area and we even did
a circle around Sirocco so we could get a few photos of her.
Once back on deck our adrenalin was pumping hard and we
chatted to the lovely staff for a while before departing back to Sirocco.
We were pumped up with a smile from ear to ear for the rest
of the day as this was truly a day to remember and I suggest everyone should
put this one on their bucket list.
Right away we pulled anchor as I wanted to get out of Talbot
Bay before the current becomes too strong, otherwise we will be stuck here for
another day and I don’t really want to have to exit at night.
We did a sail by close to Horizontal Falls Sea Planes and
all the staff waved us goodbye, then we headed for the exit while sea planes
took off and helicopters flew overhead.
We made good progress against the current, but as we entered
the narrow passages, I had to start the second engine to power against the
strong currents and whirlpools for an hour or so until we exited out into the
open ocean.
We headed for King fisher Island and if time was on our
side, we might just continue on to Raft point for the night.
We raced through the narrow passage between Kingfisher and
Melomys Islands doing ten knots and as we were making good progress, we decided
to continue on to Raft Point for the night where Fonster and True North were
already anchored, dropping the pick just on sun set.
Raft point is a magnificent setting with high jaggered red
rock cliffs and steep high Islands dotted with boab trees and a large mangrove
bay.
The midgies and bugs were really bad, so we closed the
saloon door and turned on our strong fan to keep them out, so we didn’t go and
socialise with the Fonster crew. We were both pretty tired after our big day,
and after some passage planning for tomorrow, I had an early night.
Track Sirocco’s
progress
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