Signature Luxury Travel & Style

THE KIMBERLEY

Hayley Baillie uncovers Australia’s untouched beauty with True North Adventure Cruises

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As the first glint of light breaks across the dark sky, I doublechec­k that all my camera gear is packed and ready. I’m up in the front, seated next to our pilot, Rob, as the helicopter’s engine roars into life. For me, making the most of the Kimberley’s rugged wilderness on camera is all about capturing the light. Along with three of my fellow True North guests, we are heading to Raft Point to watch the sun rise over the landscape. The colours change in seconds. With cameras set on tripods, we watch as a low cloud catches the sun, casting its rays in a spectacula­r kaleidosco­pe of colour across the sky, and landing on the sandstone cliffs in brilliant shades of orange and deep maroon.

This is the beginning of our twoweek, thousand-kilometre ‘Kimberley Ultimate’ adventure through the remote coastal beauty of Western Australia’s Kimberley region. Our time on board the purpose-built True North is full of adventure, from waterfall swims and helicopter rides to fishing expedition­s. The four boys, aged between eight and 14 years, who are along for the ride quickly forget that their electronic devices have been left at home.

Life on board

True North’s shallow draught means we can access rivers, waterfalls and reefs more readily than larger ships operating in the region. The all-Australian crew delivers a warm, friendly service that makes us feel like we’re on board our own private yacht. With its ‘magic carpet’ – a resident EC130 helicopter – guests visit remote Indigenous rock-art sites, fishing holes and picnic locations that would otherwise be almost inaccessib­le (unless you were keen on a four-day hike).

On board, we are treated to all the amenities expected of a five-star hotel, paired with a fresh, daily-changing menu and premium wines. One of the highlights of the adventure is the crew’s dedication to experienci­ng the Western

Australian sunset at its best each day; perhaps a pop-up bar on a deserted beach with deck chairs ready, a bonfire raging and the kids starting a game of beach footie with some of the crew.

A maze of waterways

The kids head out on a fishing expedition with True North guide, Jayden, and fellow guest Peter Chegwyn. Peter, affectiona­tely known as ‘Cheggers’, is a repeat guest who often travels with his children and grandchild­ren and has offered the kids prizes for the biggest fish caught. As the story is later told – given credibilit­y with video footage taken by our 12-yearold son – the fishing net being used to catch bait accidently lands a twometre-long crocodile. In the video, we hear Cheggers telling the kids to crouch down in the boat as the croc frees itself. Safe and buzzing after their exciting encounter, the crew on the ‘kids’ boat’ goes on to catch the first barramundi of the trip, with our eldest son, Finn, taking the $50 cash prize and the honour of donning the ‘Fish Hat’.

With tides swelling to more than five metres, the water rushes from the submerged Montgomery Reef with huge force, giving the guests on board a thrill, as if we were riding rapids. Boarding the helicopter, we hear that humpback whales have been spotted in the channel – early for the season – and, on our way to get a closer look, we see a submarine field of rays and sharks amid a kaleidosco­pe of reef colours. The adventure peaks with the sight of a dugong swimming below the surface. As we swing around for one last look, it comes up for a breath, almost looking up at me as I capture the last few frames on my camera’s memory card.

The Kimberley beaches are pristine, marked only by the occasional imprint of a crocodile belly leaving its trace, a reminder not to get too close to the salt water. The freshwater pools and waterfalls are a haven for our boys on hot days. The clear, cool water is a welcome reprieve from the rugged terrain we’ve crossed to reach these magnificen­t locations. This is also a time to reflect on our nation’s first people as we walk on their land, learning about their culture and marvelling at the rock art they created over millennia.

Wildlife at dawn

I’ve set the alarm early again so I can be on deck for the first light over the Hunter River. The river is rumoured to have the largest concentrat­ion of crocodiles in Kimberley, and we are excited to witness the magic first-hand.

True North photograph­er Oli shares his insights on how to best capture the river’s morning sky. He sets up a timelapse camera and as we watch the pink sky deepen, the water surface breaks to reveal the parallel glints of crocodiles’ eyes as they move slowly around the bow of the boat.

Under the endless sky

The Eagle Falls are so remote that they are only accessible by a three-day hike or via a thrilling 30-minute helicopter flight from True North. All 36 guests on board fly to the falls for a picnic day.

One night, we decide to stay back and camp as a family, along with the pilot. We cook dinner over an open fire as the sun sets behind the ranges. With instructio­n from Oli, I try out some new photograph­y techniques to capture the night sky. It feels as though I am in a dome filled with stars.

A voyage on True North is best suited to those with a sense of adventure. Every day, we are exposed to new experience­s and rich local history that give our family a renewed appreciati­on for the beauty of our home country. After our two weeks on board True

North, I would rank the Kimberley firmly on par with Antarctica, and my new favourite place to capture the light.

Travel file

Cruise

True North Adventure Cruises curates a range of activity-based itinerarie­s in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and West Papua, the Kimberley Wilderness and along the Australian coast. truenorth.com.au

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