Vansittart Bay (Banjal)

Vansittart Bay, known to the Wunambal Gaambera people as Banjal, lies on the remote north Kimberley coast around 600 km northeast of Broome. It sits within the Uunguu native title area and is cared for by the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners.

The bay was named in 1819 by explorer Phillip Parker King in honour of Nicholas Vansittart, 1st Baron Bexley, who served as Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer. Vansittart Bay opens out to the Indian Ocean and encompasses several islands, including Mary Island, Jar Island, and the Eclipse Archipelago. The Anjo Peninsula defines its eastern edge, with Sir Graham Moore Island lying just offshore.

Wildlife, Landscape & Rock Art

Jar Island is one of the area’s most remarkable locations, best known for its collection of Gwion Gwion rock art. These delicate figures, also called Bradshaws, depict elongated human forms adorned with tassels, ornaments, and ceremonial items. The art is thought to be among the oldest detailed depictions of humans in the world. The island also holds evidence of contact with Macassan traders in the form of pottery shards.

The bay itself offers turquoise waters, quiet coves, and pristine beaches, while the hinterland features boab trees, wattles, and open woodland. Wildlife is plentiful: seabirds, cockatoos, honeyeaters, and occasionally brolgas on the saltpans. The remoteness of Vansittart Bay gives it a serene, untouched quality that appeals to those seeking both nature and history.

World War II Legacy

Vansittart Bay is steeped in wartime history. Two significant aircraft wrecks remain here.

The first is a Douglas C-53 (DC-3) Skytrooper that force-landed on a saltpan in 1942 after running out of fuel. Remarkably, the crew survived and were later rescued, leaving the wreck largely intact where it sits today. Visitors can walk across country to reach the site, where the skeletal remains of the plane rest starkly against the wilderness.

The second is a B-24 Liberator bomber that crashed into the waters of the bay in 1945. The wreck lies in about 20 metres of water and, though fragmented, is considered archaeologically significant. Its remote location has helped preserve it in pristine condition.

Nearby lies the Mungalalu Truscott Airbase, a secret wartime airfield constructed in 1944. It was an important staging ground for Allied bombers and continues to operate today, supporting aviation and offshore industries.

Visiting & Ecotourism

Vansittart Bay is usually visited as part of Kimberley expedition cruises. Guests are taken ashore to explore Jar Island’s ancient rock art, wander through woodland and across sand dunes to the DC-3 wreck, and enjoy the breathtaking coastal scenery. The combination of cultural treasures, historical relics, and natural beauty makes Vansittart Bay one of the Kimberley’s most memorable destinations.