Local narrator Mark Coles Smith takes us on a journey of the Kimberley’s spectacular coastline
In our previous blog post, we were highly anticipating the premiere of the new 3 part docuseries ‘The Kimberley‘ on ABC iView. Last night we watched episode 1, and boy, did it deliver! From opportunistic white bellied sea eagles to frisky frill necks, the wild and raw beauty of the Kimberley was beautifully captured by the team of Wild Pacific Media. Local man Mark Coles Smith also delivered an educational and interesting narrative throughout the film; (keep an eye on this rising Aussie talent!)
At the end of episode 1, we got a teaser of the next episode … and now we’re even more excited!
Episode 2 will take us on a journey down the wild and barely populated Kimberley coastline, a land of waterfalls and ancient rock art. We recognised a few of the places that will be featured. Here are three of those spots:
1. The Horizontal Falls
At the Horizontal Falls, huge tides push water through two, extremely narrow gorges rush so quickly and with such force that water banks up on one side, creating a surging white rapid. Passing ‘over’ the falls in a boat, you can experience the drop in sea level and the bigger the tide, the more exhilarating the ride! When the tide changes, the waterfall reverses. It’s an impressive scene from the sky, but to feel the power of the falls, you need to jump onboard with an experienced Kimberley skipper and ride the rapids. There are actually two sets of waterfalls in the McLarty Ranges in Talbot Bay – 12 and 20 metres wide – but only the larger gap is safe to pass through.
2. Montgomery Reef
As each enormous Kimberley tide retreats, Montgomery Reef appears to rise out of the sea, shedding water in spectacular cascades and countless waterfalls. Marine creatures race over the edge of the rapidly drying reef to the safety of the sea, creating spectacular scenes unequalled anywhere in the country. At over 300 square kilometres, this is Australia’s largest inshore reef, found 20km off the central Kimberley Coast in Lalanggarram/Camden Sound Marine Park.
The Worrora people are the traditional custodians of this important Humpback whale nursery, known as Yowjab in the Dambinmangari language. The reef is home to Australian snubfin and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, dugong and threatened marine turtles, and estuarine crocodiles have been spotted sunbaking on the reef. Montgomery Reef also displays a variety of vibrant, coloured coral.
3. King George river and falls
Nothing beats a new day breaking in the ancient King George River. The symphony of bird calls echoing through the gorge, schools of fish leaping and the roar of mighty waterfalls are sights and sounds that will stay with you forever.
To the Balanggarra people, this is Oomarri: home to breathtaking gorges and Western Australia’s tallest duo of waterfalls that flow 300 feet over the edge of the escarpment.
This area is widely known as one of the most pristine, untouched wilderness areas on the planet and, no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be spellbound by this magnificent gorge. At the tail end of the wet season (March), rain swells the King George River, turning it into a raging torrent that tumbles over the sandstone cliffs and into the tidal waters below. When King George Falls dry to a trickle during the dry season, boats are able to anchor close, sometimes directly beneath the falls. No matter when you come, the gorge itself is phenomenal and cruising through its towering walls is a once in a lifetime experience.
Stayed tuned for The Kimberley – season 1, episode 2. Watch it soon on ABC iView.
Watch it on ABC iView or at the Australian Museum
You can watch Episode 2 of The Kimberley on ABC iView. Alternatively, the Australian Museum are hosting a fantastic screening and panel talk event for members on Tuesday the 27th of May. The panel discussion includes Mark Coles Smith (host and narrator) and Nick Robinson of Wild Pacific Media (director) in conversation with the Chair of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council and Notre Dame University Professor, Anne Poelina (Anne is also Mark’s mother!) Click here for tickets to this event.
