{"id":2934,"date":"2017-03-05T10:00:56","date_gmt":"2017-03-04T23:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.stillaslife.com\/?p=2934"},"modified":"2022-11-04T12:37:23","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T01:37:23","slug":"darwin-to-perth-day-6-horizontal-falls-full-day-tour-from-broome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stillaslife.com\/fr\/darwin-to-perth-day-6-horizontal-falls-full-day-tour-from-broome\/","title":{"rendered":"Excursion d'une journ\u00e9e compl\u00e8te aux chutes horizontales au d\u00e9part de Broome"},"content":{"rendered":"

If there is one thing you do in Australie<\/a> besides Uluru\/Ayers Rock<\/a>, it’s the Horizontal Falls. Located at Talbot Bay in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australie<\/a>, I don’t think there is anything quite like this anywhere else. For the Kiwi’s, this is like Doubtful Sound<\/a>, remote, hard to reach, and uniquely beautiful. Unlike Doubtful Sound, though, it’s hot, and the water is full of sharks and saltwater crocodiles, so you don’t want to fall in!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Horizontal<\/a>
Horizontal Falls Seaplane at Broome Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

There is one tour company operating to the Horizontal Falls called Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our full day tour itinerary was:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. 5:50 <\/a>am<\/a> pickup at our caravan park<\/li>
  2. Beagle Bay Community and snack<\/li>
  3. Cape Leveque and breakfast<\/li>
  4. One Arm Point Hatchery tour<\/li>
  5. Seaplane to Talbot Bay<\/li>
  6. Swimming with the sharks and fish feeding with replace trolling motor battery<\/a><\/li>
  7. D\u00e9jeuner<\/li>
  8. Horizontal Falls speedboat<\/li>
  9. Cyclone Creek cruise<\/li>
  10. Horizontal Falls speedboat<\/li>
  11. Seaplane to Broome<\/li>
  12. Bus drop off at our caravan park just before sunset<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    As you can see it was a full day. I think the only thing more we could have asked for was a pearl farm tour which is available on some of the full day tours instead of the hatchery tour, but the hatchery tour turned out to my much more interesting than we expected so we really have no complaints at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Price<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    I’ll warn you, it isn’t cheap. At AUD$1080 per person for adults, this is the most expensive thing we did on our road trip by a long way. It was even more costly than our campervan hire for the entire time. However, before we made any other trip plans, this is the one thing that we decided to splurge on, and are so glad we did. Yes, it is expensive, but it is absolutely worth it. The trip is fantastic, and you are looked after so well by the team. There is nowhere else you can do anything like this. So if there is one thing you spend the extra money to do, make it this. I can’t recommend it enough!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, let’s get into the tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5:50 <\/a>am<\/a> Start<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    We were picked up right on time at 5:50 am<\/a> with two other couples that were going on the same tour as us. There were already a few others on the 4WD bus and a few more we still had to pick up before heading out of Broome. The bus that picked us up is a big 4WD vehicle called Big Foot.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Inside<\/a>
    Inside Big Foot, the 4WD Bus we took for our Horizontal Falls Tour<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    It is very similar to other 4WD buses, including those used as school buses in some of the more remote parts of Western Australie<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Big<\/a>
    Big Foot Stopped at Beagle Bay Community<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    It is a vehicle that has been chosen for its ability to smooth out the rough dirt roads heading north from Broome.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The Rough Dirt Road Between Broome and Beagle Bay<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Within moments of entering the dirt section of Beagle Bay-Broome Road, we appreciated the fat tyres and suspension a great deal.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Even<\/a>
    Even on the big bus there are lots of vibrations<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Even with these features, the road is so corrugated that you are still bouncing around a bit. I imagine it would be a very rough, slow ride in a car. The car and caravan graveyard along the side of the road certainly makes me think bringing a car through here is not the best idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Since we left our campsite before sunrise, we got to see it rising from the bus.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Watching<\/a>
    Watching the sunrise from Big Foot<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The height gave us good visibility, but it was pretty harsh on the eyes with it flashing through trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Soon, the dirt road became a bitumen road, and before we knew it, we were at Beagle Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Communaut\u00e9 de Beagle Bay<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    We arrived in Beagle Bay Community bright and early, parking between Sacred Heart Church, also known as the Pearl Shell Church, and the only public toilet in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Sacred<\/a>
    Sacred Heart Church aka Pearl Shell Church at Beagle Bay Community<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Now, being the only public toilet in town and 24 or so people on the bus, there will be a queue.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Toilet<\/a>
    Toilet paper grows legs, so it’s in limited supply in the one public toilet at Beagle Bay Community<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Fortunately, between checking out the church and having some of the provided snacks and drinks, it is easy to space it out, then you aren’t standing in a line unnecessarily.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Sacred<\/a>
    Sacred Heart Church aka Pearl Shell Church at Beagle Bay Community<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The Sacred Heart Church, also known as the Pearl Shell Church, was built in 1917 by missionaries to the region with the help of the Aboriginal community.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"A<\/a>
    A brief history of the Pearl Shell Church<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    It got the pearl shell nickname because of the pearl shell used all through the church and its decorations.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The beautiful, pearl inlaid altar inside the Pearl Shell Church at Beagle Bay<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    It really is quite remarkable.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"One<\/a>
    One of the windows decorated with pearls at the Pearl Shell Church in Beagle Bay<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The snacks and drinks provided are a simple morning tea style snack before breakfast. Cookies and fruit to eat with tea, coffee and water to drink.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The morning tea buffet at Beagle Bay<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    It’s not much, but enough to tide you over until your breakfast at the next stop, Cape Leveque.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cape Leveque <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Turning off the north-bound bitumen road, a rough dirt road brought us into Cape Leveque where we were greeted with a dirt airstrip and the Kooljaman Cafe.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The Kooljaman Cafe at Cape Leveque<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The cafe seems to appear all of a sudden out of the trees, and beyond it is the ocean, bordered by vibrant red ochre cliffs and brilliant white sand beaches. Breakfast time.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Looking<\/a>
    Looking from the cafe over the red ochre cliffs to the white sandy beach.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The Kooljaman Cafe is owned by the Aboriginal community, with proceeds going back into the community.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Our<\/a>
    Our seats at the Kooljaman Cafe<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    It serves as a general store for the nearby campground, and as a very nice restaurant for travellers and locals.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Breakfast<\/a>
    Breakfast is almost ready!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The Horizontal Falls tour includes a scrumptious breakfast here, and I’d say it’s almost worth doing the tour just to experience the delightful food and accompanying view!<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Pastries<\/a>
    Pastries and muffins were available in addition to hot food.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    We were served what I would describe as a cafe style “Aussie big breakfast” that included baked beans, scrambled eggs, a hash brown, bacon, butter mushrooms, grilled tomato and focaccia bread.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Our<\/a>
    Our Cape Leveque “Big Breakfast.”<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Meanwhile, we also had access to a buffet style continental breakfast that included amazing fresh muffins, cereal, pastries, and fresh fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"A<\/a>
    A fruit platter our Kooljaman Cafe breakfast<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Drinks included water, juices and regular hot drinks. However, speciality drinks were extra.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Raugi's<\/a>
    Raugi’s Specials at the Kooljaman Cafe<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Once we finished our breakfast, we had a little bit of free time to explore the shop, purchase souvenirs if we wanted, and take in the beautiful view.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Tables<\/a>
    Tables with a view at Kooljaman Cafe<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The cafe is situated at the top of one of the ochre cliffs, so the dining area has a gorgeous ocean view, and the outdoor seating provides a great spot to sit and take it all in.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The ochre cliffs at Cape Leveque are such a brilliant red<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Back on the bus, our driver and guide took us past the cafe and showed us the campground and the beaches before taking us down to the water where we got out and had a bit of a splash.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"The<\/a>
    The luxury suite at Cape Leveque<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \"One<\/a>
    One of the camping spots at Cape Leveque<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Make sure you take a hat, and if you can, sunglasses are worthwhile too as the sun reflecting off the sand is intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n