Saturday - 14th August 

Up early for the 9AM flight to the horizontal waterfalls.   We went by sea-plane from Derby airport.  The plane was very spacious with big windows, they limit the passengers every one has a window seat.  The flight takes about 45 minutes and the views are marvellous, rugged lines of ancient limestone reefs, steep gorges and vast tidal flats.  The landing was rather exciting, into a gorge, and it appeared that the gap between the end of the wing and the gorge wall was only a couple of feet.  We got out of the plane onto a pontoon, then into a 10 or so seater speed boat.   Rob, our driver, then chased the departing seaplane before setting off for a tour of the waterways.  We then headed across the bay to the first of the falls, the flow of water is amazing, megalitres per hour pour through as the huge tides push the water levels up and down.  At the peak “King Tides” the waterfalls are up to 5 metres high.  We drove through the first set of falls and Rob (the driver, not me) did a bit of showing off, throwing the rather powerful boat around, but he jellied at the second set of falls, claiming it was a bit dangerous.  So he just backed it into them, balancing against the 15 knot current using the engine throttles.   After lots of good pics, we headed back across the first set of falls to the mother ship anchored in the bay.  You can stay overnight on it for a few extra dollars.  We had a drink and some biscuits while waiting for our return flight.  Return flight was equally exhilarating as the plane weaved along the gorge for takeoff.   Definitely recommended.

Had a late lunch then headed down to the Derby pier for a bit more fishing, this time both of us using bait.  Jude caught a fish, and I caught nothing.