Day 25 Timber Creek

Day 25 Timber Creek

As we've previously mentioned, we were a bit disappointed to miss out on the Victoria River Cruise that runs from Timber Creek on our way in to Kununurra several days ago. It doesn't run on Mondays and in fact is closing for the season at the end of August.

Phew! We just made it on the return journey. Nearly missed out altogether and that would've been a great shame. The couple who run the cruise and Croc-Stock shop at Timber Creek, Meredith and Neville are in the process of trying to sell the business after running it successfully for many years. They are reaching retirement age themselves and Meredith wants to go back to Adelaide to be near her ailing mother.

John looking un-enthused about Timber Creek

But wait! The caravan park is actually very nice

Even a boab in our caravan park

I imagine it must be a really good business during the dry season, but would be inaccessible in the wet. John and I booked into the caravan park after arriving and first ascertaining whether the cruise would indeed go ahead. Otherwise we weren't too keen to stay at Timber Creek. Appearances can be  deceiving though....the caravan park turned out to be a real gem! It had lovely shady powered sites as well as a nice pool and spa and kids playground. So many birds in the trees too. Not to mention right beside the river. The amenities were a bit tired and elderly but at least kept clean.

We were picked up in an elderly bus by Neville outside the Croc-Stock shop at 4pm. The bus reminded me of the one I used to catch to school in my youth. Turns out it was indeed a 70s bus....still going strong!
We went to the creek where the boats are moored via the Augustus Gregory (Explorer) boab tree and the old historic police station. The police station in Timber Creek covers the largest area for a precinct in Australia.

The Gregory boab with grave of John Lawler

Looks like the old school bus

Neville carries the supplies in a home built back pack

Once we were herded onto the boat, Neville took off down the river with his very powerful outboard engine roaring. He pointed out the Bradshaw bridge, newly built to service the Bradshaw military base located on the other side of the Victoria River. Out of bounds to us mere mortals.
Neville had a wealth of local knowledge to share about the local history, flora and fauna. He would zoom in to the bank of the river to disturb a basking crocodile, some up to five metres long, so we could take photos. I was more concerned that they didn't take offence at this rude intrusion and decide to fight back.

John boards the boat

The Bradshaw bridge over the Victoria River

This large saltie was not amused to be disturbed

Agile wallabies come down to drink

Brahman cows also drink at the river

There was lots of wildlife feeding beside the river and coming down to drink. The water is fairly salty but they have adapted to it. Including the Brahman cattle which also come down to graze and drink.
Neville stopped at one point to feed some birds of prey. He whistled and threw out some food and down they swooped. Even a sea eagle joined in the scuffle for this treat.

Birds of prey circle the boat

Sea eagle

It's windy on the boat as we fly along

Jabiru

After going some way (about 20 km) up the river we pulled in beside a floating barge. He we stopped to partake of drinks and nibbles while Neville caught some catfish on a rod he keeps on the barge to feed  to the birds of prey again. This time off a specially built metal arm, so you got an up-close view of them. Barb and another lady waited with cameras at the ready for ten minutes. Nothing happened. They'd no sooner turned their backs to take sunset shots when down came the birds to take the fish behind them.

Windblown from the trip

Neville catches catfish

And here comes the bird to take the catfish prize

Chatting on the barge

Barb and John

The sunset over the distant Yambarrin Ranges was just gorgeous. After oohing and aahing we then transferred back to the speedboat for a fast ride back down the river before it got too dark. Luckily the weather was still warm or it would've been very chilly with the wind blowing through our hair.
All in all it was well worth the money for this cruise and we were glad we did it. Not on the same scale of spectacular as the Ord River cruise, but it was very different (and half the price!)

The sun is going down

Further down

What a gorgeous sunset!

Well that was worth it