Kings Cascade Falls - cool oasis where danger lurks..

Kings Cascades falls on the itinerary today.  Wonderful scenery, and although the falls are not in full flood on this occasion, it's still a spectacular spot . A tranquil scene awaits after we approach up the Prince Regent river. It is important to note that the area  has a sad history of well publicised fatal croc attacks.
 Phillip Parker King replenished fresh water supplies here for his sailing vessel in the early 1800's. He thought it was a good idea to name the falls after himself, which was fair enough. There is H2O aplenty when we arrive.
WA Parks and wildlife website advises "bringing your own drinking water as there is none available at the site."  Perhaps falls dry up at certain times of year ?
We take a showery excursion in a Zodiac inflatable, chugging around the base of the terraced falls. This doesn't dampen our enthusiasm.  A fine misty spray envelopes  us in the tropical heat, and it is most refreshing.
Despite this,  I have the feeling that beneath the surface of this beautiful spot  lurks danger with hungry, roving reptiles.  However, we're all smiling in the boat, although obviously hoping that we don't spring a leak.

Cruising up a Kimberley creek with cunning crocs for company.

My mission, should I choose to accept it ( and I did) was to go where I had never gone before.  On a night cruise in an open Xplorer landing craft up a remote creek in the Kimberleys. 
This was part of my cruise itinerary on the Oceanic Discoverer.  After a barramundi dinner on board the luxury vessel, our party boarded the landing craft for an adventure cruise amongst dangerous crocodiles.
Needless to say, no-one was trailing their hands in the water.  We progressed at a slow speed up an unnamed, and pitch black mangrove creek.  As you can imagine, it is an eerie feeling being out on a dark tropical night, up the creek without a paddle, although admittedly we did have a reliable engine for propulsion.
Evil looking eyes glowed in the darkness.  Crocs on the port bow ! I took a couple of snapshots, hoping that the subject of my photos didn't "snap" me up in the process.  Looked at my watch.  Eight 'o croc ! 

Whilst the crocodiles I saw this evening were not big, probably around 2 metres, there is a continuing problem of "rogue crocs" in the Kimberley area.  The Australian saltwater crocodile is the biggest reptile in the world, and can weigh up to over 1000kg.A fascinating experience, but it was a relief to leave "Crocodylus porosus" in its natural habitat, and return to our comfortable ship.

Small inflatable boat, extremely rapid ride, horizontal waterfall off Kimberley coast.

Does the idea of hanging on grimly in a small inflatable boat, whilst shooting at breakneck speed down an extremely powerful torrent of water appeal to you ?  If so, then you should ride the horizontal waterfalls in Talbot Bay, between a narrow gap in the towering McLarty Ranges of the Kimberleys.

It was with some trepidation that I joined a fellow group of thrill seekers, and the experience proved memorable to say the least.  Perhaps the best advice I can offer is "Hold on and spray !"
The risk factor includes vast tidal whirlpools, plus roving crocodiles in the vicinity. All of which provides an incentive to keep firmly seated, and hang on tight. This is probably one of the "must do" attractions in the Kimberley.

Not only was the water flowing freely, but all who experienced the ride, found their adrenalin flowing freely.  Afterwards, back on our cruise expedition ship Oceanic Discoverer, the beer flowed freely as my fellow passengers and I celebrated our successful adventure !