Dirk Hartog Island

Dirk Hartog Island and Cape Peron are small relatively sheltered islands off the West Australian coast. Powerful waves hit the western side of this Island, the battering of the ocean shapes the western side in particular. Southern Western Australia has experienced unseasonably high rainfall for the last three years and the result can be seen in the relatively lush vegetation and in particular the wild flowers which are starting to bloom. This is never more evident than on Dirk Hartog Island. The island is now a sanctuary for many endangered birds, lizards and tiny mammals. The successful reintroduction of these creatures was possible because a major project over a number of years has rid the island of invasive pests, particularly cats and rats.

There is a down and an upside to having an early start. The downside is getting up early enough to get breakfast and get organized before leaving the ship. Because the conditions are still rough a local operator has been engaged to take groups of passengers closer to land where we are then loaded onto a zodiac to then take us to the beach. Each trip takes just over 30 passengers at a time.

It is still quite overcast when we leave but there are hints of sunshine. The transfer from ship to ferry and to zodiacs works very well and we land safely. There is a small settlement that has taken advantage of the location and setup a small tourist operation. There are options for people to camp or stay in cabins facing the ocean. Coffee is available from a small cafe overlooking the ocean and near a white sandy beach curving around to the north.

The walk along the beach highlights more of the geology of the coast and the unusual flora. Woolsheds and sheep shearing holds no mystery for me and if I never see another set sheet of shearing clippers it will be too soon. Another coffee was very appealing. Bob however headed off to the woolshed for something there which unfortunately for me turns out not to be what I thought. It was a summary of the history of the people who had set up the operation not how to shear a sheep.

There are a few dirt tracks on the island, one heads west from where we are to a blowhole. The road is rough but the young driver keeps us entertained with stories of this place. This Western side of the island is such a contrast to the other side. There are no beaches, just very rugged cliffs carved out by the sea. The harshness of the climate here is never more evident than where there is no rain, close to where we stop the hills behind us are barren. At a number of places you can see blowholes because there is such a strong wind the effects of the water pounding into the space creates a significant spout of water, very dramatic.

Gin is made here on the island, flavored by one of the flowers we see on our drive. A tasting is possible and it's a very interesting and pleasant flavour. Our zodiac back to the ship has been held up because there seems to be a problem with the small vessel that brought us here. It turns out they have had a major fire which has taken out their motor. This means we travel back to the ship by zodiac. An engineer from our ship was sent over to the stranded vessel but no repair was possible. For the passengers expecting to come out this afternoon this is now not possible the waves are so high the zodiacs are not able to take people all the way to shore. The upside of being in one of the first groups.

The pianist on board this trip is of course excellent and tonight she gives a concert which is quite superb.もっと詳しく