The King George River is one of Australia’s geologic gems yet its (western) discovery was not made until 1911. Situated 181 kilometers northwest of its nearest city, Wyndahm, the river was named by Charles Conigrave for King George V of France while Conigrave was surveying Australia’s NW coast.
With the hard work of discovery and surveying taken care of, we were able to safely enjoy the transit from our anchorage in Koolama Bay to King George Falls. A mere one meter tide kept all submerged rocks well protected as we snaked our Zodiacs through the burnt orange sandstone canyonlands and verdant green mangroves of the river system. White-bellied sea eagles and their enormous nests clung to the edge of this sheer landscape as its size and scale was constantly reinforced by our seemingly tiny zodiacs. Eighty meter vertical walls rose from river level, worn and weathered as if a miniature (and hyperactive) community of Anasazi Indians built their tiny homes within its very walls.
An early morning start took many to the top of the falls via a substantial rock scramble starting from river bottom. After 20 minutes and a fair amount of sweat we were at the top of the plateau with another 10 minute walk before the view we had been waiting for. Peering down the length of the King George River from the top of the falls was one of the highlights of the trip as freshwater disappeared beneath our feet and soaked into our skin during our ensuing dip into the headwaters of the falls.
Back at water level we returned to the zodiacs for a chance to size up the cascade from below. On the way our path was obscured by hundreds of pink jellies of the order Thysanostoma. Clustered together at the base of the falls these gelatinous living fossils seemed to have a purpose. Perhaps this was a chance to spawn in close proximity to one another? Maybe the tides dragged them up river? Perhaps they enjoy the freshwater on their umbrellas? Or, perhaps they return every year because they appreciate the view as much as we do.
