Scenic flight over the Abrolhos Islands

We could not leave Geraldton without taking a flight to the Abrolhos Islands.  Official name is the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, discovered by Frederick Houtman in 1619 on board the Dordrecht while following the coast northward. There are 122 islands in total which span 100 kms of ocean in approximately a north/south direction.  There are three main groups. the Pelsaert, Easter and Wallabi group.

We selected Shine Aviation from the many companies offering flights for no particular reason but our young pilot was named George, a name that has close associations for me.  Father was George, ex-husband is George and this very personable young man did a great job flying us to East Wallabi Island.

Co-pilot Andrew enjoyed sitting up at the front while we lesser three others sat in the back of the small 8 person plane.

Another of the small planes which do these flights also landing on East Wallabi Island.

These groups of islands hold the tragic story of the Batavia saga of 1629. The location of the wreck was unknown for 350 years until it was discovered by fishermen and then researchers in 1963.

The ship, heading to Batavia now modern day Jakarta along the trade route to the east, came to grief along the coral reefs as the Leeuwin current which flows from April to October caused it to flounder.  A mutiny followed and 125 men, women and children were murdered by the mutineers during the time that Captain Pelsaert set off in a long boat to Batavia for rescue.  The others survived and on Pelsaert's amazing return some months later the mutineers were dealt with in various ways, none of them nice.

Many of the islands are semi-permanent homes to fishermen who are there for commercial fishing.  People from Geraldton and other towns nearby also come for week long fishing holidays and camping.  A lady at the bridge club, on hearing we were doing the flight to the islands told us of the many many happy holidays she and her family spent there.  She said the islands were the most beautiful places on earth as far as she was concerned.

The colours of the coral reef are wonderful with wonderful healthy reef all over the ocean.  Quite a few of the scenic flights include shallow reef snorkelling but we chose not to do one of those.

The view of Geraldton on the way home.

A photo of the remains of the fort on West Wallabi Island built by the soldiers led by Wiebbe Hayes during the mutiny.  We could not make out the remains clearly enough to take a photo as we flew over the island so resorted to this image which is on the wall at Shine Aviation showrooms.