KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA DAY 11: The Crown Jewel
9 Minute Read: Go behind the scenes of a filmmaking expedition in the remote Northwest region of Australia, The Kimberley. In this 14-part series, we’ll share the highs and lows, from marathon shoots aboard luxurious yachts to heart-stopping encounters with nature's fiercest creatures. Welcome to the wild side of cinema. (Part 11 of 14)
zodiac ride on king George river ©SEABOURN
The Crown Jewel
Next stop, the Crown Jewel. On the eleventh day of our filmmaking expedition through Kimberley, Australia, we were set to encounter the epic King George Falls. It was hard to believe that after ten days of breathtaking landscapes and harrowing experiences, the best was still to come.
dit dave onboard akiko in front of king George falls
Remote Region of Northwest Australia
I still remember when the invitation to join this project landed in my inbox. At the time, I couldn't even locate Kimberley on a map. A swift dive into the internet introduced me to images of the King George River and its majestic falls cascading from ancient sandstone cliffs—Western Australia’s highest twin waterfalls and a site of profound cultural significance to the Balanggarra people.
King George Falls
As April ushers in the rainy season, the King George Falls cascade with renewed energy, marking the grand spectacle of Western Australia’s highest waterfall. This remote region, untouched by roadways, is a haven where prehistoric scenes unfold daily. A saltwater crocodile rests on a warm rock ledge, continuing age-old survival rituals. In the crystal-clear shallows, mullet and milkfish frolic, while dugongs glide playfully through the seagrass. Look skyward, and you may catch the dramatic plunge of a White-Bellied Sea Eagle swooping down from its perch to snatch a fish.
This expanse of the King George River, stretching 70 miles through the pristine Drysdale River National Park and spilling into the Timor Sea, envelops you in a timeless escape, far removed from the modern world. Here, amid "no visitor facilities and no marked walk trails," you step back into an era dominated by the wild and the free.
POV OF zodiac ride on the legendary king George river ©SEABOURN
As ships navigate upriver toward the King George Falls, you journey through a stunning canyon sculpted from 1.8 billion-year-old King Leopold Sandstone. This ancient landscape, carved by the relentless flow of a freshwater river, tells a story of natural forces at work. Over the last 17,000 years, rising seawater has transformed this once remote riverbed into a breathtaking marine canyon.
Timor Sea
But before the river, there was the open sea—vast, relentless, and mysterious. As our captain ominously noted the night before, “It’s going to get rocky tonight.” And indeed, at 3:00 AM, chaos erupted. The sounds of the Timor Sea battering our vessel mimicked thunder. The ship rocked violently, throwing us from sleep into survival mode.
As the ship plunged through towering swells, I joined the Captain in a thorough check of our gear, grateful for his steady presence. We secured multiple items before he returned to the bridge. “The worst is behind us,” Captain Ben said. I then made my way to the stern to witness the roaring sea. The waves put on a spectacular show, crashing loudly, challenging the dawn.
Salty Sea Dogs
The Nayaid danced wildly on the waves behind us in tow, a scene of pure, untamed chaos. Daybreak brought no sunrise shooting; even standing was a battle. The green faces of my fellow crewmates told tales of a night spent battling the sea.
As dawn broke, the consensus was unanimous: “Oh my god, what a night.” But the real comedy unfolded when the old sea-dog sailors began to stir. I nudged Andrew, our veteran writer with more sea days than a calendar has squares, and asked, “You feeling okay?”
breaky onboard akiko in king george falls
His reply was as flat as calm water: “Yeah, I’m fine, why wouldn’t I be?” He'd slept through the whole rollercoaster ride. Next up, Marc, Chris, and Dave—all seasoned veterans of the sea—confirmed they too had missed the midnight dance. “You guys alright?” Not a care in the world. The ship was divided: half queasy, half cradled to sleep by Neptune’s own hand.
By 7:00 AM, we sailed into the calmer waters of the King George River. The cliffs embraced us, towering monuments of red rock standing guard over the serene river. As we enjoyed breakfast, the anticipation of what lay ahead was palpable. We’ve arrived. Time to embark the Nyaid and MK5 Zodiac.
boat to boat in king George river
We immediately felt a spiritual connection to this land. Described to me once by a native Alaskan as “Ashagania”—a deep bond with the rocks, trees, and sky—was palpable. Amidst the raw beauty of Kimberley, my soul was fully engaged, lost to the elements and the act of creation.
Flying down the river in the Nyaid, I again felt a strong sense of privileage and gratitude run through my body.
These were the moments I’d been dreaming about for months. As I brought camera to eye, my dreams were coming true.
Next up…time to meet the twin waterfalls.
zodiac ride in king george river ©SEABOURN
A Bold Vision
Rewind six months. “We need the camera directly in those waterfalls,” I said. Bold visions often sent shivers down the spine of the first AC (Assistant Camera). Andrew, our multi-talented writer and production manager, also took on the role of AC, charged with safeguarding our cameras.
inside the waterfall at king George falls ©SEABOURN
Together, we delved deeply into discussions on the artistic and technical aspects of each shot. Our challenge was daunting: maneuver a $65,000 cinema camera and a $10,000 photography camera—totaling $75,000 in equipment—directly under the relentless torrents of a massive waterfall. The stakes were high and one wrong move could spell disaster. Did we prepare correctly? Now was the time to find out.
As we emerged, drenched and exhilarated, it was clear Andrew’s preventive measures paid off. The cameras remained unscathed, no vital components compromised by moisture. The lens, however, bore the brunt of the humidity, fogging up behind its element. With no time to lose, Andrew launched into action, channeling his inner ‘Inspector Gadget’ to repair the lens overnight, restoring its clarity just in time for the next day’s shoot.
Cascading Falls
Inside the waterfall, the feeling was otherworldly. Positioned beneath the cascade, the cool, powerful sprays of water enveloped us, washing away the fatigue and stress of the expedition. It was a moment of pure joy and exhilaration, captured in the glorious light of the falls. This was not just another scene in our film; it was an encounter that reminded us of our own elemental nature, as beings composed largely of water.
zodiac to the waterfalls AT king George river
In the fierce, unyielding heat of the Kimberley, where the air itself seems to simmer at over 100 degrees, the shock of cold water is a profound revival. In that instant, you are transformed, reborn into a world of invigorating clarity. Your body and spirit refreshed and renewed in the embrace of nature.
Later, as the sun dipped, casting a golden glow over the canyons, we captured some of the most breathtaking footage of Manjit & Britt. Illuminated by the evening light, Manjit & Britt seemed almost ethereal in their surroundings.
Born from the chisel of a vigorous freshwater river, this canyon has withstood the tests of time. Over the last 17,000 years, the canyon has witnessed a profound transformation, merging ancient riverbeds with the deep blue of the ocean. This seamless fusion of elements creates a dramatic visual symphony of rock and water, echoing the timeless dance of Earth’s evolutionary artistry.
sunset zodiac ride on king George river ©SEABOURN
manjit listening to expedition leader describe geology © SEABOURN
britt enjoying sunset onboard zodiac © SEABOURN
As night fell and the unexpected company of swarming insects forced us indoors, the crew gathered, reflecting on the day’s triumphs over a few well-deserved beers.
Tomorrow, Day 14, we face the culmination of our marine journey—the last day on the water. I’m proud of the unity and strength of our team. This group transformed daily by the challenges presented. 4:45 AM Call time in the morning…Seb’s dinner smells good!
Next up on the Dash: the final day of the expedition on the water.