KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA DAY 9: Hunter River & Mitchell Falls
14 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 9 of 14)
super moon in route to hunter river ©SEABOURN
From Croc Country to the Skies of Mitchell Falls
Our love affair with the Kimberley is intense by day nine; we might need to confess to our spouses soon. With six days left, it's time to reflect: are we on track to complete the commercial and capture the promised photographs? Mostly. We’ve visited all our planned locations, but some of the most important shots lie ahead. Deep breaths.
Day nine mirrored day seven in its dual-location challenge. In the morning, we focused on Hunter River, home to the infamous Australian crocodiles. The afternoon brought us to Mitchell Falls, via helicopter. But there was a snag—our internet was down, leaving us with no final confirmation from the helicopter company. Would we be stranded on the beach, unable to reach this crucial location?
exploring hunter river as the tide rises ©seabourn
HMU Manny EXPLORING HUNTER RIVER MANGROVES
Hunter River: Mangroves and Crocs
As the sun rose, the mangroves transformed from a crocodile hunting ground to a vibrant chorus of awakening birds. Mangroves, with their intricate root systems, protect both saltwater and freshwater ecosystems, filtering nitrates and phosphates from streams while preventing seawater encroachment.
Australia has the third largest mangrove area in the world. Let’s call that an important eco system to protect! We can do it humanity! Mangroves serve as ocean nurseries, let’s save them.
At 8:00 AM, a crackling call came over the radio. "We have a problem," said Robin, our Expedition Leader. "The Zodiac broke down," he continued. Marc, our producer, urgently radioed back, "Nyaid coming to you for immediate support."
With the Nyaid as our only functioning boat, Captain Josh sped through the mangroves, navigating narrow waterways toward the disabled Zodiac. Communication with our main ship, the Akiko, was out of reach. The tide is dropping. We are the only vessels in the area.
zodiac rides deep into the mangroves ©seabourn
A silent alarm rang in my head. The Zodiac was essential for many of our wide shots, particularly at King George River in a few days. Was the MK5 repairable? Upon first sight of the MK5 zodiac, Writer Andrew jokes, “You ok paddling back to the Akiko?”
The moment the Nyaid reached the crippled MK5, someone shouted, "There's a crocodile behind us!"
curious crocodile in hunter river ©SEABOURN
Nature at its Most Primal
The crocodile sensed our vulnerability and began stalking us. We were sitting ducks. My heart raced as I snapped photos while the team scrambled to set up the video rig. Captain Josh started work on the MK5 engine. My mind focused on the captivating reptile, a fierce predator.
The ancient creature glided silently through the murky depths, fully aware of its dominance. For thousands of years, crocodiles had ruled these waters unchallenged, their primeval instincts honed to perfection. In contrast, our manmade machines were mere intruders, newcomers in this untamed realm, and the croc knew it.
governor of the mangroves for millennia ©SEABOURN
My heart was pounding through my chest, my eyes locked on the croc’s every ripple as she silently cut through the water. The movement of the croc is a testament to its mastery of these waters. Suddenly, she vanishes, slipping under the surface like a ghost. Her stealth was unnerving: in the murky depths, we had no way of knowing where she would reappear.
She could be circling us now, unseen but undoubtedly near. We had seconds, maybe less, before she would surface again. Was she like the airborne beast we'd seen in Broome, ready to leap at our vessels? In my mind, she loomed like a 15-foot titan, her massive jaws poised to strike. Later, the photos would reveal she was only half that size, but in the moment, the terror was real.
MacGyver
Just as the croc appeared again, the MK5 engine roared back to life. Captain Josh, a true MacGyver, deserved an ovation. His quick work underscored the importance of having a seasoned team. We'd spent months researching the Kimberley, and those we hired had spent their lives here. The combined experience provided a comforting safety net. Gratitude to Josh for saving our expedition.
The most valuable takeaway from exploring six continents is clear: it's rarely about the destination but the people who shape the journey. Even in places where things might go wrong, it’s often incredible souls who turn it around. Everywhere I travel, I’m reminded that we’re part of a shared journey. That’s why we surround ourselves with people like Josh—a true professional who, in the far reaches of Australia's northwest, became our hero. I’ll never forget Josh.
While some might say he fixed the engine in five minutes—and technically he did—I believe it took 15 years of skill and passion to make it happen. As Josh worked his magic, our Expedition Leader Robin echoed a similar appreciation.
We narrowly escaped the croc’s grip, and the boats were finally back in business. Game time! We captured stunning shots between the boats, then we climbed into the MK5 for some close-up work with the talent. Wrapping up at Hunter River felt like a small victory.
The ride back to Akiko was tense, my mind racing. We'd secured a shot at Hunter River that I hadn’t seen in any of our extensive research. Could it be something unprecedented in the Kimberley? But then doubt crept in, raising questions. Had we truly captured something special, or were we celebrating too soon?
© SEABOURN
Mitchell Falls: Flying to New Heights
With the Hunter River shoot wrapped, my excitement mingled with anxiety as we approached our next objective. "Marc, will our helicopters show up," I said to our dependable producer. His blunt response, "I'm not 100% sure," sent chills down my spine. Marc, an obsessive planner, rarely had logistical doubts.
Mitchell Falls, known as "Punamii-unpuu," is sacred to the Wumambal people. This four-tiered waterfall drops 80 meters into a pristine freshwater lake. Reaching it isn't easy. Tourists usually opt for scenic helicopter tours, which was our plan—if the helicopters arrived.
The team prepared nervously on the beach. And then, echoing off the red canyon walls came the unmistakable sound of rotor blades (one of my personal favorite sounds). “All radios! All radios! Helicopters inbound!” Producer Marc declared on the comms. We shared grins, and the atmosphere on that beach was electric.
helicopter landing pad on Naturalists Island near hunter river
Mitchell Falls by Air
After finalizing our game plan with the pilots, we climbed aboard for an aerial tour. Seeing Mitchell Falls from above was nothing short of spectacular. It’s an experience that reshapes one's view of Earth.
helicopter ride past sacred Mitchell falls
TALENT MANJIT & BRITT INSIDE THE HELICOPTER
helicopter landing at Mitchell falls
Our team has been incredibly blessed to have spent so much time soaring through the skies. From above, we gain a perspective of our planet that can deeply shift our view of humanity. The Earth appears smaller, more connected, and more vibrant—no longer just a vast, isolated sphere housing billions of people.
LEGENDARY MITCHELL FALLS ©SEABOURN
While our team hasn’t yet been to space, I’m captivated by the way astronauts describe seeing our planet from orbit. Their descriptions of Earth from orbit are fascinating, revealing an entirely new view of a familiar world. Their insights offer humanity a profoundly different perspective. Helicopters & drones offer a taste of that transformative experience, revealing the world in stunning new ways.
HELI TO HELI WORK OVER HUNTER RIVER ©SEABOURN
Height of Human Ingenuity
The invention of flying machines is the height of human ingenuity. Every time we fly a drone or helicopter or plane, we owe immense gratitude to the Wright brothers and countless other visionaries who brought us this incredible opportunity to glide through the air like birds.
The trip to Mitchell Falls was awe-inspiring, but the most dramatic moment was still ahead. As we landed back on the beach, Chris remained focused on capturing one last shot despite the "hot landing" chaos. Helicopter blades whirred menacingly, and we scrambled to disembark while the pilots revved up for takeoff. The noise was deafening. The pilots needed enough daylight to return home safely, so waiting wasn't an option.
Undeterred, Chris and I hustled into action. The team unloaded gear out of the helis. With less than a minute and diminishing light, Chris prepped the drone with nerves of steel. As he launched it skyward, the first frame appeared, and I was left speechless. "Wow!" I gasped. This was a frame that would define the story. But we had only seconds to get it right. "What's the shot, dude?" Chris asked, urgency evident in his voice.
SEABOURN PURSUIT anchored near hunter river © SEABOURN
"Fly back for a wider frame!" I exclaimed. Chris handled the controls with the agility of a seasoned pilot, repositioning the drone just in time. “Let’s nail a photo,” yells Chris. “Quickly,” I respond immediately hearing the shutter fire rapidly. “I got it dude!” Chris says through his huge smile.
“Roll camera + push in over the trees as foreground!” I yell over the blades… “Speed!” Chris said with excitement, rolling video. As Chris flys the drone towards the helicopters during takeoff, we both scream things we hope our mothers never hear.
We nailed it, securing a crucial video & photo shot to represent this heli to ship experience. I was so proud of Chris and our entire team. We didn't know it at the time, but this shot would become the key to the brands campaign.
VFX of seabourn pursuit in hunter river ©SEABOURN
The Seabourn Pursuit was still being built, and we had no product to film. Creating a campaign without the ship itself was a monumental challenge. This final shot was perfect for adding a VFX image of the Pursuit, providing our stakeholders with the crucial assets needed to solve the marketing & business challenges. Today, the ultra-luxury Seabourn Pursuit sails these exact same waters near Hunter River.
What a Day!
What started as an uncertain day at Hunter River ended with a triumphant journey to Mitchell Falls. We witnessed the Kings of Australia, the crocodiles, who have governed the mangroves for millennia. Their reptilian legacy is woven into the fabric of the Kimberley.
We saw earth become a delicate, interconnected tapestry rather than a sprawling mass of billions of people.
Captain Josh saved us from croc country, and Chris captured our defining shot of the entire trip. Boom! I’m so grateful to be alive.
RETURNING TO AKIKO AT SUNSET
Next on the Dash: witnessing the historic Jumba dance!