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KING GEORGE RIVER TOPO MAP KGR AIR PHOTO | CRUISING THE KING GEORGE RIVER
Koolama Bay, at the mouth of the King George River, can be accessed from secure anchorages to the southeast (Seaplane Bay & Berkeley River) or to the northwest (Glycosmis Bay, Jim's Bay & Cape Talbot Bay) so that arrival can be timed for high tide. Anchorage 1a is calm in south-easterlies and light sea breezes and is useful if arriving in the bay at night. There are also anchorages off the sandy beaches on both the eastern and western sides of Koolama Bay providing protection from the easterlies and the north-westerly sea breezes respectively. THE RIVER ENTRANCE
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TIDE LEVELS
PLACES OF INTEREST When cruising up river, keep to the southwest side of the river for the first mile to avoid the shallow sandbars (2 on map), then follow the outside of the bends. Crocodiles have been sighted on the western beach at the mouth of the river and on the top of the Approximately 2 miles upstream (1c on map), there is a calm anchorage in the lee of the The navy had rigged two heavy ropes on the face of the cliff (left & right) to assist people to climb the 25m up to the safe swimming hole at the top. Unfortunately, these ropes had been removed in early 2006, so access to the upper pool was via a rough climb commencing on the right bank about 100 m downstream from the waterfalls.
About 5 miles up the main river (4 on map) there is a
The King George River, upstream of the twin falls, affords good hiking on flat rocky country with many tranquil croc-free swimming holes such as this one pictured below left. If Back on the main river, there is a most beautiful "hanging garden" of maiden hair and herring-bone ferns on the eastern side of the eastern falls. The rock ledge in the eastern falls amphitheatre provides another
CONCLUSION The King George River is a "must see" pleasant stopover for cruisers heading up and down the coast to and from Wyndham or waiting for a weather window to cross the Bonaparte Gulf to Darwin. But, beware of the sharks and crocodiles! The upper saltwater reaches looks inviting. However, crocs have been spotted at many locations between Koolama Bay and the base of the falls and sharks like this one have been caught in the river.   
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This page was last updated 10 April, 2008 - download King George River.pdf | |
beach and in the swamps behind the eastern beach. 
mangrove fringe protected from both the ESE and the seabreeze. 
There are some interesting rocks, gorges and waterholes upstream of the first large deep pool and of course there is a great view back onto the pool from higher up. Further up the gorge on the right hand side there is an amazing balancing rock (right) and about 1 km further on, there are four art galleries with fine art including this Bradshaw action figure (left). Photos of some of the other paintings can be seen on our 
sharp bend to the left immediately preceded by a gap in the mangroves (left). There is a fine sandy beach between the mangroves and the overhanging cliffs. The Darwin StressBusters have named this spot Bar-b-q Beach as there are handy flat rocks for tables, no bugs or mozzies, and some firewood available from amongst the mangroves. There is usually a 3 m croc patrolling this section of the river so take care. Opposite the beach there is a spectacular narrow gorge with very cold water swimming holes. This gorge is a great place for lunch or to relax on a hot day.
One mile further upstream the saltwater reach terminates 
in the 100 m high twin falls (left and 5 on the map). From the anchorage (1d) a short dinghy ride followed by a strenuous uphill climb over a rough track leads to the top of the falls where there are great views of the gorge and the river (right). 
the holes close to the falls are dry, there are always more permanent holes about 1 km further upstream. Cattle, dingoes, kangaroos, rock wallabies, brolgas and abundant smaller bird life gather around the lagoons late in the cruising season when the surrounding countryside is dry.
shady "go ashore for a picnic" option.
