Photographing Abrolhos Islands

From guest contributor Peter Langston (Lango)

Read more about Peter here and on facebook. Peter is a customer of the Eastmon Tamworth store.

After three months in WA, you might think it hard to pinpoint one outstanding day above all else.
It is, but only if you have never been to the Abrolhos Islands..
The Abrolhos are an archipelago of three groups of islands (Easter, Wallabi and Pelsaert) and coral reefs which lie in the Indian Ocean and are home to a rich diversity of wildlife and for a large part of each year, Cray fishermen who work the waters for the lucrative return of Western Rock Lobsters raised in the warm waters of the Leeuwin stream, flowing south from the tropics along the WA coast.
It has also been the scene of many shipwrecks, the most infamous being the Batavia, whose story includes mutiny, acts of both great stupidity and bravery, cannibalism and vicious punishment.
Our day started with a short flight in a small aircraft. Circling the two southern groups, you are immediately astounded by the colours of the reefs and pristine white beaches. The shallow water over the reefs makes for long lines of white breakers and sea creatures swimming in lagoons just right for beginning snorkelers, which we became after our landing on West Wallabi Island.
Our snorkelling episode allowed us to be in community with little fish and brilliantly coloured coral, right there at arm’s length. Afterwards, we dined in our swimmers on the sandy beach as the sun washed winter warmth over us and a slight breeze moved enough of my wife’s hair to ensure a feeling of island escape. Our pilot guide took us on a ramble over the island to witness an Osprey catch fish and then feed her young in a nest which her species have called home for more than seventy years. I noted nineteen species of bird that I could catalogue with my meagre twitching skills.
With sand between our toes and abandonment in our heart, the twenty minute flight back to Geraldton included at least half a dozen sightings of whales.
A day’s escape to Abrolhos isn’t the cheapest way to spend you money but it’s certainly the best value for your tourist dollar, the proof of which are the vivid memories still with us.

One of the larger islands of the Easter Group, this was our first close view of the Abrolhos. Not much more than a reef with some exposed sand before a lagoon on the western side, the lowness of the islands makes it obvious why captains of the 18th century found navigation around them so difficult.

Many of the islands are smaller than this yet still contain shacks which the Cray fishermen work from. There are virtually no permanent tourist facilities anywhere on the Abrolhos.

The small bays offer a safe harbour for those with the time and money to be sailing their way to pleasure. This mooring on West Wallabi Island is popular because it is near the only airstrip in the Abrolhos.

The reefs are staggering in their beauty. Sharks and large sea turtles are often seen in the lagoons.

Lango’s Bio

I’m a writer essentially, who loves to take photos. Poetry is my favourite form of written expression and I see a strong parallel with photography – both are about using economy in expressing a moment.
My wife and I have traveled to most parts of Australia to gather experiences we can’t find at work or the shops or the local pub. In the process we found what we left behind but with different geography as a backdrop.
I’ve been a teacher, a cricketer, a family man and a mate – with many other side tracks along the way – but people remain my fascination.

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