SAMPSON INLET (15o 30.8’ S, 124o 27.9 E) – Chart AUS 730
Rockbar
Waterfall
Some of the most prolific
areas for whale watching in
the Kimberley are around
Montgomery Reef and in the
northern parts of Collier Bay
between Sampson Inlet and
Deception Bay. These whales
"played" with the boat
between Battery Point and right along the coast to Kuri Bay for about an hour during a Kimberley Cruise.
Sampson Inlet is a deep narrow inlet that is so well protected that it is one of the only designated
cyclone anchorages for ships in the Kimberley. There is fringing reef on both sides of the entrance, but
the centreline track is clear. There is a constant depth of about 15m LWS in the east-west section which
gradually shallows to 7m LWS as the inlet swings SSE. There are pearl farm cyclone moorings for the
workboats from Kuri Bay midway along this reach. Beyond the moorings, the inlet dries at LWS.
LOWER SAMPSON INLET
The chartlet above, shows the location the anchorage in the narrow southern arm of Sampson Inlet at
about wp. 15o 30.44’S, 124o 28.33’E. This waypoint is handy as it may sometimes be necessary to enter
the inlet at night after a trip up from Raft Point or across Collier Bay from Yampi Sound with the current.
Whales are a worry at night!
At the head of this small inlet there is a watercourse and a
freshwater soak. Phil & Marion (from Silvergull Creek) spent the
1996 wet season with their small Compass 29 anchored in this inlet,
and established a campsite under the trees adjacent to the soak at
the head of the inlet (right). Remains of the campsite and a small
vege garden are still visible, together with aboriginal art under a
rock ledge near the camp site.
UPPER SAMPSON INLET
From any one of the secure anchorages in Sampson Inlet, motor
upstream with the incoming tide past the moorings and anchor just
before the inlet begins to narrow and turn south (left). Launch the
dinghy and motor further up the narrow inlet past the rock ledge on
the left and still further up to the tidal rock bar. It is then just a
100m stroll to the first shady swimming pool. Care is required here
because the spring tides flush salt water (and crocs) into this pool.
However, the water is usually clear so crocs can be easily spotted.
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About 200m further upstream there is a long narrow billabong (right)
which is over 3m deep in places. It would be unwise to swim in this
billabong as it is a likely place for large crocs to lurk. Near the south
western corner of this lagoon, and on the opposite bank from the
walking trail, there is a small perennial waterfall which can be easily
accessed on foot.
After walking another 200 to 300m
upstream the gorge narrows to
form large grassy pools (right)
below a 3 to 4m high stepped
waterfall (left). These pools are
deep and black and look a bit too
“spooky” for swimming.
However, it would be safe to swim
upstream of the falls in the
shallow pools (left) stretching
through the rocky gorge which runs east then veers back to the south
again. The view back downstream (above), from the falls across the
billabongs is quite stunning, and well worth the effort to visit this
upper section of Sampson Inlet. This area doesn't attract any charter
boat groups and only very few yachties so you should have it to yourself.