Today a visit to the Iron Islands, Koolan and Cockatoo Islands. Taking one look at the rocks here and you know they are full of haematite. Huge deposits and the mine in Koolan has been operating from 1951. It has exported 70 million tons of iron ore when BHP owned it and it continues to this day. In fact as we passed a tanker was being loaded with the ore.

The rocks are haematite rich – rust coloured and beautiful. Almost pure iron ore which doesn’t need to be upgraded – the so called DSO direct shipping ore. On top of one rock an osprey’s nest and the other nest was actually on the arm of the conveyor belt in the mine. When we travelled past the mine one container was being loaded with the ore and a fellow guest estimated on the tonnage of the ship that the load was worth some $12 Million. Australia is rich in deposits.When we next passed a few hours later it has been fully loaded and on its way. Notice how the container has sunk in the water.

The rocks formations here were a very good example of the folding and bending that the rock strata go through as they are pushed and pulled through the earth’s crust.

In the afternoon a ride to Crocodile Creek – along azure inlets and waterways until we reached a place where the fresh water gushed over the rock face. Teams of the crew looked for what might be lurking beneath and when we were given the all clear we headed in for a cool dip.

Over our heads many mating dragon flies having the wildest sexy time.