Charter Chatter

- The Kimberley has enjoyed a record-breaking wet season with Kuri Bay recording 1395 millimetres in a month, the highest monthly rainfall recorded in Western Australia. Immediately following the wet season is the best time to see iconic features such as Kings Cascade, Mitchell Falls and the King George Falls at their thundering best. The whole region is transformed by rivers in flood, towering waterfalls and an abundance of wildlife.
Billabongs are swollen, immense wetlands are alive with birdlife and the barramundi will be biting. Crew-members aboard True North have confirmed that the 'waterfall season' is living up to its name.

- Captain Cook Cruises has recently completed an extensive rebuild and renovation on Fiji cruise ship, MV Reef Endeavour, with the ship now featuring brand new suites and interconnecting family rooms and a refurbished spa and gymnasium. The company will conduct their first Fiji cruise to circumnavigate Vana Levu, Fiji's second largest island.

- Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive was on MV Sea Esta on a three-day, three-night voyage from Townsville to the Outer Barrier Reef and the SS Yongala wreck to pay tribute to the 122 lives lost on 23 March 1911. The trip organiser, Charles Woodward is the son of Jack Woodward, the third son of Charles and Maud Woodward and the great grandson of Mary, who perished on the Yongala's final voyage.

- Townsville is the largest city in Northern Australia and offers visitors a base to experience diving, sailing and tropical islands such as nearby Magnetic Island.

- Adventure cruise company, Aurora Expeditions, is helping to fund Australian Geographic's Scientific Expedition to Western Australia's Kimberley region in 2011. In May this year a group of scientists and volunteers will head to the picturesque Emma Gorge to study the wildlife and biodiversity that is found there. Experts in mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates along with experts in the field from the Department of Environment and the Stop the Toad Foundation will report back on their findings and try to put together a complete story of the wilderness surrounding Emma Gorge before the cane toads descend.

- Fantasea Reefsleep, the hotel which floats on the Great Barrier Reef, and Hamilton Island have a new three night package starting from $968 per person valid from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

- Tsunamis travel at high speed, up to 800km/h with a very low wave height.
Like the ripples created from a stone tossed into a pond, the nasty breaking waves only occur when the energy meets a solid object, like a coastline or shallow water. So, as evidenced by the complete lack of damage to cruise ships at sea during the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake, you can safely ride out a tsunami at sea and probably not even notice it. A 'rogue wave', however, is different and still has scientists discussing the origin and cause. www.cruiseweekly.com.au

- Aurora Expeditions is celebrating 15 seasons of exploring the European Arctic.

- The new Sunsail 444 was built by South African catamran manufacturers Robertson and Caine and designed by performance cat experts Morrelli and Melvin. The innovative forward and aft cockpit design also includes four cabins and four heads. The catamaran comes with air-conditioning, onboard generator, electric windlass and all the latest navigation technology from Raymarine. The Sunsail 444 will first debut in Croatia, Greece and Turkey for 2011 summer sailing holidays; then arrive in the British Virgin Islands and St. Vincent for winter 2011/2012 departures.

- Redlands Kayak Tours offers guided adventure kayak tours around the picturesque southern Moreton Bay. Guests can choose from one of ten possible launch sites, including Tingalpa Creek, Coochiemudlo Island, Victoria and Cleveland Points. Tours run from two to three hours, and conclude with light refreshments. Tours are led by an Australian canoeing-accredited and qualified guide and include some basic instructions, a safety briefing and all equipment.

- Since the sinking of the Yongala on 23 March 1911, many cyclones have passed over or close to the site of the wreck off Townsville. Although 16 metres below the surface and 30 metres to the bottom, during cyclone Yasi the surge from the surface conditions was significant. Divers have found that it exposed many previously unseen features. Hinge openings on the side of the ship, the rows of rivets, port holes and some of the letters of the Yongala name are now visible, adding to the interest of the dive.

Photograph: True North with helicopter landing