MangroveRoute.com Latest News

Team Turtle's Big Day Out!

2009-11-11T21:59:00.004+09:30

October 2009 heralded the end of Mangrove Route's first full season of Turtle Tours. The crew and their families celebrated, with a full day out on the Snubfin North East of Darwin. The Vernon Islands and Escape Cliffs was the destination, and activities included fishing , diving the Blue Holes, a bush walk through the ruins at Escape Cliffs, and a forced meander through the Mangroves at Point Hotham (good one Jim)

From Jim and Heather, a HUGE thankyou to the staff that make the Turtle Tour the exceptional product that it is. To Dion, Kate, Megan, Rocque, Hannah and Sam, we value your expertise and your commitment. Thankyou also to the ring-ins, Pete AKA "Pinhole" and Steve, not forgetting Dr Mick Guinea for his occasional cameo appearances. Lastly, the untamed girls, Katie and Alison, ever-ready with candid camera and Iphone with GPS capacity, thanks to you to for value adding to our product.

Enjoy the photos - this time thanks go to multi talented Hannah....

Thankyou Austurtle and Dr Mick Guinea!

2009-09-30T15:44:00.005+09:30

29 September 2009 - A very special Hatchling tour hosted by Dr Mick Guinea. What a privilege to have The Turtle Whisperer join Mangrove Route on this neap tide Hatchling tour. With turtle knowledge as extensive as our outback, Dr Guinea treated our passengers to an amazing experience. Continuing his hands on Austurtle research, spent nests were examined, hatchlings inspected and turtles were released. On a wind swept island, a boat load of people had smiles on their face, prawns in their belly and an interactive encounter that they will remember for a very long time.

Check out the low resolution images from Untamed - high resolution images available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com.

Amongst the Critters!

2009-09-28T14:14:00.005+09:30

A change of season is evident, with the thick air, the first of our storms cells brewing, and critters abounding. Check out the pictures on the sides. Firstly, Mangrove Route's own Saltwater Sam with game guest Dean from South Australia and not one, but two big crabs caught up the Blackmore on the weekend, and Team Turtle's Kate with a wolf herring that spontaneously landed in the Snubfin on the way to Bare Sand.

Turtles at Sunset on Saturday and look what they saw on Sunday!

2009-09-07T09:25:00.008+09:30

Turtle Tracks 5 September 2009 -

What a greeting with a turtle on the beach at sunset. The next night our punters had to wait a little longer for one fussy turtle to dig 5 egg chambers before she was happy, but at least they had a lot of time to reflect on the BIG crocodile that was loitering off Charles Point on the way down. Enjoy our photos - especially the low resolution ones from Untamed Outback Images. Great quality high resolution images available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Turtle Tracks 22 August 2009

2009-08-23T11:23:00.009+09:30

A messy trip down with the wind of waters off Charles Point churning around. A very high tide, one solitary tagged turtle and a beautiful milkway run home. Enjoy this great photo of our Larrakia guide - Roque, traditional owner and brother of Duwun, a man with a name meaning Hermit Crab; the same traditional name of Bare Sand Island.
Check out these other low resolution images from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Let the Tide Decide!

2009-08-14T08:19:00.006+09:30

Check out these images from a couple of recent Sandbar parties -

The tide decides the dates for these private charters to the best dining location in Darwin. Absolute waterfront, exclusive and 360 degree views!

Sunset on the Sanbar is just as special as a mid day soirée.

Our last sandbar lunch saw one farm boy relax enough to get his freshly polished RMWilliams boots off to expose those pale feet and gather some sand between his toes.

Make our day and contact info@mangroveroute.com for dates that are suitable for a Let the Tide Decide experience.

Turtles 8, 9 and 10 August!

2009-08-10T09:32:00.010+09:30

The hatchlings are out! The seas are calm, the sand dunes are wind swept and the turtles are nesting before sunset. Lucky charter groups on 8 and 9 Augsut had both nesting ladies and hatchlings to make their Turtle Tracks adventure memorable. A smaller group on 10 August saw hundreds of baby tracks on the beach and stayed later, but nature dictated that it was only nesting girls that night. Check out the low resolution images from 10 August courtesy of Untamed. Good quality images available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com.

Turtles 7 August 2009

2009-08-10T08:44:00.005+09:30

Smooth Seas, clea skies and a green flash as the sun said goodnight. Check out the turtle track up the wind blown sand dunes on these low resolution images from untamed.

High quality images available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Full Moon Tour 6 August 2009

2009-08-07T10:54:00.006+09:30

By the light of the silvery moon - three untagged girls did their thing for the full moon Turtle Tracks of 6 August. The tide and sea off Charles Point was cranking a bit again last night for the run into Bynoe, but as the sun dipped the wind calmed and the island was at it's beautiful solitary self.

Enjoy these Untamed low resolution photos = contact the girls on info@untamedoutbackimages if you are interested in quality high resolution pictures.

Turtle Tracks 26 July 2009

2009-07-28T12:06:00.007+09:30

Another glorious evening sharing the extraordinary location with 7 ladies who came up on to the beach while we were there. The weekend campers had departed and the island was back to its beautiful solitary self. Special thanks tonight to our female crew - go girls!

Very special images from Untamed Outback Images in low resolution below - Great high resolution images available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Silky Sky and Smooth Water.

2009-07-26T08:51:00.005+09:30

What a contrast! Turtle Tracks 25 July 2009. 24 Hours after the roughest and wettest ride to the island the Charles Point waters were mellow. Smooth water, spent nests, nesting flatbacks, some lonely hatchlings and a sunset to die for.....

Checkout the low resolution images Untamed turtle images.

Fabulous quality high resolution images available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

King Neptune's Fury and a fussy turtle!

2009-07-25T08:51:00.007+09:30

What a wild ride!The waters of Charles Point were cooking up a storm for the roughtest trip into Bynoe that the Snubfin has made - from the words of a kiwi on board "This is just like Cook Straight". Luckily, the birthday girls on board were thrill riders and took the edge off the drama with their screams of excitement. Happy Birthday Georgia, with a not so gentle reminder that nature dictates on all Mangrove Route tours.

After the salt was wiped away, one fussy old lady dug four egg chambers before she was happy enough to lay her eggs. Check out the Turtle Tracks photos (24 July 2009) from Untamed!

All images displayed are low resolution, high resolution available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com.

Turtle Tracks 23 July 2009

2009-07-24T08:41:00.003+09:30

SUNSET - WHAT SUNSET? It was straight into turtle business on this tour with girls to greet us on the beach.

Check out the low resolution images from Untamed. High resolution memories are available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

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Turtle Tracks 11 July 2009

2009-07-12T16:55:00.006+09:30

The waters off Charles Point were a little messy for the run into Bynoe Harbour, but that didn't dampen the spirits of the evening with Austurtle introducing our guests to a number of hatchlings that had been rescued from daylight predators. Austurtle embraced their education role, providing a hands on experience prior to these little creatures being released into the Arafura Sea under the cover of darkness. This was the last Turtle Tracks tour for 2009 that co-incided with the researcher's field work. A very special thankyou to Dr Mick Guinea - the Turtle Whisperer, and his volunteers from all at Mangrove Route.

Thanks also to Bandy the Wonder Woman for both guiding and photos - these low resolution images are available in fantastic quality from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Turtle Tracks 10 July 2009

2009-07-12T15:53:00.001+09:30

Researchers and Hatchlings were the focus of this tour. Earlier on in the day Austurtle had rescued a number of hatchlings that did not manage to get to the saltwater before the light of day. This meant that their exposure to predators was significant. The researchers used these hatchlings to promote awareness of the flatback turtle, before our guests released them into the Arafura Sea under the cover of darkness.

High resolution images available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Turtle Tours 8 and 9 July

2009-07-12T14:39:00.007+09:30

Thanks to Austurtle for a memorable evening from these two charter groups. Images of the evening available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Turtle Tracks 7 July 2009

2009-07-08T11:33:00.010+09:30

Calm seas, sunset and moonrise all complimented by hands on education from the Austurtle researchers who provided commentary on the nesting of one of the two turtles on the beach as well as the hatchlings that made their debut into the ocean.

Check out the low resolution images from Untamed. High resolution copies available by contacting info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Turtle Tracks 26 June 2009

2009-07-01T13:53:00.006+09:30

Mothers and Hatchlings on sunset this tour! What a privilege to witness the life cycle of the flatbacks, with hands on education from the Austurtle mob.

Check out the low resolution photos from the evening - fabulous high resolution digital copies available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Announcing the Afternoon Smoothwater Delight!

2009-06-30T12:05:00.008+09:30

Every Saturday and Sunday during July and August Mangrove Route offers a one hour Smoothwater Mangrove Route. Departing Stokes Hill at 3.30pm the tour takes in Darwin's three most important houses (the beautiful residence of the Administrator, our Parliament's Wedding Cake and a tree house!) before cruising along Sadgroves estuary past Fisherman's Wharf and Darwin's new estate area into the creek for an up close and personal with a crocodile trap and a ship wreck.

This tour is fabulous value at $35.00 per adult and $20.00 per child. Check out the images courtesy of Untamed Outback Images from our run last Sunday!

Turtle Tracks 25 June 2009

2009-06-30T11:24:00.006+09:30

Turtle Tracks 25 June 2009 -

Calm seas, smooth swells and four girls plodding up the beach after sunset....

Enjoy the low res photos - high resolution images available from the untamed girls at info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Turtle Tracks 24 June 2009

2009-06-29T00:09:00.006+09:30

The beach was busy for the first of June's Milky Way Turtle Tours. Not only did the ol' girls come up on cue at sunset, but the Turtle Whisper himself, Dr Mick Guinea, was on hand with the Austurtle Researchers providing expert interpretation on hatchlings, nesting, eggs, statistics and all things turtle.

Please enjoy these low resolution images courtesty of our untamed photographers.
High res images available from info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Full Moon Tour 9 June 2009

2009-06-10T15:24:00.005+09:30

A stairway to the moon on calm seas. Picture perfect, with 4 old girls on the beach doing their thing. The moon was so bright over the island that a couple of the girls became disoriented when they had finished laying, and headed inland towards the glow. Check out the low res images courtesy of untamedoutback images.

Turtle Tracks 8 June 2009

2009-06-09T09:44:00.006+09:30

8 June 2009 - A breezy ride down to Bare Sand was well worth it. 7 Flatbacks came to nest - 5 tagged and 2 untagged old ladies strutted their stuff right cue at sunset. Please enjoy these low resolution images.

info@untamedoutbackimages.com

Welcome to Untamed Outback Images

2009-06-01T11:37:00.005+09:30

Mangrove Route is excited to welcome Untamed Outback Images to Team Turtle. Untamed Outback Images is the brain child of two talented photographers who have embraced the fantastic photo opportunities that the landscape, seascape and light in the Northern Territory present. On each Turtle Tracks tour either Katie or Allison bring their photographic equipment along to capture the extraordinary experiences that a Turtle Tracks tour offers. Photographs taken are displayed on board prior to leaving the island, and are availabe for purchase. Below is a small low resolution selection of their images to date .....

Untamed Turtle Tour Images from 25 May 09

2009-05-19T12:04:00.011+09:30

Untamed Images from Turtle Tour 25 May 2009.

Displayed images are in low resolution - High resolution digital images available.

Contact: info@untamedoutbackimages.com

The Girls Are Back in Town!

2009-05-15T12:13:00.017+09:30

This past week Mangrove Route has welcomed the first full moon turtle tours of the season. Saturday 9 May 2009 a small group sampled the tour with a wild ride down with the afternoon sea breeeze blowing their cobwebs away, and on Monday 11 May 2009 the boat was full to the brim with adventurers who experienced picture perfect conditions. The girls are back in business, with five old ladies coming up to lay their eggs on Saturday and three girls on the Monday. That all equates to 400 eggs hatching in about 50 days time - turtles, turtles and more turtles. Images courtesy of UNTAMED OUTBACK IMAGES ...... stay tuned!

Manta Rays on Darwin Harbour

2009-04-19T21:42:00.004+09:30

What a great week it has been! Two verified sightings of Snubfins in the harbour, a bottle nose dolphin with a new calf, and manta rays feeding near the Esplanade. Not to mention the lucky Grade 8's that stood under the mangrove mistletoe at West Arm.

Check out the manta footage - and thank you Megan!

Do the Mangrove Route!

2009-03-24T14:01:00.004+09:30

You've seen the pictures; you've read the text, now watch the slide show!