We then leave the mainland and head to the abrolhos islands, flying over the batavia shipwreck site, unique fishing villages, and pearl farms before landing at east wallabi. Batavia shipwreck, detailing the 17thcentury tale of murder and cannibalism that played out on the tiny abrolhos islands, west of geraldton. A holiday to the coral coast is not complete without a once in a lifetime visit to the stunning abrolhos islands scene of the batavia wreck and mutiny in 1629. The ship wrecked on the houtman abrolhos off the coastal regions of western australia. An international team of archaeologists, including scientists from the university of western australia and the western australian museum, has discovered a new communal grave in the abrolhos islands, the result of deaths after a shipwreck of the dutch east india company ship batavia the batavia was wrecked in 1629 on the morning reef off the western australian coast.
The remnants of some of the structures that the survivors built still survive and the batavia shipwreck site is still a very much dived area. This was nothing in comparison to what awaited the. Abrolhos islands shipwreck special scenic flight with morning or afternoon tea. Mar 30, 2016 the book tells the story of the 1629 batavia shipwreck, detailing the 17thcentury tale of murder and cannibalism that played out on the tiny abrolhos islands, west of geraldton. The author provides a riveting account of the horrific events that took place following the shipwreck. The abrolhos making up 122 islands of beautiful protected coral reef. There the batavia ship wreck, there also pearl farms and accommodation for workers. This dutch ship which was wrecked on morning reef in the abrolhos islands in 1629. But best of all its has abundance of fish for fishing. For more about wrecks, wildlife and all things west australian, visit demelza. From 1844 to 1945 the islands were mined for their guano, the result of many years of numerous sea birds living and breeding there. On 4 june 1629 the ship struck a reef near beacon island in the houtman abrolhos. The onboard commentary explains many fascinating details of all the areas that you are seeing.
A religious fanatic creates a totalitarian state on a set of barren islands off the vast and desert wilderness that is western australia. It includes books, articles, manuscript material and films. Oct 11, 2017 before dawn on the morning of june 4 1629, the batavia, a ship of the dutch east india company, struck a reef at the abrolhos islands, some 70 kilometres off the western australian coast. The voyage was in trouble even before the ship struck morning reef part of the abrolhos islands the story starts with a planned mutiny going awry includes one of the worlds greatest maritime feats and ends with the bloodiest incident in australias maritime history. Learn about the gruesome series of events that make up the rich history of the abrolhos islands. The east wallabi group of islands are made famous by the 1629 shipwreck of the dutch ship the batavia and the subsequent mutiny. Reef and nearby beacon island site of the 1629 batavia wreck. The islands lie about 60 kilometres west of geraldton, on the western australian coast, and consist of 122 islands clustered into three main groups. Four hundred years ago, their remoteness must have seemed lunar. One of australias most gruesome maritime mass murders took place on june 4, 1629, when the dutch east india vessel batavia, became shipwrecked at the abrolhos islands wa news batavia shipwreck. Dozens drowned while the survivors including 125 men, women and children were then murdered by a mutinous merchant.
Cursed with murder, mutiny and lust batavia shipwreck. The batavia shipwreck is the craziest australian horror. Houtman abrolhos labelled houtman rocks on western australia state map for 1897. We cruise past big rat and little rat islands to the northern most group of the abrolhos wallabies group. Background video for western australian author demelza carltons oceans gift series on the batavia shipwreck in 1629. He returned to the shipwreck two months later after he set sail from jakarta. May 11, 20 background video for western australian author demelza carltons oceans gift series on the batavia shipwreck in 1629. Visited the abrolhos islands in 1840, locating the wreck of the zeewyk, but which he took to be the batavia.
They offer superb diving, with excellent corals and wrecks. From tranquil dongaraport denison to the remote, windscoured zuytdorp cliffs stretches a dramatic coastline steeped in history, littered with shipwrecks and rich in marine life. The batavia runs aground on morning reef, beacon island, abrolhos in june 1629 of the 322 aboard, most passengers and crew managed to get ashore, although 40 people drowned. Depending on the swell on the day we can snorkel around the site and still see the remnants of. On the tour day, please bring you own drinking water, sunscreen. About the book from hugh edwards, one of the discoverers of the wreck of the batavia, comes islands of angry ghosts, an expert and compelling look at one of the most horrific maritime incidents in australian history. Located approximately 60km off the geraldton coast, the islands comprise three major groups, the wallabi, easter and pelsaert groups stretching from north to south. The eco abrolhos get ready for the trip of a lifetime aboard the magnificent eco abrolhos.
On 4 june 1629, the batavia struck a morning reef near beacon island in the abrolhos islands chain. The stories of batavia survivors, the mutiny and the massacre are well documented. The batavia, another shipwreck story, does the same. There is so much to do after landing picnic on the beach, dabble your toes into the clear blue water, or. Our grand 35 metre vessel accommodates up to 38 passengers in comfortable king, double or twin share cabins with ensuites. Batavia by peter fitzsimons meet your next favorite book. Kalbarri scenic flights for scenic flights of the abrolhos. The history of the batavia shipwreck is one of great intrigue not only for its brutality and gore but. Again under the command of captain wickham, discovered king sound in northwest australia in 1838, and named darwin after the famous evolutionist. Nov 23, 2017 an international team of archaeologists, including scientists from the university of western australia and the western australian museum, has discovered a new communal grave in the abrolhos islands, the result of deaths after a shipwreck of the dutch east india company ship batavia. Shipwreck psycho airs thursday 9 august on sbs at 8. Very popular area for bird watching, with many locations and species.
Batavia sailed on her maiden voyage for the capital of the dutch east indies, batavia now known as jakarta. We flew over the pelsaert group and the easter group before heading for the wallabi group, which is where the voc ship batavia was wrecked in 1629. Every australian should read of this disaster that took place off the coast of western australia. An absolute must for ocean lovers the abrolhos islands really is heaven on earth. Lot of bird and sea life also and a beautiful sunset to come with it. Im working on australias islands, a book to be published by the national library of australia in late 2019. Nationwest aviation kalbarri scenic flights reservations. Batavia left texel, holland on her maiden voyage to the exotic east indies as the. Abrolhos islands diving batavia shipwreck dive australia. Nov 07, 2018 the houtman abrolhos islands western australia wednesday, 7 november 2018. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Most of the people managed to swim to safety on beacon island, but 40 people werent so lucky and drowned.
The houtman abrolhos often informally called the abrolhos islands is a chain of 122 islands, and associated coral reefs, in the indian ocean off the west coast of australia. We sail the remote abrolhos islands and kimberley regions in comfort and style. Setting aside the portuguese claims, the houtman abrolhos first appear on a published map in 1622, on a littleknown portolan by hessel gerritsz. Short stop on east wallabi island, then see coral, crystal clear waters and the site of the batavia shipwreck. The houtman abrolhos islands, more commonly referred to as the abrolhos islands, and their surrounding coral reef communities form one of western australias unique marine areas. The wreck of the batavia, lost on morning reef at the wallibi group, abrolhos islands of western australia. Under commandeur francisco pelsaert, and ariaen jacobsz skipper, newly built batavia sailed from texel 27 october 1628 for the dutch east indies with bullion, goods and silver.
Pelsaert recorded his return to the abrolhos islands in his journal. My island explorations recently took me to the houtman abrolhos islands, about 60km offshore from geraldton, which in turn is 400km north of perth. There is so much to do after landing picnic on the beach, dabble your toes into the clear blue water, or even enjoy the nature trail to the famous ospreys nest and back. The waters surrounding the islands now support a thriving rock lobster industry. Shipwrecks at the abrolhos represent the earliest european archaeological sites in australia. Batavia is the greatest story in australias history and history comes to life with peter fitzsimons. The islands are spread over a long distance, organised in four groups. It was this famous vessel which included charles darwin on the world voyage of 18311836. A general overview on the attributes of the abrolhos that make it so unique. The houtman abrolhos islands western australia tony. The batavia wrecked among the northernmost of the archipelagos three groups.
Feb 28, 2011 the shipwreck of the batavia combines in just the one tale the birth of the worlds first corporation, the brutality of colonisation, the battle of good vs evil, the derringdo of seafaring adventure, mutiny, shipwreck, love, lust, bloodlust, petty fascist dictatorship, criminality, a reign of terror, murders most foul, sexual slavery, natural nobility, survival, retrib. Historical novel based on the true story of the wreck of the batavia on the. An archipelago with crystal blue waters and an abundance of sea life make a visit to the islands a must for all visitors. Diving the batavia 1629 shipwreck site, abrolhos islands. There are 19 other known shipwrecks at the abrolhos and many more that remain. You can dive the wreckage of the dutch east indies trading ship and view the outline of the hull, fully equipped. Situated in the southern stream of the leeuwin current the islands have a unique ecosystem that is home to some of the worlds most important wild life. Abrolhos diving abrolhos islands diving charters spearfishing. An artists impression of batavia houtman abrolhos wreck trail batavia. In the small hours of 4 june 1629 the batavia smashed into morning reef just off the houtman abrolhos, an island chain 60 kilometres west of what is now geraldton in western australia as with all voc ships at the time, the batavia had sailed before the prevailing winds known as the roaring forties east across the indian ocean. The shipwreck of the batavia combines in just the one tale the birth of the worlds first corporation, the brutality of colonisation, the battle of good vs evil, the derringdo of seafaring adventure, mutiny, shipwreck, love, lust, bloodlust, petty fascist dictatorship, criminality, a reign of terror, murders most foul, sexual slavery, natural nobility, survival, retrib.
There are 322 people on board including officers, soldiers, women and children. Abrolhos islands shipwreck special geraldton air charter. Return to kalbarri flying over the breathtaking abrolhos islands coral atolls and the site of the historical batavia shipwreck. Abrolhos islands diving batavia shipwreck dive australias coral. The abrolhos wallabi islands were the scene of the infamous batavia mutiny in 1629. Jan 12, 2017 abrolhos islands shipwreck special scenic flight with morning or afternoon tea. Despite numerous books, documentaries and even an opera, the tragic.
It is also a tragedy, also chilling, terrifying,and full of dread but for a whole host of very different reasons. Dutch vessel batavia wrecks off western australia resulting in mass murder and the marooning of two men on the mainland. Batavias mysteries unfold with discovery of mass grave. It is here that the wellknown ship batavia was shipwrecked in 1620. Abrolhos islands western australia 2020 all you need. The events leading up to and following the wreck are the subject of howard grays book. The houtman abrolhos islands western australia wednesday, 7 november 2018.
The coral reefs surrounding the islands spelled disaster for the ship batavia when it ran aground there in june 1629. The wreck killed approximately 40 of its 341 passengers. In search of water and food jacobsz, pelsaert and others left site in a 30foot 9. Batavia wrecked on the houtman abrolhos off the coastal regions of western australia.
From the telling of the vocs founding, to the batavia s journey and subsequent shipwrecking on the abrolhos islands, to the murderous tyrannical shortlived island regime of jeronimus cornelisz, this tale is both amazing and horrifying. Built in amsterdam in 1628, the ship sailed on her maiden voyage for batavia, the capital of the dutch east indies now known as jakarta. Houtman abrolhos islands explore parks wa parks and. Before dawn on the morning of june 4 1629, the batavia, a ship of the dutch east india company, struck a reef at the abrolhos islands, some 70 kilometres off the western australian coast. The shipwreck of the batavia combines in just the one tale the birth of the worlds first corporation, the brutality of colonisation, the battle of good vs evil, the derringdo of seafaring adventure, mutiny, shipwreck, love, lust, bloodlust, petty fascist dictatorship, criminality, a reign. This list will assist to identify items relating to the shipwreck of the dutch ship batavia and subsequent mutiny on the houtman abrolhos islands off the coast of western australia in 1629. Our chartered shipwreck tour of the houtman abrolhos had been organised as. The islands are dead flat barely above the sea and have only shrubs as protection from the normally prevailing sw winds, the batavia wreck was in june the start of winter and though cold, they did get rain. Even today, the abrolhos islands are very isolated. Unsubscribe from diving western australias shipwrecks. It was doomed to become perhaps australias most infamous shipwreck. The book tells the story of the 1629 batavia shipwreck, detailing the 17thcentury tale of murder and cannibalism that played out on the tiny abrolhos islands, west of geraldton. An 1897 map of the abrolhos islands showing the wreck of the batavia when they arrived in jakarta, jacobsz was arrested for negligence while the governor general, jan coen, gave pelsaert command of a ship called sardam to go and rescue the other survivors.
They are unlabelled, however, being marked merely as a group of small circles. See more ideas about shipwreck, sailing ships and shipwreck museum. The shipwreck of the batavia combines in just the one tale the birth of th. Book aboard lirewire for your trip of a life time on one of our live aboard tours. Every once and a while in your adult life, you fortuitously come across a slice of history even profound australian history, you simply did not know existed and you cant figure out why this would be the case. The abrolhos islands in three hundred years of romance, history and adventure. The fascinating history of the shipwreck the mutiny, the savagery, the maritime skill, and the rescue can be fully appreciated on a visit to these most fascinating abrolohos islands.
Visit the site of the historic batavia shipwreck which is situated off beacon island and dive on the remains of the vessels disastrous fate in 1629. Feb 11, 2018 an 1897 map of the abrolhos islands showing the wreck of the batavia when they arrived in jakarta, jacobsz was arrested for negligence while the governor general, jan coen, gave pelsaert command of a ship called sardam to go and rescue the other survivors. The magnificent houtman abrolhos islands are located 70 kilometres from geraldton, on the coral coast and feature an incredible range of marine and bird life. Our abrolhos island tours will reveal the beauty of the islands that are the most important nesting areas for many migratory. After discovering the islands were barren, pelsaert, his skipper and 35 other men left the islands for batavia, now known as indonesia, in search of help, food and water. On 27 october 1628, the newly built batavia, sailed from the port of texel heading to the spice islands, the current day indonesia. An expedition is under way to the abrolhos islands to discover more secrets of the batavia shipwreck, was bloodiest chapter in maritime history.
The most famous wreck is the batavia which hit a reef in the wallabi group in 1629. Of the 322 aboard 40 drowned and the rest got ashore. Surveying the northwest coast of the abrolhos islands for. You can dive the wreckage of the dutch east indies trading ship and view the outline of the hull, fully equipped with cannons and anchors. While the region proved the undoing of many early european sailors, today modern fleets make the most of a lucrative. Abrolhos islands diving batavia shipwreck dive the abrolhos wallabi islands were the scene of the infamous batavia mutiny in 1629.
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