• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • recipes
    • baking
    • mid-week meals
    • time-worn tucker
    • entertaining
    • kid-friendly feeds
  • Latest Posts
  • About Me
  • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • My account

Cooker and a Looker - Australian Home Cooking

  • Home
  • recipes
    • baking
    • mid-week meals
    • time-worn tucker
    • entertaining
    • kid-friendly feeds
  • Latest Posts
  • About Me
  • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • My account
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Latest Post
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Work with me
  • About Me
    • Email
  • ×

    Home » farm life

    By Amanda Smyth 12 Comments

    one perfect day | the Berkeley River Lodge

    Share19
    Pin
    19 Shares

    Ever had a perfect day?

    One that makes all the others pale in significance?

    One that trumps the day your kids were born?
    Not because you're any more happy, but because the day passes and no one gets stitches?

    I had that one perfect day last Friday at the Berkeley River Lodge and I'm still smiling at the thought.

    On our way to breakfast we spotted this beautiful stick insect. If I spoke phasmid, I'd have heard it saying "Hey! Amanda, today's your one perfect day." But I don't, so I just admired its beautiful pink wings peaking out on it's abdomen and continued to breakfast.berkley river lodge

    My mission for our time in the Kimberlies was to catch a big fish. I'm a keen fisherwoman, but I've never been fishing anywhere you could catch something of size. We were short on time, so this trip was our only opportunity to catch something. I was cautiously optimistic.

    We got some nibbles at our first spot, but no-one landed anything so we decided to move on. We tried spot after spot, each more beautiful than the next. There was no activity on the rods, but loads of wildlife - birds, bats and crocs to keep us company.

    Even when you're not catching fish, the Berkeley River is a pretty cool spot to wet a line.

    It was warming up, so our skipper Dempsey found us a nice shady spot to have some lunch. We were running out of time, so I ate my lunch with my right hand, still holding my rod in my left. 

    Dempsey said we had just ten minutes left before we'd have to start heading back to the lodge. It seemed my dream of catching a big fish in the Kimberley was not to be. Then it happened!

    My line sang as the fish stripped line from my reel. It pulled me around to the back of the boat then jumped - a massive silver flash!

    My crew mates quickly brought in their lines to help me and Dempsey expertly skippered the boat away from the rock to give me room to move. The whole thing took about two minutes but it was intense! 

    When I finally got the fish to the boat, the fish wrapped itself around the landing net and for a moment I thought we would lose it, but luck was on my side. When the fish was safely on the deck of the boat Dempsey pointed out just how the hook had fallen out of fish's mouth. I'd had it hooked by the smallest margin and had been very very lucky not to lose it. 

    My big fish: a 92cm Queenie.

    I posed for a few photos then we tried to release it, but unfortunately it floated. So we scooped it back up, put it on ice and took it back to the chefs at the restaurant. 

    It was so big it didn't fit in the esky, even after we tried to make room!

    It was impossible to wipe the smile off my face. I'd got my big fish in the eleventh hour of the last day. The stick insects were smiling on me!

    As if our day couldn't have got any better, we had time for a quick change into our togs before the helicopter tour we'd booked. We'd ummed and ahhed about the trip because of the moolah, but we'd found two other guests who were keen to do the same tour and share the expense. I'm so glad they did, it wouldn't have been the #bestdayever without them!

    We started at a picturesque waterhole for a (saltwater croc-free) swim.

    Our pilot Newman seemed to land in less and less likely places as the day went on.

    Like on the top of King George Falls!

    And a gap in some granite boulders that housed the most spectacular rock art I've ever seen. Some of which has been dated at 19,000 years old!

    Yams, turtle and bush turkey - a menu perhaps? 

    Salt water crocodile

    Rock wallaby

    It was phenomenal to explore cooking caves and see rocks worn smooth from hundreds of years of use. I could imagine the families gathering there, sharing meals and stories. I hadn't anticipated being so moved. It was truly a special spot.

     Our final stop was atop Mount Casuarina for sunset drinks. Unbeknownst to me, Mount Casuarina is the location of Australia's most spectacular beer garden.

    Newman unloaded the drinks and nibbles as we admired the breathtaking view. 

    As you well know, I've had my fair share of drinks in my fair share of places but this is hands down the most spectacular spot I've ever had a sparkles!

    Newman even let me take a roadie! That stick insect wasn't joking when she said today was going to be perfect!

    Newman took us for a little flight over the lodge on our way home. You can almost see the beer garden on the top of Mt Casuarina in the background.

    If ever there was a #bestdayever it was last Friday. I'm still counting my blessings at our wonderful adventure and our ten happy years together.

    ever met a fortune-telling stick insect?

    You can read about our first days at the Berkeley River Lodge here.

    Share19
    Pin
    19 Shares
    « our anniversary trip to the Berkeley River Lodge
    seven tips for cooking for the bereaved »

    NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

    Sign up and be the first to receive new recipes straight from my oven to your inbox.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maxabella says

      August 04, 2017 at 7:10 am

      What an insect, what a day! Congratulations on 10 sparkly years. x

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        August 08, 2017 at 9:15 am

        Thanks Bron. Hope you're well and adjusting to your new situation happily. xx

        Reply
    2. Robyn says

      August 04, 2017 at 7:44 am

      Wow wow wow. That looks IN-credible!!!!

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        August 08, 2017 at 9:14 am

        Trip of a lifetime Rob! Hope you're well. xx

        Reply
    3. Em Toxward says

      August 04, 2017 at 11:17 am

      Gosh I have goosebumps and tears in my eyes, you deserve all this happiest and so much more. Seeing you so happy makes my heart burst - much love xxx

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        August 08, 2017 at 9:14 am

        Thanks mate. I'm so lucky to have you in my corner. xx

        Reply
    4. Amanda Kendle says

      August 04, 2017 at 1:58 pm

      Oh beautiful Amanda! What fabulous smiles. So glad you had such an amazing day. xx

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        August 08, 2017 at 9:13 am

        Thanks mate. It was wonderful to see you on the weekend. Hope your travel blogger catch up was fab. xx

        Reply
    5. Seana Smith says

      August 04, 2017 at 5:13 pm

      Oh happy day, I'm so happy to read this post Amanda, BRL looks like a truly unique, very special place to celebrate your anniversary. Here's to love and treats and enjoyment and gratitude.

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        August 08, 2017 at 9:11 am

        Thanks Seana. So happy to read your lovely comments now I'm back to reality - it's like reliving the fun all over again. A x

        Reply
    6. Melissa @ All Around Oz says

      August 05, 2017 at 1:56 pm

      WOW...how good was that fish. I can't wait to explore the Kimberley and I will definitely be adding Berkeley River to our list. It looks amazing!

      Reply
      • Amanda Smyth says

        August 08, 2017 at 9:10 am

        The trip of a lifetime Melissa! 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • find new recipes
    • buy the book
    • download free printables

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Latest Post
    • Shop

    Copyright © 2021 Cooker and a Looker

     

    Loading Comments...