Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour

The second and the last tour that I joined while I was in Broome was a tour in one of the pearl farm in Western Australia. Willie Creek Pearl Farm is just 38km from Broome and becoming popular destination when somebody wanted to combine learning about pearling industry while enjoying a beautiful backdrop of nature which is Willie Creek and its surrounding.

Missing the most adventurous tour in town such as Horizontal Falls and Cape Leveque because of neap tide and the other being fully booked, were really something that disappoint me but all the reason are beyond my control. I didn’t want to waste time in my hotel room doing nothing as I got a chance to be in different place and I had to take all my opportunity to see some part of it.

IMG_8609_s

IMG_8610_s

IMG_8614_s

IMG_8616_s

Broome-Cape Leveque Road on the way to Willie Creek Pearl Farm

The tour picked me up after lunch time with a minibus. We were out of the town after picking-up other tourist. We took Broome-Cape Leveque Road before we turned left to Manari Road. When we were taking the said road, my mind played again and wondered, how exciting it would be if I got a chance to be in Cape Leveque. Then the thought went away when we passed Manari Road and we were out in an open space with combination of sands and bushes while we were taking Willie Creek Road. It was like that, until we reach Willie Creek Pearl Farm itself.

IMG_8617_s

IMG_8619_s

Manari Road on the way to Willie Creek Pearl Farm

IMG_8620_s

IMG_8621_s

IMG_8625_s

IMG_8623_s

Willie Creek Road on the way to Willie Creek Pearl Farm

We arrived at the front of the main building and a showroom. We were welcomed by one of the staff and we went to a pavilion where we had a presentation about culturing and producing pearls. Here we saw oyster fresh from their farm. What happened was, these oysters are collected and spawned from hatchery, then seeded for more time before harvested. The facilitator opened the shell and showed to us a sample where a small white ball was beginning to develop to become pearl. The presenter also showed to us how these oysters lined-up with their metal net or cages holding them where in the end will be submerged into the water in oyster bed to follow the natural process to make the nucleus to be a full pearl.

IMG_8706_s

IMG_8700_s

IMG_8701_s

Our facilitator during the tour

The presenter emphasized that the main business are producing and culturing pearls. The additional business is maximizing the mother of pearl or the nacre itself (this is the shiny part of the shell) to create useful products that are sellable. I also learned in the natural process of producing pearls, the healthy oysters has limited number like 2-3 times they can produce or culture pearls. The people who deal with pearling business hires skilled and professionals that takes care these oysters and to medicate sick oysters if it still possible to make them survive to continue the process of producing pearls.

IMG_8698_s

IMG_8704_s

IMG_8703_s

IMG_8699_s

Oyster with nucleated pearl

IMG_8702_s

Sample of Mother of Pearl (or Nacre) produced

IMG_8705_s

Shell Cleaning Machine

After the presentation, we went outside to explore Willie Creek where the natural process of producing pearls happens. Before reaching the small jetty, we passed a Shell Cleaning Machine where one of the net are inside of it. Then we continued our way to the creek.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

IMG_8710_s

IMG_8714_s

IMG_8715_s

When we were in the boat and ready to explore the Willie Creek, a male presenter went to the front, introduced himself and he was our guide during the entire exploration of the beautiful and turquoise creek.

IMG_8722_s

Then, he started talking more about the life of the oyster and its challenges of breeding of it. Our boat started moving. Then, we approached a marker in the water and we stopped. The presenter took something under the water and that is a cage or net of the oyster which came from oyster bed. He picked-up one from the net and starts explaining that even the oyster has enemies while trying to grow itself under the water. He showed to us that there are holes, a sign that there are parasites eating the oyster shell. One of the challenges in growing and re-seeding the oyster that will produce the pearl in the future.

IMG_8723_s

IMG_8724_s

IMG_8726_s

One of the parasites that showed to us that is enemy of the oyster.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

IMG_8728_s

Sample of holes made by parasites that attacks the shell of the oyster

IMG_8735_s

IMG_8734_s

Boat with Shell Cleaning Machine on it.

After the lectures, our guide in the boat let us explored the creek by moving it to different parts of the creek which gave us a chance to appreciate the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. Honestly, looking at how pristine the color of the water and thinking that the place is a great place to be a resort or some kind for human, but then I realized that not only people has the right to use the water. Human use water both for livelihood and recreational activity, while oyster use water as it is their world to live. The condition of the water for pearl farming is so critical to allow the oyster to be healthy and to allow to produce pearls still following the natural process after they re-seeded under the water. Looking at the turquoise water in Willie Creek made me felt envy with these oysters because they live in such paradise.

IMG_8737_s

IMG_8738_s

IMG_8744_s

IMG_8749_s

IMG_8755_s

IMG_8759_s

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Willie Creek

After exploring the creek, we returned to the jetty and go back to the main building where we had a snack for a bit. Then, we went inside the showroom to see the pearls they produced from the pearl farm and all we saw in the showroom are beautiful pearls on its own form, whether it has the five grading points of the most valuable pearl on earth, still they are work of art even in their imperfect characteristics. They are all cultured pearls since it is indeed rare to find natural pearls.

IMG_8767_s

IMG_8772_s

IMG_8773_s

IMG_8774_s

IMG_8776_s

Main Building of the farm and showroom

IMG_8781_s

IMG_8783_s

On our way back to the town from the pearl farm, we took the same route and before leaving it, we had a glimpse of the Willie Creek Road before passing it completed. A horizon that so beautiful to appreciate.

IMG_8795_s

Willie Creek Road on the way to Broome

IMG_8796_s

Manari Road on the way to Broome

IMG_8802_s

IMG_8803_s

Broome-Cape Leveque Road on the way to Broome

My last tour in the town was ended and every time the tour was about to end, it was natural that I felt sad but on the brighter side, I looked upon on my next adventure that will begin the next day when I reach Perth.

Until then.