Swift Bay

Author

Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley

Place Number

09621

Location

Montague Sound between Cape Voltaire & Bigge Island

Location Details

Local Government

Wyndham-East Kimberley

Region

Kimberley

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 20 Feb 1997

Statement of Significance

Situated in rugged, trackless terrain, this is the landing site of 56 Chinese nationals on 31 December 1992 in an Indonesian boat. This incident was code named "Isabella". The first two refugees walked into King Edward River Station (Zoongan) on 16/01/1992. This began what was probably the biggest search and rescue operation Australia has ever seen. By Saturday 25 January, 55 refugees had been found, the search was scaled down and one helicopter and a couple of observers were retained to look for the last refugee. "Mrs Lucky" was found, thin and weak, dragging himself along a path on his knees at 12.30 pm on 25 January 1992 having walked in excess of 200 kilometres. Swift Bay was probably named after Lt Heywoods vessel Swift, believed to have been lost with all hand in 1797.

Condition

Site

Place Type

Historic Site

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use Transport\Communications Water: Other
Original Use Transport\Communications Water: Other

Creation Date

17 Nov 1997

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.