Salty Wings: the duo behind those epic WA photos

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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Meet the fine art photographers who, with a drone and a vision, started the Salty Wings brand by populating Instagram with a visual love letter to their home state.

Imagine a GoPro being held in the talons of a majestic sea eagle soaring high above the coastline and you will understand the inspiration behind the Salty Wings brand. Former Claremont locals Jampal Williamson and Michael Goetze started the @saltywings Instagram account in 2016, taking their followers hundreds of feet above the Earth to capture rich landscapes of red dirt, white sands and navy seas. And, just like the sea eagle, the account took off, transcending into an online gallery selling abstract and alluring images taken from above.

Saltywings duo with a helicopter, WA
The duo shot to fame by capturing eagle-eye images of WA using drones, helicopters and small planes.

“When we first started out, eight years ago, drone photography was not common and when friends or followers asked how we got the footage we told them we had trained a sea eagle to take the images for us with a Go-Pro. The sea eagle is definitely our spirit animal and was the inspiration for the brand. We also borrowed from the term ‘salty sea dogs’ used to describe fisherman," explains Goetze.

As early adopters of drones, which up until about 2013 had mainly been used by the military, for security and aerial mapping, Salty Wings has inspired its 161,000 followers to look at the Western Australian coastline a little differently.

“I grew up in Claremont, which is on the Swan River between Perth and Fremantle. The beach was a five-minute drive and every holiday was spent either at Rottnest or down south. My childhood was spent becoming very familiar with WA’s coastlines and beaches at eye level. Since then, we have travelled more than 20,000 kilometres to shine a light on the WA coastline," says Goetze.

Yallingup coast, WA
The Yallingup coast from the sky. (Image: @saltywings)

A quick scroll through the @saltywings Instagram feed will give you an indication of the compelling compositions and visual storytelling the pair specialise in. As well as sending drones into the sky, the pair occasionally hire light planes and helicopters to capture their mesmerising perspectives of the landscape. And the resultant stream of images is nothing short of hypnotic.

The other half of Salty Wings, Jampal Williamson, says drone photography has given Australians a new way of looking at WA. “It’s not just using the same vantage point from above. For example, in Broome, it’s those big blue skies against the red earth that are most striking. Our style is really like a curated love letter to the land."

Broome, WA
The swirling palette of reds and blues in Broome. (Image: @saltywings)

The dynamic duo met through mutual friends in 2013 when they discovered they shared a passion for photography and an ambition to become entrepreneurs. Goetze had experience building websites and Williamson was studying for a media and communications degree.

“I was halfway through my degree in 2013 when I saw a shaky old video of a drone floating through a forest. I had bought a drone and started posting photographs on my Instagram and I started selling a few prints. It was a lightbulb moment. When the choice came down to writing an essay or spending the day in nature, I chose photography," Williamson says.

When asked what images catapulted the two into social media superstardom, Goetze points to two shots in particular: a best-selling image of Shelly Beach (SW12), near Albany, and one of James Price Point (SW0375) north of Broome.

Esperance, WA
The arc of a wave in Esperance. (Image: @saltywings)

“The shot that put us in the spotlight was SW12. It blew up on social media because it looked like an abstract artwork, like it has been geometrically planned. The flow of the photo is what makes it so beautiful. The next one would be SW0375, which is the first red-earth-blue-water shot we posted," says Goetze.

Albany shot by saltywings
The best-selling aerial view of Albany. (Image: @saltywings)

Although the aerial photographers are currently based on the East Coast of Australia in order to further build on their portfolio, they aim to continue their jigsaw-like approach to capturing WA’s sweet spots from the sky. The abstract allure of the salt lakes in the Wheatbelt will, says Williamson, be the next piece to add to the puzzle.

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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7 Kimberley experiences that need to be on your bucket list

    Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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    From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

    Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

    From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

    Why Silversea?

    Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

    Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

    silversea cruise ship pool deck
    Take a dip in the pool deck.

    1. Koolama Bay

    ​​Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

    Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

    King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise
    Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

    2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

    Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

    Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

    welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise
    Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

    Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

    The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

    aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise.
    Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

    4. Horizontal Falls

    Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

    With each tidal shift,  the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

    Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide.
    Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

    5. Montgomery Reef

    As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

    The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel,  turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

    Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

    aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef
    Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

    6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

    Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

    One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions, guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

    Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

    aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion
    See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

    The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

    Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

    Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

    Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys
    Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com

    Salty Wings: the duo behind those epic WA photos - Australian Traveller