Whitsundays and Shaggers

Goldsmith Island to the Whitsundays

Sunday, 15 August to Friday, 27August, 2021

Another short sail today to Thomas Island - another beautiful quiet island in the southern Whitsundays. We had a great hike on Monday across the island on a path along the creek bed and then a climb up the hill for more stunning views. 

Track marks started well but ended with thongs in trees

 

Shoe failure for me after clambering that rock

On Tuesday we headed to Happy Bay on Long Island. We caught up with Seawind 1250, Whiskers for sundowners. On Wednesday we were booked into Port of Airlie marina for a week so we could have our delayed trip back to Brisbane. On the way, we had to work our way through the boats participating in Airlie Beach Race Week.

This was our first time in this marina and we were very impressed. Only downside was a single washing machine and 2 ensuite showers. 

We flew out of Proserpine and enjoyed 4 days in Brisbane catching up with family and Charlotte’s postponed birthday party. 

Moreton Island on a gorgeous winters morning

2 of Charlotte’s favourite things  - cupcakes and Peppa Pig

Back at Airlie we stocked up, and got ready to attend the annual SICYC Rendezvous, also known as Shaggers. We had a nice spinnaker run to Gloucester Passage.

Thanks to Toucan 2 for the photo

Shaggers was a bit lower key this year due to COVID but still about 90 boats enjoying the chance to catch up with old friends and make some new ones.

Traditional Shaggers party on Shag Islet 

Dinner with friends at Eco Resort to finish Shaggers for us - Shag Islet in the background

Slow boat to the Whitsundays

Rosslyn Bay to Goldsmith Island 

Sunday, 1 August to Saturday, 14 August 2021

Today we discovered that the 3 day lockdown in Brisbane was going to be extended to next Sunday. We had planned to fly back to Brisbane on Thursday for Charlotte’s third birthday, catch up with Mum and the rest of the family and complete our COVID vaccinations.  So we cancelled our flights and booked our second Astra Zeneca shot in Yeppoon. 

We had a lovely dinner with the RQ cruisers on Sunday night and they left Tuesday morning for Port Clinton while we rode our bikes into Yeppoon on the new bike path. Kudos to the council for a fantastic, safe route into town. 

New bikeway is fantastic 

Black cockatoos entertained us at morning tea 

On Wednesday, we headed off for the 61 nm to Island Head Creek in a moderate southerly that eventually went to the SE. Spinnaker run all the way in company with about 12 other boats going north. We saw our first whales of the trip.

Look closely and you’ll just see the whale

Thursday was spent relaxing at the anchorage. For Warren that means fishing and for me reading. On Friday we sailed to Curlew Island - one of my favourites. 

On the way we had a whale breach just in front of us and we had to alter course to avoid it. You need to keep a good lookout in these waters. It was 1730 by the time we dropped anchor after another 72 nm. The RQ group was here and I got a nice sunset shot of some of the boats. They left on Saturday for Scawfell Island while we stayed another night and caught up with some old friends.

On Sunday we sailed 58 nm to Brampton Island in a moderate SE wind that slowly built during the morning. We were enjoying a good spinnaker run but felt it was time to drop it when the wind started gusting to 25 knots and I saw 17 knots boat speed as we surfed down waves. Exciting as it was we didn’t want to break anything.

We anchored at Brampton to avoid the big winds forecast for the area. We walked along the beach one day and chatted to the resort caretaker. Nothing has changed in the 4 years since our last visit which is very sad.

We hiked up to Brampton Peak (the only track still maintained) for stunning views. 

Pearce from Ilikai joined us for the hike

Whales cruised close by one morning, slowly beginning their trip south.

On Wednesday, we made the short 12nm sail to Goldsmith Island in moderate SE winds. The wind shows no sign of abating for the next week, so we are staying safe here until after the footy tonight (Go the Lions!) 

Jigsaw number 2 finished

We were lucky to have whales cruise into Roylen Bay yesterday, between us and the beach, and this morning a dugong paid a visit.

Tomorrow we will move to Thomas Island -  our first stop in the Whitsundays.

Into the tropics

Sunday, 25 July to Saturday, 31 July 2021

We left Bundaberg early on Sunday morning in a light W/SW breeze for a nice 2 sail reach to Pancake Creek (or so we thought).  Most of our fleet had decided to leave on Monday for Lady Musgrave Island and a route up the reef to the Keppels. We decided on the inner route with an extended stay at one of our favourite anchorages. After the wind went to the north, it was slow going tacking the 20nm to Pancake Creek and 1730 when we finally dropped anchor. There were about 25 boats there and that number remained the same as boats came and left over the coming days  

We spent 5 nights at Pancake Creek and enjoyed the rest after a hectic few weeks (months?) leading up to our departure. 

We enjoyed walks on the exposed sandbanks at low tide and a 7km hike to Bustard Head lighthouse. 

Aircraft beach

One day we kayaked to the outer anchorage - poorly timed as we battled the tide both ways. It was good exercise however and a beautiful beach for morning tea. 

The rest of the time, Warren fished while I read my books and finally finished this challenging jigsaw puzzle. 

On Friday it was time to leave as the wind finally came from the SE and we enjoyed our first day under spinnaker to Great Keppel Island. 

When we passed Cape Capricorn, we were now in the tropics. It might have been my imagination but it felt warmer that evening.

A walk on the beach Saturday morning and then the short sail to Keppel Bay Marina at Rosslyn Bay to rejoin our RQ friends. 

Trying to keep the sea from eroding the beach