Phase2: Homeward bound - Yeppoon to Cleveland

We are sailing up north again and I realize that I never did finish the blog for the last trip. So before I tell you about our 2022 trip, here are the last 3 weeks of our Whitsunday adventure in 2021.

17 October to 6 November, 2021

After stocking up in Yeppoon, we sailed across to Great Keppel Island and spent 4 nights at Long and Fisherman’s beaches. Still lots of boats heading south but nothing like the 100 anchored here a few weeks before.

Anchored at beautiful Long Beach

We enjoyed walks on the beaches, swims and a good hike up to first and second lookouts.

Lots of boats at Fisherman's Beach

Not so enjoyable were the storms that came through several times.

Took my mind off the storm by trying to photograph the lightning

Next leg of the trip home was to Pancake Creek. It was a good two sail reach in a light north easterly. About 5 hours south of Great Keppel Island we passed Cape Capricorn. It was named by Captain Cook when he passed on 25 May 1770, since he found it to be located on the Tropic of Capricorn.

Sailing past Cape Capricorn

Only excitement of this leg was when a bird dropped a big garfish on the deck!

After a few a days in Pancake Creek it was on to the Burnett River, then down to Fraser Island. We anchored late at Moon Point and unfortunately ran aground in the process. The next morning we motored over to the sand cay off Moon Point and Warren had a swim to check the damage. Luckily it was cosmetic and could be repaired on our return home.
We worked our way down the Sandy Straits stopping at Yankee Jack Creek and Pelican Bay before crossing the Wide Bay Bar to anchor for 2 nights in the lagoon that had formed behind Double Island Point.

This was our first time staying here and it is a beautiful and protected anchorage. A lot of 4WDs and jetskis are also here so not as peaceful as some more secluded spots. I had a great walk up to the lighthouse which afforded views in all directions.

DIP lagoon

View from the top

Lighthouse was built in 1884

From here it was down to Mooloolaba for a week in the marina to catch up with friends and enjoy the beach.

Walk to check the bar conditions most mornings

The last leg home was sailed in company with our Tassie friends on Folie a Deux. Mum and Josh were there to greet us, Warren blew the horn and another adventure on Phase2 was over.