Rosslyn Bay to Brampton Island

Friday, 5 August to Wednesday, 10 August 2022

We headed over to the Keppel Bay Marina where we had booked a berth for 3 nights. Normal jobs of re-provisioning, laundry and various boat jobs were inter spaced with bike rides into Yeppoon.  

Yeppoon lagoon

Council here has created great, safe cycling infrastructure and there are consequently lots of people out riding. 

That bump in the distance is where Phase2 is moored

One 35km ride included the Pineapple Rail Trail

We stayed in the marina on Sunday so that we could enjoy the Lions victory over Carlton, then headed off early Monday for Island Head Creek. We set the spinnaker immediately and headed north. As is often the case when sailing up or down the coast the wind was directly behind us which required a few gybes. Unfortunately on one of these we got a massive wrap in the spinnaker. This meant we couldn't use the sock to help get it down and had to drop it on the deck. This is not a difficult maneuver with a few crew but a bit more challenging with just the two of us. Eventually we got it all in the bag and I declared no more spinnaker for the day much to Warren's disappointment. We were anchored by 1530 after 55nm and Warren got in a couple of hours of fishing with lots of fish caught but none he wanted to keep. 

The start of another gorgeous day

Another early start with the aim of getting to Curlew Island, 71nm away. Spinnaker up and with the current with us we made good time until about 1500 when it eased and we motored the rest of the way.  No gybes so I was happy and we saw our first whales of the trip including one which surfaced right next to the boat, luckily going away from us.

Cruised along beside us for a while to check us out

An early start on Wednesday as we headed for Brampton Island, the start of the Whitsundays in our minds. More spinnaker, more whales and more gybes! When the wind got to 20 knots we dropped the spinnaker and goose winged the headsail. Boring said Warren - less stressful I thought.

Now it is time to slow down, sleep in and enjoy some of what these islands have to offer.

Urangan to Great Keppel Island

 27 July to 4 August 2022

We left the marina just before 8 and set a course for the Burnett River. The forecast of SW 15-20 knot led us to believe it would be a pleasant, fast beam reach. Unfortunately, as happened last year, the wind was much stronger and a beam on swell made for an uncomfortable trip. Once past the Fairway Beacon we put in a reef, and with an outgoing tide we made good time. 

Brown water pouring out of the Burnett River

On approaching the river we were met with brown water racing out of the river. Recent flooding upstream was still pouring out and Warren was concerned about debris in the water. The current was running at about 3 knots and we anchored in close to the rock wall on the southern bank. We survived the night but were happy to leave the next morning for Pancake Creek.

We were able to carry our spinnaker until Round Hill (Town of 1770) and then motor sailed the remainder of the trip. We spent 4 nights here, did a few jobs, walked to the lighthouse, read and fished.  

Better than the usual thong marker for tracks

Bustard Head Lighthouse

On Monday, after a relaxing 4 days, it was time to set the alarm and head for Great Keppel Island. We carried the spinnaker for 4 hours but with light winds dead astern our progress towards GKI was slow. We reluctantly started an engine and motored, anchoring at Fisherman's Beach just on dark. 

Mount Wyndham - the highest point on GKI

Leekes Beach

There was a large group of cruisers here and we walked most days and had sundowners on the beach in the afternoon. We were pleased to catch up with the crews of Zofia, Supa Trooper and Bamboozle.

Lots of cruisers enjoying sundowners at GKI

2022 Cruise North - Raby Bay to Fraser Island

Saturday 16 July to Tuesday, 26 July 2022

It is getting colder so it is definitely time to head north. It has been a bad year weather wise with lots of wind and rain and we are looking forward to more sunshine as we venture up the coast.

Our big upgrade this year was new solar panels - 2 x 400 watt (up from 2 x 175w) which we hope will make us less dependent on the generator. This was done by the Sig-Tech team during our June haulout at Boatworks. 

Family send off

We headed off on Saturday with all the family there to wave us off. The light winds meant we had to motor most of the way to Mooloolaba. Normally we would wait for better conditions, but with an East Coast low forecast for the next week we decided that we would sit that out inside Fraser Island. At least we would be on our way after a busy last few weeks.

Sunshine and blue skies for the start of the trip

The Mooloolaba bar had been dredged and we had plenty of water on the centre line. We spent Monday anchored in the Pond and did some last minute shopping for forgotten items, fresh bread and prawns.

On Monday we had an early start (0400!!) and 2 sail reached and motored up the coast to cross the Wide Bay Bar just after high tide at 1400 in good conditions. We then motored up the Straits against the tide to finally anchor at Garry's Anchorage just on dark. 

Garry's popular spot to sit out the weather

We had a couple of windy days before the rain set in. It poured non stop for over 2 days with zero sun for our new panels. Plenty of wind but to accommodate the new panels we had to remove our wind generator. As soon as the sun reappeared they had the batteries back at 100% however. 

Glad to see the sun again

We enjoyed a couple of walks with the crew of Skeddadle, and were pleased not to encounter any dingoes. 

After 5 nights at Garry's, we motored up to cross over the shallows at Sheridan Flats about 2 hours before high tide. We had a nice quiet night at Yankee Jack Creek before leaving early the next day to take the tide up to Hawk Nest. 

Practice setting the storm jib

Warren caught some fish and I enjoyed a walk up to Coongul Creek. I carried a stick after seeing some big dingo prints in the sand. 

Entrance to Coongul Creek

On Monday, we headed into the Great Sandy Straits marina at Urangan. We had not been here before and enjoyed 2 nights - restocking the fresh food and doing laundry etc. 

We enjoyed a 30km ride on the Mary to Bay Rail Trail. It is an impressive piece of cycling infrastructure that passes shops, schools and the hospital. Kudos to the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Lots of seats and shelter

Impressive

Only whale we have seen so far

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.

Always good to come home

Homeward bound - Whitsundays to Yeppoon

 Thursday, 7 October to Saturday, 16 October, 2021

Our first stop after leaving Hamilton Island was Billbob Bay on Shaw Island. A walk ashore to stretch the legs also allowed us to collect some rubbish which accumulates in these south facing bays. 

Billbob Bay

On Friday we motored the 5nm to one of the prettiest anchorages in the Whitsundays, Dead Dog Bay on the southern side of Thomas Island. It is a great spot to kayak but also gave us a better sailing angle for the sail to Keswick Island the next day in the ESE winds.

Dead Dog Bay

Only 1 other boat for company

It was slow going to Keswick, tacking in light breezes and eventually motor sailing the last few miles. Sunday was a better sail to Curlew Island in a light ENE wind. We caught a long awaited mackerel on this leg. We anchored in the small bay on the western side of the island and had good protection from the NE wind. 

Warren happy with this Spotty

Afternoon tea at Curlew Island

On Monday, we sailed and then motor sailed to West Bay on Middle Percy Island. We went ashore to visit the famous A frame where cruisers leave a memento with their boat name and date of visit. This practice started in the 1950’s and the A frame was constructed around 1980 after it was realised the small telephone shed was too small. 

Percy Hilton

Quite a collection and some quirky mementoes 

Tropical paradise

On previous trips we have left 2 flags at the A frame that didn’t survive the weather between visits but our latest effort in 2017, a cutting board screwed to the rafters was more durable if not as elegant!

It survived!

We bought some island honey

After adding 2021 to the dates of our visits, we motored around to Whites Bay which is more protected from the Northerlies. We saw a wallaby and heard a goat while walking ashore.

On Tuesday it was another early start for the 53nm to Island Head Creek. About 10 nm from the entrance we noticed Jimidog 2 who was about 4nm in front of us start to do some circles. At first we thought they had a fish, then maybe steering problems or worse case a man overboard. They put out a Securite call on the radio advising that they had lost steering but had an emergency tiller and would get in by themselves. We contacted them to say we would assist if required. After 6 days making our way south, finally a day off for the crew on Wednesday. We enjoyed a sleep in and Warren caught some good sized whiting for dinner.

Whiting had grown since our visit in August

On Thursday we sailed around to Port Clinton, where we caught up again with Wistari, Noel Patrick’s famous yacht that features in his essential cruising guide to the Curtis Coast. Son Scott won this years Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race in the boat’s 51st start!

Wistari

On Friday we had a great spinnaker run down to Rosslyn Bay Harbour, where we spent 2 nights in the marina. Highlight was a bike ride on the Pineapple Rail Trail. 

Little Black Reef and more hikes

 Wednesday, 29 September to Wednesday, 6 October 2021

After reprovisioning we headed across the passage to Stonehaven anchorage to join a group of boats heading out to Little Black Reef. This is part of the outer barrier reef and about 35nm NE of the Whitsundays. 

Little Black Reef circled in red

A couple of boats headed off on Thursday, but we decided to wait for a more favourable Northerly expected on Friday. We kayaked around Stonehaven and had drinks ashore where we met some of the others doing the trip. 

Stonehaven

At 0600 on Friday, 7 yachts left the anchorage in a light northerly and we enjoyed a good sail across to the entrance of the reef. We had been given a track in by Carpe Ventum who had visited before and this eased any anxiety we had. In the end, the way in was quite easy to pick and we dropped anchor at 1230. 11 boats at anchor the first night we were there.

Track into Little Black Reef

Plenty of room inside the lagoon

On Saturday we donned our wetsuits and headed out to do some snorkelling. As we were getting ready to enter the water Warren saw a shark cruise by. Not a good start! We waited a few minutes and then snorkelled along the reef for a while until I saw a shark lying in a crevice. When I brought Warren back to show him, it took off in one direction and we took off for the dinghy. I snorkelled later on another bommie closer to the boat with nice coral.

Some nice coral and schools of small fish

The wind was forecast to pick up on Sunday so we sailed back with 3 other boats to Plantation Bay on Lindeman Island. More good weather for swimming and an 8km hike up Mount Oldfield. It was very hot and sad to walk past another closed resort.

Walk starts beside the airstrip

Now the real walk begins going UP

Plantation Bay anchorage

The only island in the Whitsundays named by Cook - Pentecost Island

We were now starting to think about beginning the voyage south. On Wednesday, we went to Hamilton Island one last time to buy some fresh supplies and finally climb to the Resort Lookout. Hot and dusty but a swim afterwards cooled us down. We had a good view of the islands we would be leaving in the morning. 

Looking south

Looking north

Time to head home!