Shaggers and the bays north of Airlie Beach

Tuesday, 23 August to Wednesday, 31 August 2022

We had a pleasant sail out of Airlie, heading north for Double Bay East. On the way, Warren caught our first mackerel of the trip. We anchored deep into the bay and enjoyed fresh fish and chips for dinner. 

80cm Spotted Mackerel

The Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club (known affectionately as Shaggers) Rendezvous, was due to start on Thursday. With a S/SW blowing (not ideal for Shaggers), we decided to stay another night at Double Bay E and Warren tried to catch some whiting. Unfortunately only 1 bream to show for his efforts. 

Cruising is sometimes described as boat maintenance in exotic locations

Late on Thursday morning, we left the anchorage and no sooner were sails set, we had another mackerel on the line. The wind was a steady 20 knots and we were glad to finally drop anchor south of Cape Gloucester Resort. 

Friday is the traditional Shag Islet party. We caught up with lots of friends and enjoyed the entertainment on the island. 

We are the ones in the blue shirts

Saturday was at the resort with entertainment and fundraising for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.  With an Aussie theme, there were lots of great costumes to admire. 

Dancing thongs!

We went as half of the Wiggles - a group we are very familiar with thanks to our granddaughter. If I was more creative we might have gone as Bluey and Bingo, something my Mum and Dad would have created with ease. Fancy dress parades were a highlight of every primary school year for my family.

1964 - I'm the telephone - note the winner's ribbon!

The wind was still not cooperating with a nasty side on swell making life more uncomfortable than we like. We decided to miss the pirate party on Sunday and motor the 6nm to Jonah Bay into a strong south easterly. A better night here and several large manta rays were seen. 

Beautiful Jonah Bay

On Monday we sailed to Woodwark Bay, despite the strong SE winds. With a double reef and self tacking jib, it was a surprising good sail once we had left the washing machine of waves off George Point. After several days of rolly anchorages with strong winds, this bay was fantastic. As we motored into the bay the 25 knots we were experiencing dropped to about 10 knots at the head of the bay.

Low tide at Woodwark Bay

On Tuesday, it was double reef again to get to Airlie beach and a couple of nights in the Coral Sea Marina. We had a final dinner with Jane and her friends and filled the fridges and cupboards with food as on Thursday we were to begin the trip home.

Enjoying dinner at Sorrento restaurant

Whitehaven and Airlie Beach

Monday, 15 August to Monday 22, August 2022

With perfect weather expected for the next few days we motored the 22 nm to Whitehaven Beach. On the way Warren decided to run the watermaker only to discover the feed pump had failed. As this is required to flush the watermaker every 5 days, a replacement was needed urgently. A few phone calls while we had reception and Warren had one on the way to Airlie Beach from Coomera.

Mix of boats at Whitehaven

Whitehaven has recovered a lot from the last cyclone and was busy with cruisers, charterers, Hamilton Island race boats and day trippers. We had our first kayak for the trip and walked to Chance Bay and the lookout but are yet to venture in for a swim. Beautiful days at the moment but it gets cool when the sun goes down. 

Chance Bay all to ourselves

450 steps to get this view

On Wednesday afternoon we sailed around to Macona Inlet and then on to Airlie Beach on Thursday to pick up our new pump. All day Friday was spent removing and replacing the pump. It is never as straight forward as you think it should be and working upside down in a small locker makes it worse.  

We had lunch on Saturday at the sailing club with my friend Jane who had flown up from Melbourne with some friends for 12 days at Airlie. We organised a sail for Jane and Russell on Sunday. 

Nice day for a sail

There was a bit more breeze than we expected so we had a fast sail out to North Molle and back. Warren had told them he had ordered some whales and they thought he was joking when he said he thought he saw some. 

You're kidding right! 

A mother and calf breached and fin slapped on cue. We were glad to be able to share with Jane some of what we love about cruising.

Mother and calf

Monday was provisioning before heading to Shag Islet for the Shaggers Rendezvous later in the week. 

Nice bike ride to the Cannonvale shops

Cruising the southern Whitsundays

 Thursday, 11 August to Sunday, 14 August 2022

Nothing has happened at Brampton Island since our trip last year with the resort slowly deteriorating. I'm not sure what the answer is for these old resorts. Lots of people have fond memories of holidays here but this was before cheap flights and accommodation at places like Bali. 

Another beautiful day

The anchorage is still good in the strong SE winds we were experiencing and we were glad to sleep in and then stretch our legs climbing to the top of Brampton Peak. It was great to see a group of 8 trailerable yachts anchored here. They had trailed their boats from Victoria and launched at Mackay.  

Track was well maintained

Blue Tiger Butterfly

Morning tea view from Brampton Lookout

After lunch we sailed the short distance to Goldsmith Island and anchored in Roylen Bay. Another favourite spot with a dugong, several turtles and 2 whales sighted while having breakfast on Friday morning. 

Nice campsite behind the shrubs

Trust me - it's a dugong

On Saturday it was off to Thomas Island with several whales sighted. We walked up the creek bed following the trail of thongs and markers to the northern side. We climbed the hill for some photos and picked up what rubbish we could carry back with us. We shared the anchorage with 23 boats on Sunday night including the 8 trailer sailers and lots of yachts heading to Hamilton Island for Race Week.

This way!

Worth the scramble over rocks

Looking north

My love of sailing started in trailer sailers

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