Sandy Straits and Mooloolaba

Wednesday, 8 October to Sunday, 26 October 2025

We had planned to spend a week with friends Lois and Kel on Elevation after the family left. Our plans to head back into Hervey Bay were thwarted by the persistent northerlies that had arrived. So we headed south and rendezvoused with them at Bookar Island. On Thursday we decided to head over to Yankee Jack Creek so we could investigate the creek itself.

We went about a mile up the creek

I think this is as far as we go!

After heading back to Phase2, we decided to try the anchorage at Turkey Island which was out of the tide, more protected and comfortable. You could also get ashore here for a walk on the beach although there were lots of midgies.

On Saturday, we took the boats over to South White Cliffs and took the dinghies to explore Deep Creek. We could only get about half a mile up the creek but there is an old timber logging wharf  and sand beach to venture ashore.

Deep Creek

Remains of the logging barge SS Palmer

The intrepid explorers

We had a quick trip up to Kingfisher Bay Resort on Tuesday before starting to head south, overnighting at Garry's and Pelican Bay before crossing the Wide Bay Bar on Friday morning with lots of other yachts. We sailed for an hour before the wind dropped and it was after lunch before an easterly arrived to take us to Mooloolaba.

We had a week in the marina to catch up with friends, swim and do some bike riding.

Lots of walks to check the bar

Local cycling buddies Helen and Scott

Morning tea with Nanette who we met at Lizard Is in 2011

On Sunday, after lots of socialising, it was time to head home. Motoring to start until a strong northerly came in to get us back to Cleveland. We had been away 6 weeks and had covered 560 nm.

Family Time

Sunday, 28 September to Tuesday, 7 October 2025

On Sunday, Josh, Jo and the grandkids arrived for a few days sailing and hopefully whale watching. We had dinner at the Boat Club then headed out on Monday morning. We were going to the sand island off Moon Point for lunch and so Charlotte could try her hand at kayaking. As a keen photographer, Josh was hoping to see some whales a bit more active than their last trip up here in 2022. We were lucky to have a whale put on a great display about 15 minutes after leaving the marina.

After lunch we went ashore on the sandy island and Charlotte had her first go on the kayak. She quickly got the hang of it and I could remove the rope I had attached to make sure she didn't drift off!

I got this Nanna!

We spent Tuesday watching the whales off Hawk Nest and Arch Cliffs. A bit windy so we headed back to Moon Point for a quiet night. We stayed here on Wednesday, swimming, kayaking and fishing. 

Moon Point

Josh had his drone up and Charlotte and I counted the number of jellyfish washed ashore. Oliver enjoyed the sand but thought the water was a bit colder than the heated pool where he has his swimming lessons.

On Thursday, we headed back to the marina happy to have had some good weather for the family to enjoy this part of Queensland. 

Friday was changeover day with Josh and his family leaving and Ben arriving. Another dinner at the Boat Club before heading off again up to Wathumba Creek on Saturday morning. Saw more whales on the way and walked along the beach once there. 

Lots of water in the creek at High Tide

Next morning, Ben and I kayaked up the creek before we sailed back to Hawk Nest for the night. Saw lots more whales on the way.

On Monday, we stopped at Moon Point for a swim before heading back to the marina.

Latest version of my shade shelter

Cruise to Hervey Bay to see some Whales

Saturday, 13 September to Saturday, 27 September, 2025

After our trip to Canada, we had a short window to head north. We waited for good winds to sail first to Mooloolaba then onto Pelican Bay in the Great Sandy Straits. Lots of whales sighted both days. 

Cruising past the Sunshine Coast

We spent 2 nights here before moving up to Garry's Anchorage for 3 nights.We did a 5 km walk south from the anchorage one day but otherwise relaxed while waiting for a later high tide to cross Sheridan Flats. 

Track in good condition

This came on Friday when we headed up to Great Sandy Straits marina for 2 nights. 

Great Sandy Straits marina

On Saturday, we rode the bikes up the excellent Mary to the Bay Rail Trail to Bunnings and Woolworths. Nearly 20 kms and no magpies which was a bonus at this time of year.

We then watched the Lions beat Collingwood in the Preliminary Final at the MCG.

We left the marina on Sunday morning in light winds and spent the week enjoying the clear waters and sandy beaches of Moon Point, Hawks Nest, Coongul and Wathumba Creeks. We saw lots of whales including cruising past all the boats at anchor outside Wathumba Creek. Magical!

Never get tired of seeing this!

Coongul Creek

It was then back to the marina to watch the AFL Grand Final between the mighty Lions and Geelong. There was no reception at our marina berth but we went to the nearby Boat Club where it was on the big scrren. There were a few concerns initially when the club had some technical issues but we ended up watching a great game with a good crowd. Geelong had beaten us comprehensively in in our first final game against them so we were happy to have a very close game in the first half. In the last 5 minutes of the third quarter Brisbane started to "Believe" and the Lions ended up winning by 47 points. 

Had to settle for a smaller screen

Yeppoon to Raby Bay

Monday, 30 October to Thursday, 16 November 2023

After 4 nights in Keppel Bay Marina, we sailed across the bay to Pumpkin Island. We hadn't been to this anchorage before and were keen to do a walk on North Keppel Island. Pumpkin Island is privately owned (it was XXXX island for a time) so no access and the access to North Keppel is ideally half tide and above.

Quiet anchorage

On Tuesday, we walked 7.4km across the island to Considine Bay and then up to the lookout on well maintained National Parks tracks. The island was very dry and the palm forest was not as good as our last visit. 

Pumpkin Island (centre) with GKI in the background

On Wednesday it was an early start (0515!) to get to Pancake Creek 73nm away. We motored and motor-sailed until we passed Cape Capricorn at 1000 when we were able to raise the spinnaker in a 10 knot northerly. The wind continued to build until we had a steady 20 knots. We had a great run, averaging over 10 knots for the last 3 hours to have us anchored by 1615.

3 nights in Pancake Creek with Warren keen to see if the whiting had grown since our stop on the way north (sadly not). We also did the trip across to Jenny Lind Creek in our kayaks again where we did catch a few whiting for dinner.

We timed the tide a bit better this time

Jenny Lind Creek

On Saturday it was another early start to get across Hervey Bay before the next southerly change. It was a nice 10-15 knots NE breeze that was perfect for our genoa. We anchored at Hawks Nest on Fraser Island at 2115 after covering 103nm. 2 nights here before we headed down to Kingfisher Bay Resort on Tuesday and to watch the Melbourne Cup. We had lunch with the crew of the Seawind 1160 Trim. 

After the race we headed down to Garry's Anchorage and then onto Pelican Bay for 2 nights. Elevation came to join us and we enjoyed sundowners and walks with Lois and Kel. It was the first time I had seen their new boat - very impressive.

Elevation - an impressive Buizen 48

We crossed Wide Bay Bar on Friday morning and enjoyed a good sail to Mooloolaba with genoa and then spinnaker in the steady NE breeze. There was some concern in the morning when a Mayday call was put out after a plane ditched into the sea and 2 people were in the water. A nearby fishing boat went to their aid until a rescue helicopter arrived to transport them to the hospital. No serious injuries luckily.

We had booked a berth at the Wharf Marina for a week and this proved to be a great base. We were surprised there was little noise from the surrounding shops and restaurants and it is nice and close to the surf beach and supermarket. 

We caught up with cycling friends Helen and Scott with a loop around the Kawana lakes bike paths. 

We celebrated Warren's birthday at the French restaurant Brasserie Cent Six with Lynne, Dave and Tracey on our last night in Mooloolaba. Highly recommended and a great way to finish our holiday. 

On Thursday, we left the marina a day early to catch the last of the northerly before the next southerly change rolled through. We tied up to our pontoon just before 1600 after 98 days away and having travelled 1398nm. 

Pensive on the last day of our cruise north

Scawfell Island to Yeppoon

Sunday, 22 October to Sunday, 29 October 2023

Well the BOM had the wind direction right today but the strength was lacking unfortunately. We sailed for a couple of hours hoping the wind might build but it faded and eventually we started the engine and dropped the sails. We had plenty of company with 10 boats also making their way to Middle Percy Island. It was 63 nm to the calm anchorage in Whites Bay where we dropped anchor as the sun set.

Sunrise at White's Bay

We had another early start to get to Port Clinton. Slightly more breeze today so we managed to sail half the day. Lots of boats anchored inside Perforated Point so we went to the bay to the west. We decided to spend Tuesday here doing a few jobs and getting off the boat for a long walk. You can't leave the beach as the army uses this area for training exercises at certain times and they warn about unexploded ordinances!

Very soft sand made for slow going on the beach

On Wednesday, we finally had enough wind (just) to sail most of the way to Great Keppel Island. We shared the anchorage at Long Beach with about 20 other boats, some heading further south on Thursday while we headed across to Keppel Bay Marina to hide from the next big SE change due on Friday. 

Leaving Port Clinton shows how massive it is

We had 4 nights in the marina, shopping and enjoying the company of the other cruisers here. To counter this, we had 2 long rides on our bikes to the northern beaches and the Pineapple Rail Trail. 2 bonus rides for Warren to the bakery for fresh bread! 

Pineapple Rail Trail

Black cockatoos on the bike path

A Slow Start to the Trip South

Airlie Beach to Scawfell Island

Friday, 13 October to Saturday, 21 October 2023

We started our trip south with a short sail to South Molle Island. We picked up a mooring in Sandy Bay which was a good anchorage in the SE winds. On Saturday we hiked 8.7km to the top of Mt Jeffreys for a fabulous 360 degree view of the Whitsundays. 

View south from the summit at 195m

During our hike, we watched the Australian warship, HMAS Warramunga do laps of the Molle group and Daydream Island. Interesting except when they were still steaming past at 20 knots at 10pm giving off a sizable wash!

Track of HMAS Warramunga

HMAS Warramunga

On Sunday, we sailed to Plantation Bay on Lindeman Island. On Monday, another walk this time to the top of Mt Oldfield - 7.7km. We met the caretaker on the return trip and he told us the resort had been sold again to a Singaporean company who have big plans and hope to start work by the end of the year. Of course, we have heard this before but hopefully this time will see this resort back in business.

Phase2 in Plantation Bay

On Tuesday we sailed to Goldsmith Island to sit out the big SE blow expected. On the way we were pleased to catch our first spotted mackerel of the trip. 

Roylen Bay, Goldsmith Island

We had 3 nights at Goldsmith before the wind eased enough to tack down to Brampton Island. No cruiser likes sailing to windward but we were ready for a change of scenery and with slight seas it was a very pleasant sail. 

Inquisitive Moray Eel checking us out at Brampton Island

On Saturday, we sailed east to Scawfell Island to improve our sailing angle for the expected NE winds on Sunday. So far the forecast northerlies have not appeared and our progress south has been very slow. Let's hope they have it right this time.

Lots of boats waiting at Scawfell for a northerly

Whitsunday Cruising

 Saturday, 23 September to Thursday, 12 October 2023

We were hoping that with the arrival of our youngest son and his family the winds might start to ease but unfortunately this was not the case. We decided to spend another night in the marina and hoped that the easing of the winds expected on Monday would occur. 

Things were slightly better but it was still a double reef in the main for our trip to Happy Bay on Long Island. The anchorage was quite crowded and with the strong winds we decided after lunch to head across the passage to Cid Harbour. A good decision and we spent 2 nights here. Granddad taught our granddaughter how to fish and she then promptly caught a big bream. 

No bites fishing off the back of the boat

Success at Sawmill Beach

With some heavy rain on Tuesday morning, we did puzzles and played Uno, a lot of Uno! On Wednesday we ventured up the Passage to Stonehaven where we picked up a mooring. The gusts were ferocious and our son and daughter-in-law did well to manage a paddle. 

Always gusty at Stonehaven

Calmer on the beach

Our time with the family was coming to an end so we made our way back to Airlie Beach.

Stickers were a good idea until we had to remove them!!

We said goodbye to our family and then stayed another few days in Airlie to watch the Lions battle for the AFL Premiership. Sadly they went down to Collingwood by 4 points in a great game. 

4 of our family at the game including our eldest son Ben

With some nice weather forecast, on Tuesday 3 October we sailed back across the passage to Macona Inlet.  We then motored in light winds across to Cateran Bay on Border Island where we hiked up to the lookout and then had a swim.

Cateran Bay

Lovely calm weather so we then headed down to Whitehaven Beach with a stop at Hill Inlet on the way to catch some bream for dinner. Next day we did another lookout hike, swim to cool off and a beautiful calm night again once all the day trippers had left. 

Ah....the tranquility

On Friday it was back to Cid Harbour as the strong winds had returned. We had 4 nights here before the winds eased and we made our way to Blue Pearl Bay for my first snorkel of the trip. On the way we caught a Big Eye Tuna which we enjoyed for dinner that night. 

First keeper of this trip trolling

Moray Eel top left - I didn't want to get closer

On Wednesday, it was then back to Airlie for the last time this trip - to refuel, re-provision and get ready for the voyage home.