Mooloolaba Thunderstorms
We have spent an enforced, but social week at Mooloolaba, pinned down by strong Southerly winds, pouring rain, thunder and lightning. Sarah managed to come for a visit and we all had morning tea with John and Heather, who live locally on the canals. Did plenty of walking and possibly too much shopping, as Whitworths and RoadTech Marine were just up the road. Had a visit from Les and Di (La Perla) and their teenage kids, which was great, as we hadn't managed to catch them at R
Mad dash to Mooloolaba
We had a leasurely departure from Gary's Anchorage and headed to Inskip Point with the intention of crossing the Wide Bay Bar tomorrow morning. A further check of the weather brought less than encouraging news. Cyclone Victor, which had been meandering around off Fiji, would generate a large and powerful swell along the Queensland coast. This would make it difficult to exit the Bar and also enter the Maroochy River at Mooloolaba tomorrow. As there was also another protracted
Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser island
The last time we were at Kingfisher Bay Resort, the kids looked like this: We had fond memories of amazing pizza at the resort, so our mouths were watering by the time we dropped anchor just north of the main jetty. A little tricky to anchor as it shoals very quickly and with any change in wind direction, it is really easy to end up high and dry. We went ashore in the dinghy, which really only gets you half way there and the rest of the distance is covered on foot, dragging t
Arch Cliffs, Fraser Island
Went for a low tide dinghy ride this morning into Wathumba Creek to check out the depths. Saw plenty of sting rays and fish. It is definitely a creek where boats would dry out, except for one deep hole near the "Teebung Camping Area" sign. Tony dinghied back and Nathan and I walked. Much needed after some serious carb intake lately!! Home to coffee and muffins (yes those muffins) before heading off again. We had intended to sail to Moon Point, but as we were passing Arch Clif
Triangle Cliffs, Fraser Island
After our picture perfect day at Sandy Cape, we resigned ourselves to some wet and windy weather. Yesterday was a long lazy day tucked up inside with a good book, interspersed with a few hands of Skip Bo, a bit of baking (apple tea cake) and the odd job. By the end of the day, the lack of activity started to have an effect so Tony and I went ashore for a walk along the beach in the pouring rain. Woke this morning to even more rain and wind. My default reaction to this dodgy w
Spectacular Sandy Cape
On our way out of the Burnett River yesterday, we tied up at the fuel wharf to fill a couple of jerry cans and buy our new macerator. And, you guessed it, coffees. Headed out into a lumpy easterly swell all the way across to Fraser Island. It was definitely a movie-on-the-laptop kinda trip. The white sands of Rooney's Point looked beautiful as we neared, topped off by a lovely sunset once we anchored. This morning was very calm, so we motored around to the Sandy Cape Light an
Burnett River
Grabbed a final take-away coffee (and cake) and departed Round Hill Creek just after high tide. We were hoping to catch a bit of easterly breeze in the afternoon, rather than the morning SE. The winds didn't really cooperate as much as we would have liked, but we had a reasonable motor sail, averaging 7 knots, to Burnett Heads. In fact, our arrival coincided with the much anticipated NE breeze. Anchored near the Sugar Terminal just as the sun disappeared. In the morning, we m
Round Hill Creek, 1770
After a lovely motor sail down to Round Hill Creek, we actually arrived at mid afternoon when the tide height was showing as only 1.9 metres. As it was so calm, we decided to enter the creek and negotiate the sandbars. In theory, we calculated that we could get through, but there were some shallow moments when we put it to the test. The lowest point showed only 1.1 metres under the hull, but at least it was easy to follow the channel. Dropped anchor and prepared to relax - on
Boyne River to 1770
Our southward journey stalled somewhat due to the winds refusing to cooperate. So we spent Christmas in the Boyne River enjoying time with friends and a week long visit from Mum. Finally, today's forecast was for N/NW winds 5-10knots, so we departed around 0700 and had a lovely sunny motor sail to Seventeen Seventy. Messed around with the GoPro and came up with this first time footage:
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