Day 219-220 Bum's Bay to Coffs Harbour

After leaving Bum's Bay at about 9am yesterday morning, we had a L-O-O-O-N-G trip to Coffs Harbour. The weather was sunny with light north easterlies, which ended up dropping out during the night. We were helped on this overnight journey by a southerly current, which helped us move further south quicker, although probably contributed to seasickness. Dave and Amy had a rough night, and both were terribly sick, at all hours of the day and the night (yuck.) Jim was good, although struggled a little during the day he tells us. When finally Coffs Harbour was finally in sight this morning, a 20 knot southerly suddenly developed, which meant that the last 20 miles seemed to take forever. However, we are safe and sound now, although we will be definately be heading to bed early tonight - even though there is thunder and lightning everywhere here at the moment! Atleast we aren't out there now - so atleast we will definately be able to get some sleep!

Day 212 Maclay Island to Runaway Bay (Gold Coast)

Today we managed to limp into the Gold Coast to Runaway Bay Marina. We were next to HUGE million dollar power boats (aptly nicknamed ‘Millionaire’s Rowe.’) One of the main reasons for our Marina visit was to fix our main boat batteries, which was a great excuse to stay a couple of days on the Gold Coast. After shopping, seeing the new James Bond movie and restocking the boat, Mum eventually had to go home. She and Mick (who was the Europa Captain) headed home together, and although we miss her so much, we are not far behind her, and will be home soon. While we have been here, we have also met up with Uncle Glen. We went out to a beautiful Vietnamese resteraunt on the Gold Coast, thanks again for a great night out! Jim and Amy eventually went out on the Gold Coast, hello schoolies!

Day 216 Runaway Bay to Bum's Bay (Gold Coast)

Today we decided to move on to Bum's Bay (which is just behind Seaworld on the Gold Coast) even though it was wet and cloudy. The batteries are all fixed, so all systems go for us. Bum's Bay was a little crowded, but nothing that you wouldn't expect on the Gold Coast: from the Jetski cowboys to the power boats, the crusing yachts, the houseboats, the dinghy bandits and of course, the 'weekend warriors.' Bum's Bay is the kind of place where something is always happening, from a freak storm, to the helicopters, sea planes, you name it, its there! It's also only a short distance into Surfers Paradise, so Amy and Jim just had to make another appearance at (even though Amy was considered abit of a 'toolie.') Ended up having some decent weather and actually went to the beach, crowded but just gorgeous all the same!

Day 211 Mooloolaba to Maclay Island

Another long day of sailing, but unfortunately the weather wasn’t as good for us today. It started to rain as we eventually got into Maclay Island, which in one sense was lucky, but it made for a wet night for us! Having trouble with the batteries on-board, lights out at 8.30 pm :) Needless to say, we are looking forward to arriving on the Gold Coast tomorrow.

Day 210 Tin Can Bay to Mooloolaba

Here we were back into the early morning starts, this one being 5am so we could cross Wide Bay Bar with the right tides and winds. Even though it was a little chilly in the morning (probably a sign that we are getting closer to home!) we had a great sail, and of course the day warmed up. We had good winds, and we made great time, making it into Mooloolaba at around 5pm. Here we went and had fish and chips with Mick, Captain of Europa. It was great to catch up with him, and we will see him when we get home of course!

Day 203- 209 Tin Can Bay

The last few days we have been looking around Tin Can Bay and doing a bit of shopping. There were some HUGE storms though, and they were absolutely amazing to watch, and very powerful in terms of thunder and lightning. We even ended up getting hit by a hailstorm, although we were lucky we didn’t get caught in it while we were out sailing. As it was, Jo and Jim had to get out in it to pull the sun awning down before it got ripped apart, and Amy and David had an adventure of their own. Dave had gone ashore to pick Amy up from the Marina with the washing. Seeing the sky darken Dave suggested to stay on shore for a coffee. It started to pour and hail, and they found everyone seeking refuge in a local sailing shop. Five minutes later all was well, yet the freak storm had caused boats to be turned upside down, housing fences to be knocked down (as the winds were up to 50 knots.) Scary stuff!

Day 202 Kingfisher Bay to Tin Can Bay

Today we left Kingfisher Bay to head to Tin Can Bay, as we heard that the weather was about to turn, and we wanted more protection. However, the weather today was absolutely perfect, and we had a great run through the Sandy Straits. We even managed to get the spinnaker up at one point, and were absolutely zooming along! We anchored up just outside Tin Can Bay Yacht Club, where we went in for a drink, and it was such a friendly atmosphere! Compliments to the chef :)

Day 201 Platypus Bay to Kingfisher Bay (Fraser Island)

Today we moved just around the corner from Platypus Bay to Kingfisher Bay Resort. Here we managed to anchor up and head ashore for some nachos and fish and chips, much to everyone’s delight. After having hot showers, and hot food, everyone was much refreshed, although the weather was still overcast.

Day 200 Bundaberg to Platypus Bay (Fraser Island)

Today was a shorter journey for us, which was helped by the light winds and sunny weather. Even though we headed out east again to catch better winds and make a quicker pace, we arrived at Platypus Bay on the edge of Fraser Island just after lunch. Here, we managed to have a swim and a walk, which we think the dogs enjoyed in particular! We found the lagoon, and just enjoyed having more than 20 miles of beautiful white beaches to ourselves. As we settled in to the afternoon, it began to cloud over. By nightfall, there was the most frantic ‘electrical storm,’ (it's Queensland terminology for thunder storm.') The next day, even though it was still overcast we moved further up the beach for a better anchorage position.

Day 199 Pancake Creek to Bundaberg

Another long day for us to arrive in Bundaberg. There was a bit of a swell, and the general navigational issues became more complicated thanks to shoals, rock and reef. We went almost 20 miles directly east, although we should admit it is a strange sensation to head directly out to sea. This of course made our trip easier due to wind, and was (eventually) quicker, but it was a long day for us. However, we finally reached Bundaberg as it was growing dark. After heading through the leads, which made it easier for us but just seemed to take even longer, we managed to anchor just outside the Marina in the river, ready for an early start tomorrow.

Day 198 Yellow Patch to Pancake Creek

Today's journey was one of the longest legs of our trip. After trying to leave early but failing due to engine trouble and a strong tide, we headed down past Gladstone to Pancake Creek. While the winds started from the south east, the winds eventually changed to north-east again for us, which was very helpful. Dave and Jim again passed the time by challenging two other boats in a race, which according to official sources, took place ten miles from 'Pancake Creek.' The boys have termed this race a 'tacking dual' which Amy and Jo just nod politely at. We did 'win' anyway, which meant that we had first choice of an anchorage in Pancake Creek, even though the three boats were close behind us, and parked right next to us!

Day 198 Roslyn Bay to Yellow Patch

Today we left the Rosyln Bay Marina with an exit that was similar to a hill-start in a manual car, and was probably quite funny to watch, with everyone pushing the boat forward and then running along the marina, and then climbing aboard. However, after our dramatic exit we encountered some pretty big swell, with winds up to 20 knots in a south easterly direction, which made it hard going for us, meaning that we had to reef the main sail to make any real progress, and to prevent any seasickness.We did reach Yellow Patch before sunset however, which everyone was very happy about. And, we still had time to climb the massive sand dunes before it got dark.

Day 193 Great Keppel Island to Roslyn Bay

After a very long night on anchor watch thanks to the arrival of a strong southerly during the night, everyone was relieved to be heading across to Rosslyn Bay Marina. Here we spent a couple of days in Yeppoon, waiting out some poor weather. It was good for everyone to have a bit of a break from the early starts and long sailing legs that we have been doing. So we have spent a couple fo days shopping, eating ice-cream and generally re-stocking. Looking forward to the further trip south, although we are happily waiting it out until the weather gets better :)

Day 192 Port Clinton to Great Keppel Island

Today was another fine day for our coastal passage. More northerlies, that once proved so elusive for us around Cairns, have now become almost common, although we know we have been lucky in the last week or so in particular. After a shorter day today, we made it to Long Beach on Great Keppel with time for a walk and a swim. We did lots of diving and somersaulting off the back of the boat, which was a lot of fun. Great Keppel Island, which has such clear water and white beaches, is a definate treasure, and so is its Pizza Place!

Day 191 Percy Island to Port Clinton

Another early morning, but we were lucky to get some great weather today! Have managed to have more north-easterlies helping us south, and we made it in before the sun went down. Had time to go ashore and have a walk, which the dogs certainly enjoyed! Port Clinton also had serveral other boats there by the time that we got there, including the crew of 'Phantasia.' Another beautiful sunset :)

Day 188-190 Whitsundays to Percy Island

After spending another couple of days in the Whitsundays, today we left everyone on 'In Transit' to head further south, the weather window was too good to miss! With only a light north-easterly breeze and sunshine, we had a lesuirely cruise down to Scawfell. We spent the night here, only a quick stop over between the Whitsundays and the Percy Islands. This was the worst night's sleep ever (with a 2m swell, sleep was just not possible) so we left as early as possible to make our way to Middle Percy. With light north- easterlies still following us down the coast, we made great time and we made it with time to spare for the sunset. Beautiful!

Day 184 Gloucester Passage to Whitsundays

After ANOTHER early start, we made our way from Gloucester to Airlie Beach with absolutely beautiful weather. Luckily it was only a short trip in for us this morning. Its great to be back in Airlie Beach, and we have caught up with Russ and Maria on In Transit (formerly Dorado) and their daughter Johanna and her boyfriend, Troy. Just to see what these 'Melbournians' were made of, Amy and Jim took them out in Airlie Beach for a big night :) Interestingly only one person was sick the next morning, poor Troy! Apart from that, I think we all had a great night! Had a great few days in the Whitsundays too, stopping at Happy Bay with In Transit for some swimming and sunbaking :)

Day 182 Cape Upstart to Gloucester Passage

Hello waves! Today's from Cape Upstart to Gloucester Passage saw a very early and very bouncy start as the wind was a strong South-Easterly for the first 20 miles. As the wind turned to the North East, conditions definately improved and everyone was feeling a lot less seasick! We arrived at Glocester in time for a beautiful sunset, and had the anchorage almost to ourselves. After commenting on how it never rains at Gloucester, we awoke to a down pour :) We made the most of the weather however, and went in to the ECO Resort for a beautiful seafood lunch :)

Day 181 Magnetic to Cape Upstart

Today was another 5am start, and after pulling out of Nellie Bay (Magnetic Island) we said our goodbyes to Doug and Kirsten, who will now be staying in Townsville for the season. Today was a good sail, beautiful weather, although we had to do a lot of tacking out to sea for this part of our journey, up until (the dreaded) Cape Bowling Green. After Cape Bowling Green we then we had a good run across to Cape Upstart and managed to anchor up before it was dark.

Day 179 Orpheus to Magnetic Island

We had a great sail today and made very good time arriving to Magnetic Island just after lunch. We spent a few days relaxing around the pool at Nelly Bay and catching up with good friends Doug and Kirsten. We originally met at Lizard Island and spent time particularly at Cairns. Great people and great fun!

Day 178 Dunk Island to Orpheus Island

Another 5am start and we headed down the Hinchinbrook Channel on our way to Orpheus Island. A lovely day with minimal wind. Hinchinbrook island has been separated from the mainland by this deep, narrow mangrove fringed Channel for approximately 100,000 years and has remained in relatively uninhabited, pristine condition. It was wonderful and went for 22 miles what an amazing place, we searched for crocodiles and although the area is known for it thankfully there were not any around at all!! We had a very restful sleep at Orpheus. Long day but we are off again early tomorrow!

Day 177 Fitzroy Island to Dunk Island

Us and another 7 boats left today. The winds were still southerly but the swell had dropped. It was a very long day, up and going by 5am and made it about 6.30pm. So we dead tired but glad to be making headway south.
Shame as Dunk Island is such a pretty place.

Day 176 Cairns to Fitzroy Island

Many others had braved the southerlys and so we decided to head off today. The weather forecast was that the winds were decreasing and so too the swell. It was quite bumpy and very uncomfortable but we managed to get to Fitzroy Island which will leave us in a great position tomorrow.

That night we had drinks with many other yachties who were waiting for the weather. We met some people who had participated in the Cairns to Lousiades Rally who shared lots of interesting stories. Could be something we might consider in the future.

Day 162- 175 Cairns

The weather turned and it blew and blew from the SE for many days. The anchorage was not particularly good in the river and we ended up a long way from where we could tie up the dinghy.

We made the most of our time here by participating in water aerobics, free movies Tuesdays at the Casino (first movie Fools Gold was great but the second The Invasion was hopeless), went to the real movies to see Eagle Eye, the Art Gallery and time at the wonderful lagoon at Cairns.

So we swam and walked (the dogs loved the Esplanade) and in the afternoons participated in many happy hours and BBQs on the foreshores.

We spent time with Easy Rider (Terry and Kim) as well as Doug and Kirsten who met at Lizard but more of them at a later time. Here are some happy snaps from some happy hours.

We also watched many large ships entering and leaving the harbour. Here are some shots.

Day 161 Port Douglas - Cairns

The sail today was a short day with the wind still blowing but it seems the weather will increase after today so we are very glad to be anchored. Did I say anchored...we had 4 attempts to set the anchor but it was very muddy and made it hard for the anchor to be set. It looks like we will be here for a while!!

Day 160 Hope Island - Port Douglas

Left early again and it was still strong wind straight on the nose. We decided rather than pushing onto Cairns we wuld make our way into Port Douglas. A very hot place, no wind and lost of bugs and who knows what jumping in the water. We stayed at the Mirage Marina which was very nice. The choise for dinner was huge and we had a great meal and great music to entertain us. Jim was very happy with being able to watch the soccer match (Asian League semi final I was told!)on an enormous screen. It was a great stay (apart from the heat)

Day 159 Lizard Island - Hope Island

The day finally came for us to head south. The winds were still blowing form the south but we took the opportunity of it being 15-20knots SE to give it run. It was a very long day and a little uncomfortable but we were pleased we had made the first leg south safely and with only some discomfort. We left at 5.00am and got there at 6.30pm. It was a great anchorage and we all slept very well.

Lizard Island

Lizard Island is a ruggedly beautiful island on the northern Great Barrier Reef in Tropical North Queensland. Lizard boasts 24 pristine beaches that range from white sand to rocky escarpments. Lizard Island is renowned for its scuba diving and snorkelling and is surrounded by coral reefs, ribbon and lagoon reefs.

There are many walks one which is Cook's lookout. Captain James Cook climbed the peak on Lizard Island to chart a course out to sea through the maze of reefs which confronted him. Above are photos of the view and an interesting dial showing how far we were from everything. Sydney over 2,00o miles with Darwin 500 miles. It takes about 3 hours with a book at the top recording everyone who has done the trek. Looking out to the horizon you can see where Cook was able to get out past the reef.

There is also the Research Station. The Lizard Island Research Station is a world-leading supplier of on-reef facilities for coral reef research and education. The Research Station is owned and operated by the Australian Museum and is supported by the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation and the Coral Reef and Marine Science Foundation. We went there for a tour and found it most interesting. Shame there is not more funding available for such a valuable resource.

Every night sundowners were available on the beach. This was to have a drink on the beach and watch the sun go down. There were so many interesting people. Two people of note were Frank Robson (Frank talks about his dog Lucky and has published a book) and Leisa Scott. (Leisa writes about the Marlin event) Both journalists they had some interesting stories. Click on the links to read more.

Day 150 Cooktown to Lizard Island

We left on our last leg north today! With a mixture of emotions excitement and a little sadness we headed off with slight SE/E winds onto Lizard Island. At this part of the Queensland coast the reef comes very close to the coast and therefore is the main shipping channel. We saw many large tankers on our way to Lizard. On the way we stopped at a majical place for lunch and had a swim before heading to our final destination north. We came in late that afternoon and it would seem the island is quite unique and well worth the trip to get here. There were many boats (approximately 20) and this was the sunset.

Day 148 Hope Island - Cooktown

Finally the wind eased for us to move onto Cooktown. Cooktown is a small frontier town located in the far north of Tropical North Queensland. Cooktown boasts a unique character that is evidenced from its years of geographic isolation and hard-living, but it is this local charm that makes it all the more appealing. Add to this the unspoilt natural beauty of the area, and you'll really feel like you've stumbled back in time and across a local secret. Cooktown is Australia's first non-indigenous settlement, discovered and settled by Captain Cook and his crew in 1770. It was the site of the first white 'settlement' in Australia when Captain James Cook, having accidentally struck the Great Barrier Reef off the coast north of Cape Tribulation, struggled up the coast and beached the H.M. Barque Endeavour on the shores of the Endeavour River. Cook and his crew were to stay on the river's edge from 17 June to 4 August, 1770: the greatest amount of time they were to spend at any one location in Australia.
There are no fewer than six monuments to Captain Cook in the town. Sadly while we were there a man was taken by a crocodile. (there were drag marks into the river) There are signs everywhere and click here for the brochure made freely available. We certainly kept an eye out as we were anchored very close to the attack!

Day 144 Lowe Isles - Hope Island

We moved onto Hope Island with a very nice sail SE/E 10- 15 knots. We were fortunate to be able to take on the Barrier Reef mooring and settled down for the night. In the afternoon we dinghied (is there such a word? lol) around the island and there was plenty of bird and sea life. You could work around the island in about 10 minutes.

Well, the wind blew up that night and we were at the island for the next four days. We met some interesting people during the stay. Family who had been sialing for the past twenty years with three of the children being born on the boat. They had been to Japan and back and were now headed to Thursday Island. Another interesting couple inlcuded Ben Cropp who is well known to Australian divers, particlarly those of my vintage who had the pleasure of knowing him in the 1970s and 80s, and seeing his films on the dive congress circuit. He is a passionate diver, rsearcher, author and film-maker. Very interesting discussions were had on avoiding crocodiles and sharks.

Interesting we could get TV reception and managed to watch Cronulla and Warriors beaten in the NRL finals!

Day 143 Cairns to Lowe Isles

The Lowe Isles consists of a series of small uninhabited islands. This protected environment is home to white sandy beaches, spectacular corals, birds and giant sea turtles. The reef around Low Isles comprises of 150 species of hard corals and is dominated by 15 species of soft corals. Living amongst the corals in the blue lagoon are a large variety of reef fish including angelfish, damselfish, anemones, giant trevally, sweetlip, fusiliers and many green turtles are sighted daily. Everyone we meet loved this spot but we were not impressed. Too may tourists and the beach was not as impressive as we were led to believe. Perhaps we have raised the standard from all of the other beautiful islands we have been too!

Day 140 - 142 Cairns

Came into Cairns after being blown away at Green Island. We fortunate enough to be in Cairns when the Cairns Yacht Club had its last night. (Saturday Night and they are moving to a new place) Great night and we shared this with Terry and Kim off Easy Rider (they have a beautiful boat built by Terry) We have been travelling with them and they are from Moloolooba. We watched the finals at the Casino and were disappointed when Brisbane were defeated!!

Day 139 - 140 Green Island

Green Island is a very unique island. It is one of 300 sand cays on the Great Barrier Reef, but it is the only one with a rainforest. A true coral cay, Green Island is around 6000 years old and was formed by a build up of sand sediments, animal and coral deposits to above sea level. It is 15 hectares (approx 37 acres) in size and takes around 45 minutes to walk around. It was very commercial and over 300,000 people visit every year. The wind blew and blew so we only stayed for one night.

Day 137 - 138 Fitzroy Island

Fitzroy Island is located approx. 35 kilometres (18 nautical miles) south east of Cairns. Fitzroy Island is one of 600 Continental or High islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It is located on the inner barrier of the central region of the Great Barrier Reef, and is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The views from the Lighthouse are not to be missed nor are the views from the Summit which provide a panoramic 360 degree outlook of the island, its amazing rainforest and reef lapping at it's doorstep. We did all the walks and there was some great dives of a trampoline in the middle of the bay. Click here to watch some video footage.

Day 136 High Island

We left early in the morning and there was virtually no wind and we had about 50 miles to cover. We ended up getting a mooring at High Island, a memebr of the Familty group of islands.

Day 134 - 135 Dunk Island

Finally Jim and Maxie were well enough for us to press on to Dunk Island. A great sail and we stopped off at Wheeler Island, beautiful Island and spectacular day. We finally made it to Dunk late that afternoon. This is the third time we have been Dunk so we very excited about getting there.

This is an arial view from the top of the mountain and the three tiered pool we swam inafter climbing to the top! How exhausting, but great to relax in the pool.