Manly to The Great Sandy Strait 28th June - 1st July 2018

Leaving Manly Marina

Departing Mooloolaba at daybreak

Gloomy weather! Peter and I hurried off to the showers to have a last bask under the hot water and warm up before our departure from the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club Marina. Neighbours helped us ease Olivia out of the pen and we were off, heading north to wherever we decided. Would we go to Mooloolaba for the night or continue on to Double Island Point to await the preferable time to cross the Wide Bay Bar into the Great Sandy Strait?

In the end, after a dull cold day motoring, firstly up the western side of Moreton Island and north alongside of the Main Channel, we decided to spend the night in the Mooloolah River anchorage to warm up, have a good sleep and be ready to make an early start for the Wide Bay Bar. It was a good decision as the night sky turned clear, the moon shone brightly and our anchorage quiet and calm. It is always difficult to find a spot to anchor amongst those already there, but we finally settled on a position next to Minyama Island. The only problem with that was that when we pulled the anchor in the morning an extensive stainless structure from the bow of a boat came up from the bottom attached to the anchor. Luckily it broke up as I slowly motored forward while Peter decided what to do. Later Peter radioed the Mooloolaba Coast Guard to inform them of it's position as it could cause problems for other boats in the area.

The Wide Bay Bar

We studied the weather forecasts, tide charts and bar conditions and decided that we needed to arrive at 'The Bar' at about 4.30 pm, just enough time to cross the bar and anchor at Inskip Point before dark. At least two hours after the low tide is considered a sensible time to begin a crossing, but we were there only one hour after low tide. We had motored all day with no wind to speak of and as the swell was low we decided it would be safe to go. It was. Following the latest way points sent to us by Geoff from Blu Glass, we found the shallowest water was 4-5m. This was our 3rd crossing of this notorious bar and I had a good look for the first time. Our original crossing four years ago had me downstairs eyes glued to the chart plotter making sure we adhered perfectly to the best course. On the way south last year we crossed again, but this time in thick fog and again I watched the chart plotter carefully. Looking out this time I decided that we would never go across this bar unless conditions were good. It was not scary, but with waves breaking on either side of us it is obvious that great care needs to be taken. The Mad Mile, was mad! This deep section after the bar is crossed is where water from all directions seems to converge and cause very disturbed water, something like you would find in a washing machine. We anchored behind Inskip Point well before dark and settled in for a quiet night.

Kingfisher Bay, Fraser Island

Reception, Kingfisher Bay Resort, day visitors welcome

Again we studied the tide tables to work out our departure time to reach the shallow area around Boonlye Point as the tide was nearly full. This way you get a run up the Strait with the making tide, it is near full and has enough depth for us as the shallows are crossed and then you follow the outgoing tide on the other side. This worked very well and the shallowest water I saw on the echo sounder was 2.7m, a little concerning I must admit. Olivia's draft is 1.9m.

Daybreak at Kingfisher Bay

We are now anchored at Kingfisher Bay off the resort on the northern side of the jetty. Yesterday the weather was sunny and warm so we went ashore to explore the resort facilities and met up with Amanda and Neville from Bossa Nova. We spent a pleasant couple of hours yarning with them at the Sand Bar on the beginning of the jetty.

Ruins at McKenzies Jetty, North White Cliffs, Fraser Island

Today we walked south, about 3km, to the derelict McKenzie's Jetty at North White Cliffs. It was a pleasant walk along the soft sandy beach and after reaching the jetty we read the tourist board explaining a little of the history of the place. It was used to export timber from the island for many years. We then set off along the bush track back to the resort. The bush is not unlike that in WA, something to do with the sand I suppose. Wild flowers are beginning to come out and the bush looks  healthy, as though it has had plenty of rain. Along the way we found a memorial to the Z Force Commandos who had lost their lives in WW2. They had received some of their training on Fraser Island from 1943 - 1945 and were trained to carry out highly secret missions behind the Japanese lines. An interesting snippet of Australian history I did not know about. As we walked the dull grey skies grew darker and it began to sprinkle all the way back, just enough to make us damp. It has continued all afternoon so we have been confined to the boat.

Z Force Memorial, Fraser Island

Tomorrow we will continue on north to the Burnett River where hopefully we will spend the night and continue on to Pancake Creek on Tuesday. It looks like there will be more wind then so we may get a good sail in.

McKenzie's  Jetty, North White Cliffs

I'm Back 27th June 2018

Three Weeks In Albany June 2018

I enjoyed my short break in Albany which began with Greg, Leisha, Jessica and Anna travelling with me to Albany for the long weekend. The weather was superb and I appreciated catching up with the grandies. We made birthday cake for Greg and Leisha, but once made, the girls could not wait to tuck in so the cake was eaten a day or too early and the secret was out!

While I was there, Val from Arkaydes, arrived for a stay. Unfortunately her visit was not a happy one as her father was in the Albany Hospice. He has since passed away and I am very glad to have had the opportunity to help Ric and Val out as they have been very good friends to us over the past few years on our boat trips. Our condolences to Val and  her family on the loss of your father/grandfather. Hope we can catch up soon.

On the way back through Perth I stayed with Karin, Paul, Isabelle and Emmalyn. I arrived on Isabelle's birthday and was able to participate in the 4th birthday party. Great fun, but I'm glad I didn't have to deal with fractious pre-schoolers after all the excitement and sugar induced 'highs'.

The three weeks wizzed by and now I am back on Olivia for the second half of my sailing season 2018.

Back to Queensland 23rd - 27th June

Manly Marina's, Moreton Bay

I arrived at Brisbane Airport at 5.10am, some 20 mins early. Normally this would be a good thing, but on this occasion it turned out to be uncomfortably early. The train station did not open until 5.40am and I did not realise this and quickly made my way there to catch the train. Waiting on the station platform for the ticket office to open had me shivering uncontrollably in the freezing breeze that blew straight through everything in it's path, including me. It has been very cold here, as much as 10 degrees below normal I am told. The train journey was straightforward and I was soon alighting at Manly Station to be met by Peter. We are currently in the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club Marina for the week at a cost of $295, for liveaboards, in a 14m pen.

We have spent the last few days preparing Olivia for a quick trip north. Depending upon the weather of course, we hope to get up to the Keppel Islands as soon as possible. From there we will slow down and enjoy the warmth (I hope!!) and visit some new and interesting places along with some of our old favourites.

Yesterday we took the train into Brisbane City to visit Paddington and then walk to Southbank Park. Paddington was advertised as being historic and having antique/second hand shops, restaurants and cafes etc. We were unimpressed! Especially as we walked a fair distance to get there. Southbank, however, was lovely. We perused the gardens and particularly admired the edible garden with it's vegetables and herbs set out in tubs and geometric shapes. Brisbane is certainly the city of bridges presenting in many interesting shapes and sizes.

Liz at the Edible Garden, Southbank

Today is very overcast and supposed to rain tonight. I hope it clears by tomorrow, when we leave. The weather forecast looks good for our journey north over the next few days. Hopefully we sail into warmer weather soon.

What happens while Liz is back in Albany

Before Liz left for Albany, WA, we fueled up and topped up the water tanks, stayed the night anchored off Boat Works, them put Liz on the bus, then train to the airport - a very quite boat!

First port of call was back to Southport and a long walk to Whitworths to buy insulation for the genset cabinet and a service kit for the electric toilet pump.  The insulation only marginally worked in reducing the noise level.  The disgusting job of fixing the toilet took many hours longer than expected as it then leaked like a sive, until after pulling it apart a number of times and copious quantities of silastic it was eventually a working concern.

From here I headed up the Seaway Channel to Tipplers Passage and anchored for two nights just west of the shop/caffe/bar.  After a long walk through the bush and around the Resort, I retired to the bar, as you would, for a feed and quite little drink.

The next anchorage was further north, through the Broard Water area, then through a very shallow tight section and up to Jacobs Well.  This is a tidy little town with all amenities required and a lot of moored boats, some washed up in the mangroves after previous storms.

The next stops were around Karragarra Island, where I visited Russel Island for stores, Lamb and Macleay Islands for walks and a flat white.  Lamb Island would be my favourite if I had to make a choice.

Motored on north to Peel Island while the winds were in the north and anchored in Horseshoe Bay.  Here the water is clear and there's a long beach to walk on.  The sad thing is that nearly all the Island is closed to the public (unless with organised tour guide), due to "cultural" reasons.

 

I moved to Victoria Point, inside Coochiemudlo Island when the winds turned to the W and SW, as this anchorage was protected from these winds, and there's stores shopping available.

I booked a birth at the MBTBC Marina in Manly Boat Harbour to be able to pick Liz up off the train and bring her back to the boat - back to a more controlled life!!!

🤔