Tides - same scene, same day, the difference low & high tides

Family Affair is the boat (the dot) you can see in both photos

From Hervey Bay tourism frenzy to peaceful Wathumba Lagoon

We stayed 3 nights at the Urangan Marina at Hervey Bay. Loved the hot showers, abundant eating places and to see the flourishing tourism industry in full swing. Large catamarans loaded with people were in and out all the time. Some were off to Kingfisher Bay (car carriers also) but most seemed to be heading off to view the whales. We noticed how excited and happy people were when they arrived back at the marina, obviously the whale watching was a very positive experience for them. Hervey Bay is about to go into a boom time but at this stage is rather like Busselton but with poor shopping and services. We walked for hours to the one and only decent food shopping centre - we did catch a taxi home! They are few and far between to.

Along the way we continue to meet interesting people and hear lots of good stories, a chance meeting with the right person can give invaluable information. A fellow we berthed next to had a Simpson catamaran similar to FA and told us about a wonderful little lagoon on Platypus Bay right in the middle of whale territory. Under normal circumstances we would have thought it to shallow to try this anchorage but by anchoring outside of the Lagoon and going in the dinghy with a hand held GPS we were able to mark a course so we could come in at high tide. We are here for a few days now. Peter is delighted as he has been able to beach the boat and work on the propellers and I am loving this little paradise. It has a community of 20 or more trailer/sailor type boats and people camping on the Fraser Island side of the Lagoon have come by 4 wheel drives. It is a completely different place at high and low tide - both spectacular. The water is crystal clear with beautiful aqua water and white sand. I don't think our photos will do it justice. We will certainly be back to visit this spot.

The fabulous Kingfisher Bay

We enjoyed several days at Kingfisher Bay. It was an idealic setting as we had a delightful mooring which was about a 5 minute dinghy trip from the resort. We give them full marks for the facilities, as they have hot showers, pool, sporting facilities and bar and restaurant especially provided for day visitors. The resort itself is very tastefully done blending into the environment beautifully. They have a great walking trail about 3.5 kms which gives wonderful views.

A highlight was last Saturday morning at 6am when anchored in the Bay. The water was like glass when we suddenly heard this big crash - I thought, oh no a boat has run into the jetty. Were we delighted to find it was a whale. It was jumping out of the water, then cracking down on the water (similar to a gun shot). It was very large and just breathtaking to watch. It was a reasonable distance away(250 mtrs) people from the resort were watching from shore. Everyone was very excited. We hope to see more whales in the next few days as we are right in their territory and apparently this is the best time to see them(before breeding season). Hopefully Janine will get to see some when she visits too.

Ready for a big catch!

No wind No Sail

Gale force winds- new experiences, new friends

After a lovely stay at Tin Can Bay we headed up the coast on Thursday for Garry's anchorage, leaving at 10am and arriving around 2-30pm. We had to motor as there was very little wind, however it was a good trip as the tide assisted our trip. With the boat set on auto-pilot we enjoyed sitting up top of the cabin in our deck chairs drinks in hand enjoying the scenery which included houseboats, campers and other boating activity along the Fraser Island coast. We sighted schools of Tuna in a feeding frenzy, dolphins and numerous turtles. Suddenly you see a little black head pop above the smooth surface, eyes blink at you in surprise and then they duck dive out of sight. All was just as one would imagine it would be!

Garry's Anchorage, which is named after a prominent Aboriginal who lived in the area with his family, is a quite little haven with lovely little sandy coves and with an attractive green backdrop. There were about 7 boats of different shapes and sizes anchored with us. That afternoon we thoroughly enjoyed a visit to Family Affair by Arnie and Ida, a couple we had met at Tin Can Bay. We organised to pay them a visit on the following afternoon little knowing what events lay ahead. We knew that bad weather was expected and that our anchorage would be a safe place,however the gale force winds were rather more than predicted. The news was full of the damage the winds caused in SE Qld. Peter recorded wind gusts up to 59 knots and even although he had put 2 anchores out he was continually checking things throughout the night to made sure everything was OK. Not much sleep for him that night. I was busy trying not being motion sick (which meant I needed to be asleep!!) After we had finished watching the football that evening we had noticed our friends boat getting further and further away. Sure enough they had dragged their anchor in the strong winds and ended up stranded on a sand bar up near the mangroves for the night. Obviously they would have not be going anywhere until high tide at 8-30 next morning if they could get off otherwise it would be another 12 hours!. It was touch and go whether they would get off, Peter motored over to them in the dinghy in difficult conditions to give assistance but eventually it was the coast guard who helped them off. This is not how one imagined it would be!!

Later in the day we moved, as had Arnie and Ida, around the corner to a more protected anchorage. We then paid our return visit to them and learn't that that type of experience was pretty run of the mill for them ( they seem to always be having some sort of adventure or the other) but Arnie, who is a journalist, now has new material for a story!!.

Well prepared for a Night Sail

The trip up to Tin Can Bay (the southern end of Fraser Island) involved leaving at 3am to make sure that we were able to cross Wide Bay Bar at High Tide which was 2pm. A big trip but now we can relax and enjoy calmer waters.

A top-spot anchorage at Mooloolaba

On Wednesday we set sail for Mooloolaba. We left at 10-45am, a bit later than anticipated, and consequently motored a bit more than we would have otherwise to make sure we got here in daylight. The trip took 6 hours with some good sailing conditions along the way. We saw some dolphins, one pod of 6 came close to the boat, they are very beautiful. There is quite a boating culture amongst the 'boaties'and by staying in one spot for a time you become part of it. Consequently we had a few boats looking out for us on our maiden trip and one guy asked us to call him when we were anchored just to make sure we had arrived safe and sound. The photo below is taken coming into the Mooloolaba at around 5-30 in the evening. There was a lot of activity on the water with lots of kayaks, racing row boats etc. The homes on the canals are magnificent, with their own private jetties and huge boats/catamarans moored out front. From conversations we have heard Lisa Currie/Kenny is the owner of one of them. It is a beautiful anchorage, very calm with great views from the boat. We will stay here until the weather conditions are right for us to move further up the coast, our destination being sheltered behind Fraser Island. It looks like that will be several days, but with everything virtually at our doorstep (linked by a short trip on our dinghy to a sandy beach) we aren't complaining.

Mooloolaba/Maroochydore are great places to visit

Once we step off our little dinghy it is a short walk to the cappuccino strip at Mooloolaba, the Wharf Marina with a variety of restaurants, great walks to the beach, internet cafe and supermarket and a good bus service to Sunshine Plaza at Maroochydore which is rather spectacular being set either side of the river. (see photo) We had a good time today when we met Charien my niece and her two little ones for the lunch. She generously lent us her car while they visited Underwater World which is right here. Peter took the opportunity to visit yet another Dick Smith store, the boat is improving all the time!

Moreton Bay has many faces

This picture shows a very serene Moreton Bay, it was great to experience it like this. However I can vouch for the fact that it is not always so! Several nights ago we decided to anchor out in the Bay for the night. Everything was perfect, lovely and calm a pretty sunset, we had even managed to catch our first fish (3 little sand whiting - you have to start somewhere) when things changed dramatically. A strong swell started to rock the boat from side to side. I soon felt terrible and I'm sure turned green. Fortunately once asleep I was OK but was very pleased to return to the Marina as early as possible the next morning. I guess you have to take the good with the bad.

Bribie re-visited

We had a top day when we re-visited Bridie Island - no sand bars this time! We took several hours to get there and after mooring at the jetty went ashore and bought a hamburger for lunch. You meet all sorts of characters along the way and one was waiting for us when we stepped off the boat. He was a well dressed senior who shared with us his great concern that the Bribie Island council had built the jetty 50 metres too short. Now the sand is starting reclaim the jetty. We don't think we will be back in this area for a while as we intend heading up the East Coast early next week - weather permitting.