We departed Mooloolaba at 11pm for the 54nm passage to Wide Bay Bar. Leaving at this time and travelling at 6 knots would get us to the Bar at 7.30am so we could cross with the in coming tide. The night sky was clear and the air surprisingly warm to begin with but the further North we went the westerly breeze got cooler and by 3am the wind chill was close to freezing. The wind was only 8 to 10 knots which was not enough to sail and maintain our 6 knots so we motored the whole night.
5th June
We arrived at our chosen time of 7.30am at the Bar and completed the crossing by 8.30am. The bar was quite rough with a 1.5 meter South Easterly swell.
Crossing the Wide Bay Bar
We proceeded to Garry's anchorage where we are staying the night. We arrived at 10.30am and after anchoring cooked up a good breakfast of bacon and eggs with tomatoes and toast. With in 5 minutes of breakfast we were fast asleep for approx 3 hours. It had been a long cold night but worth it to be in the Great Sandy Straights between the mainland of Australia and Fraser Island. I launched the dinghy and set the crab traps and thawed some frozen green prawns and went fishing. The score - 4 whiting which were pan fried for entree and followed by Tamara's magnificent lamb stew which was washed down with a good Shiraz. By 10pm we were sound asleep. We will see what the crab traps will offer in the morning. I am looking forward to a day of hunting and gathering. The forecast is 25 degrees. It surely cannot get any better than this? Can it?
Yes!!! At last time to get the winter woolies off!!
6th JuneWe awoke to a brilliant day. Warm and sunny. Caught some whiting and pulled the crab traps. 1 muddy.
Catch of the day for lunch
We had the ultimate lunch. Catch of the day - a couple of whiting and a mud crab washed down with Marlborough Sound Sauvigion Blanc.
"Yachts in the mist"
Sunset
7th June
Pulled the crab pots at first light. Major dissapointment - no crabs. Fished for an hour and no fish either. Lost a good one at the back of the boat and a fish bit the hook in half. Never seen that before.
Billabong at Garry's anchorage at dawn
We weighed anchor at 11-30am so we could reach the Sheridan Flats at high tide. The water was flat calm and no wind to speak of. It was a magnificent motor up the channel and very uneventful. 
Heading out of Garry's Anchorage
We arrived at Kingfisher Resort on Fraser Island an anchored just north of the jetty in 8 meters of water. We invited the other four yachts - Windsong, Cloud Nine, Mixed Nuts and Nirvanas Kitchen - travelling with us for drinks.
Sundowners on Billabong
Tamara cooked a spatchcock and we had a great evening meal. It was a great day. Just hope there will be many more. Crab traps are out so we hope to get something in the morning.8th June
Up at first light and we got 4 blue swimmer crabs. Dingied in to the resort and had lunch with the others. It was Nirvana's birthday lunch. Had a good walk around the resort. Nobody staying there. I think the whole QLD tourist industry is doing it tough at the moment.
9th June
We weighed anchor at 10am and headed for The Great Sandy Straits Marina at Urangun. It was 16nm and we sailed most of the way. Had a great dinner at Cafe Baelena on the waterfront with the group. Great marina and facilities
10th June
We left at 7am to sail to Port Bundaberg. It was bitterly cold. but at least no rain. The wind was 10-15knots from the south. We sailed all the way averaging 7 knots and arrived at 1.30pm. Here we are in Bundaberg and everyone was rugged up wearing beanies. Thought the weather should be warmer than 19 degrees. The forecast is not good for next 2 days with constant rain.
The crew of Windsong, Cloud Nine, Nirvana's Kitchen and Billabong after arrival at Port Bundaberg. Who could believe Queensland could be so cold this far up the coast!!!
Spotted Mackeral
Feeding the sailors
I can see a book coming :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent you had a good first run, but at this rate you will scoot past the coast and not see anything!
I see the racing instinct is hard to suppress :)
Cheers
Speedy