Airlie Beach - Whitsundays

We stayed at Airlie four nights, easy to catch the bus to the major shopping centres.In the main street there plenty of places to eat out, lot's of pubs and touristy shopping, all in walking distance from the sailing club. The Saturday morning markets along the foreshore have great fresh fruit and veg, plenty of clothing, jewelry ect. While wandering around the market, caught up with a few people we have met on the way.
On Wednesday early morning we moved around to Pioneer Bay in front of the Able Point Marina and anchored near Seabird. Sheryl and I caught the bus and went to Centro Shopping Centre, we both managed to pick up a few thing we were looking for.
We spent 2 nights at Able Point--- left 8.15am on Friday 24/8/12 and had a good sail most of the way to Cid Harbour. Anchored at 12.30pm. Cid Harbour is formed by a bight in Whitsunday Island and by Cid Island partially enclosing it. Cid Island is 7 miles east-north-east of Shute Harbour on the eastern side of the Whitsunday passage.
We anchored at Sawmill Bay, where you have access to a couple of walking tracks.
I went for a lovely leisurely walk on the walking track to Dugon Beach, this track was rather busy as it is the easiest of the two, on return I sat at a pick nick bench and read my book for an hour.
On Saturday Seabird turned up late in the afternoon.
Sunday the four of us (yes even John) walked Whitsunday Peak  = 2.5km one way.
the Whitsunday Peak track is one of the most challenging of the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail. Reaching an elevation of 437mt. It was well worth the out of breath, sweating (did I say sweating, that is perspiring for women.) once you reached the top, spectacular views. It was much easier coming down. It took us 3.5 hours with a good stop on top.
In the early evening we had beer tasting (home brew) on Gypsy Lover. John's first brew got high marks from Martin the connoisseur.
Monday we sailed to Nara Inlet on Hook Island and anchored over night. Very nice anchorage calm and protected. We took the dingy ashore and went to the Ngaro Cultural Sight. The track ascends 170m, initially steeply up the banks of the Inlet, to a rock shelter containing Ngaro art motifs. The sight includes a boardwalk
viewing areas and interpretive displays. Very interesting.
We went aboard Seabird for a dinner of curried chicken and rice, yummy.
Tuesday morning we sailed to the western side of hook island and picked up a mooring in Stone Haven Anchorage.
An interesting thing happened on the way, i was copying some recipes in side the boat and I could hear some strange noises, called for John to listen, and sure enough we could hear whales calling each other.
John went on deck to do the man thing over the side of the boat, and he got a shock as a whale broached beside him.
Well that is me signing off for now.

Air show at Airlie Beach

Abel Point Marina

Dugon Beach

Fish John caught at Cid Harbour

View from Whitsunday Peak

Whitsunday Peak

View from Nara Inlet from Ngaro Sight

Speaks for it self

Board walk Ngaro Sight

Whitsunday Peak did you notice John has had his hair cut
compliments of Martin

Whitsunday Peak

Whitsunday peak in the distance you can see the high rises
on Hamilton Island

Great Keppel - Freshwater Bay - Island Head Creek - Scawfell Island - Goldsmith Island -Lindeman Island - Airlie Beach.

Spent a great week at Great Keppel Island in the company of Seabird, had a good time exploring the Island with Martin & Sheryl, John choose to stay on the boat. There are a lot of marked walking tracks and great views to see. The resort has been closed, it is gradually trying to reopen. Great accommodation going to wast.
Monday the 6/8/12 we sailed 2 hours to the mainland and took a berth at the maria in Roselle Bay for a night to refuel, water and stock up supplies. Water is our biggest problem as we only carry 200lts. You would be surprised at how much you use each day. The marina cost $41 for the night, we made good use of the showers, and washing machines. I caught a bus to Yeppoon to stock up on a few groceries. In all it took me about 21/2 hours Met Moore yachty's and had a drink with them at the local sailing club.
7.30am Tuesday we sailed to Freshwater bay ( a good anchorage on the mainland) we arrived at 3pm. Later in the evening Seabird arrived with a boat call Cartref. Wednesday morning we all sailed to Island Head Creek all so on the mainland. The Creek offers delightful anchorages and pretty surroundings. It is part of the Shoal water Bay Army training area. We stayed at Island Head Creek for 3 nights, went for a walk on the beach and got eaten by sand fly or midge's. Left 2pm 11/08/2012 and sailed overnight to Scawfell Island anchored at 2.30pm   Sunday 12th. Scawfell Island itself rises from the horizon at a distance of about 35 miles, is about 35miles from the coast and about 65miles from Airlie Beach. We went ashore lovely beach, no marked walking tracks.
We left 9am Tuesday morning and sailed 27miles to Goldsmith Island, anchored overnight and and sailed to Lindeman Island stayed overnight and left for Airlie Beach at 8am in the morning. Anchored near one of John's mates that left Adelaide about 2 years ago. We had a short dingy ride to the Sailing Club.
A lot of activity going on around Airlie Beach, race week, fire work display, loud music, the RAFF precision flying team put on a great show.

Hiking -- Great Keppel

Great Keppel

Walking tracks marked on stones G K

Wild goats on Great Keppel

Clam Bay

One of the Great views on Great Keppel

From the Resort at Great Keppel

Nearly deserted resort G K

Leaving Island Head Creek

Approaching Scawfell Island

Approaching Airlie Beach

Bundaberg -- Great Keppel Island

It has taken me awhile to get back to this, as I have been very busy. Well here I go. Had a great time in Bundaberg in total we spent 17 day between Burnett Heads and Mid Town Marina.  Mid Town is what it is called ----- right in the middle of the town, close to all shopping facility's. Great shops, managed to spend a few dollars with out any trouble at all.While on anchor in the river the second day the boat dragged (lucky John was on the boat) as it hit another boat, only damage done was a few scratches to John's boat, from the other guys dingy hanging on the side of his boat. (seams that is the way a lot of them store the dingy while at anchor)The next day John had the boat booked to go on the wharf to have some work done.The bow rollers had an extension added, to make the plough easier to use. Mark went up the mask and repaired the tri colour light. ( as John is not keen on height's) Barry made a seat come table to fit the hatch. With the jobs done John put the boat on a mooring for a week, that way he felt safe to leave the boat and stay at Barry and Denise's. While there they took us to Woodgate National Park for a day, we did a little four wheel driving, went on a couple of walks , a picnic lunch and a couple of wines. Enjoyable day had by all. Caught up with Mark and kids and also Wayne and Karen. A few wines, beers, scotch and bourbon were drank in that time.
Barry and John took the boat back to Burnett Heads on Saturday ready for out departure.
Left Monday morning at 7am started of with a good sail, the wind dropped out and we motored over night.
Arrived at Great Keppel Island at 10.30am Tuesday. (Seabird & Roseanne are all so here) It is now Saturday. Lovely weather sunny (shorts and tee during the day cool at night good for sleeping.) Have been walking with Sheryl and Sue, canoeing, and entertaining. Great life style.


Taken from Mid Town

Work being done

Mark mast climbing

Inspecting being done by the captain
(now you can go back up)

Bush turkey --- Woodgate N P

Board walk --- Woodgate N P

Deep in thought --- Woodgate N P

Wayne at Denise and Barry's

A visit to the boat by Wayne and Karen