We finally resume cruising July 2011 – anchored amongst the wrecks of Tangalooma at Moreton Island…
… the more affluent Mooloolaba., on the Sunshine Coast
Happy to be on the road again!
On Fraser Island we did a tour to see all the sights of the world’s largest sand island.
The beach is actually the main road…
… and the air strip!
Even the wrecks have road traffic signs.
The coloured sands.
Surprisingly, the interior of the island supports tall trees and bromeliads…
… and spiders!
The tides are getting bigger – and we have a long way to drag the dinghy after our walk across the island!
On our way to Gladstone we enjoy a visit from dolphins.
In Gladstone, we enjoy shovelling mulch for Gem and Rob, good cruiser friends.
Their home is out of town and the wildlife was great.
Rounding Cape Capricorn – back in the tropics!
The light was amazing and we enjoyed a steep walk to the lighthouse we’d just sailed by.
Great Keppel Island marked the start of the Whitsunday Islands. It was a really lovely island and we enjoyed some great walks.
The walks were signposted with beautiful signs like this.
At Mt Kanute we enjoyed a picnic lunch as well as the view.
The wedge-tail eagle family – including a freshly caught fish for the young!
We organised sundowners on the beach to meet fellow cruisers (mainly Australians).
Pearl Bay, described as one of the most beautiful anchorages – we found it very rolly and uncomfortable.
We admired Alan Lucas’s yacht Soleares. Alan is the author of the definitive ‘Cruising the Coral Coast’ cruising guide.
Island Head Creek was a safe haven when the weather blew up a bit.
Middle Percy Island is another great anchorage popular with cruisers.
This hut ‘Percy Hilton’ has about 60 years of memorabilia left by cruisers.
Keith adds Poco Andante’s name plate.
Once again we enjoyed exploring ashore…
… weaver ants have formed a nest from the foliage of this shrub.
We were invited to a ‘goat stew’ bring and share and wondered if this was going to be dinner…
… but actually dinner was the mother of this kangaroo joey, killed earlier that day. We didn’t stay for dinner!
Brampton Island Resort turned out to be closed since last January…
… a caretaker has a lonely time looking after the deserted island.
Goldsmith Island – another pretty anchorage…
… with interesting rock formations.
When the tide went out, blue crabs appeared from everywhere!
And the stingrays skitted around in the shallow water.
Getting ashore was a long walk!
Shaw Island was another lovely island in the Whitsundays.
But laundry still needs to be done – 20knot winds were a challenge!
Yet again, there were big tides.
We saw a mother whale and calf just off the stern of Poco Andante!
Lindeman Island hosts Club Med and we enjoyed a lovely walk across the island to the resort.
The lighthouse on Dent Island.
Airlie Beach is back on the mainland and we were able to get more fresh fruit and vegetables…
… and enjoy a BBQ ashore.
The Whitsunday Sailing Club offers a great dinghy dock!
