Who is Heading to Qld or Further North this Winter?

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Boracay

We're planning to head north around the end of June.

Probably hang round the Whitsundays for a while then see which way the wind blows.

I just had a look at the price lists for a few marinas round the Whitsundays! Any suggestions for those of us who are on a budget?

If you need supplies the supermarket at the shopping centre in Cannonvale is the best (and cheapest) spot to provision. If you email them with a shopping list they will have everything neatly boxed for you beforehand (or at least this service used to be offered, ring (07) 4946 4869 to check). We would provision for five weeks there each trip up north and this saved me a lot of time wandering around a strange supermarket and then putting everything through the checkout.

The supermarket is within walking distance from Shingley Beach and Able Point Marina (just walk west along the main road).

You are able to anchor just north of the marina, but one word of caution. Croc warnings are now prominent of the beach, so make your swims short .

If you want cleaner water and more privacy, the bay just east of Airlie Beach is lovely.

There are dozens of anchorages (many now with National Park mooring buoys colour coded for length of boat suitability) off the islands themselves. Have a wonderful time there!

[ausaviator]

Last time I was a Great Kepple island there was about 25-30 cruisers parked there in the bay. Is is a nice spot in the right weather.

[casablanca]

Marinas are expensive in the Whitsundays. We are planing to spend some time at the Northern end of the Whitsundays this year. Cape Gloucester Eco Resort has moorings pretty cheap, and there are pile moorings in Bowen for about $10 day I'm told. Nice spots up that way and not much traffic. Plenty of places to anchor so you don't really need a marina or a mooring, but we have to leave the boat for a bit to fly back to Brisbane.

In Airle we found it convenient to anchor outside the marina (in good weather) and take the tender ashore for supplies. At Hamilton Island you can stop for a couple of hours (for a fee) and take on some water and supplies rather than pay a lot of money for a berth.

But there are lots of public moorings in the Whitsundays although there is a far bit of competition for them. Best to time your moves so you arrive around mid morning when others are vacating their mooring. You won't find much available at 3 or 4 pm.

Bob
Casablanca

[dirkdig]

Must visit Lady Musgrave island, one of thenmost amazing places, go snorkeling with manta rays on the outside of the reef.

Prices at Abel point marina have droppedby about a 1/3 under the new ownership.
We kept our boat at Blue water marina in Cairns for 12 months very sheltered and priced well.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by casablanca

Don't know why you would do Sydney Mackay direct? Unless you have an appointment there. You'd be missing the best bits of Australia's East Coast. Too many too mention. Once you get to Mackay you have to share with others (charter yachts). On the way there are so many great spots to enjoy all to yourself.

We are in Hervey Bay. Heading North slooowwllyyyy.

Bob
Casablanca Lagoon 420

While in the Bay, you MUST visit Platypus bay, Rooney pt and Wathumba.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by casablanca

Marinas are expensive in the Whitsundays. We are planing to spend some time at the Northern end of the Whitsundays this year. Cape Gloucester Eco Resort has moorings pretty cheap, and there are pile moorings in Bowen for about $10 day I'm told. Nice spots up that way and not much traffic. Plenty of places to anchor so you don't really need a marina or a mooring, but we have to leave the boat for a bit to fly back to Brisbane.

In Airle we found it convenient to anchor outside the marina (in good weather) and take the tender ashore for supplies. At Hamilton Island you can stop for a couple of hours (for a fee) and take on some water and supplies rather than pay a lot of money for a berth.

But there are lots of public moorings in the Whitsundays although there is a far bit of competition for them. Best to time your moves so you arrive around mid morning when others are vacating their mooring. You won't find much available at 3 or 4 pm.

Bob
Casablanca

I've heard, (never tried it ourselves) that you can order your provisions from Coles at Cannonvale, and have them delivered to Hamilton island for a very modest fee. ($7 was mentioned) Might be worth looking into.

[stillbuilding]

Sydney late June, up the coast, TI, Indonesia for the Mollucas rally, Singapore, PI then HK. 45 days. Just a delivery really but fun anyway - I hope!

[Quintessa]

We are on route slowly. Been in Tassie all summer and currently at lake maquarie. Might go today to port Stevens and port maquarie by Thursday to pull the boat out to do a bit of remodelling on fit roof over the front window. We need to be back by 20 may for a month at gold coast. see kids and family stuff and put all the tropical gear on board. We then moving onto North Queensland and doing the rally to louisaide in mid September.

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

Last time I was a Great Kepple island there was about 25-30 cruisers parked there in the bay. Is is a nice spot in the right weather.

Great Keppel Island is a favorite stop. It can be very rolly. Reports are coming in as of this year, that a 2 meter croc has taken up residence in the lagoon.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by SimonV

Great Keppel Island is a favorite stop. It can be very rolly. Reports are coming in as of this year, that a 2 meter croc has taken up residence in the lagoon.

Really?? With the resort closed what does the poor beast eat?

But GKI does have an anchorage for just about any wind direction. The problem comes when there is a strong southerly change in the middle of the night... it is a long way around from the south to the north side!

Cheers,

Jim

[BlueSun]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

Last time I was a Great Kepple island there was about 25-30 cruisers parked there in the bay. Is is a nice spot in the right weather.

Hi ausaviator

What time of the year was that? We're heading past there soon ourselves.

Thanks!

[stillbuilding]

It was at Great Keppel Is that a friend of mine was sunk back in the 80s by a trawler on autopilot in the middle of the night. Just had time to climb off with their baby before it sank.

[ozmate]

We are heading north, currently in Port Stephens probably leave here around 20 June. Looking forward in meeting a few cruisers

[surfingminniwinni]

Originally Posted by ozmate

We are heading north, currently in Port Stephens probably leave here around 20 June. Looking forward in meeting a few cruisers

We are leaving Sydney this Saturday, weather depending could be in Port Stephens Sunday afternoon or later in week. Look out for us!

[salticrak]

Weather up here on the sunshine coast is a bit breezy, i should imagine the sea is a bit lumpy with all the wind we have had on it for the last week or so.