Passage to Brisbane – Part 1 – 25 November 2008

It’s been awhile between posts but here's the latest from crew Erica. Since late October we have visited Adelaide (by plane) and driven to Melbourne and back for a 21st birthday, just missing the Melbourne Cup. We rejoined Erica at Mackay Marina on 10th November and after some maintenance and provisioning set off for Hunter Island in the Duke’s group. These islands are mostly grazed and the Pastoral Manager was in the process of burning off - a spectacular site at night (see photo) but our boat was all covered in ash next morning.

Again the Military were playing games in the Broadwater area so we sailed further on to Port Clinton for a few days and then into Rosslyn Bay to re-stock with fuel (it appeared we had an air lock in our fuel system). As you have probably all read by now most of Queensland was covered by storms and strong winds and we certainly saw some spectacular lightening. With a marginally improved outlook we had the option of heading out to sea past Cape Capricorn (our north bound route) or through the “Narrows” which is a shallow stretch of water separating Curtis Island from the Mainland. We choose the “Narrows” which at low tide is nothing more than mud banks and puddles, not generally the best place for a 40’ yacht drawing 5’6” but with the right tide this is possible we were told. On entering the Narrows at Sea Hill a thunderstorm changed to our direction and completely blocked all visibility as we were being sucked into the river mouth with a 5 knot tide – Very interesting! Within 30 minutes the storm passed and we proceeded past mangroves and sandbanks until we reached the approximate middle where cattle cross when it dries (see photo). After about 8 hours we reached our overnight anchorage of Targinie Creek which is still part of the Narrows system but has sufficient depth at low tide. With the storms around we stayed several days and managed to catch our first “mud crab” (see photo) which was delicious with chilled champagne.

From the “Narrows” we went through the Port of Gladstone but didn’t stop (too many ships and coal dust) enroute to a little known anchorage of Thornton Creek. Here the local fisherman Bill provided us with bait and an update on the area but sadly all we managed to hook were baby sharks. I am now typing this as we motor past Bustard Head lighthouse on our way to Lady Musgrave Island which is the Coral Atoll we visited on our way up in May - over 6 months ago - and now signalling our reluctant progress southwards.

Whitsunday’s – Monday 6 October 2008

Erica’s last week of guests in the Whitsundays started off very wet with heavy rain and everyone in wet weather gear but has finished in beautiful sunshine. As we now farewell these last guests and re-provision for the start of the trip south it signals the ending of our dream to sail and cruise in the Whitsundays. What a dream!!

This last week has certainly been packed with lots of great times from sunset drinks in Macona Inlet with great cruising friends to those fantastic swims with the giant Maori Wrasse (fish) of Manta Ray Bay and that fantastic coral to that long sandy beach of Whitehaven.
Until the next update enjoy the pictures and share the fun.

Whitsunday's - Sunday 28 September 2008

Dear Friends of Erica - another great week or so in the Whitsundays draws to a close as our crew for the week depart for their short stay on Hamilton Island to enjoy a week in luxury. The weather has been great and we have been able to include another trip out to Armit Island and our first trip to Blue Pearl Bay where the water really is blue! Whitehaven again was not the smoothest anchorage in the Whitsundays but continues to have that magical beach which turns on the charm. Enjoy and stay tuned as our time in this area comes to a close!

Whitsundays - 18 September 2008

Dear followers of Erica and her crew, we are not sure where all this time is going but you could say we are having lots of fun. The following shots are Kayaking (cousins Kayak) in Marcona Inlet, some under sail shots en route to Cape Gloucester and our favourite new anchorage or Armit where every other boat in the bay enjoyed morning tea on Erica! We need to charge for Dinghy Parking!!

Enjoy and hope to hear from you all soon

Whitsundays – August 2008 Part 3

Some more August Photos including Condor Running aground in Hammo Race 2 and a few enjoyable days at Cape Gloucester - Enjoy life as Erica's Crew is!!!

Whitsundays – August 2008 - Part 2

Whitsundays – August 2008

It’s been quite awhile. Erica’s crew and guests have been having such a busy time enjoying ourselves cruising the Whitsundays and north to Gloucester Island, that we simply haven’t had space in our days (or reliable internet coverage) to be able to provide more regular updates.

Suffice to say, it continues to be a very positive experience. We never tire of daily turtle sightings or of the constant opportunities to avail ourselves of plump fresh rock oysters, and if we really feel like it, freshly caught bream, trevally or mackerel.

Our time at Cape Gloucester and Bona Bay on Gloucester Island provided more time for long walks on the beach, catching up with others “cruising north” and generally making time to absorb the serenity of sunsets and sunrises.

Returning to the Whitsundays across the sleek “oily” waters of a very calm sea, we were twice “surprised” by whales – one large one surfaced just off our stern and then half an hour later, a mother and calf bobbed up right on our bow – we’re not sure who was the more surprised, them or us!

Coral and fish explorations continue to delight us and our guests as we revisit some of our favourite Whitsunday bays – Luncheon, Butterfly and Manta Ray – with Langford Island being a constant delight as well.

The turquoise waters of the delightful cruising ground continue to draw us in, and more than compensate for the minor inconveniences of no onboard washing machine or dishwasher, and for regular anchoring infractions by the Charter Fleet etc.

Our most recent forays in the Whitsundays have coincided with the Hamilton Island Race Week, providing a colourful spectacle for us watching from the sidelines, as boats from all over the world shook out their sails and set their spinnakers for an exciting start in the 20-25 knot breeze on day 2 of the series – Our digital images recording some spectacular incidents as crews battled to control their powerful racing machines – Condor, a large maxi, ran aground mid-channel and created a further challenge for the crews.

Erica’s crew however are content to continue this cruising lifestyle just a little longer...

Whitsundays – August 2008 - Part 1

Early August 2008 Photo's - Enjoy

Whitsundays Week 3 - 18 July 2008

Week 3 vanished like the first two but with a new group of Adelaide friends sharing there school holidays in the Whitsundays. Sadly the weather wasn't the best but the company was great and the cocktails certainly set the scene and soothed the crew at those not so quite anchorages. Attached are some photo's - The Cabin of a 14 year old - Whitehaven on a quite day (the Whitsunday's only real beach) - Not so sunny Whitsunday sailing - How we stayed warm (Cocktails) - Our 1st Hamilton Island Visitor (and the sun thankfully came out!!).

Enjoy - We are...

Whitsundays – Week 2 (12 July 2008)

Whitsundays – Week 2 (12 July 2008)

Dear followers of the Erica Blog please don’t fret that every week you will have to endure a new post but these first few weeks in the Whitsundays have been just so full of many new experiences for Erica and her weekly rotating crew, that we invite you to sit back and enjoy the latest week with us!

Our daughter and one of her friends joined us in Airlie Beach on Saturday 5 July. After dinner with friends at the local yacht club we spent one more night in Abel Point Marina before setting sail for the islands once more. A brisk 20-25 knot sail out to Stonehaven Beach was followed by a walk and an enjoyable afternoon of swimming and snorkelling – we were entranced to see 20 relatively small sting rays scatter at the approach of our dinghy.

The famous Whitsunday “bullets” (sudden strong wind gusts) visited us at lunch time and there was a small swell in the bay to rock us to sleep at night. Next day we set off once more and picked up a mooring in Luncheon Bay, enabling us to take the dinghy around to Manta Ray Bay – one of the best snorkelling locations in the Whitsundays – we were not disappointed - It was like swimming in a large tropical fish tank (see photo) with a beautiful multi coloured coral garden backdrop. A fitting finale was our final 30 minute swim with a huge (1.5 metre) green and turquoise Maori Wrasse fish that was so friendly it almost kissed us. Exhilarated, we headed back to Erica and made our way to Tongue Bay for an overnight anchorage. We were delighted to meet up with “Rose” and her crew once more, and to go ashore for a small walk to the lookout where we enjoyed a scenic view (see photo) over Hill Inlet and along the length of Whitehaven Beach.

Despite a little rain, we anchored at Whitehaven Beach the next day and the girls enjoyed a long walk along pristine sand before we farewelled this beautiful location with its friendly unassuming turtles, helicopters, seaplanes and passing parade of boats of all shapes and sizes...

Then it was on to the famous Cid Harbour, anchoring overnight in the very calm Sawmill Bay and catching up with fellow cruisers, admiring the 120 ft. super yacht “Bristolian” anchored nearby, and marvelling at the spectacular sunset. Some of us became mountaineers the next day, walking and climbing to the peak of the rugged 434 metre, steep hillside, and being rewarded for our 2 hours of toil by the most magnificent sweeping panorama of the Whitsunday Islands (see photo) – it took our breath away...and along the way we had encountered a 1 metre monitor / goanna and a slithering brown snake! Our youngest crew member did the more genteel 2 km beach and rock walk to Dugong Beach before retiring to read onboard Erica and await our triumphant return.

Sailing off to Border Island the next morning we again enjoyed a brisk 25 Knot sail but were disappointed that conditions did not favour snorkelling in this location. When a nearby charter boat started to drag anchor in our direction we were easily persuaded to return early to Cid Harbour for another beautifully calm night. Our friend free dived and harvested deliciously fresh plump oysters off the rocky shoreline for our enjoyment.

Friday was upon us before we knew it, and it was time for “Erica” to farewell “Rose” for now and to return to Abel Point Marina, to prepare for the next change of crew, visit downtown Airlie Beach and enjoy sundowners with the crews of “Imagin” and “Say No More”.

Whitsundays – week 1 (30 June 2008)

Whitsundays – week 1 (30 June 2008)
After several weeks in Mackay Marina doing general maintenance on Erica our 3 new crew members arrived on Saturday 28 June. We spent a merry night on Erica before casting off the mooring lines and heading out into a fresh 20 knot southeaster bound for Goldsmith Island (located at the southern end of the Whitsunday region).

After nearly 400 nautical miles weaving up the east coast of Australia from Brisbane we felt that we had finally arrived! Our first real fishing success was also not far away - once we were well clear of the Mackay Harbour the new crew had the trolling line over the side and soon the first spotted Mackerel was on board (see photo). This fish was estimated to cost $600 but if we catch another one, they will be only $300 each!

Goldsmith wasn’t the comfortable anchorage we were looking for (Phil is still a beginner at this part of cruising). So we set off for Thomas Island and the promise of smoother waters and better swimming - the weather was certainly on our side and as the week progressed it just got better. As expected everyone fell in love with Thomas and its relaxed pace (see photo) and other friendly boaters (thanks Tonto for spare parts for our running repairs). Thomas also has a great sandy beach and an easy walking track to the windward side of the island - both young and older crew loved this sunny flat anchorage. Turtles again visited us in this pretty little bay.

After 2 days we decided to make the most of the great conditions and upped anchor to head for Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island and were overjoyed to see a Humpback Whale with a new calf close on our starboard bow heading south. A rare highlight which we hope will be repeated often. Whitehaven is the most popular, tourist focused, place in the Whitsundays and soon after picking our “quiet” spot on the beach we were horrified when a large tour boat unloaded several hundred tourists close by. We walked (see photo) and swam on the crystal white sandy beach under an equally crystal clear blue sky – a great day.

That night we proceeded to Tongue Bay for a quiet night, only to be greeted by an anchorage with 27 other boats - sadly we realised our days of anchoring in a bay with only 1 or 2 other boats was over for a few months. However, we were again fortunate to catch up with our friends on Imagin, who provided a hearty meal of oysters freshly harvested and a close encounter with a very unusual sea star / starfish (see photo) for our adventurous young crew to examine.

From Tongue we sailed on to Nara Inlet (see photo) via Hook Passage, for a quick lunch and a short climb to visit a cave with Aboriginal paintings, before sailing on to Stonehaven Bay for our last night at sea this week. Here at the Southern Beach of Stonehaven Bay we rendezvoused with our close friends who had left Goolwa 4 years earlier for a 1 year sail to Queensland and never quite made it back – we are fast realising why. A fantastic evening of sunset drinks was enjoyed on “Say No More” with the crew of “Imagin” and “Erica”, before a long dinner back on Erica.

On Friday the 4th of July we enjoyed one of our best sails of the trip, reluctantly returning to Airlie Beach and the realities of life as we squeezed Erica into her berth at the Abel Point Marina!