S 21 06.90’, E 149.13.48’
Bundaberg to Mackay
Overall, some good sailing legs and motor sailing over the past two weeks, and
some lovely anchorages and sunny calm weather.
There was no attraction to stay and see Bundaberg or its famed distillery
again. Now Bundy Rum seems to be the state drink of Queensland, but like many
southerners, we would sooner drink water or even rat poison than that rum. Caribbean
rum on the other hand is a fine drink. So we only stayed one night anchored at
the mouth of the Burnett River.
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| Cape Capricorn lighthouse with substantial cliffs |
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| Kirra Kirra, Cape Capricorn |
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| The railway used in the past to provision the lighthouse. Now automatic and unmanned |
24th May 2014. We sailed up the coast and crossed the placid
bar and navigated the very narrow shallow channel to anchor off the quaintly named town
of 1770 – yes a town named after the year of Lt. James Cook’s landing here, and as
chance would have it, on the 24th May!!
So we were at 1770 244 years later to the day that Cook made his
landing. Were treated to a fairly spectacular fireworks display that night as
part of the local celebrations.
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| Amphibious vehicle used to take tourists to Bustard Hd from 1770 |
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| Its OK - rubber one tied to the saloon roof on Kirra Kirra. Keeps the sea birds away - but not land based birds |
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| Cairn at the town of 1770 |
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| Blue butterflies are in profusion up and down the coast. Here feeding on malalluca flowers |
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| 1770 inlet and beach. |
Then to Gt. Keppel Island – superb weather there so we stayed for a few nights.
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| Wild goats - Gt Keppel Is. Many of the islands have large numbers of these whiffy animals |
Then into Yeppoon - Rosslyn bay marina - to resupply. We were welcomed by TV cameras, there to film the 3 metre croc that had come into the marina. Funnily enough we tended to walk down the centre of the marina walk ways!
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| One nanny-state sign one tends to take notice of. |
We hired a car for the day and drove the 40Km into Rockhampton (Rocky
to all). This small city is located on the Fitzroy River, with lovely historic architecture
overlooking the broad river.
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| Rainbow lorikeets - wild ones |
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| Cheeky rainbow lorikeet |
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| A lovely lace monitor - aka goanna |
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| Old Customs house - Rocky |
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| Legal chambers - Rocky style |
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| Old legal chambers - Rocky |
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| Old legal chambers - Rocky |
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| Old legal chambers - Rocky |
Moving north, a short sail to Pearl Bay for 1 night then onto one of
our favourites, Island Head Creek. Again another very successful mud crabbing
expedition - 3 whoppers and all males (ie keepers).
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| Shit does happen - Beached yacht - Island Hd Creek |
We sailed on up to Middle Percy – a nice long sail. We intended to stay
only one night at this iconic yachty stop over, but the lure of this place is
strong and had a lovely few days in sunny calm idyllic weather. Great meeting
up with Mike and Lynn from Time 2, and a fun afternoon with Mike catching reef
fish – and eating them!
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| Sunset - at Percy Is. "Yacht Club" ie the A-frame |
We sailed towards the coast and anchored for a night in the protected bay at Curlew island – a very
pretty spot.
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| Curlew Is. with rock bluff |
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| Curlew Is. with rock bluff |
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| At anchor, Curlew Is. |
Then a bit of a protracted blow was predicted, so we high tailed it to Mackay marina, where we will leave Kirra Kirra while we go back to Melbourne for a few days. We caught up with friends Tim and Lea who had sailed up from Victoria, and 6 of us feasted on Spanish mackerel caught by Mike (and Lynn) from Time 2. No photos of this feast to try and keep a lid on how good times up here can be.
Yes, it’s predicted to be 30-35Kts for the next few days – a good time
to be tied up in a marina
Highlights of the last 2 weeks:
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Swimming in crystal clear waters at Gt Keppel Is and at Middle Percy.
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Mud crab feasts at Island Hd Creek.
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Middle Percy – great vibes and fishing
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The isolated beauty of Curlew Island
