Mackay to Hamilton Island

MACKAY TO HAMMO

S 20.35’, E 148.95’

After a flying visit back to Melbourne, we are back out sailing in generally sunny weather and some days have been warm enough to encourage us to go for many swims off the back of the boat.

Like flies to a honey pot. Each triangle is a ship at anchor waiting
to take on coal off Mackay 

Passing one of the ships at anchor  - they usually have
 1-2 nmiles between each ship, so easy to thread our way through.

After the chill of Melbourne winter, this sunshine is very welcome to boost our Vitamin D levels.

Several great nights were had dining on boats and restaurants in Mackay marina with friends Lynn and Mike from Time 2, and Lea and Tim from Gemini Lady.

 

 

 



Dinner time on Gemini Lady. J&J and Mike and Lynn



 

The SE breezes have been brisk so many good sails north from Mackay, with overnight anchorages on the north side of Brampton Island, where the closed down resort is looking more forlorn than last year, Goldsmith Island, and one of our favourites, Thomas Island. A small reef shark had been washed into the salt water pool at Brampton, along with several other good sized fish. Hopefully a high tide will come along and free them all before too long.

Burning Point at the south-western tip of Thomas Island  has a large and protected bay with lovely deserted beaches.

Old turtle on the beach at Goldsmith Is. That's me on the right.

Jo getting excited by the scenery

Burning Point, Thomas Island.
Its a "feel the tranquillity" type of place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also stopped overnight at Lindeman Island - another closed down resort, sad to see but Bali and the like are so much cheaper.

A brisk sail in rising winds to Cid Harbour behind Cid Island where we had walks through the lush forest to Whitsunday Peak (400+ metres high) and around to Dugong Beach.

 

Lone tree on a rock

Sand patterns with yachts at anchor

More sand patterns - Sawmill Beach, Whitsunday Island