The Whitsundays part 3- Then onto Mackay

We thought since we are on The Whitsundays we should visit Hamilton Island. This looks to be one island that is making money, not like the many others in north QLD that have closed. Hamilton is a nice island with lot's of touristy things to do. We enjoyed our few days there. We had a go at the shooting range, the golf driving range, put put golf, etc.

Next was Club Med Lindeman Island, yes, another resort that is closed. Looks like it would have been a nice resort when open. The waves were coming around the island a lot here so we motored down to Shaw Island for a couple of nights. Again another beautiful Island with not too many boats around.

We then motored down to Brampton Island, and believe it or not another resort that is closed. Another beautiful island with kangaroos and nature taking back the resort.

Then off to Mackay, the very southern end of the Whitsundays. Nice marina, although quite far from the main centre of town and with only a couple of buses each day heading to the town centre. Another nice north Queensland town.

Gulnare Inlet

Looking at Qualia Resort on Hamilton Island from the boat

Wild Oats on Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island

Shaw Island

Brampton Island- Lot's of kangaroos!

Nature taking back the resort on Brampton Island

The Whitsundays Part 2

Wow- The Whitsundays are very beautiful! We were wondering what it was going to be like here during our trip down. We've heard and read that it is very busy here on the water especially in September. Whilst there are a few more boats here than further up north, there are soo many places to anchor here that it still feels quiet. For example we are anchored in Gulnare Inlet at the moment. There are approx 10 other boats in here, but the Inlet is so big that there is a tonne of room between boats. Anyone writing how busy it is here in September needs to get out on Sydney Harbour on the Australia day long weekend or Easter Long weekend, now that's busy.

We waited in Airlie Beach for the wind to calm down from it's 85km/h gusts. Airlie Beach is a nice little town with a big pool like in Cairns.

After leaving Airlie our first stop was South Molle Island. We thought we'd take a mooring at the resort. We rang the resort to book a mooring only to be told the resort is closed but it's still $49/night for the mooring. What the?? We anchored approx  200 metres from the moorings for free. Can't believe they are still trying to charge this horrific amount especially with the resort closed. Anyway, we had a good time anchored in the bay, we did some more fishing. See the pic below of the Bat fish we caught. Just after the pic was taken the fish was so big that the hook actually bent and the fish got away- holy crap, a fish that bends hooks! After that we pulled out the biggest line and hook  we had (60pound), hooked another massive fish, but this time even our 60 pound line snapped- again holy crap!!!

Next Cid Harbour. beautiful harbour with a tonne of room to anchor. There's a walk to the top of Whitsunday Island, fantastic views of all the islands.

Then to Nara Inlet, a very nice inlet on Hook Island. Then to Whitehaven Beach. Wow- it doesn't disappoint, what a beautiful place. The sand is so white and fine and the water so blue. It was very rocky at the end of the day due to a northerly wind blowing. So we anchored round the corner for the night.

We are now in Gulnare Inlet and heading for Hamilton Island tomorrow. Looking forward to a hot shower at Hamilton tomorrow!

 South Molle Island- Another resort closed

The biggest fish I've ever had on the end of my line!

The walk from Cid Harbour to Whitsunday Peak- Great Views!

Our beautiful boat looking out from Cid Harbour on another gorgeous day

Cid Harbour- Another friendly visitor, a massive turtle

Our own beach in Cid Harbour

Nara Inlet

The Spectacular Whitehaven Beach

Trying our hand at art-y photography

Testing the panorama camera option 

The Whitsundays

After we left Magnetic Island we headed for The Whitsundays, via Cape Upstart to Bowen. We stayed at Bowen for a few nights, nice little town. The amenities at Bowen Marina - hmmmm- let's just say we wore our thongs in the shower!!

Then to Gloucester Island and Cape Gloucester on the mainland. There are two little resorts- Eco Resort and Monte's, both very laid back and beautiful. We had a a seafood platter at the Cape Gloucester Eco resort, one of the best we've ever had.

The water here in The Whitsundays is more of an aqua colour than where we've been further north- very beautiful.

We then spent the next few nights in Double Bay (West), we started to head for Double Bay (East), but saw approx 10 boats there so we thought we'd give Double Bay (West) a go. For two nights we had the bay to ourselves, the first time in our trip we had a bay all to ourselves. We tried our hand at fishing, didn't catch the monsters that are out on the reef, but we did ok. We didn't eat these guys, just released them back into the bay.

We are now in Airlie Beach marina. The wind this week was gusting at 85km/h. Not far off cyclone winds in fact. We've never been so happy to be in a marina.

Cape Upstart

Horseshoe Bay - Bowen 

Cape Gloucester Eco Resort Beach

One of the best Seafood platters we've had- Cape Gloucester Eco resort

Another beautiful sunset off Cape Gloucester.

Cape Gloucester

Fishing in Double Bay (West)

Magnetic Island

We have been on Magnetic Island for 8 days now. Such a beautiful island we are finding it hard to leave. Magnetic Island is a big island near Townsville with approx 2,500 people living here. The National Park, beaches and bays here are probably the most beautiful and scenic we've seen so far. The marina here is absolutely fantastic- If you are coming by on your boat, you really should drop in to the marina and explore the island, very beautiful. Or if on land it's a short trip out from the mainland by ferry.

Darren love's his beaches, and the beaches here have to almost be the most beautiful he's seen.

Bush walking through the National Park

Horseshoe Bay

Nelly Bay

Alma Bay

The Forts walk through the National Park

Arthur Bay

One of the locals

Townsville and Magnetic Island

We are now at another Marina on Magnetic Island after spending a week in Townsville.

Townsville is a really nice town. It was fantastic to have unlimited hot water, power, food, etc, etc. The second day in Townsville we had a seafood platter at The Rockpool Seafood Cafe. WOW- fantastic platter- highly recommend it- bugs, prawns, oysters, fish, calamari, chips, etc, we were full for what seemed like days.

Darren went to find a gym to stem the weight loss due to the "healthy" boat diet!! The best gym he has ever been to, Muscle and Fitness Hyde Park. He counted 6 Bench Presses for goodness sake! And a few pics of big Arnie!!

So with awesome seafood platters and awesome gyms, we are thinking of moving to Townsville!

Susan enjoyed the shopping and the real coffee. We climbed the mountain (Castle Hill) one day, a great view of Townsville and the Coral Sea. We did some fishing in the marina, and the fish must be massive, they kept eating our lines. So Darren tried a metal trace on the end of the line the next night. Darren hooked a big fish, it was so big he couldn't lift it into the boat. After a few attempts, his line broke and another one got away :-(. So we are now in the process of upgrading our fishing gear.

We've been on Magnetic Island for a couple of days now, from what we've seen so far it's a beautiful Island. Will update in next blog post.

Walk just north of Townsville- Cape Pallendra National Park

Our Seafood Platter- Rockpool Seafood Cafe- YUM!

Castle Hill

The view from the top 

Dunk to Townsville

We arrived in Townsville Marina yesterday afternoon after a 2 hour drive down from Orpheus Island. Our Chaparral absolutely loved cruising on the plane at about 24-25 knots. We have been "at sea" for 3 weeks and we are loving our endless hot water showers and endless electricity here at the Marina!!

We stayed another few nights anchored off Dunk Island. The weather up here now is awesome! 26-27 everyday and there are NE winds coming up in the afternoon. The SE wind that was blowing for months has calmed down from 30 knots to a nice 15 knots- So things on the water are very comfortable now after a few rocky nights.

After leaving Dunk Island we headed for Goold Island. Here we had a tropical beach all to ourselves for a few days. A Westerly wind came up during the night, we couldn't believe how big the waves can get at 2am in the morning that seemed to be coming from the mainland. We swear someone is on the mainland following us South with a wave making machine!

After Goold Island we were running out of fresh food and running a little low on fuel. Cardwell was the next stop. The Marina here was devastated by Cyclone Yazi and has not re-opened. Mick from "Port of Call" in Cardwell was an awesome help to us. He still had fuel on the water, which was a booming business when the Marina was open. We offered him $50 if he could take us to the IGA in town for food and he let us borrow his ute to drive ourselves into town and back- thanks Mick! Food, fuel, water and we were good to go again for another week!

Next was Hinchinbrook Island, a very big island just off the mainland. We had to decide on going around the island where there would be swimming and beaches, or the inside route where there would be calm water, mosquito's, sand flies and crocodiles. We chose the latter and took the inside route as we heard the scenery is very beautiful. And it did not disappoint. Very big beautiful mountains and lot's of creeks that supposedly has lots of fish- not that we could catch any. And Susan had to get out the antihistamines for the mozzie bites!

Orpheus Island next. Again another beautiful tropical island where we had the beach to ourselves!The reef surrounding Orpheus is very spectacular.

Dunk Island- Gorgeous day!

Goold Island- A tropical beach to ourselves 

Susan's very own pool

 Behind Hinchinbrook Island

Orpheus Island - Again another tropical beach to ourselves

Sunset off Orpheus Island