2012-05 Brisbane – Mooloolaba – Noosa & Glasshouse Mtns (by car) – Bundaberg – South Keppel Island – Mackay – Hamilton Island – Airlie Beach to Townsville, Australia – Photos
We arrived in a short day from our offseason home at Rivergate Marina in Brisbane.
Lighthouse and control tower at Mooloolaba Marina.
Moon over the Glasshouse Mountains as seen entering Mooloolaba.
This dredge is constantly keeping the marina open. Depths were as low as 3 meters at HIGH TIDE!
We actually backtracked by car from Bundaberg to do a day trip by car to Noosa and the Glasshouse Mountains. Definitely a wonderful trip.
Nikki at Noosaheads….
Scott with Noosa lagoon
These are true natural wonders of Queensland coast.
Of volcanic origin, there are about 9 of these peaks.
Visible well out to sea, Captain Cook first saw their high shinny reflection. He said they looked like they were made of Glass and hence their name.
Glass House National Park
She’s shinny too…:-)
Birth of the Glasshouse
Mathew Flinders who was the first man to circumnavigate Australia, came to explore here as well on his continental survey.
I love this sign… but please do, watch out for them. We saw none.
Glasshouse – Farmhouse. Well estate is more like it, How about that view?
Glasshouse Mountains – Very near here is the late Steve Irwin’s “Australia Zoo”.
The northern most suburb of Brisbane (Coloundra) is in the distance on the upper right.
We next went up coast to Bundeberg, home of the world famous rum. We took the tour, had a few samples (which were excellent). Notably, we lost our dock steps here and were told stories of how great a hurricane hole this place is. A bit over six months later, this town was wiped out by Cyclone Oswald with 454 mm of rain in 24 hours. That’s 18″ of rain for all of you who are metrically challenged.
We were about to get a few of our own Dark & Stormy nights over the run up to Mackay.
It did start to rain, but the first big winter cold front came through.
We got our doors blown off en route to South Keppel Island as the predicted front came in 12 hours early. We saw brief gusts in the 40 knot range and the short steep seas were a bit intimidating.
A way ward fellow traveller takes refuge.
We anchored in the lee of South Keppel and saw pretty consistent 30 knot gusts all night.
The next day, with good winds behind us. We sailed 80 miles to Mackay in the wind and rain.
Approaching the commercial anchorage outside Mackay, Australia.
Big ships anchored. We just missed by a few days, old friend Alan Blunt who was sailing here from New Zealand.
Nikki trims the sails.
It was a Dark & Stormy night……the weather…not the beer….:-)
Mackay Marina, Queensland, Australia.
Note the extra tall pilings here. Tides can be up to 16 feet. Add that to storm surge and you can see the need.
Hamilton Island in the distance. Our best daysail on this trip yet.
If memory serves, this is Pentecost Island in the southern Whitsundays.
Lunch companions.
Old friends on “Mystery Ship” were here. Alas, they were home for awhile in Canada.
Recent renovation. I’d been to Hamilton Island in the 1980’s and frankly, it hasn’t changed much as far as the town is concerned.
This commercial facility and restaurant was quite a modern space ship in it’s design.
Nikki at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club.
The most notable changes were the really nice housing that has grown here. This is a bit high density, but convenient as it’s right in town, nice views and quiet.
.The most notable changes were the really nice housing that has grown here. This is a bit high density, but convenient as it’s right in town, nice views and quiet.
Entrance to Hamilton Island Marina.
Views of the lovely Nikki with the lovely Whitsunday’s in the distance.
Green glass really makes this building stand out at a distance.
Alas, the beaches on this island aren’t anything special. The water is not particularly blue or clear. This is the hallmark of inside the Great Barrier Reef.
Hamilton Island Marina.
Another lunch guest.
Can I drop in for lunch?
Peek-a-boo….I see you!
As you can see from our servers face, this is pretty common fair around here. Hope they’re not on the menu.
Main beach area – Hamilton Island
Back at the “House”..
Birds on deck.
1970’s high rise architecture dominates the skyline.
Goodbye Hamilton Island.
Another “Beach House” in Airlie Beach.
The only other catamaran I’ve seen who stole our name….:-)
Whitsunday Sailing Club landing at Airlie Beach.
Whitsunday Sailing Club, Airlie Beach, Queensland – Australia.
