Mooloolaba to Mary River Queensland S: 25 25'.63 E: 152 54'.92

When sailing north from Mooloolaba, there are 2 routes around Fraser Is (largest sand island in the world is its claim to fame - wow I hear you say). Go outside the island on the ocean side and up to Bundaberg  and Lady Musgrave Is., or inside Fraser Is. and along the sedate waters of the Great Sandy Straits - a 70nm long stretch of protected waters. Here catching the tide is critical for progress and to get over the shallow sand banks. No problem for a catamaran though.

3rd August. Left Mooloolaba and at sea at last after the weeks in NSW and getting the boat ready - an easy motor sail from Mooloolaba to the Wide Bay Bar, the entrance to the Sandy Sts. Timed it right at 4pm for the tide and crossed the sometimes dangerous bar. 

Always plenty to see along the Sandy Sts. 

Crossing the Wide Bay Bar - always an interesting part of the sail.

Inskip Pt, just inside the Wide Bay bar. Fraser island across the straits. Smoke on the horizon is burning off the sugar cane, forming its' own cloud formation.

This little lizard was lying in wait on our bush walk. Would not move, until a picked up a persuader.

Kirra Kirra at anchor, River Head, at the mouth of the Mary River.

 

The Qld butcher birds have a strong melodic call, and are numerous. 

Another bird that likes yacht masts - besides ospreys!