Magnetic Island: S: 190 06.79’ E: 1460 51.62’
Been nearly a month since I posted a blog update – luckily been a bit busy with sailing almost every day and socialising.
Here is a map of our movement overall since leaving Mooloolaba,
And a more detailed map covering the region covered by this post.
Sailed out of Yeppoon and called at one of our favourite anchorages, Island Head Creek
in the Shoalwater Bay military training zone, only accessible by boat and only
when there are no military exercises. Just an overnight stop this year, too
many sand flies and bugs.It has giant mud crabs aplenty and a fishing delight - we are assured.
Then overnight stops island hopping to Hunter and then Curlew Is. a very pretty anchorage, with the island to ourselves and we stayed 2 days. Had Fathers Day at Curlew. Swims on beach as the weather was certainly warm enough and no crocs this far off shore we assumed.
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| John on beach at Curlew Is, Fathers Day 2020 |
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| The attractive cliff and slope that dominates the beach at Curlew Is. |
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| Jo - Curlew Is. |
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| Another angle of Curlew Is. Nice spot. |
After Curlew, there were strong winds predicted, so sailed quickly in the 20Kt SE trade winds blowing up , to Mackay marina, where it always seems very windy, but maybe its just because the only time we go there is when it is windy. Caught a large albacore tuna on the way, a bit of a fight to get it in.
 
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| Getting daily exercise |
After Mackay the stops are in the magic 100 miles of the Whitsunday Group of islands.
All very pretty, the southern islands being relatively isolated with great beaches. Goldsmith, Thomas and Shaw Islands all overnight stops.Thomas a favourite anchorage, all good in 30Kt winds that blew up overnight.
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| Thomas Is. Blue Tiger butterflies - live for up to 6 months |
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| Another Blue Tiger butterfly. |
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| Lt James Cook named the Smith Islands - Goldsmith, Tinsmith Silversmith Islands |
We sailed fast on just the genoa up to Happy Bay on Long Is. for a long walk on the island, stayed overnight in this snug anchorage, then into Airlie Beach - jumping off point for yacht chartering in the Whitsundays. Airlie was very quiet compared to its usual bustle. The trip into Airlie was fast on just the genoa from Long Island, nice to sail everywhere but we are both a bit tired of the 3 weeks of 15-25 knot winds.
Coral Coast Rally: In Airlie, stayed at the 6 star Coral Seas Marina ($140 bucks a night with Shaggers discount) . This gives access to the upmarket floating Ocean Club facility in the marina.
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| Upmarket facilities, free espresso coffee and upper deck for evening drinks. |
We then joined 10 other boats in the Coral Coast Rally, run by the Abell Point Yacht Club, sailing in company from Airlie to Magnetic Island over a week. 4 cats and 6 monos, with global circumnavigators and Pacific -Asian cruisers. Fastest boat was a cat, naturally – a Schionning design 52 ft.
Great program and plenty of activities during and after a days sailing. Jokes on the radio – bocce and BBQ on the beach. Some really good sails and the Windy Whitsundays lived up to their name – 20+ knots of SE trade winds for the first day race up to Gloucester Passage – a nice downwind sail. Plenty of liquid refreshment to lubricate the 30-40nm passages for the Hippy fancy dress at the Gloucester Passage Resort.
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| Raided an opp Shop in Airlie and Jo made Johns wig |
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| Prize for best dressed hippy. |
Further stops at Cape Upstart and Cape Bowling Green for a beach bonfire and BBQ.
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| Just getting the BBQ going |
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| Dinghys lined up, all with anchors out as it was still blowing |
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| The mandatory cruising bocci competition |
Then with more downwind sailing, and the final days run to Magnetic Island (Maggie) Horseshoe Bay.
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| Calm downwind sailing in 20Kts |
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| Wolf herring - a good fight but only used for bait up here - too bony |
After a big night in the Marlin Bar at Horseshoe we moved to the other side of Maggie island to Nelly Bay marina. There we had use of the resort pool.
The final night of the rally in a "French " restaurant with prize giving.
Kirra Kirra came 3rd in the rally - more wine as prize, plus a $$ voucher from the Airlie chandlery!!
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