Sunset Bundaberg

Bundaberg

This one is for you Hutch!

No whales today on our trip up from Fraser Island but we saw a lot of turtles sun baking on the surface. The water was like glass with no wind, so we motored the 50 miles to Bundaberg. We have finally found the sun again.

Anchored behind Fraser Island

Fraser Island

We left Mooloolaba at 5pm Sunday and arrived at the Wide Bay Bar at 0600 Monday. We are now anchored behind Fraser Island which is very well protected. The wind was forecast to be 10 to 15 knots at the Wide Bay Bar but when we arrived it was gusting 25 knots. The swell height was low so the crossing of the bar went very well.

Cappuccinos in Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba

Left Southport at midnight for Mooloolaba. We had to leave at this time to work the tides at the Southport Bar and to arrive at Mooloolaba in daylight.

We had another close encounter with a whale. He dived just ahead of the boat and surfaced right beside us. His fluke just missed the hull.

Off the coast Surfers Paradise

Southport

We had an encounter with a couple of whales yesterday - up close and personal.  A bit too close and personal for my liking!!!  Two huge humpbacks decided they liked the look of our yacht and started following us about 15 metres behind - diving and surfacing immediately behind us.  We tried to outmanoeuvre them by changing direction a few times but they decided that this game of "follow the leader" was good fun. Getting a little concerned at their close proximity and enormous size we started the engine to try and discourage them - finally they tired of their game and moved away to play elsewhere.  I wasn't too happy they had picked our boat to play with and kept telling John to do something.  "Like what" he retorted "get out and punch them in the nose???"

Next stop the Gold Coast

Leaving Coffs Harbour with a brilliant sunrise at 0600 this morning.

At last the wind looks good

We hope to depart Coffs Harbour at 0600 Friday. Our next stop will be Southport Qld. The weather in Coffs has been warm and sunny. We have had a very relaxing stopover. Lots of walks and cappuccinos

Coffs Harbour

At last the shorts and t shirts have come out. Coffs Harbour is warm and sunny and we intend staying for 3 or 4 days to warm up after our cold weather from the south.

Overnight at sea

We departed Port Stephens at 0600 Friday in rain. We sailed into sunshine and the best weather we have had on the trip - giving us a great sail. We are just passing Port Maquarie at 2330 Friday in Westerly winds. We expect to be in Coffs Harbour by 1000 am Saturday. At 9 pm tonight we were hit with a strong squall gusting 30 knots (50 kph). We were busy reefing sails and getting the boat back under control. As I write this blog the stars are brilliant and we can see the distant lights of the towns on shore.

Arrived Port Stephens

We had a fast vigorous and wet ride from Newcastle to Port Stephens. What we thought would be 15-20 knots in fine weather, turned out to be 25-30 knots (40-50 kph) with heavy showers and a rather rough sea with big swells- not our ideal sailing conditions  . Needless to say breakfast was out of the question.  We are enjoying the calm of Port Stephens marina.

Arrived Newcastle

Yesterday we had lunch with the local Harley Biker Gang (long time friends in Manly). Today we motor sailed most of the way from Pittwater because of lack of wind. We saw plenty of whales and dolphin. The whales were breaching and having a "whale" of  time very close to the boat while the dolphin loved playing in the bow wave.. We will be in Newcastle for a couple of days before heading for Port Stephens.

Leaving Pittwater

We are catching up with friends today for lunch and leaving tomorrow morning for Newcastle. We expect to be in Newcastle until Wednesday morning. The weather Tuesday doesn't appear to be suitable for moving further north.