Leaving Airlie Heading north to Bowen Wednesday

Special photo for our special grand-daughter Eliza

Airlie Beach

Headed across to Airlie today due to strong winds (30 Knots) drizzle, cold. Certainly not glossy brochure sailing. We are expecting a few days of this windy, cold weather before it improves. Sitting it out in Airlie Beach. At least we can get a cappuccino.

Whitsunday Island

Today we climbed to the top of Whitsunday Island (see Barb I am keeping up my exercise)

Cid Harbour (Whitsunday Island)

OK folks, I know we've been promising to send some Qld sunshine down to Melbourne, but did you really have to send one of Melbourne's wintry blasts up to the Whitsundays.  It's really cold today with low cloud, drizzle and strong southerly winds.  We had a good sail down from Lindeman Island to Cid Harbour, just north of Hamilton Island, where we'll stay for a few days.

Lindeman Island

Not enough wind for sailing today so we had to motor from Brampton Island to Lindeman Island. This a well protected anchorage and it puts us in a good position for the Southerly Change expected tomorrow.

Brampton Island (South Whitsundays)

Left Mackay this morning in no wind and had to motor the 20 miles to Brampton Island.  Anchored off the resort initially however,  a north easterly sea breeze  picked up to 20 knots and we decided to move to the south of the island for better protection.

Coffee & cake Mackay Marina

Mackay

Left Poynter Island this morning and arrived in Mackay at 2 pm today. With very little wind we had to motor sail the 54 miles.We will spend a few days here before moving up to the Whitsunday Islands.

Poynter Island

Left Hexham Island this morning for Poynter Island. Anchored on the west side with good protection. Heading for Curlew Island and then Mackay. Weather is still good with steady South East Trade winds.

Island Head Creek

We are currently in Island Head Creek. This is a very protected anchorage but extremely remote. Very limited phone reception. Leaving here tomorrow for Hexham Island.

Port Clinton

We sailed from Yeppoon to Port Clinton a distance of 42 miles. The area is a military zone but anchoring is allowed when exercises are not under way. The anchorage is flat water and surrounded by mountains.This morning we will sail the long distance to Pearl Bay which is 4 miles away.

Marina Yeppoon

Yeppoon

Yeppoon

Left Great Keppel Island for Yeppoon this morning. The weather is forecasting rain with strong winds and thunderstorms for the next few days. So a spell in the marina seemed a good idea.

Great Keppel Island

Had a good sail today from cape Capricorn in a 10-15 knot south easterly. Anchored in crystal clear water. We will spend a couple of nights here before moving to Rosslyn Bay Marina, Yeppoon.

Cape Capricorn

Had a good sail in perfect conditions from Pancake Creek to Cape Capricorn which lies right on the Tropic of Capricorn. We will leave here in the morning for Great Keppel Island.

Do you like my new office on the rock?

Pancake Creek

Pancake Creek

We left Bundaberg for Lady Musgrave with a perfect weather forecast. However, halfway there the wind increased to 30 knots which was no good for the island. We decided to then head for Pancake Creek which is a beautiful anchorage 30 miles south of Gladsone

Marina Bar & Coffee shop

Washing Day at Bundaberg