Photo Gallery - November 2005
Pictures can be clicked to see a large
version of the image.
Hinchinbrook
Channel separates the mainland from Hinchinbrook Island. It is a vast system of
creeks and channels with incredible views like this one everywhere.
This
view shows the entrance to a side channel we anchored in for the night.
The
high mountains of Hinchinbrook Island form a fantastic backdrop that is
absolutely magical.
The
morning after. Light rain showers at 6am before the fog lifted only increased
the magic.
The
low, sandy tip of Cape Bowling Green. One of many capes along the coast named by
Capt. James Cook during his 1770 voyage. We had a very pleasant night here
despite reports from many that it was an uncomfortable anchorage.
The
next cape down the coast is Cape Upstart. Named by Cook for the massive towering
hills which make up the cape. We anchored just inside the Northernmost tip of
the cape which was not quite so high. It was incredibly beautiful and reminded
us of Wyoming with ocean. Again, we had a very comfortable night at a place
where many reported a swell ridden miserable anchorage.
In
this photo you can see some houses on the beach which appear to be inhabited by
aboriginal people.
The
Queen Jane heading for Gloucester Island. We had a fabulous sail in calm seas
with 12-15k. You just can't get better conditions then this.
Our
anchorage at Gloucester Island. Other then bullet winds which shoot down from
the mountains (off camera to the left) the anchorage was ideal.
A
view over the stern at Gloucester Island. One highlight of Gloucester Island for
us was the sighting of a turtle nest ashore. We found tracks leading up the
beach from the low water line early in the morning and tracks back down to the
water about 10 yards away. At the top of the beach we found several partially
dug holes and one large mound which must have been the nest. Jonah was
especially excited about this find. Several species of sea turtles (which are
protected in Australia unlike in the rest of the Pacific nations) nest up and
down the coast and barrier islands of Queensland.
Under
way again after leaving Gloucester Island. Our next stop is Hook Island in the
Whitsunday group, a very popular set of islands with its own bareboat charter
fleet. The Whitsunday Islands are perhaps Australia's most popular cruising
destination.
Nara
Inlet, on the South coast of Hook Island, was a fantastic anchorage.
A
cockatoo perches in the rigging.
Pretty
bird, pretty bird.
We
couldn't have asked for better weather for our brief but pleasant visit to the
Whitsunday Islands. For the first time since leaving Cairns, we saw sailboats
everywhere.
These
two vintage tourist boats passed within a half mile of us, one going North the
other South. The Whitsunday Islands also support a fleet of tourist boats which
take people on day sails.
Conditions
in the Whitsunday Islands were calm enough - and the distances short enough - to
allow us to tow our inflatable dinghy from one anchorage to another. Something
we rarely do.
One
of many turtles we saw all along the coast of Queensland's islands and
beaches.
Another
shot of the turtle above, this time sticking its head up. He saw us and quickly
took off for deeper water.
The
Queen Jane at Whitehaven Beach at Whitsunday Island. This was one of the most
beautiful beaches we have ever seen with sand like talcum powder that squeeks
when you walk on it. Other highlights of this anchorage were the many stingrays
we found in the shallow sands.
On
the down side, Whitehaven is very popular with day trippers and other boats many
of which are bareboat charters. This seaplane is one of several we saw that
arrived with a load of Japanese tourists. They spent 3 or 4 hours on the beach
then packed up everything into the plane and were off again. Each day 5 to 10
boats arrived ferrying tourists from the mainland and various resorts on the
neighboring islands. Fortunately they were all gone by nightfall and only 2 or 3
cruising boats remained.
Kate
walks the deck as we motor sail South in light wind with just the jib flying.
We
approached Digby Island (after leaving Mackay) in mid-afternoon on a beautiful
calm day. Many people we spoke with reported that Digby was a hellish anchorage
with a terrible swell that keeps you up all night. Luckily for us we visited on
a very calm day when the seas were very flat. We slept like logs, all of us.
The
beautiful bay formed by Digby Island and its 2 neighbors was incredibly
beautiful.
A
really cool rock formation at Digby Island.
Our
friends "Kekaimalu II" with Kate, Paul and Shane aboard.
Queen
Jane sailing along in calm seas on a bright, sunny, almost cloudless day.
We
arrived at Middle Percy after an easy 30 miles motoring in light to non-existent
winds. The second night, however, thunderstorms rolled in and we had the
absolute worst night at anchor in the last 5 1/2 years. We rolled so hard that
everything went flying, even things which had withstood a tropical storm at sea
and didn't move came loose!
At
Middle Percy Island's West Bay an "A-Frame" (as it is known) has been
constructed, apparently many years ago, and is festooned with placques, momentos,
shirts, banners and other bric-a-brac with the names of visiting yachts. Kate
from "Kekaimalu II" looks over a book documenting the history of
Middle Percy Island.
A
shot of the ceiling showing more of the plaques and banners left by visiting
yachts.
A
unique feature of Middle Percy is a small basin with a careening grid. We found
this yacht drying out tied to some tree trunks sunk into the ground for support.
