Our Big Break: September 2013

Wow- The Whitsundays are very beautiful! We were wondering what it was going to be like here during our trip down. We've heard and read that it is very busy here on the water especially in September. Whilst there are a few more boats here than further up north, there are soo many places to anchor here that it still feels quiet. For example we are anchored in Gulnare Inlet at the moment. There are approx 10 other boats in here, but the Inlet is so big that there is a tonne of room between boats. Anyone writing how busy it is here in September needs to get out on Sydney Harbour on the Australia day long weekend or Easter Long weekend, now that's busy.

We waited in Airlie Beach for the wind to calm down from it's 85km/h gusts. Airlie Beach is a nice little town with a big pool like in Cairns.

After leaving Airlie our first stop was South Molle Island. We thought we'd take a mooring at the resort. We rang the resort to book a mooring only to be told the resort is closed but it's still $49/night for the mooring. What the?? We anchored approx 200 metres from the moorings for free. Can't believe they are still trying to charge this horrific amount especially with the resort closed. Anyway, we had a good time anchored in the bay, we did some more fishing. See the pic below of the Bat fish we caught. Just after the pic was taken the fish was so big that the hook actually bent and the fish got away- holy crap, a fish that bends hooks! After that we pulled out the biggest line and hook we had (60pound), hooked another massive fish, but this time even our 60 pound line snapped- again holy crap!!!

Next Cid Harbour. beautiful harbour with a tonne of room to anchor. There's a walk to the top of Whitsunday Island, fantastic views of all the islands.

Then to Nara Inlet, a very nice inlet on Hook Island. Then to Whitehaven Beach. Wow- it doesn't disappoint, what a beautiful place. The sand is so white and fine and the water so blue. It was very rocky at the end of the day due to a northerly wind blowing. So we anchored round the corner for the night.

We are now in Gulnare Inlet and heading for Hamilton Island tomorrow. Looking forward to a hot shower at Hamilton tomorrow!

South Molle Island- Another resort closed

The biggest fish I've ever had on the end of my line!

The walk from Cid Harbour to Whitsunday Peak- Great Views!

Our beautiful boat looking out from Cid Harbour on another gorgeous day

Cid Harbour- Another friendly visitor, a massive turtle

Our own beach in Cid Harbour

Nara Inlet

The Spectacular Whitehaven Beach

Trying our hand at art-y photography

Testing the panorama camera option

After we left Magnetic Island we headed for The Whitsundays, via Cape Upstart to Bowen. We stayed at Bowen for a few nights, nice little town. The amenities at Bowen Marina - hmmmm- let's just say we wore our thongs in the shower!!

Then to Gloucester Island and Cape Gloucester on the mainland. There are two little resorts- Eco Resort and Monte's, both very laid back and beautiful. We had a a seafood platter at the Cape Gloucester Eco resort, one of the best we've ever had.

The water here in The Whitsundays is more of an aqua colour than where we've been further north- very beautiful.

We then spent the next few nights in Double Bay (West), we started to head for Double Bay (East), but saw approx 10 boats there so we thought we'd give Double Bay (West) a go. For two nights we had the bay to ourselves, the first time in our trip we had a bay all to ourselves. We tried our hand at fishing, didn't catch the monsters that are out on the reef, but we did ok. We didn't eat these guys, just released them back into the bay.

We are now in Airlie Beach marina. The wind this week was gusting at 85km/h. Not far off cyclone winds in fact. We've never been so happy to be in a marina.

Cape Upstart