Bowen - Airlie - Hamilton Island

Under the keel...

By 1045 (a late start for us) we were off, and headed for the Gloucester Passage. A convenient and sheltered short-cut, we were later than planned, approaching 2 hrs to low tide. We expected 4 ft under the keel (over sand) but got 2.5 ft  at one spot! By 1300 we were safely through, and enjoyed a cold beer to celebrate in relief.

Again, the SE'ly turned the planned 35nm into a pitchy 60nm beat - a race against time to reach Airlie Beach, where we planned on anchoring off the Whitsunday Sailing Club for a last night steak dinner.

Boat cuisine

However, by 1700 it was clear we weren't going to make it in daylight, so decided to lob into Woodwark Bay instead, just 6nm W of Airlie. We weren't alone. In the 400+ nm sail from Cairns-Townsville-Bowen we had seen perhaps 3 other yachts, and shared an anchorage only once: in the Hinchinbrook Channel. Now we were surrounded by over a dozen! Apparently, we had just arrived in the Whitsundays.

Carole & Alexis

Next morning we popped into the Able Point marina to drop off Alexis & Carole. Discovering the outrageous prices of everything on Hamilton Island (including $55 each, just for a ferry ride back to Shute Harbour), they had decided to step ashore early. A sad farewell; they had been fun company since Cairns, and a great help around the boat, both above & below decks. They (and most especially Carole's cooking) will be sorely missed, but may hopefully rejoin us for another leg later, before they return home to France for Xmas.

Frank remained aboard for the transit to Hamilton Island, where we were to meet Steve & Jo and the team for the next leg. Again the ebb was not in our favour as we beat down the Molle Channel then Whitsunday Passage. The further South we sail, the greater the tidal range (peaking in the vicinity of Mackay) and the more we are going to have to accomodate the tide in our planning, it seems!

Our serendipitous Cairns crew...

However, by 1500 we were entering the Hamilton Island marina as planned, to tie off briefly at the fuel pier and welcome the new crew who had just landed from Hong Kong via Brisbane.

Sadly, Frank was leaving now too, to explore the Whitsundays (arranging a sailing berth for 3-day explore) - so more sad farewells. Again, Frank's experience and assistance on the boat since Cairns had been invaluable, and we wish him well for the rest of his extended holiday in Oz...