If you are interested in where we’ve been writing about, geographically speaking, we have created a Google map to plot the various points of interest.
Check it out here or get to it any time in the menu above.
A map of our trip
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A swim at famous Whitehaven Beach
Camping at Chance Bay on the south-eastern corner of Whitsunday Island for two nights this week, we were within striking distance of the most famous beach in the area – Whitehaven.
I’d never been there before, but heard tell of how busy it was likely to be with visiting yachts, backpacker day trips and the like. I should note here that busy is a relative term – we’re not talking “busy” like the UK’s Bournemouth beach on a sunny summer’s day, when every square inch of sand is crowded with towels, windbreaks and bodies. “Busy” here means a few groups of 15-20 people and some smaller groups and couples, scattered along several kilometres of pristine National Park beach.
The walk over from Chance Bay was easy – just a few kilometres, gently undulating through eucalypt forest and emerging young rainforest plants. But enough to work up a sweat and look forward to a swim. There were no views en route – the payoff is all when you get there.
Planning a boat trip around the Whitsunday Islands
At the moment, our days back on the mainland consist of restocking and planning our next trip out to the islands.
This is the type of planning done a day or so in advance, rather than the weeks and months of preparation which warrant separate entries here.
The process I’m referring to is one that is largely governed by two factors: weather and tide. Or, to put it more precisely, wind and current. These two elements govern whether you have a smooth, fast and enjoyable journey, or an uncomfortable or even unsafe one.
Island sounds
During our first camp on South Molle, after all our mishaps and the mission to get there, my first impression was how quiet and peaceful the island was. Just the waves lapping gently at the shore, nothing more. Delicious peace at last! I decided to savour it by sitting in the shade and doing some meditation for half an hour or so.
I settled down, and started focusing on my breath – in, out, in, out – trying to quieten down my busy mind. But as my mind got quieter and quieter, the island seemed to get louder and louder! Birds were hooting, singing and chirruping; all sorts of creatures I had not yet encountered were scurrying, rustling, trilling, buzzing and scratching; and behind all this was the whistling and whispering from the sea and the wind in the she-oaks lining the beach.
Chance Bay
A very quick update to let you know that we made it to Chance Bay, at the southeastern end of Whitsunday Island today without incident. The weather isn’t quite as brilliant as it has been, but we’re dry and enjoying the soft sandy beach and pretty campsite with great views of Pentecost Island. Next appointment is with a camp beef curry!
Scaling Whitsunday Peak
We’ve spent the last few days camping at Dugong Beach in Cid Harbour. Cid is a popular anchorage (stopping point) with yachtsmen because it affords good protection from most winds, which equates to calm waters and a generally peaceful sleep after watching the sun set behind Cid Island.
The location is one that’s known some Australian history. The hoop pines that sometimes give the area a Scandinavian feel were logged and milled here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Later it had a role as a meeting and mooring point for Australian and US warships during the 2nd World War.
Yesterday we had a memorable and delightful day exploring the Cid Harbour area.
Dugong Beach paradise
After a gorgeous couple of days in a Bronte baby bubble, I flew back into Hammo at lunchtime today. As I waited for the airport shuttle bus, I just caught a glimpse of a little orange boat arriving into the marina to pick me up :)
Apparently it was a pretty bumpy ride over from Shute so I’m kinda glad I missed it. But from Hammo to our new island home was smoother, and for the first time we really had to rely on 100 Magic Miles to figure out where to go.
And what a spot we’ve come to! It’s so beautiful. Dugong Beach is on the west side of Whitsunday Island, looking out to Cid Island and North Molle. Much smaller than the first beach we camped at, and no-one else is here so it has quite a secret, intimate feel.
We’ve already seen two turtles, a huge goanna and a rock wallaby, and as we’re planning an early start to walk to Whitsunday Peak tomorrow, hopefully we’ll see a lot more.
Anchoring a small boat while camping onshore
One of the things that had me worried prior to this camping trip to the Whitsundays, was what to do with the runabout while we were ashore for extended periods.
It’s not quite like the cruising we’re used to, where we can anchor the boat out where it’s deep and take a tender (small dinghy) ashore and drag or carry it up the beach. A 16ft old fibreglass half-cabin with a 75hp outboard doesn’t get dragged or carried anywhere unless it’s on a trailer. It’s also not really big enough to stow something so hefty as a dinghy. Certainly towing one behind us at 15 knots wasn’t an option unless we were looking for some really fascinating times, of which we’ve had our fill lately. Continue reading
South Molle pictures
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This gallery contains 20 photos.
So we’re back safe and sound at our mainland campsite, after a fantastic few days camping at Sandy Bay on South Molle. No problems with getting there or back, our kit was just right, and we walked our legs off … Continue reading
We made it!
Just thought we’d post a quickie to say that we made it to South Molle, with the largest drama of the proceedings being forgotten beer. No leaks, no engine drama, no extra gear lugging. The weather forecast is excellent. Will post more in a few days.
