Whitsunday Adventure, September-October 2009
By Peter Mitchell, and Petra Bell
Pete Mitchell:
After 9 months of planning and preparation we were finally on our way to the enormously anticipated Club Whittley Whitsundays trip 2009! This event saw 14 members and 7 Whittleys in attendance.
1: Our trip organisers Brian and Petra Bell aboard Sea Pet : Cruiser 630.
2: Our experienced guides Steve and Janette aboard Quality Time : Cruiser 550
3: Mike and Robyn McFarlane on Lucy Ella : CruiseMaster 700
4: Surf life savers Paul and Joe with Miss Pervus : Cruiser 550
5: Tony and Janelle DeGit on Y-Not : CruiseMaster 2300
6: Don and Del Bliss aboard Sonata : Monterey 600
7: Electrician and deadbeat husband extraordinaire Peter and wife Miranda with FEENIX : Monterey 580
4am Saturday 19th saw Miranda and I hit the road northbound with our destination, Shute Harbour only 1107Ks ahead of us. We had a stop in Rockhampton for lunch, a refuel and a much anticipated trip to the ablutions. We pressed on and reached our overnight stop over at Sarina Palms Caravan Village, 930Ks from home. We made good use of the clean showers and local Subway sandwich bar.
With less than 200Ks to Shute Harbour, we left Sarina and arrived at the boat ramp fuelled up and ready to hit the water at 11am. We just managed to reach Sea Pet by VHF and Brian gave us his location just outside Nara Inlet. Being careful not to confuse Unsafe Passage with the Causeway we passed the Mole group and Daydream Island and met up with Sea Pet, Y-Not, Lucy Ella, Quality Time and Miss Pervus. That evening we gathered on Tony and Janelle's CruiseMaster for beer, wine and lots of nibilies.
We woke next morning to the flattest water I'd seen in a long time. We left Nara Inlet with Sea Pet, Lucy Ella and Y-Not and cruised around the bottom end of Hook Island to Hook Island Resort and underwater observatory. We checked out the amazing colours of the fish and coral then made our way to the bar for a beer and coffee. We reunited with Joe, Paul Steve and Janette at Cateran Bay for lunch and snorkelling. Paul and Joe put their lifesaver skills to use by zooming in between two boats on their inflatable and preventing them colliding together. They were also able to come to the aid of a young girl who'd come in contact with a stinger. 6 Whittleys then cruised south past the amazing Whitehaven Beach to Chance Bay where we again gathered on the beach at sunset.
Tuesday Miranda and I left the group and ventured north again to Whitehaven Beach where we dropped anchor and walked the entire length of the 6 kilometre beach. On the way back I was sooo dying for a drink I started to have hallucinations of Gilligan and the crew of the S.S. Minnow. After a hit of vitamin XXXX I felt much better so we travelled to Chalkies beach for more snorkelling and fishing. The fish were so keen I had one eat the sinkers because the hook was already occupied. It was back to Chance bay for the night where we were happy to see the arrival of Don and Del Bliss in Sonata.
Brian was very popular when he announced that he'd booked all of us a mooring at Hamilton Island marina! Wohoo!! Paul and Joe already had a booking for a later date so they stayed out on the water for a few days. We all made great use of the marina showers and laundromat. Dinner was had at the Sails restaurant on Cats eye beach. Some of us went back to the boats after dinner while we joined the Bells and the Hunts at the pub where I emptied out a pokie machine after observing another club member (who's name I can't remember) earlier stuffing it full of dollars.
Hamilton Island marina granted us another night stay on the condition that we relocated our boats to the other side of the marina which suited us fine as we were away from the busy traffic which was tossing our boats around all day. The harbour master approached us on his centre console inflatable and asked someone to join him to see where we were moving to. Steve joined the harbour master while the rest of us waited patiently on the pontoon. After about half an hour we got a bit worried. The harbour master finally returned with Steve who had his knee bleeding and wrapped up in bandages. I'm not sure what happened but I'm sure it hurt. That night we took the green bus to stop 19 at the Palm Views hotel for a few drinks and dinner.
Friday we filled the water tanks, refuelled and restocked the fridge. Sea Pet and Quality time led us up the western side of Whitsunday Island to Sawmill bay. Along the way we were spotted by Paul and Joe who gave us a hoy hoy on the VHF. Steve and Janette had to give us their goodbyes and head back to Abell point. Their guidance and company throughout the trip was really appreciated by everyone. For 2 days Cid bay offered calm waters, fishing, bushwalking and a nice picnic area.
Unfortunately Don and Del had to head for home Sunday morning and we were all grateful to have their company on the trip. The remaining four boats headed for Daydream Island. As we passed Cid Island we were hit with rough seas and 25 knot winds. Half way across the inflatable on the roof of FEENIX came loose and went flying into the water. It was extremely difficult to retrieve and it would have been a good time to be wearing a life jacket. With conditions too rough for four boats to tie togeather to one mooring at Daydream Island we decided to seek shelter on the western side of South Mole Island. We waited almost four hours for the weather to improve but with no improvement likely we treked north to Butterfly bay.
We made Butterfly bay our home for the next two nights. The bay was busy with rented sailboats seeking shelter from the weather along with the other 'speed boats'. The snorkelling was unreal!
Tuesday we were off again cruising southbound. Once again spotted by Miss Pervus who gave us their greetings on the VHF. We briefly dropped anchor at Tongue bay so Miranda and I could do the bush walk to the lookout over Whitehaven beach. Lucy Ella continued on to Whitehaven while Sea Pet and Y-Not anchored closely to hired yachts full of half naked foreign backpackers. The dust storm still hadn't fully settled yet but the view at the lookout was still good. We left Tongue bay and arrived back at Hamilton Island marina where we made one last restock and refuel. We also washed the salt and red dirt off the boats from the dust storm. Wednesday morning we bid farewell to Brian and Petra Bell and Mike and Robyn McFarlane who headed back to Abell Point. It was sad to see them go. These people felt like family to us over the last 2 weeks.
With only two Whittleys remaining, Y-Not and FEENIX, we made Linderman Island our destination. It gave us good fishing and protection from the wind. We also made an epic walk across the island to a bar where for only $25 you could get a cocktail and 2 beers.
Our last day we motored back to Daydream Island where we found strong currents, deep water and lack of available moorings. South Mole Island wasn't a good alternative as winds from the North East made things in the bay messy so Tony led us down to Happy bay at Long Island which had much calmer waters. It was probably the best night sleep we had.
By 9am Friday morning our Whittleys were out of the water and secured on their trailers for the long drive home. Our LandCruisers were covered in red dust. We arrived back in Brisbane to find a dry lawn, a dusty house, a letterbox full of junk and one very happy puppy dog!
A really huge thanks to Brian and Petra everyone who helped organise THE BEST HOLIDAY I'VE EVER HAD!!!
Total engine hours: 19.6
Boat fuel: around 210 litres
Total towing distance: 2282Kms
Landcruiser juice: 500 litres
Expenses: Who cares! It was worth it!!
Petra Bell:
With great excitement and stress the Bells left Brisbane the early hours of Wednesday morning with “Sea-Pet” in tow. We had a good trip and overnighted at Caravan Park just out of Gladstone.
Set off first thing Thursday morning another good drive to Mackay once again booked into a caravan park for the night. We managed to meet up with Jake & Carol Hutchinson also Whittley owners. Jake was very good and took us for a drive around parts of Mackay and back to meet Carol and have a few drinks. We greatly appreciated their hospitality and expected to see them at Whitsunday however other commitments came up and they were unable to make the trip.
Friday we arrived at the caravan park called “Big 4 Adventure Park” in Cannonvale and met up with Steve & Janette Hunt from “Quality Time” & Mike & Robyn McFarlane from “Lucy Ella”.. That night the 3 couples walked to the hotel just across from the Caravan Park and enjoyed steak & lobster for a main course (on special for $29.00) washed down with a couple of bottles of wine and shared a few good stories.
Next morning after fuelling up, buying bait and last minute shopping we drove down to Abel Point and geared up for the big moment to launch Being a Saturday and start of school holidays the ramp was fairly busy and we had to wait our turn. “Quality Time” did a successfully launch and Steve manage to find a place to tie up. “Sea-Pet” on the other hand refused to leave the trailer once backed in the water and no effort on Petra’s part or Brian’s swearing would move her, until Mike asked if the straps had been taken off. So with boat still on the trailer we drove back up the ramp undid the straps and off “Sea-Pet” floated to the great relief of her owners. The next to launch was “Lucy Ella”. All 3 boats now tied up and waited for the drivers to drive back to the Caravan Park and store vehicles & trailers. Tony & Janelle De Git from Biloela, with their boat “Y-knot”, who had launched at Shute Harbour, then joined us outside Abel Point Marina
Steven set the pace and we followed across to Nara Inlet for our first night on the water. Our first night at Nara we all tended up to “Lucy Ella” for happy hour and gladly welcomed “Miss Purvis” with Paul & Joe on board.
Sunday morning we explored the short walk to aboriginal cave paintings and then moved outside Nara Bay for snorkelling and fishing around the bommies. A couple of boats caught a feed but not in great numbers. That night the trend was set, happy hour was definitely planned for each night either on shore or gathered around one of the two of the larger boats for much laughter, wine & nibbles.
Monday 21/09/09 we left Nara about 8.30am and made our way to Hook Island underwater observatory where we saw what we were supposed to be catching! We had high hopes of getting a cappuccino at the resort however instant coffee was all they had so we generally chose beer. Then off to Boarder Island - Catharine Bay to swim and snorkel. Because of the northerly wind we decided to go to Chance Bay for the night. The Bells celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary that night at Chance Bay where we all went ashore for our regular “meeting”!!!
Tuesday, some of us stayed at Chance Bay while others went off to explore White Haven & Chalkies Beach on Haslewood Island. Don & Dell from “Sonata” joined us after having their first night at Nara and not being able to contact us until we managed to get mobile reception just outside of Chance Bay.
For Wednesday night it was decided if we could all book into Hamilton Island then we would, due to the weather not looking so good (25 to 30 knot winds). Luck was on our side and we managed to get one berth for all 6 boats moored together, (it was a good thing we all knew each other and no one complained about the men snoring, only their wives.) Our new vice commodore Peter and his wife Miranda were in charge of finding us a nice restaurant to eat out that night. Another great night was had by all and we settled down to a bumpy night tied up at the marina but it was the first bay inside the marina& was awash all night by the movement of all the in & out traffic!! The next day the group decided if we could get an extra night berthing at Hamilton then we would stay. We did manage and all 6 boats moved to a more sheltered berth and more room for all six boats to tie up.
Again Peter & Miranda made another excellent choice on a restaurant for dinner and the time at Hamilton allowed all to catch with washing etc.
Friday 25/9/09 we said good by to Hamilton well stocked up on fuel, water and more alcohol and set off for Cid Harbour saying our farewells to Stephen & Janette from “Quality Time.” It was sad to see them go and now we the “newcomers” would be on our own missing their guidance and leadership. Paul and Joe on “Miss Purvis” had moved to other locations as they had other days booked on Hamilton so it was VHF contact with them only.
We stayed two nights at Cid’s, fishing, swimming and having BBQ’s on shore. We said our farewells on the Sunday morning to the Don & Dell Bliss from “Sonata” as they headed back to Nara for their last night before heading back to Shute harbour.
From Cid we headed off to Daydream Island planning to have lunch ashore, however the weather was against us with gusty SE winds causing 2 meter waves. On the way over “Feenix” thought it might get there faster by using its zodiac as a wind sail and almost taking off from the top of the boat however Peter climbed outside and with brute strength managed to untie the inflatable and let the air out pulling it inside the boat. All this time “Sea-Pet” kept close expecting to see Peter take off in the wind hanging on to his inflatedable. (Sorry no photos)
At Daydream only “Y-Knot” managed to tie up at the buoy, just too rough for the rest of us to raft on, so we took off, hoping to find shelter from the wind near Camp Bay.
Only slightly better so we settled down to lunch and fishing.
Petra managed to catch a meter long shark with the handline, Brian refused to gut and clean the shark so with a Rex Hunt kiss on the tail back he went.
Once the winds settled down we made a dash for Butterfly Bay on top of Hook Island for two nights.
Butterfly bay has to be one of the best snorkelling spots in our opinion. Our group snorkelled for hours stopping long enough too have a BBQ lunch and back to some of the most wonderful coral and fish sightings.
Tuesday we booked back into Hamilton Island for 1 night looking forward to the showers and fuelling up once more.
The Bells had decided that they needed to get back to Brisbane due to family commitments so cut our trip short by 2 days. Joining us would be Mike & Robyn from “Lucy Ella.” The next morning, with two boats leaving and two boats staying we made the most of our last night on Hamilton Island sharing good food, wine and great company.
The Highlights – making new friends and sharing some incredible experiences with the common thread being “Whittley boat owners” and all looking forward to a new adventure.”
Sharing our stories and supporting each other if it was needed.
This leads to mentioning -Stephen and Janette who lead the way and taught us extra navigation skills, encouraged others to be the lead boat as we travelled from Bay to Bay and for their calming influence.
To Peter & Miranda for their excellent choices in restaurants and finding the best beaches for BBQ’s and for Peter washing everyone’s boat at Hamilton on the last day and Miranda always on the ready with her camera for group shots.
To Tony helping fix up a battery problem on “Sea-Pet” and Janelle for her infectious laughter that would get us all joining in no matter what the situation, having folks on board for the “Happy Hour” & for Janelle who was encouraged by Tony (husband) to dive in & retrieve their inflatable which broke its attachment to “Y-Knot”!!!
To Paul and Joe who joined up with us along the way and sharing their rescue skills in the water and out. They rescued a young teenage girl who had been stung and was screaming etc and got her back to her parents boat, (no thanks from them) and to stop two Whittleys from crunching when an anchor would not hold.
To Mike and Robyn for their constant enthusiasm and encouragement to the whole group “every day is a good day” & “ right now this is the only place to be” quote from Mike . For being the mother ship for the some of the evening gatherings.
To Don & Dell for making the effort to drive all the way down from Toowoomba after helping out family, packing up and then driving up to the Whitsundays and join up 3 days later. Your efforts are to be admired and you were both missed when you had to leave the group to head home.
To Jake and son Tait on their Sea Legend, although we did not get a chance to spend a great deal of time with you due to you having other commitments it was great to meet you both.
And last but not least to Brian for all his co-coordinating, planning and concerns for each member in our group. Ensuring that all would have a great time and come through safe and sound and have some wonderful memories at the end of the trip, from all of us we thank you.
From the author -I feel a great deal richer for meeting such wonderful people and for you all sharing a part of your selves and your stories, with Brian and me and for your support and encouragement when we the Bells had our moments.
“Sea-Pet” will defiantly be going back to the Whitsundays hope you can join us.
Cheers Petra Bell
