Finally we were able to leave Great Sandy Straits marina at 9.30am this morning after painstakingly waiting for Llew( Marine Electrician) and Andrew(Nordhavn) to solve our intermittent problem with the igniters on the Viking Stove.
The weather forecast was for strong winds later in the day offshore, but as we near Burnett River Heads the Westerly winds have died and the seas abated to make a near perfect trip. So calm, that with only 7.5 nm to go we saw several blows from the seasons’ first whales on their 5000km migration north. The East Australian Humpback Population is estimated to be between 11,000 and 13,000 in 2009 so we will have ours eyes peeled all the way north. Watch this space for photos!!
The first 2 1/2 miles of the river is used primarily for commercial shipping, the loading of bulk sugar and further up stream used for commercial fisherman and recreational yachties. This is one of the major Customs Clearance Ports on the east coast. There are full facilities available here and it is the home of the Bundaberg Rum Our Favourite Factory!!
Our intention is to anchor about a nm up the river overnight and get an 4am start in the morning for Pancake Creek, 60nm North West of Bundaberg.
Pancake Creek has a deep entrance and good shelter from most winds. The creek lies under the lee of Bustard Head and should be an ideal spot for us to while away a few days fishing and crabbing. This is also the anchorage where back in 2006 on a catamaran I broke my ankle! No intention of replicating the event!!!
(P.S Sorry for the delay in previous entries, I was busy with the photography course and visitors. More to come soon!!)
The weather forecast was for strong winds later in the day offshore, but as we near Burnett River Heads the Westerly winds have died and the seas abated to make a near perfect trip. So calm, that with only 7.5 nm to go we saw several blows from the seasons’ first whales on their 5000km migration north. The East Australian Humpback Population is estimated to be between 11,000 and 13,000 in 2009 so we will have ours eyes peeled all the way north. Watch this space for photos!!
The first 2 1/2 miles of the river is used primarily for commercial shipping, the loading of bulk sugar and further up stream used for commercial fisherman and recreational yachties. This is one of the major Customs Clearance Ports on the east coast. There are full facilities available here and it is the home of the Bundaberg Rum Our Favourite Factory!!
Our intention is to anchor about a nm up the river overnight and get an 4am start in the morning for Pancake Creek, 60nm North West of Bundaberg.
Pancake Creek has a deep entrance and good shelter from most winds. The creek lies under the lee of Bustard Head and should be an ideal spot for us to while away a few days fishing and crabbing. This is also the anchorage where back in 2006 on a catamaran I broke my ankle! No intention of replicating the event!!!
(P.S Sorry for the delay in previous entries, I was busy with the photography course and visitors. More to come soon!!)