Sailing – Fraser Island to Island Head Creek

Pancake Creek is an excellent spot for cruising sailors. However, before we stopped there, we left Mooloolaba early and had a horrible rolly sail to Wide Bay Bar. It was a disgusting sail; Thorfinn was tossed from side to side as the three-metre swell hit us broadside. However, we had no problems crossing the bar. We were soon sailing in the flat, protected waters of Fraser Island… bliss. After stopping the first night at an anchorage called Garry’s, we went to Kingfisher Bay. We then went to the resort for a swim and a couple of drinks.

Kingfisher Bay

We took the dinghy ashore and went for a walk. After having a good look around, we found ourselves back at the jetty just in time to see a couple of humpback whales put on a show. We then went to the resort for a swim and a couple of drinks.

Bundaberg

From Kingfisher Bay, we went to Bundaberg Marina, where we topped up our fuel and water. We met a guy called John, a boat watcher who takes photos of the boats coming in to, or passing, Bundy and uploads the images to Vessel Finder. He came down to see us while we were refuelling and uploaded the photos he took onto our computer. John then dropped us at the IGA to grab some fresh supplies. There are still some friendly people, ready to lend a hand to strangers. It’s a refreshing change from all the nastiness you see on the news!

Pancake Creek

Our next stop was Pancake Creek. It is a very popular anchorage, and there must have been more than 20 boats anchored in the area. The first day we were there, Dwayne took us searching for oysters. This exploring took us through the mangroves, where we were mauled by biting midges. The one thing that made the midge-infested walk worth it for me was a close up look at the rainbow bee-eaters.

The next day we walked to Bustard Head Lighthouse, where I got to take more photos of the bee-eaters. We visited the lighthouse graveyard, and then on our walk back, we stopped at aircraft beach for a swim. This beach has a managed campground, and the people camping on this beach arrive via plane. The plane is constantly coming and going, bringing people and taking people out again.

We had dinner with Trevor and Joyce aboard Gondwana (a yummy roast chicken), and the next day Dwayne and I went to a quiet bay, and Dwayne once again devoured oysters. We cooked dinner on a fire. It was a lovely end to our time in Pancake Creek.

Great Keppel Island

We had a fast downwind sail (goose wing sails) from Pancake Creek to Great Keppel Island. Unfortunately, the webbing on the top of our headsail came away during this trip. We anchored in two different bays at Keppel for two nights; then, we moved on because the anchorages were too rolly. We had a long walk along the beach while at one anchorage, and at the other anchorage, we went to the bar for a drink.

Head Island Creek

We left GKI and sailed to Island Head Creek minus the headsail, so we put up the staysail. It started as good downwind sailing before turning into battering. The seas were huge, and the wind was greater than 25 knots. We got knocked around a bit with anything not tied down flung around the boat! We were glad to arrive at Island Head Creek and escape the worst of the wind.

The next day we went exploring. Dwayne spied some super large oysters and collected some for lunch. I made Beer Battered Marlin Fingers and Oysters.

After dropping the oysters back to the boat, we went further afield, where we noticed a yacht on the beach. It was a sad sight and a timely reminder of how easy it is to lose a boat.

Next up – Hunter Island to Airlie Beach