1770 (Seventeen Seventy) - Fitzroy Reef - Pancake Creek

1770 was all that we thought it might be- an idyllic, small, romantic, undeveloped coastal chill haven with a one hour walk to a more upbeat, modern beachside town of Agnes Waters with PUB. Beer and coffee at “The Tree Cafe’”, stand-up paddle boarding, morning dinghy rides for coffee from the marina and some special sunsets watched from the back deck with Noah. We were at anchor for six glorious days before heading for a 40 miles voyage to Fitzroy Reef.

Talk about MAGIC .......Fitzroy Reef Lagoon was like a millpond the day we entered (Anzac Day) after a perfect passage under sail timed to hit the tight entrance into the lagoon at low tide. With reef either side and Alana on the bow guiding us in, we entered mirror like waters, able to view fish at 8 metres deep feeding from the coral making our way to anchor in 10 metres where the bottom could be clearly seen and coral bombies avoided. The sky literally met the sea in a whole 360 deg. view that words could not describe as the reef is just that - with no land visible. At high tide it looks like you are just anchored in the middle of the ocean. We spent the day swimming, snorkelling, fishing and lazing about as you do in such a perfect setting.
As the sun started to set nearly a dozen recreational fishing boats joined us in the lagoon for the night for protection with an increase in wind up to nearly 30 knots creating quite a rough night for the smaller trailer able boats. The following morning all of these boats left for a dash for the mainland as it was the end of their long weekend and they had to be home for tea! As the radio traffic reflected throughout the day with increasing wave height outside the lagoon in open waters it reinforced the importance that you should not have a timetable when boating. One 6 metre boat nearly sank with a split hull and others had a terrible ride back to safe harbour. As for us, we had a lovely day at anchor and headed off to Pancake Creek the following day with a smaller sea and less wind.

It was Alana’s idea to head into Pancake as she read some great reviews that held so true to our experience: a safe anchorage, beautiful scenery, great company and more amazing sunsets. We were invited for morning tea which became lunch with Phil and Pat on their 40 ft Cat – Aquavista – which later turned into a boys afternoon of fishing, telling lies and yabbying. Phil and Pat not only are a great couple living their dream and have been for the past few years but also are brilliant mud crabbers in which their generosity proved a bonus for us!! On our last night of 3 in Pancake Creek with 8 boats at anchor we all met on a drying sandbank as the tide exposed it at 4 pm for a party which ended with a sunset to die for and ankle deep water as the sandbar was enveloped by the incoming tide just on dark.

The following morning we set off at sunrise for Gladstone with motor, sail and tide all working for us we made the 30 nm trip in less than 3 and a half hours to be along-side at Gladstone Marina to visit Ro’s sister and family and provision for an extended 2 weeks in the Keppels.
MOST IMPORTANTLY - Alana is now 10 – 8 up on the fish count. She even allowed Ro to count a grotty old catfish to his tally! – Now that is love!