Townsville to Whitsundays

A terrific weather forecast for the next 3 days presented us with a great window of opportunity to head south. From Townsville we motor-sailed the 80 odd miles to Cape Upstart - a safe anchorage from the East-SE winds surrounded by the amazing geology of the area. The following day, the wind was a little more from the south than forecast. This made our relatively short passage of 45 miles to Glouster Island a little uncomfortable under motor, but we still managed to achieve a constant 7+ knots.

Another fantastic night at anchor in Bona Bay - Glouster Island with an early morning glassy passage to Olden Island for a day of fishing, snorkelling and enjoying the sunshine. Soon after leaving Olden Island, the clutch on the trolling line hummed it's beautiful tone Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz indicating a big strike. Ro was first to the rod after almost knocking Lana overboard with his desire to add this fish to his fish count. For anyone who cares other than Lana, the fish count now stands at (Lana = 50 Ro = 47) - a late surge from the Captain is making Lana feel a little uneasy as we approach our last bit of time on the water.

Now anchored off Airlie Beach to shelter from a southerly weather pattern and get tv reception for the football grand finals, we have feasted on Ro's MACKEREL for the last four nights. Yum!!