Weipa to Townsville - The Movie

Ok so it's not a proper movie but you get the idea. Enjoy!

Zoe Bay to Townsville

Up early and excited about the final leg of our Journey, we get to Orpheus about 9:00, we enjoy the run past the Palms and south to Rattlesnake and Herald Islands. We get to Palleranda about 2:00 and the wind starts to blow a bit, I’m a bit unsure how the berthing will go with the wind but as it turns out there were no problems, the welcoming committee were on hand to grab ropes and safely secure the boat.

At this point I was in a bit of a daze, we had made it!! Greg declared that it was rum o’clock so we headed up to the bar for a few bevvies on the deck. Home at last!!

Russel Island to Zoe Bay

Another calm day, we make good progress and get to the northern tip of Hinchinbrook at around 3:00, the wind has started to blow a bit so Zoe bay is the shot as we can hide from the northerlies there. Beautiful bay, unfortunately we have to share it with a commercial fishing boat. Grrr..

Low Isles to Russel Islands

Yee Har!!

Another great day motorsailing south, we passed Cairns at about mid-day and finally feel like we’re getting close to Townsville. We decide to try for Mourilyan Harbour but when we got close to Russel Island we liked it so much we tied up to the public mooring there. Beautiful spot and a nice anchorage.

Cooktown to Low Isles

Up early as usual, got he mainsail up and went back for a snooze, Greg seems to be awake early regardless of how good a sleep he had. Nice day motorsailing, we have really been blessed with some good weather. We got to the Low Isles about 6:00, fish for tea again. Lots of Sharks around the boat and they all look hungry. Greg’s wife is always giving him adventure type vouchers, I suggested that if he went for a swim he could save himself a coupla hundred bucks on the “swim with the sharks” ticket, J

Quite a nice spot, a research station with a small lighthouse on one of the islands and a few other yachts which was quite welcome.. One of the boats was a cata with some dudes wearing sarongs...hmmm...

Cape Flattery to Cooktown

Left Cape Flattery at first light, neither of us had a good night so we took turns grabbing cat naps. No wind so we motored to Cooktown and arrived around mid day.

We jumped in the tinny eager to hit the laundromat, pub and supermarket. We ended up at the bowls club for lunch and had a crackin meal in air conditioned comfort. Greg has suffered with the heat a fair bit, I keep telling him it’s only spring, wait till summer.

Next to the supermarket where we got much needed supplies, then a cab to the boat ramp and back to the boat. The reverse lock on Nysa had ceased function so he drove it up on a sand bar and jumped out for a look. A quick repair and we revrsed off the bar and went to to fuel dock for water and fuel, a very productive day and we were now set for the final run to Townsville. Woo-hoo!

I was surprised at how nice Cooktown is, lots of colonial architecture and a nice small town atmosphere, lots of pubs!

Morris Island to Cape Flattery

Up early, heading for the Flinders Islands, another nice day. If we can make good progress today then Cooktown might only be a couple of days away which is good because we’re getting low on water and milk.

I picked up my rod and got the lure in the water, I said to Greg that we’d proably have a couple of fish by 10.00. Greg gave me one of those ‘you’re dreaming’ looks and next thing you know we’re hauling in the fish. First Greg got a small doggie mackerel, followed by a couple of huge Spanish macks and finally my rod snagged a nice big Spanish. I’m not sure I can claim full credit for this one as we thought the line was snagged in the rudder so I left it and went for a kip, next thin y’know Greg is winding it in saying it had freed itself and come and get it. Any way I reeled in the last few metres and got it on the boat. We released it after a photo as we had heaps of fish by now. A cracking morning no less.

We pulled up at Cape Flattery as we’d made good time, I was surprised that we had good coverage so we made a few calls and set anchor, time for a shower and sleepies. Nice to be close to civilization, never thought I’d ever say that!

Cape Grenville to Portland Roads to MorrisIsland

Cape Grenville to Portland Roads

Easy day south to Portland Roads I was hoping for internet but although there was a weak signal, only enough to send a few texts. Portland Roads is and interesting place, a little outpost a whole long way from nowhere. Greg moved the desalinator pump to a lower spot, seems to work OK now. He’s been busy all day.

Day 10

Portland Roads to Morris Island

Another great days motor sail, We passed a couple of resorts just south of Portland roads, clearly not meant for people of my income bracket. Serenaded Greg with the banjo and I think he is finally beginning to appreciate its musical quality, either that or he’s just being polite. He did hint that the banjo thing would stand up in court as reasonable grounds for murder.  Wonder if he’s hinting?

Greg hooked up a shark, which ate his favourite lure, and a big mack that got away again. Had good internet as we passed Archer River so dashed off a few emails while we could. The leg seems to be lifting in reverse so an email exchange reveals the the reverse lock needs a bungee to make it work and it has obviously snapped, mulling over that one….. We thought we might reverse ot up against the beach at Morris Isle and wade in to have a look, but croc slides on the beach made the idea less appealing so we abandoned that train of thought.

Escape River to Cape Melville

0700 Set out for Cairncross island, wind straight at us and very hard going, got 13 miles and turned back, didn’t want to do the dark thing again. A bit frustrating to say the least.

1700 set anchor again

Day6

Decided to stay put due to the weather, the pearl farm owner came over and said gday, having smoko with him tomorrow.

Moved the boat further up the river at the advice of Rusty, the pearl farm owner. More bugs here, march flies…uuggggghhhh! Hopefully they prefer Greg :)

Just pottered around the boat, tried and finally succeeded at getting the watermaker going.  Pretty tired so spent a bit of time sleeping.

Rumbos on the deck, snacks for dinner and early bed.

Day 7

Escape River day 2

Wind seems to have died off so we move out closer to the pearl farm, hoping to score some diesel and make a run for it. We decide against it because of the time factor and spend an interesting morning with Rusty and Bronwyn, the pearl farm owners. Rusty likes a bit of a yarn.

Back to the boat with diesel  and we top up the tanks and then return to the farm with Rusty’s containers. Another cup of tea and extended yarning follows, back to the boat by 6.30, which, as we all know,  is when all the crocs come out.

Day 8

Escape River to Cape Melville

An early start sees us heading south to cape Melville, a big day where we need to cover 80 nautical miles. Plan A is Cairncross Island, plan B is and plan C is Cape Melville. We get to plan B and decide to push on…

The winds are light and we have a great day motorsailing south. Greg has a few good bites but no fish, lost a nice big Spanish mack.

Anchored uo at 7.30, a bit too close to dark for our liking.