Fun friends

Barry and Matey salute the sunset

We were sad to say goodbye to Angelique and Vic, who have headed south to larger latitudes, taking relaxed attitudes.

A visit from Barry helped to ease the pain, however. We spent a fun few days exploring Gulnare Inlet on Whitsunday Island: a beautiful all-wind anchorage. We even harvested some black-lipped oysters. Barry excelled as chef creating two dishes and Matey bravely tried, and enjoyed, Barry’s Kilpatric. Meanwhile the traumatised Captain hid in the cabin unable to bring himself to witness the feeding frenzy.

Inspired by Angelique and Vic, we continued the daily tradition of yoga, this time on the deck rather than the beach as getting ashore at Gulnare is challenging.  (The absence of trampolines at the front provides just enough surface on each side for yoga.)

We then visited South Molle Island, where we’d heard there were some great walks. We weren’t disappointed, but didn’t have enough time for more than one. Interestingly this once-popular destination is now a ‘private resort’ just catering to groups, meaning sometimes it is ‘closed’. However, a group of 80 backpackers was expected the day after we visited so while quiet there was a frenzy of activity underway. It has fared better than several of the other heavily promoted resorts of last century, e.g. Brampton, Lindeman and Keppel, all of which are now deserted.

We met up again with Tiana and Gary, who we first met in Woodwark Bay. A fun and fabulous day was spent sailing on their mega-catamaran with so much space that Matey was tempted to jump ship!

It looks even better from upside-down

Unusual tree among the mangroves

This little crab quickly moved in on a remnant of newly exposed oyster flesh. 
The opportunity for a feeding frenzy made it decidedly less shy.

Black lips

Size does matter

He did have help with this!

Captain bravely peeks at the derring-do in the dining room

Exploring Gulnare by dinghy

Always mature, the Matey succeeds in irritating the long-suffering Captain

Umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla) at South Molle Island.
A big thank you once again to Karen for species identification.

Island hopping

Coco at home on Reef Runner

Vic and Angelique

Racing Reef Runner

Sunset at Blue Pearl Bay

Happy hour at Blue Pearl Bay

Mackerel Bay sunset - visiting Ian on Querida

Bring back the 70s and open necked shirts!

Capt Chrome Dome hard at it again

Orchids at Lady Island, Cid Harbour

Golden Orchid (Durabaculum undulatum): thanks to Karen for identification!

Shute Harbour

Hook, line and sinker

(Err, no. Matey still hasn't taken up fishing. The more she snorkels the less likely it seems ...)

After a July of winge-worthy weather, finally it turned. August has been sensational – the kind of weather a winter-beaten southerner expects in Queensland. Maximum temperature each day is in the low twenties and the sun smiles. To Matey’s delight, some days the water is a millpond. We are in the Whitsundays and we’ve seen whales, turtles, dolphins and even a manta ray up close. Via mask and snorkel we’ve seen giant (and small) clams, numerous coral ‘gardens’ and curious and disinterested fish. Matey is slowly starting to be able to identify various types, and is becoming less fearful of sharks as ignorance recedes …

We spent a week around Hook Island. Snorkelling at the western and northern anchorages was good. We then snorkelled at nearby Black and Langford Islands and it seemed to get better. Each site was quite different. At 5 am one morning Matey was woken by whale song and breathing close by!

We spent several days anchored at the exquisite Nara Inlet, a fjord with aquamarine water. It’s also reputedly a nursery for hammerhead sharks. As we rowed ashore one day a large manta ray wafted by. We then spent a few days at Cid Harbour on Whitsunday Island. Though we've been here before the more we explore it the more it improves.

With high peaks on many of the islands there is ample opportunity to climb watercourses (and sometimes waterfalls, though almost dry now), and these often provide the only way into the forest. The view is usually worth the climb. The possibility of a fresh water bath provides additional incentive for Captain ‘It doesn’t get any better than this’ Jones.

Whale

Regrowth in Rooper National Park

Matey drove him to it. Obviously.

Matey's millpond

View from waterfall at Sawmill Bay

Manta ray 

Capt C. Dom tries new stinger suit 

Into the deep

Stonehaven 

Nara

 

Oops! Stranded dinghy

Captain's boudoir

Balancing on the peak with Derek and Sheree

Views from Whitsunday Peak