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| Departing Mourilyan Harbour |
After much discussion and trawling through the various weather sites three of the yachts anchored in Mourilyan Harbour during the adverse weather conditions decided to make a break for Fitzroy Island or Cairns. We thought Cape Grafton, about 7nm east of Cairns, might be the place to go. It was to be a long days sail in windy, showery conditions, but at least it would be quick. The three of us left early and stayed within sight of each other for most of the day. Spirit of Biscay (Sarah and Nigel) sailed out to sea. We picked the middle passage and the other yacht, a Bavaria 39, stayed in closer to the shore. By 3pm we were off Cape Grafton and as we rounded the cape and sailed into the bay we decided that Cairns would be a better option as it was obvious that there was little shelter to be found here today. Bullets of wind gusted across the bay turning the water a nasty brown colour awash with white caps.
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| Lily sits safely in the cockpit on the way to Cairns |
After motoring into Cairns Harbour we made our way inland as far as the entrance to Smith's Creek where on the opposite shore we found enough space to anchor for the night. It was very quiet and the water calm and still after our vigorous day's sail. We expected strong currents through this anchorage as spring tides were now in place. Wow! During the night we suddenly heard a loud grinding, grumbling noise that woke us with a start. The water was racing past Rene's hull, rattling and gurgling as it went. After leaping out of bed and staring into the darkness, thinking we had tangled up with something, we decided that it was the anchor chain straightening out as we changed direction with the tide. Nothing seemed amiss, but that was the strongest current we have ever seen.In the morning we motored further up Trinity Inlet to explore a bit before catching the tide out and making for Yorkey's Knob about 7nm north of Cairns. Trinity Inlet is huge and has many good anchorage sites. There are however, many derelict boats and hulls lying along the shores and in the mangroves, the result of cyclones and neglect I suppose. Smith's Creek is completely crowded with trawlers, customs, navy, yacht club facilities and pile moorings. Interesting for a look, but not much room for anchoring.
Yorkey's Knob
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| Our view from Rene |
The manager at Half Moon Bay Marina allocated us berth 6 which is very close to the gate and the facilities just beyond. It is such a convenient place to be and at $240 per week we decided to make this our stopover for the week. The entry was straightforward although the depth showed 2.7m as we approached the marina wall. Our draft is 1.8m and I kept a good eye on the echo sounder. The tide was well out so most craft would not have problems getting in here. However the Bluewater Marina next door, in the canal development, had very little water at the entry so a high tide would be necessary to access this marina.
Sarah and Nigel arrived just ahead of us and after a long basking in the showers and fresh clothes we all met on the yacht club veranda for lunch. Sooooo Lovely!!!
A courtesy bus from the marina to the Smithfield Shopping Centre is available to marina residents on Monday, Wednesday and Friday departing at 12 noon and returning at 2pm. It is great for reprovisioning, but with 2 hours you can't muck around. We will take advantage of it on Friday to stock up before our trip to Port Douglas on Saturday - weather permitting.
Sunbuses make hourly trips to James Cook Uni or the Smithfield Shopping Centre and from there a change of bus takes you into Cairns or to the Northern Beaches. On Tuesday we went into Cairns for the morning and that was enough as we are not into the full on touristy thing. Having mastered the bus timetable we decided to take a trip to Palm Cove (Northern Beaches) on Wednesday. This is also very touristy, but the beach is beautiful as is the beach front walk and jetty. Behind the road is crowded with apartments, multi-story holiday accommodation, cafes and restaurants. We were impressed though as the huge old melaleuca's have been retained, in some cases within the buildings, and the gardens are beautiful.
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| Trees inside the buildings at Palm Cove |
We are thoroughly enjoying Yorkey's Knob. The yacht club is popular and we have had to wait for a table to become available for an evening meal on the veranda. The beach is lovely, the suburban gardens jungly and interesting and there is a very nice coffee shop at the small shopping centre down the road.
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| Holloways Beach |
We have now entered new sailing grounds for us. In the next few weeks we intend to sail as far as Lizard Island where we hope to stay for a while before making our way south back to Townsville.
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| Some beautiful flowering trees in Cairns city |
How clever is this? I still don't know how I did it!!!!
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