A Quick Trip to the Gold Coast 5th - 8th May

Check out the flood levels!

 



On Monday morning we wandered around Ulmarra looking in the shop windows and wondering when they would open. It is such a pretty little town full of old buildings and collectable and antique shops. Nothing was happening fast and as the wind began to build again we decided to get off the jetty and begin our trip back down the river before we got stuck there for the rest of the day. On the way Peter contacted the bridge operator to arrange a bridge opening for us. It usually requires 24 hours notice, but he said if we could get there he would open it at 2pm. We had looked at the weather forecast for the week and it appeared that a good weather window for the trip to the Gold Coast was beginning. We made the decision then that we'd go all the way back to Iluka for the night, do a quick shop, have showers at the caravan park and prepare for an overnight trip. Meanwhile we had an enjoyable motor down the river as the wind died out and the beautiful river scenery slid past. We didn't quite get to Grafton as everyone we spoke to said it wasn't worth the effort and the Gold Coast was beckoning.

Numerous trawlers were working on the Clarence River

In the evening Ron from Roseanne came over for drinks and a session of trip planning. There is a lot to think about especially where bar crossings are concerned. The Clarence has a tricky bar and the tides and current crucial to a smooth entry or exit. Then there is the arrival at the Gold Coast Seaway another entry that requires care although generally easier to negotiate. Wind, swell, timing (we don't like arriving at night) tides, East Coast Current and forecast all need consideration. Well we looked up tide charts, weather forecasts, by at least four different sites and after a complete brain drain from information overload we decided that between 9 and 10am on Tuesday would be good. It was. Light winds to start and overnight we had a steady 5 - 10kn from the south kept us cruising along nicely. My watch from midnight to 3am wasn't difficult as the lights of suburbia from Tweed Heads on kept me interested along with dodging the odd fishing trawler.

 

Gold Coast at dawn

We arrived at the Gold Coast Seaway at 8.30am, followed Roseanne in and turned south into Marine Stadium, (commonly known as 'Bums Bay') a very secure little bay near Sea World, that was full of anchored boats. It took a while to find enough space to drop the anchor without bumping into anyone else. Camelot, Arkaydes and Sans Souci were already there. At present we have all gone off in different directions, but it will be good to catch up along the way as we are all heading north.

Sand Bypass Jetty Gold Coast Seaway

 

 



Marine Stadium 8th - 9th May

Our snug anchorage in Bums Bay proved to be just that as the strong southerly winds whipped through the anchorage for most of the day. Peter and I decided to take Lily down to Australia Fair shopping centre using the exposed sandbanks for protection from the choppy water. That worked well and we spent most of the day there. It is a convenient place to restock the larder as there is a public jetty nearby where the dinghy could be secured safely around the back. Coming home was easy going with the wind. Sundowners were on Sans Souci along with the crews from Arkaydes and Camelot. Hugh and Julie are practically locals so we picked their brains about routes, marinas and anchorages on this part of the coast. We had had the charts out and the waterways between the Gold Coast and Moreton Bay are a maze of interconnected channels as four rivers converge inside South and North Stradbroke Islands. Local knowledge is invaluable.

 

How cute is that?

This morning we took the dinghy down to Southport Yacht Club to get some fuel and to get an up to date copy of 'Beacon to Beacon - Yeppoon To Tweed Heads'. This publication had been strongly recommended. Also the guy at the chandlery advised us to walk around to Queensland Fisheries and pick up marine park guides and other relevant information. Now Rene has disappeared under a mountain of paper - charts, cruising guides, pamphlets, maps etc outlining what we are allowed to do or not do. I have enough reading material there to keep me going for the whole trip!!!

Homework

 



The tide was right at midday for our short journey to Tipplers on South Stradbroke Island, about 10nm. Armed with all our publications and the chart plotter we kept a close eye on our progress. It would be easy to get lost here amongst the countless sandbanks, mangrove covered islands and channels. Counting channel markers is a must. We are now at Tipplers. The wind as dropped and the anchorage calm. We have had a hot shower for $3 each at the camping area. Sheer luxury!!

Tomorrow we will continue on north up this amazing waterway.

The Spit walk track Gold Coast