Great Keppel Island 3rd - 5th June

 

Scoping Hummocky Island

 

From our surge prone anchorage on Hummocky Island we could clearly see Great Keppel in the distance beckoning us to a smoother stopover and a more diverse opportunity for walks ashore. It was a quick sail in about 10kn of breeze, although the island disappeared in a steady downpour of rain as we approached from the eastern side. Long white sandy beaches could be seen ashore and the island itself cloaked in a dark green sea of bush and trees. Several boats were already anchored in Second Bay, but we chose Leeke Bay next door. There seemed to be more depth there and less problem for first timers working out where the shallow ground was. It proved to be a quiet spot although windier than Second Bay due to the hills being much lower there. Nearly all the other boats that came during the day anchored in Second Bay and we began to feel like we were 'Nigel No Friends'. We stayed put with two small catamarans and enjoyed delightful conditions.

 

Rick, Val, Tiger and Liz at Leeke Beach Great Keppel Island

There are numerous walk tracks here and we could have stayed much longer had it not been for the necessity for food and of course beer. We will definitely come back to this island in the future as it is one of the highlights of our trip this year. After settling in Rick, Val and Tiger came over to join us for a pleasant walk along Leeke Beach, a broad swathe of clean, white sand stretching to the point in the distance. We could see the buildings of the backpackers and the defunct resort in the next bay. On learning that there was a café/bar there Peter and I promised ourselves a morning walk and coffee tomorrow.

Global Warming or normal coastal erosion???

This walk took us through the open bushland, over the range, affording beautiful views over the island and down through the derelict resort. What a sad state of affairs! Still there seems to be talk of a complete rebuild, but who knows. At present the substantial buildings are rapidly becoming part of the weedy bushland surrounding them. We saw a handful of day trippers and backpackers at the other end of the beach where there were a couple of small shops and our destination, the bar/coffee shop. The coffee was good and the setting overlooking the beach delightful.

Later in the afternoon we took Lily onto the beach in Second Bay to explore there. Rick, Val and Tiger again joined us for a companionable walk along the beach. One old dead tree had a huge Osprey nest in it and the bird was standing guard nearby. People have set up a cosy drinking area under the Sheoaks complete with chairs, tables, basic cooking utensils, even a patch of fake green lawn and other paraphernalia associated with BBQs or pre-dinner drinks. Some people were enjoying the facility and we stopped and talked for a while. There is a very nice looking private house in the corner of the bay which is lived in and well maintained.

 

Tige goes exploring

After a week on the water we felt the pull of Rosslyn Bay Marina and all the facilities there so we packed up and had a lovely broad reach sail over to the mainland about 9nm away. Our sailing this year has been mostly dead downwind and this is not necessarily very comfortable as we roll across a lumpy ocean threatening to jibe at any moment. Peter puts on a preventer to stop the main sail accidently jibing, which is safer, but it does not make things more comfortable.

Rosslyn Bay Marina 5th - 6th June

We are now in Rosslyn Bay cleaning up and this morning going to Yeppoon in the courtesy car to do the shopping. You can book the car for two hours and then need to get moving so that the shopping can be done in time for the next person's turn. There is a very nice restaurant overlooking the marina here, set amongst cool, green gardens. It is a lovely spot for a meal or drinks. We were both impressed with Yeppoon set amongst the hills and along the bay.

Our next week, maybe two, will be spent between Rosslyn Bay and the south Whitsunday Islands. There are few settlements along this stretch of coast and we believe reception for phones etc is probably going to be poor. However there are some very protected anchorages and many people, even in this marina, are on their way to the Whitsundays so we won't be lonely. Along the way we intend to visit Port Clinton (name only - no-one lives there), Pearl Bay, Island Head Creek, Percy Islands, Scawfell Island or Mackay if the stores run out. After that who knows!!

Rene tucked up in Rosslyn Bay Marina