After exactly six months and one week in Townsville, we started our trip south on Tuesday 4 January. It’s about 150NM to Airlie, considering we didn’t travel in a direct route, and factoring in we only travel during daylight hours, our average speed was under 1NM/hour. I think you’ll agree, that’s slow! In fact, friends can kayak faster than that!!
But we had a great journey and took a detour to Bowen along the way, which was spontaneous and for those who know me well, I generally have to schedule spontaneity into our travels!
I’ve separated this blog about our cruise from Townsville to Airlie Beach by the places where we stayed along the way and have included key points and photos.
Townsville to Cape Upstart
I felt mixed emotions leaving Townsville, excited for the next adventures, but sad as we had to say goodbye to our son and his girlfriend.
- About 70NM taking around 8.5 hours (our actual cruising speed being around 8 knots, which is 8NM/hour)
- Anchored in about 5m of water and let out around 37m of chain, which included the 7m long bridle.
- Stayed Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
- Calm during the day, but quite rolly overnight, even with the flopper stoppers out, as we had swung around to be side on to the swell.
- The second day we moved closer to land and Robert experimented with repositioning the bridle to one side, this helping to stop us swinging around to be side on to the swell.
- Great sunset.
Even though we’d made the trip north just a little over 6 months earlier, I never tire of the scenery and how rugged the coastline is in parts. And if you’re not tired of it either, you might want to take another look at our journey north, Pinch me – we’re in Townsville!
The following photos show the sun setting to the west of Cape Upstart.
Cape Upstart to Bowen
Our original plan was to head to Cape Gloucester and stay for a couple of nights, but after checking the weather conditions, we decided we’d be more protected from the north-westerly winds inside Dalrymple Point, Bowen. Since we hadn’t been here, it also made sense to see experience a different anchorage.
- About 40NM taking around 5 hours.
- Tucked in and anchored in about 4m of very protected water, again letting out about 37m of chain.
- Stayed Thursday and Friday nights.
- Calm enough that we didn’t need the flopper stoppers.
- Great internet access, phone and free-to-air TV signal.
- A magical sunset the first night.
- Decided we’d spend longer in Bowen to wait for wind conditions to calm before continuing to Airlie.
- You can read about the cultural significance of the cape in the Cape Upstart National Park wiki entry.
On our trip north, we anchored in Queen’s Bay, so it was great to see some different scenery as we headed to Dalrymple Point, travelling between North Head Island and Stone Island.
Sun setting to the west of Bowen. Initially we wondered if we might get a storm, but it turned into a magical sunset, and as I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, the photos don’t do it justice!
Short stay at Bowen Marina
The weather forecast for the next few days wasn’t going to be favourable so instead of racing to Airlie Beach, we decided to stay at Bowen Marina.
- 1NM about 10 mins (included picking up the anchor).
- Small marina of 22 berths.
- Visited the Starboard Cafe and the Grand View Hotel for dinner while we were there.
- Met a lovely couple at the Starboard Cafe who came to see Poseidon, and then took us sightseeing around Bowen, complete with picnic lunch and beer/wine. They also gave us fresh eggs from their chooks and the most delicious home grown papaya and passionfruit. Thanks Peter and Kaye.
- I explored, on my bike, as I’d read that Bowen is the Mural Capital of Australia.
Yet another set of sunset photos, this time with the yacht club in the foreground.
Bowen to Double Bay
On Friday 14 January, we left Bowen to head to an anchorage in Double Bay. At one stage I was looking back and reflecting how far we’ve come in the last two years and what lessons we’ve learnt. Probably something we can all do from time to time.
- About 27NM taking around 3.5 hours.
- There are two bays, Double Bay West and Double Bay East.
- We anchored in Double Bay East, but there was no phone, TV or internet reception.
- A very calm anchorage and we didn’t use the flopper stoppers.
- There were no other boats around.
- The water colour was stunning.
- For a change, the sunset was not as spectacular but the moonrise (moon approaching a full one) was quite special!
Double Bay to Airlie Beach
On Saturday 15 January, we headed to Airlie Beach. This time we decided to stay at Port of Airlie Marina. Previously, we’d stayed at Coral Sea Marina, which was great, but you know what they say…”A change is as good as a holiday”… and after all the work we did in Townsville – outlined in my blog And just like that – it’s time for a holiday!
- About 11NM taking around 1.5 hours.
- Easy to navigate to our marina berth and while we requested a 16m berth, we’re with the big boats in a 24m one!
- Port of Airlie Marina is closer to the main shopping area/restaurants of Airlie Beach than where we’d previously stayed.
- The bus stops are a short walk from where we’re staying but we found out they offer a courtesy car for a two-hour time period.
- It got to about 36 degrees Celcius outside!
Where to next?
We’re making the Port of Airlie Marina our base, but planning to spend time exploring the Whitsundays over the next couple of months.
5 Responses
Nice that you and Robert had plenty of time to spend with Regan & Lauren. xx
Looks like you’ve had spectacular weather.
Have a wonderful time exploring the islands of the Whitsundays.
I love the 30 degree water temp.
Rob & Chicka
Did you manage to dodge Tiffany? Looks like it ! Hope your enjoy the Whitsundays, can be idyllic. What an adventure you guys are having 🙂
36 degrees C air temp and 30 degrees water temp WOW! Good that you’ve been able to dodge the bad weather.