The Ultimate Surge Protector
15 July 2016
Kim
The breakwater here is so high that from our slip at the Marina it feels like we're peering up at the world from inside a well! At low tide, cars driving along the top of the breakwater look like little dinky toys. Coming here seems to be a favourite pastime for locals, who drive to the end of the breakwater to take in the expansive views of the open ocean and listen to the roaring waves crashing below, before stopping for fish & chips and a pint at one of the Marina eateries.
The road entrance to the breakwater is closed in rough weather, but it doesn't stop people from storm watching at the gate entrance (or from up at the Yacht Club), where you can get a great view of steep curling waves pelting the long sandy beach. Reminds us a bit of winter storms at home!
Big storms are a reality here, particularly in the summer. Seventy seven recorded cyclones have hit the MacKay region since the town was settled in 1862. Damage caused by wild winds and huge sea surge from the most recent events resulted in major enhancements to the breakwater and Marina area itself in 2015. So it's been a good place for us to wait out the weather. The fortification priority of this Harbour is understandable, since MacKay is a major port and centre for the sugar and coal mining industries.
Tides are extreme here too - reaching as high as 8.5 meters (that's a whopping 28 feet!). No wonder the breakwater is so tall!