Cairns to Magnetic Island. 20.10.2016

After having spent 11 months in Cairns it was time to recommence our voyage down the East Coast of Australia. With the beginning of October commencing the wind direction is due to change from South Easterlies to Northerlies, to which then becomes to our advantage and we can start sailing without the motor. However the winds have not quite changed and we are still motor sailing.

We departed our mooring up Trinity Inlet/Cairns on 11 October and motor sailed to Fitzroy Island, covering 12.9nm (nautical miles). While anchored there, we ran the water maker for 4 hour which made 550 litres of drinking water, filling up our water tanks. Due to being up Trinity Inlet, the river water wasn't the best and we decided not to use the water maker there. So after being moored for 3 months in Trinity Inlet our water tanks were getting pretty low. Our water tanks hold 650 litres. In those 3 months we only used our tank water for drinking and making beer. All other fresh water we used from shore, by filling up 20 litre canisters.

After spending 3 nights at Fitzroy, on 14th October we departed our mooring at 0910hrs and motored to High Island, covering 13.8 nm. Dinner was caught trolling along the way, with a spotted mackerel being caught. This fed us for several dinners plus Gerd also made numus, which was delicious. Good catch Julie. We spent 1 night at High Island. This was a lovely spot. Due to being on a mooring we were close to shore and able to swim to the island to explore. We had the Island all to ourselves which was lovely.

The following morning at 0120hrs we left our mooring and motor sailed to Dunk Island covering 50.5 nm, taking us 14 hrs to reach Dunk Island. This voyage was not the best. We had heavy showers on/off all the way. With wind gusts up to 22 knots. Gerd did managed to motor sail, with the Jib and mizzen during his shift on the helm, increasing out SOG (speed over ground). It was unfortunate that I got motion sickness. On arriving at Dunk Island after our long overnight voyage we were wet, tired and hungry. To top it off, Gerds homebrew barrel ended up sideways rolling around, so the bilge took a good dosing of beer. After anchoring and quick tidy up of kestrel, we retired to bed for a well earnt sleep.

We departed Dunk Island on the 18 Oct, 0130hrs, and motor sailed to Palm Island covering 57nm, taking us 12 hrs. This voyage was the extreme to our previous one. Winds were under 10 knots, hence we motored all the way. The water was flat as, like cruising on a lake. This pleasant calm voyage was embraced after our previous one. The fishing line came out again, however our only catch and release a black tip shark. We anchored one night at Palm Island. While there, I was able to reunite with a good friend from NZ, Margaret, who just happened to be working on the Island. It was so wonderful to see her.

We lifted anchor at 0330 hrs the following morning and motor sailed to Magnetic Island covering 29nm, taking us 6.5 hrs. We had winds up to 15 knots, which was nice allowing up to make good use of the jib again. Another black tip shark was caught and released along the way.

So at present we remain anchored at Magnetic Island. The winds are predicted to pick up Fri/sat/sun and be SE. We have decided to remain anchored here until Mon, to wait for predicted Northerlies. This gives us time to explore Magnetic Island and do some of their National park walk.