Paradise really, the Whitsundays, they really are gorgeous cruising grounds. We used to tell everyone whilst we were cruising overseas, that it’s hard to go past our own front door for cruising and it’s true. The cleanest aqua waters, the purest white sands, deserted Islands, except now there’s masses more boats than in the 80’s AND masses more catamarans.
It was so sad, to see Brampton , especially for Greg as his parents used to come here to stay and play golf. The resort is totally deserted (except for a caretaker) and totally overgrown, since 2011. The end of the Jetty blown away in a Cyclone, all the furniture, TV’s, computers just left in the rooms. Apparently it’s been sold and the new owner is going to make it into a private retreat. It’s such a beautiful Island. We were the only boat there for a while. Sheltered waters of the bay for our first whale sighting (the whales have finally caught up with us from their southern migration) and we have seen numerous turtles but this one was a bit gamer and came closer to us for a look.
From Brampton we sailed to Keswick Island for a night (another failed real estate development thanks to the GFC) then on to Goldsmith Island. Did our first bit of snorkelling in the southern anchorage at Goldsmith but little to look at. Surprising because it’s a fish sanctuary but we saw very few fish, although Greg played with a turtle and saw a large stingray (not surprising as we were anchored in Stingray Bay). He didn’t stick his head up to tell me, so I missed out.
Then a short idyllic sail to Thomas Island, pristine, 3 gorgeous beaches on the northern side of the island, 10 yachts in the anchorage including us and only 2 Catamarans, amazing……….we’ve usually been outnumbered by them. On the trip across from Goldsmith we caught our first spotted mackerel and enjoyed half of him for a BBQ lunch when we arrived and the other half lightly pan fried last night.
The wind has now turned back to the south east so this morning we will head off to Airlie – about 30 miles north. Should be a fast sail in the strong south easterly trade winds.