Gold coast to Hervey bay

[RaymondR]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

@yenhg,

Sorry, don't know the draft of your vessel. We draw 2.2 m., and for us, we have to really time our entrance to Sheridan Flats, at very close to the top of the rising tide. Otherwise, there are no great depth challenges, though we are too deep now, to get up to Maryborough any more, or rather, the river has shoaled.

It is generally more pleasant to travel with the tide than against it. Enjoy! Judging from the numbers of whales we've seen on our way north, there should be plenty in Hervey Bay.

Ann

If you can get across Sheridan Flats you should be able to get up the Mary River. The floods between 2011 and 2013 deepened the Horseshoe Banks crossing and the shallowest part now is probably crossing the leads at Beaver Rocks.

I only draw 1.6 m but will cross both places if there is still 1/2 tide when I get there.

[Fore and Aft]

When you get to Hervey Bay the Boat Club has a movie theatre showing all the latest releases. Its brilliant and right next to the marina.
Cheers
Home | Boat Club Cinema

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Especially if the mossies and sandflies decide to feast.
We anchored outside GA up near the northern channel waiting for the right tide to continue north and no bugs.

Oh yeah... Garry's...

The one time we tried that spot it failed to please! Crowded, sandflies, mossies, and inadequate depth in the entry. And for what? A different view of the mangroves!

I know that some folks love the place, and the whole area, but I must say I fail to understand the appeal. We tend to anchor around Elbow Pt or Yankee Jack creek and try to get through the middle parts in one tide.

Have been up the Mary a few times in the past, and that is a fine little town. Much enjoyed the model railroad gang in their weekend steam train model runs and the machine shop that one day a week reverts to a steam engine driving overhead belts for powering their machinery... way cool!

If the river is again deep enough for us, I'd be up for another run!

Jim

[Fore and Aft]

I was doing a survey in Maryborough last week and it looks like they are finally fixing the public wharf?
Cheers

[yenhg]

HI Gary,
thanks for the very detailed tips, very helpful. Could you please give me the Lat/Long for Sheridan Flats as I cannot find this on my Navionics charts.

[yenhg]

Thanks to everyone for your very valuable insights and thoughts. Serious planning now taking place to ensure that we can do this trip safely and happily. Mozzies just love me so I can see the mozzie net out every night.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Oh yeah... Garry's...

The one time we tried that spot it failed to please! Crowded, sandflies, mossies, and inadequate depth in the entry. And for what? A different view of the mangroves!

I know that some folks love the place, and the whole area, but I must say I fail to understand the appeal. We tend to anchor around Elbow Pt or Yankee Jack creek and try to get through the middle parts in one tide.

Have been up the Mary a few times in the past, and that is a fine little town. Much enjoyed the model railroad gang in their weekend steam train model runs and the machine shop that one day a week reverts to a steam engine driving overhead belts for powering their machinery... way cool!

If the river is again deep enough for us, I'd be up for another run!

Jim

I have to agree, I fail to see the appeal of Gary's and surrounding area, maybe I'm just spoilt.

Regarding Sheridan flats, I've gone through with a 2.4m draft with no issue at the top of the tide.

[RaymondR]

The first image is the Navionics position for the most westerly lateral marker at Sheridan Flats.

The second image shows the chart for the short section between the green and red laterals. The 1.0m shoal between these two markers is the shallowest place in the crossing, and possibly in the navigation channel for the whole of the passage N-S-N through the Straits.

The spring tide lows at Ungowa, the nearest tide station, generally goes down to about 0.5m so provided one did not draw more than say 1.4m you'd probably make it over the entire flats at low tide during springs.

The Horseshoe Banks at the mouth of the Mary has about similar depths.

[Simi 60]

I actually dont see the great appeal with Hervey bay that others do and for us its only ever a stop off or refuge on the way to somewhere else.
Nice spot, sure, but so is Moreton Bay North of Peel island.
North Stradbroke and Moreton islands
Big sand islands, clean clear water
Same same but different.

[RaymondR]

The appeal for some of us is it's proximity to the tropics and it's distance from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Especially if the mossies and sandflies decide to feast.
We anchored outside GA up near the northern channel waiting for the right tide to continue north and no bugs.

That's exactly right, Simi, just off Stewart Is. We often have stopped there.

Not sure, but perhaps the sandflies are seasonal?

Ann

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

I actually dont see the great appeal with Hervey bay that others do and for us its only ever a stop off or refuge on the way to somewhere else.
Nice spot, sure, but so is Moreton Bay North of Peel island.
North Stradbroke and Moreton islands
Big sand islands, clean clear water
Same same but different.

A lot less boats. In SE trades, Platypus bay is one huge anchorage with very few boats in it. A beautiful long, near white sand beach, and often you won't see another soul on it. No real insect problems either.

And between late July and October, there's the chance of something special:


https://youtu.be/xQ41HOk7NNU

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

A lot less boats. In SE trades, Platypus bay is one huge anchorage with very few boats in it. A beautiful long, near white sand beach, and often you won't see another soul on it. No real insect problems either.

And between late July and October, there's the chance of something special:


https://youtu.be/xQ41HOk7NNU

Oh yeah, Platypus Bay whale encounters are common and always (well, almost always) a pleasant thrill. We've spent quite a few days just hanging out and waiting for them to come to us... great fun!

But it is a really different experience than the interior of Sandy Straits and such mangrove areas... nothing to see folks, so move on quietly, please.

But some folks really enjoy Garry's (or is it Gary's?) and more power to 'em, but MY candle ain't lit there!

Jim