Casual Queensland Moorings

[beau]

We just came up from brisbane to cairns, and yes the "narrows" is shallow. we only draw 400mm and we timed it right, but only just made it through.
Pearl bay a must, and also we overnighted at Bramston Beach, (mainland)waterfalls and fresh water straight into the ocean, fantastic.
Not impressed with the Bowen marina, Mackay marina is expensive and we didn't even think about Airlie beach.
Currently at Yorkeys knob (half moon bay marina) waiting for our Cait for Indonesia.

[SurferShane]

Thanks for the tip on Bramston Beach. I had never heard of the place before. I am planning on sailing up the coast in a few weeks and if I get that far I will drop in for a look.

[Dragon Lady]

Just for info Shoalwater bay is closed because of live firing activities in July.
Check Qld gov website for details.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by beau

We just came up from brisbane to cairns, and yes the "narrows" is shallow. we only draw 400mm and we timed it right, but only just made it through.
Pearl bay a must, and also we overnighted at Bramston Beach, (mainland)waterfalls and fresh water straight into the ocean, fantastic.
Not impressed with the Bowen marina, Mackay marina is expensive and we didn't even think about Airlie beach.
Currently at Yorkeys knob (half moon bay marina) waiting for our Cait for Indonesia.

Beau, you must have either strayed from the channel, mis-timed things, used a really bad tide or have a poorly calibrated sounder. We went through with 2.2 Metre draft and cleared by at least 300mm at all times.

The narrows dry about 2 metres, but the tidal height at springs is well over 4 metres.

Still a big pucker factor for us, though!

Cheers,

Jim

[Dragon Lady]

Just want to give a big thumbs up for Bowen, great little spot.
The Harbour master went above and beyond to help me get a suitable mooring.
Just don't be late for the airport bus as the lady driver had a melt down, apparently you are supposed to be ready 2 to 3 hours before she picks you up.
Anyway Bowen is great place check it out.

[beau]

You must be better looking,
We found Bowen "the worst" of all the marina's up the east coast.
People were so rude, and how dare we ask for fuel, a trawler had moored across the entry to the fuel dock and he was not going to leave for anybody and no one was going to ask him to leave.
I had to ferry fuel by Jerry can in a dingy.
Mackay was a little better but by far the most expensive.
Half moon bay marina, just north of Cairns was the best and cheapest we experienced.
Currently we are at Horn Island off TI, food is expensive here.

[Dragon Lady]

Oh, OK haven't tried to get fuel yet.
Thanks for the heads up, Maybe I'll buy my fuel at Mackay, they were very nice there and the marina berths whilst not cheap were very good.
The only rude person we encountered was the grumpy cow driving the airport bus.

[bill good]

There is no mooring at Heron Is. (claim to need area clear at all times for emergency operations) Mast Head Is is ok for overnight & not far away with good reefs & no one normally there. Just for short term the Boyne River is ok for a cat. There is a good spot in front of the jetty. There are some rocks just to the NE of that spot to watch.

Regards Bill

[Dragon Lady]

We found North West reef Island near Heron very nice but not a lot fish there, we went to Tryon Is next to it, which we were told was better, but had trouble getting anchor to hold so only had a quick snorkel around then left.

[coolchange95]

Bowen boat harbour is the cheapest i have found , But a bit further north than you might want. Bowen is about 50 minutes drive to proserpine airport. I may see you there in september . regards peter

[coolchange95]

Originally Posted by bill good

There is no mooring at Heron Is. (claim to need area clear at all times for emergency operations) Mast Head Is is ok for overnight & not far away with good reefs & no one normally there. Just for short term the Boyne River is ok for a cat. There is a good spot in front of the jetty. There are some rocks just to the NE of that spot to watch.

Regards Bill

In light of the herron Quote Would anyone know the mooring prospects at lady elliott and lady musgrave. any advice would be appreciated. we plan to go there about the 2nd week in july

[coolchange95]

In light of the herron Quote Would anyone know the mooring prospects at lady elliott and lady musgrave. any advice would be appreciated. we plan to go there about the 2nd week in july

[dirkdig]

We had to anchor at Lady Musgrave in about 8-10 meters from memory.
Low tide is good as the reef stops a lot of the waves/swell from the trade winds and then at high tide it rolls a bit.
Awesome place to go.
On the outside of the reef you can go snorkeling with Manta rays along the drop off.
Lots of huge Turtles there to in mating season.
When we got o the narrow enterance there was a humpback and its calf blocking the channel so we had to wait for 30 mins for them to go.
Did not see public moorings,but if there was any there they may have been taken.
The water is so clear you can see the coral heads and they look really close and shallow,but were fine for us at 1.2 m draft

[beau]

We were up that way last year enroute to Thursday Island and Indonesia.
Bowen was the worst harbour along the coast.
Rosslyn bay and Yorkes Knob were the best with Mackay the most expensive.
We shipped the boat back from Manado Indonesia in a 40 ft shipping container to Brisbane

[Teeto]

Lady Elliot would not let us use their moorings a few weeks ago - they said we were too big (44 foot cat) Their moorings take up almost all the sheltered area and we couldn't find anywhere to anchor less than 13 metres so went on to Musgrave. I do know a 38 foot cat picked up one in calm conditions and sat there overnight but not with permission.
Lady Musgrave also has no moorings but is easy to anchor in a huge area. Lumpy at high tide over 15 knots. The channel current to avoid is the last half of ebb, when it rips through. Once it covers the reef the current drop substantially. So low water slack or soon after is fine, or either side of high. You will love it.