Tag Archives: Magnetic Island

Sailing the East Coast of Australia

Posted on by

This year we decided to head North to enjoy the East Coast making our way slowly to the Whitsundays and on to Magnetic Island. We caught up with lots of friends along the way and found some beautiful anchorages. All up good sailing conditions albeit cold when we headed off in May. Even had great fishing and good sightings of Australian wildlife with plenty of time for exercise. An enjoyable 6 months. Time just flew.

CATCHING UP WITH FRIENDS

My sister, Louise joined us for a week in the Whitsundays and then friends Jeanette and Glen from NZ came to enjoy the reef and head south through the Whitsundays to MacKay. Plenty of action and fun aboard for all.

Enjoying Margaritas aboard

Views over Tongue Inlet towards Whitehaven

Plenty of time for socializing with sailing friends. It’s the people you meet along the way that help make the journey fun and memorable.

We knew it was going to be a good sailing season when we caught up with friends Joey & Gary from Jamesby and Kirsty & Paul from Mahalo at Tipplers on Sth Stradbroke Isl and all headed North
Sunset drinks with friends Shazza & Darryl and Joey & Gary from our 2021 marina
Wendy & Ian and Jas & Tolly Auss sailing friends we first met in the Caribbean
Fun times with some of the crew on Out of the Bag in the Airlie Race week
Caught up with Veronica & Peter from Tahanea and Jill & Keith from Meant 2 Be in various anchorages

Terry & Rory from Vamos we all teamed up again after meeting up earlier in the sailing season

ANCHORAGES

Lots of anchorages up the coast the best being the ones that weren’t so crowded and had hikes and things to do ashore. Even better having a beautiful view to the West to enjoy the sunsets at happy hour.

SAILING

It’s not often you get photos of your own boat sailing so you have to be inventive getting shots.

friends enjoying the view from up front on the trampoline while sailing
The winds were strange this year with calm days and windier nights so we had a few night sails

Was fun joining our friend Bill on his boat “Out of the Bag” in the Airlie Race week – below with the yellow and black spinnaker sail.

Waiting for the race to start

FISHING

We did not go hungry that’s for sure.

Coral Trout
Bream

The Sail fish was a crazy catch that we let go….it was too big for us…
Mackerel

Glen happy with his catch
Black Marlin

Ian & Brett returning from an afternoon out fishing

WILDLIFE ADVENTURES

We love seeing the wildlife in their natural environment. Plenty of animal sightings both in and out of the water.

Koalas & Rock wallabies at Magnetic Isl

Curlews spy on you

Kookaburra’s waiting for food

Yellow crested Cockatoo
Black Noddies at Lady Musgrave

EXERCISE

It’s nice to get off the boat and get some exercise. A lot of islands have trails so we get our exercise going for a walk ashore to enjoy the views or see the sights on the island.

Hiring cars on Fraser Island was a lot of fun for a day trip off the boat
Our Kayaks get us ashore regularly and they are great for investigating the shoreline

Whitsunday Peak
And sometimes the weather just doesn’t cooperate

Snorkeling
Cycling
Kayaking
Walking
Lots of beautiful beaches to enjoy the best by ourselves

Been a blast sailing the East Coast of Australia.