BUNDABERG TO LADY MUSGRAVE

An early start (up at 3:30am) for a 4:00am departure from the marina to ensure we made it out to Lady Musgrave in good conditions (most importantly in good light) so you can see the "bommies" which are submerged coral outposts.

The conditions were absolutely perfect for a motor out to Lady Musgrave with an absolutely flat sea

We set a course straight for the island and were there by 12:00 which was just before low tide which was a perfect time to go through the small entrance. As we were approaching the island we saw a lot of masts sticking up which we realised were inside the reef. We were starting to worry that there would be no room and we would have to turn around and motor back for another 8 hours. Should not have worried, the space inside the reef is 1.6 nautical miles long and 0.5 nm wide, enough for a lot of boats.

The entrance looks extremely narrow but we successfully navigated through the gap and dropped anchor in 5m of water. The water is so clear you can see your anchor and chain on the bottom. Hard to believe you are out in the ocean (so far out there is no mobile phone coverage).

In the afternoon as the tide had come in and covered the reef we went ashore and walked through the Pisonia forest on the island. The island is home to both turtles and migrating birds.
The forest is home to these little birds called Noddys. The only sad thing is that the seeds of the Pistonia tree are very sticky and a number of the birds get trapped in their own nest and then fall to the ground where they decompose to become food for the forest. Conclusion was that the island would not be such a nice place during breeding season.

Evening was spent with an idyllic tropical drink and BBQ

 

 

Official rendezvous day for our Cruise North with dinner planned for the evening.

We had always planned to travel out to Lady Musgrave Island (35 nautical miles off shore) and the weather was looking perfect for the next few days so thursday was spent cleaning the boat, doing some provisioning, and generally getting ready to depart.

The IGA at Burnett Heads will come and pick yo up in his van so the shopping was relatively painless (only problem was by the time that we had come out of the IGA at 3pm the bakery had shut. Clearly they go to bed early in Burnett Heads.

Had the plan to top up the fuel prior to setting off, so just before sunset with the help of some friends took the boat around the to the fuel wharf. Only problem was that there was a motor boat there. No problems, just circle around. After 30 minutes of us circling around and out friends standing on the dock we pull in close. "Only another 300 litres, should only be another 10 minutes".

Another 20 minutes, and he was finally finished and it was now after sunset. Turned out he was on his way to Hamilton Island and had used $3000 of diesel getting from the Gold Coast to Bundaberg.
My $200 was quickly put into the tanks and spare canisters.

Official Hawaiian shirts were adopted for the dinner. Luckily the restaurant at the Bundaberg Port Marina was not rocking so we were not too embarrassed.

Today was the day for our lift out to get the ball valve fitted. Due to the tides we had to be lifted out at 6:30am

Some great views of the marina from the top of the crane lift

Then the fun started, the old broken ball valve was removed and were ready to install the new one. But wait, then the drama starts
Step 1 - remove old valve, all good
Step 2 - prepare new valve
New valve provided by Bavaria is 1 1/2" and old valve is 2"
Already have hole in side of boat and paying by the hour to have the boat on the hardstand
Step 3 - Anxious wait for an hour until the chandlery opens at 8am
Step 4 - Go to shop and find out they have one (and only one in stock)
Step 5 - Give thanks to the sailing gods and hand over money
Step 6 - Replace valve
Step 7 - Lower boat back into water and anxiously check that no water pouring in.

Good news now all fixed.
Suspected reason for failure is electrolysis issue back at RPAYC

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrated successful return to water by visiting the Bundaberg Soft Drink Factory with friends from Alfreds Cruising to get supplies to mix with previously purchased products from Bundaberg Distillery.
Good value at $12 for the tour which includes sampling all 18 varieties of Bundaberg brewed soft drink and 6 bottles to take home.

After a peaceful night in Bundaberg time to head back to the marina. After just touching on the way upstream left it a bit longer after high tide to make sure we did not touch.

On the wall of one of the buildings in town as the high water mark from the 2013 floods, really makes you appreciate how high the water got (picture to come)

Tuesday night was the start of our official rendezvous so we set up our welcome sign

And of course more ABS, finally some palm trees so you know we are in the tropics

Decided to follow on from the tradition of our local estuary cruises on Pittwater and "go up the creek", more specifically up the Burnett River to Bundaberg. Unlike going up the creek you need to calculate the tides carefully as there are some shallow spots on the way.

Low tide was at 8:32 in the morning so we left after 10:00am so we were on an imcoming tide up the river. Some of the spots were only 1.0m at low tide so we needed at least 1.2 m of tide to get us through. We carefully followed the channel markers and luckily only touched once on the way up.
Will leave it a bit later tomorrow so there is a bit more water

Anchored in the town reach (where the Marina was until it was washed away in the 2013 floods) to have a relaxing time up the creek.

 

 

 

Sunday morning caught the free bus to the local markets at the Shalom Catholic School. The marina runs a free shuttle bus and you can buy your fresh fruit and vegies.

Note the IGA at Burnett Heads also runs a free shuttle bus to and from the Marina if you want to do some grocery shopping and save yourself a 2.6km walk (each way)

 

 

In the afternoon went for a walk to Burnett Heads via the river bank. It is a nice easy flat walk and even bumped into some fellow cruisers (the Cormacks).

 

Opportunity to post ABS (cruising joke)

 

 

Today was spent in Bundaberg, no words simply pictures. Just saying Galadriel is now well provisioned.