Blogs from Great Keppel Island, Queensland, Australia, Oceania

On Thursday 16th we left Keppel Bay Marina for a short cruise of a couple of weeks to the Keppel Islands and onto our first visit of Yellow Patch. It was a bit of a blustery ride close hauled into almost 20 knots. Naomi's parents on their motorboat Neesea left a short time after us and overtook us about half way across to the islands. We came around the top of Great Keppel Island, turned to motorsailing and then straight motoring to get us more quickly into the shelter of land. Anchored behind Neesea at Svendsen's Beach, pleased that there was only a slight roll. We spent three nights here in mostly pleasant weather. Occasional rain allowed us to top up our solar shower bags so Naomi was allowed to wash her hair. Did the usual ... read more

After our uncomfortable night near 1770 I had to wrap up the last blog quickly as Naomi got desperate to get off the boat. Climbed into the dingy with difficulty as it rose and dropped with the swell and headed to the sand banks to look for a way through to the sheltered channel next to 1770. As we got closer it occurred to us that there may be no way through as the swell seemed to be breaking right across our way. Headed toward the beach as I thought I saw a gap. As small steep waves were mounting behind, Naomi suggested it might not be safe to go further but a few moments later it became clear we had come through he breakers already.... phew ! Motored over to a beach and just as ... read more

Five days after leaving Moreton Bay, we have arrived at Gt Keppel Island where we're anchored off a sheltered bay. On arriving at lunchtime we rowed ashore and collected shells and made the acquaintance of the local sandflies. I'd been warned that after such an encounter the body is covered with red blotches but so far, no sign. I think the hasty retreat we beat back to Marnie blew them off. We've seen plenty of dolphins and some have played in the bow wake, which is always great fun. We've had some good sailing, such as this morning, but also hours of motorsailing in light winds. Spent the night at Tangalooma, Mooloolaba, Lady Musgrave and Cape Capricorn - a coastal headland named by Captain Cook when he passed on 25 May 1770, since he found it ... read more

After a lovely but windy day at Kemp beach we made our way back to our much coveted corner plot (!) and within ten minutes of our chairs being out our new neighbours (on both sides) were round for chat! We were staying in between two sisters and their husbands ; Graham and Val and Bob and Bev. Not only were they hilarious they were so kind to us lending us kettles, putting up a tarpaulin on the fence to stop us being blown over by the wind, lending us DVD’s and giving us lifts to the harbour, it was like having grandparents again, it was really sweet! We found out there was a tea tree plantation about 50 km away so we booked ourselves on a tour early one morning. Unfortunately we had our one ... read more

After the Fraser Island trip I caught the bus to Rockhampton (locally known as Rocky, in keeping with the shortening of just about every word by the Australians: eg bottle-o = bottleshop) which is the beef capital of Australia. So mission number 1 was to get a decent steak. I stayed at the Ascot Hotel which has a backpackers above the pub and is known as having the best steak in Rocky. They bring the steak out of the kitchen sizzling on a very hot slab of rock, you then cook it to your liking. It was absolutely deliceous and I was particularly impressed that the provenance of each steak is listed in the menu. The following day I caught the coach and then the boat over to Great Keppel Island. It is like a paradise ... read more