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Loading up at Archerfield<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Departure over Brisbane<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Brisbane<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Scattered cloud north of Brisbane<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Reaching the coast<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Rockhampton coast<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nThings were still pretty hazy, but much better than they’d been 2 days before, and we could start to enjoy a bit of the view. It was mostly arid, forested country, looking like a prime target for any forest fire that might come through. <\/p>\n\n\n
Resource development<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Probably a lot of crocs<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>An export terminal<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Agriculture ... or aquaculture?<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Descending towards Rockhampton<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Approach to Rockhampton<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nWe stopped at Rockhampton to refuel and stretch our legs. Departure was on runway 33, pointed directly at the day’s final destination of Shute Harbour. <\/p>\n\n\n
Refueling at Rockhampton<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Departure from Rockhampton<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Cruising high to avoid turbulence<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Queensland coast<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Export jetty<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Queensland coast<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nNorth of Rockhampton conditions were good, albeit desolate. There was no sign of human impact for miles and miles, but every now and then you’d come across a massive mineral operation or similar. We cruised in the calm, cool air at 8,500. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Approaching the Whitsundays<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>The Whitsunday Coast<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Pleasure boats<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Descending towards Shute Harbour<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nAs we approached Shute Harbour, we made a long fast descent to a tight right downwind, flying a teardrop to turn around and fly an offset final approach to runway 14 – this is to avoid a house which is basically right on the threshold, and sensitive to overflying aircraft. They chose a strange place to live, if they don’t like aviation!<\/p>\n\n\n
Airlie beach<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Airlie beach<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Landing at Shute Harbour<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Parked at Shute Harbour<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nWe were met by airport staff who kindly took our luggage away for us on a cart, and had a light lunch in the airport cafe before heading into town to our respective accommodation. After settling in we met for a swim at the pool complex near the beachfront, before a light Indian dinner and bed. <\/p>\n\n\n
View from my room<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Airlie beach<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Evening swimming<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
It was an early start, with the bus collecting us just after 7am to take us to the “Derwent Hunter”, the sailing ship we’d spend the day on. This 90ft oak-built ship was constructed in Tasmania in 1946, over 18 months, by just 4 men. There were only 13 passengers against her maximum capacity of 39, so there was plenty of room for everyone to spread out. After a safety briefing we motored out of the harbour and headed west for a couple of hours, enjoying the views of the multitude of little islands that make up the Whitsunday area. <\/p>\n\n\n
The Derwent Hunter<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Setting out<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nWe arrived at our first snorkeling area, and suited up. Rowan and I were very conscious about a news story we’d read, where 2 British men were mauled by sharks in this very area. “What are the chances of that happening again?” said Rowan. “That’s probably exactly what the second British man said”, I replied. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sting suits were mandatory to protect against jelly fish and none of us were stung. The water was a bit cloudy, and we didn’t see too much. A few solitary fish and plenty of coral was about it, and after an hour the dinghy was ferrying us back to the yacht. <\/p>\n\n\n
Rowan raises the sails<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Cruising<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nWe snacked on fruit as the yacht repositioned to a second location, and were soon back in the water. The poor kid who’d been stung right at the start of the first session was promptly stung again. There was a bit more to see here, including a giant clam and a relaxed sea turtle, cruising around the area. I set out to swim to the beach, a surprisingly long way but just about made it back as the last of the snorkelers were being picked up. We were welcomed back on board and greeted with a delicious cold buffet of meats, cheeses, bread and fruits. <\/p>\n\n\n
On board the Derwent Hunter<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Cruising home<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nWe munched away at this as we started motoring back towards Airlie Beach, soon hoisting the sails as the breeze had picked up. A couple of hours of relaxed sailing had us back at the dock. The next morning we’d be leaving our accommodations at 0500, so we all did our own things for a light dinner (mostly snacks from the supermarket), and were in bed by 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n