The Colours of K’Gari

 As we anchored at Coongul Point four spotted eagle-rays were hunting astern.  They are related to manta-rays and flash their white undersides as they swim.  Not a great photo, but you get the idea.

spotted eagle rays

Further north we sheltered in the lee of the dunes at Bowarrady Creek where the coloured sands are brilliant, like, to those of Rainbow Beach.  

The coffee rocks are also amazing, maybe a forerunner of sandstone, but softer?

hang in there Mr Melaleuca!

The creek itself has a very pleasant campsite under trees, with a few patrolling dingoes and plenty of bush birds.  Yellow buttons (helichrysum rupicola) are in flower now contrasting the mauve ipomea.

Walking south we came across a place simply called Coconut on the charts, and I wonder why?

Apart from a few passing fishing boats and a few cars driving past, we have the beach to ourselves, so very easy to social distance up here.

K’Gari (Fraser Island): After the Fires

Sailing up The Great Sandy Straits from Tin Can Bay the results of last year’s fires on K’Gari became more obvious, with larger tracts of bush charred.  Up at Orchid Beach and through to Rooney Point fires had burnt over the dunes and down to the beach.  

The north is a beautiful part of the island, with no traffic to worry about, just the odd dingo strolling the white sandy beach and plenty of wildlife.  Some very interesting crabs patrolled the beach as the red-capped plovers tinkled along the sand.

Skipper Pete tried for some sand crabs but caught a lovely seastar instead.  We returned  him to his home.

The local summer storms produced a spectacular Qantas sunset...

With SE winds forecast for the next few days, we retreated down to Wathumba Creek, anchoring near the Management Track, where cars can drive onto the beach for 250 m.  

Of course, there is always one who feigns ignorance and drives the whole beach with no regard for wildlife. 

Walking up the Management Track, it was lovely to see the vegetation already recovering after recent rain. Old banksias were covered in bright green emergency shoots, wildflowers were blooming and brackens and grasses formed a cover of green.  Bush birds had returned and were busily dashing around the trees, dingo and wallaby tracks criss-crossed the main track.

At Towoi Creek, where a large wetland flows out to the beach, a pair of beach stone-curlews kept an eye on us, while a mob of crested terns rested at the water’s edge.  A lone sea-eagle cruised effortlessly on the breeze and a pair of rainbow bee-eaters cartwheeled through the air.

2021 - Off to a great start!

 With all our medical moments sorted, we were happy to leave the city behind and get back to Blue Nomading.  First sail to Moreton Island and we were back in sailing mode, working on our "sea legs".  

Bulwer Anchorage, Moreton Island

Up at first light for the long haul to Double Island Point (74 nm) the 14 hour day was quite tiring with sail changes every hour or so as the wind was fickle.  The afternoon wind improved and our screecher run to DIP was very pleasant.  A lot fewer ships to dodge since the pandemic began.

Fewer ships around

The lagoon was quiet for boats, only 10 of us in all, but with school holidays in full swing the beach is packed with cars, gazebos, water toys and happy kids.

some of the day trippers enjoying the beach