This week was spent hiding from gale winds within the Lindaman Group of islands, and eventually reaching civilisation in Airlie Seashore.
Goldsmith Island to Shaw Island
Whereas the week began off with stunning crusing from the Newry’s again out to Goldsmith Island, it didn’t final for too lengthy.
Our preliminary plans have been to take a look at the Anchor Islands and spend slightly time anchored on Thomas Island. Each regarded wonderful from afar, nonetheless the climate had different plans for us.
As a substitute, we had fixed 30 knot Southerly winds, which meant we wanted to discover a higher anchorage location. So alternatively, we selected Shaw Island, 13 nautical miles from Goldsmith.
Shaw Island
Shaw Island is a fantastic 16 km² island simply south of well-known Lindeman Island. Not like Lindeman, there aren’t any everlasting settlements or resorts. As a substitute, there’s dense bushland, lengthy stretches of white-sand seaside and tall hills.
Whereas all of the Whitsunday Islands in addition to Hamilton are categorised as Nationwide Park, components of Shaw Island is even closed for months of the 12 months as a result of returning hen nesting alongside the shore.
The frustration was actual. The sturdy winds, gloomy skies and scattered rains meant exploring the island was lower than interesting. After seeing images of Shaw in good climate, it actually was a disgrace that we didn’t get the prospect to discover the island correctly.
As a substitute, we waited out a lot of the week anchored behind Shaw’s tallest level. Whereas it supplied a lot better shelter than different surrounding islands, we have been nonetheless belted round by sturdy gusts for a lot of the week.
Anchor Alarms and Blasting Bullets
To keep away from potential catastrophe from a slipping anchor, we have been compelled to have an anchor alarm on through the evening. This technique works by sounding a howling siren if it believes the anchor is dragging as a result of sturdy winds.
Luckily, we didn’t drag. Nonetheless, as a result of sturdy gusts pushing and swinging the boat back and forth, the alarms have been fixed by the evening.
Shaw Island to Airlie Seashore
Later within the week, climate was lastly clearing. Among the Southerly wind was nonetheless there, however this meant excellent crusing from Shaw Island to Airlie Seashore.
Arriving six hours later and catching an enormous Queen fish on the way in which, we have been in a position to choose up a great anchorage simply exterior Abell Level Marina in Airlie Seashore. As quickly as we arrived, the skies cleared and wind subsided.
Restocking and Refueling in Airlie Seashore
After a few weeks on the islands, it was nice to set foot on laborious land as soon as once more. We have been in a position to restock our meals provides and loosen up with some epic sunsets as we put together to hit the Whitsunday Islands within the coming weeks.
Whereas the climate was tough and never having the ability to discover extra was positively irritating, it was nonetheless an amazing week residing on Malaika. Climate within the coming weeks can be anticipated to enhance, so we’re positively conserving our fingers crossed.
Test Out the Different Crusing Logs
