25.38S 152.58E

Around the world with the Aqualunies
Jonathan & Gabrielle Lyne
Tue 29 Nov 2011 09:58
29th November, 2011
Garry's Anchorage in the Sandy Straights between Fraser Island and the mainland

We spent the night off a sandspit at the beginning of the Sandy Straights at the north end, lots of sand banks around.  Left the anchorage at 9am this morning and slowly motor sailed up through the straights going through some very shallow areas with just 1.5 meters under the keel.  We then double backed down a little side creek between the mangrove swamps and sand banks to Gary's Anchorage on the mainland side of Fraser Island.
We went for a short walk this afternoon trudging our way along a 'track' consisting of thick sand, the whole island is one massive sand bank with trees and lakes on it, the largest in the world.  As we walked we were constantly bugged by Marsh Flies (similar to horse flies) fortunately I had sprayed us both with bug spray but they were still persistent.  At the beginning of our walk we came across the various notices just off the beach where we left the dingy.  Getting back into the dingy after the walk it was necessary to wade out to deeper water so a keen eye was kept out for the crocodiles, but none noticed.  Last time, on our way up the coast we stopped off a beach and did see dingo paw marks but noticed nothing this time except for the very loud sound of cicadas and the buzz of flies, much to our surprise hardly any birds around at all only the occasional Sea Eagle.  We head off for Mooloolaba tomorrow a day early to get over the sand bar out of the straights before the Southerly buster which is forecast to come in happens.  We will stay in Mooloolaba until a better weather window occurs.  We haven't managed to get into the Marina this time as it is full up so will have to either anchor in the inlet outside in the bay. Not relishing the later when the winds get up, dinghying backwards and forwards could be quite wet.  We are planning to meet friends (the Mannings) who will come on board for drinks before we all head out to dinner on Saturday night.


 


The deep sandy track
                                                                                                                                                                      Our yacht and dingy between the mud banks and mangroves 

Trees and shurbs thriving in the very sandy soil a complete jungle.

 



This is a map showing some of the sandy straights but the reflection does not help.