Living the dream

Daydream Island, Whitsunday’s – 26/06/09

It is morning at a mooring off Daydream Island, you can call them on Ch 17 VHF radio and pick up the designated mooring buoy for $55 per night, this gives you the right to use the facilities on the island, swimming pool, showers restaurants activities etc.

We have had one of my stepdaughters Cassandra visit for four days which gave the opportunity to set a good sailing plan. Cassandra arrived Monday afternoon so we spent that night in the marina visiting the local pub for dinner that night. Tuesday morning we set off just after 0830 hours for Tongue Bay on the east side of Whitsunday Island. At first I thought that we would be motoring as when we left the marina there was a slight breeze from the west and that was all. However, when we got closer to the headland where you enter the sea passage the wind changed to11 knots from the southeast. We had the main hoisted already in case we did get a little drive from any wind. As the wind picked up we unfurled the genoa and shut down the engines we were soon sailing at 6.5 to 8.5 knots. The route we took was via the north end of North Mole Island and then between Hook and Whitsunday Islands, Hook Passage. As we entered the passage the wind was shielded from the island but we maintain sailing with the main alone with the wind behind us. As we rounded the northern point of Whitsunday Island the wind picked up again but right on the nose. Sails were put away and engines started, we needed the engines to give some hot water for our showers.

 Cassandra kayaking at Tongue Bay

We motored in to Tongue Bay and anchored rather than take a mooring as it was a little early to stay on the mooring overnight. Once settled we had lunch and then lowered the dinghy to go ashore. We had to dinghy around Tongue Point to Hill Inlet and went ashore. We took the walk up to the lookout point; it was a very low tide which is the better time to see Whitehaven Beach from the lookout as there is maximum amount of white sand showing. Once there the walk was very much worth it as the picture shows. The white sands are incredible. We then continued the walk down to the landing at Tongue Bay before going back to the dinghy. It is near impossible to land in Tongue Bay side to do the walk at low tide because the coral dries out so the dinghy trip around the point is necessary if you want to see the white sands at low tide.

 Whitehaven Beach from the lookout point (Low tide)

We then got back to the dinghy and the tide had changed causing waves a little rougher than before, we walked the dinghy over a sandbar then the girls got into the dinghy and I walked it out near to waste deep to ensure I could start the motor before being driven back onto the beach. Once in deeper water I jumped in the dinghy seal fashion, head first. Well with short legs it is hard to cock the leg over the side the dinghy in deeper water.

 Nancy and daughter Cassandra on Whitehaven beach

Once back on board we had showers and watched some of the tourist boats many of which are maxi yachts that one may see in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. They pack their dinghies with eight to ten people and the water is nearly lapping in the dinghy.

We had a nice dinner and we were early to bed. The next morning we were up to see the sunrise, it is the best part of the day, Cassandra went for a kayak ride and when she came back we readied for sail over to Haslewood Island to Chalkies Beach. This is a good snorkelling area with the coral close to the beach. However, the anchoring can be a little uncertain, it took four tries to anchor and grip and then it did not feel that good. I stayed with the boat and the girls went for a quick swim. Cassandra said the water was rather cold.

 Snorkelling at Chalkies Beach

We the motored across to Whitehaven Beach, there were a number of yachts and motor launches there so we found a good area with lots of space and shortly after the Seawind Catamaran Club started to arrive, it was interesting to watch. I related it to a shopping centre where people in their cars want to park as close to the shop as possible, so you have all these people swarming around the closest area when you can park a little further away in the quiet and walk the short distance. Well these Seawinds were the same with the exception of a few sensible people; they rushed for the closest area to the beach where they were going to have their get-together, some not obeying the rules of the sea ways cutting across the bows of boats that had right of way. They all dropped anchor a few feet away from each other and they were working their way closer to us and there were more of them coming.

 Seawind Catamaran Club arrive at Whitehaven

I decided that if they kept coming our way they are going to drop anchor over our anchor so we lifted our anchor and moved further away. We were pleased that we did as soon after the large tourist boats arrived with large numbers to be landed on the beach as part of the tour and we were well clear of it.

It always amazes me how some yachties have to anchor so close to one another, if the wind and seas pick up and one drags anchor there could be a lot of damage one has to answer for.

  Fantasea tours take people ashore at Whitehaven (They used to ship cattle this way).

We had a relaxing afternoon watching all the activity, and then again had a nice evening meal and a couple of red wines before turning in. Next morning we left before sunrise, there was just the dawn sky, we motored Solway Passage, this is passage between Whitsunday and Haslewood Islands then turned into the wind and hoisted the mainsail although the wind was going to be light and just off the nose we motor sailed until we turned into Dent Passage, this is between Dent and Hamilton Islands. On the way the sun came up behind the islands.

 Leaving Whitehaven at dawn

 Sunrising as we sail passed Hamilton Island southern coast

We was heading for Daydream Island, (West Mole Island on the charts), and we wanted to get there to spend the day to see the island. As we entered Dent Passage there were stacks of people on kayaks or outriggers, they appeared to be in a race with several support dinghies. We went via the passage to show Cassandra how Hamilton Island had grown. There is a major construction going on at present with waterfront units and some very large centre.

 Cassandra at the helm

As we left we went via the passage between Dent and Henning Islands into Whitsunday Passage and crossed that towards the southern tip of South Mole Island. We were able to motor sail with the genoa as the wind was now coming from the port aft quarter. As we approached South Mole Island the wind disappeared completely. This was in our favour; we had picked this day to go to this location because of the predicted weather. The passage between North, Mid, South Mole Islands and Daydream Island has strong currents with the tide changes, in windy conditions the waves back up and it can be uncomfortable. Anchoring is not really advisable in these conditions.

  Main centre building at Daydream Island Resort

Daydream Island is rather spectacular; it has everything for the holiday maker. It has different activities to offer, there are many swimming pools although one can walk around the island the is a vehicle that travels from north to south and back again that continually runs and be delivered if you do not wish to walk.

 Waterways of the man made reef with sea life.

  Man made reef at Daydream Island Resort

We called them on VHF Ch 17 and they told us to pick up No.3 mooring which we did, we then got ready to go ashore. We lowered the dinghy and went to the dock they said we could use then we reported to reception and paid our $55. The staff was very friendly and gave us a map of the island and told us to enjoy the island.

We started to walk south as we wanted to go to the Fish Bowl, the lady that is part owner of Daydream used to own the hotel with the same name in Redcliffe which was done out in the retro style, Daydream is very similar. Unfortunately the Fish Bowl at present is only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, gives us a reason to go back. We had a coffee at the bakery and had a good look around they have mini golf with Australian themes. There is also a swimming pool and another eatery and shops in that area. We then caught the travel buggy back to the north end and went to Mermaids restaurant for lunch. Meal prices are fair, wines are a little expensive. They do have some bottles of red for around $22, but they are pretty ordinary. The nicer ones are more than $38. The meal itself could have been a little better, Cassandra and I had fish and it had been a little over cooked, Nancy had chicken cessare salad and hers was great.

  Taking a photo of a friend when these two tried to get in on the act.

After lunch we went for a walk over to the west side where it is good for snorkelling and had a swim, this was followed by the girls having a dip in the spa pits. This was followed by going to the transit lounge and using the showers before returning on board. It was then decided that we would return for dinner that night to the buffet in the main building. This is one of those eating places that keep putting food out and you can eat as much as you like for $38 per person. The wine list was the same as Mermaids, but they do have nice cocktails at a reasonable price along with assorted beers and spirits. After having a good night we returned on board for a coffee and then to bed.

We awoke at first light this morning got up and put the kettle on for the morning cuppa, we had breakfast, loaded Cassandra’s computer up with Skype so she can talk to us in the future via computer, I copied all the photos that I had taken and cut a disc for her to take. Then Cassandra went for paddle in the kayak. We pulled the covers and slipped the mooring and motored back to Abel Point Marina. The days have been perfect for Cassandra’s visit, not so crash hot for a good sail each day but we did have some good sailing.

We arrived at the marina and were given the same berth as before, Cassandra had a couple of hours before she had to catch the bus to the airport so she went off to the shops. I had contacted the electrician yesterday to check out a fault, so I contacted them to let them know we had arrived. They came and found one fault on the port alternator and load tested the start batteries and they had passed their used by date. They are the ones I purchased in Rarotonga just over 12 months ago. I replaced them with AGM batteries so I have AGM batteries all round now.

We said goodbye to Cassandra and then got back into a little work, the water hoses from port engine to hot water service had a slight leak so I cycled to Enzed to purchase more hose and then replaced them. By that time it was time for a shower and a cold beer that I am having whilst typing this.

Cheers