I just visited the place, and from the video it looks like they showed the coastal route. I am pretty sure we went the inland route, but I figure you don't miss much. Next time it would be good to see the coastal route. If you are in Townsville, its not that far. You should go.

Unfortunately if you are expecting the tents on the beach shown in the video, you might miss out. Instead, they now have some pretty cool accommodation made up of giant water tanks turned into cabins. Its a great idea, and surprisingly comfortable. If you don't like wind blown sand outside, you are better off staying somewhere where there is no wind... i.e. Sydney. I don't mind wind-blown sand when its warm

I went up there because I am only starting out kiting, and in Sydney in winter there is no way I will get any practice. Its too cold, and its too gusty. Instead, I went to FNQ and it was warm and windy. Very windy. I am 95 to 100kgs, and for me I was trying to kite on a 6m one day and an 11m another day. I think I would have gone up there just for the weather. The Cape Flattery graph was showing 25 knots, gusting to around 30, and on the light day, 15 to 20.

It was interesting to see the comments on crocs in the post about the guy in Darwin, to compare this place to there. I went up to Cairns in about 2005 to try windsurfing up there. I was so worried about crocs in the water, even though there were heaps of people kiting in Yorkeys Knob, that I had to stop at a croc farm (in Townsville?) and see one for real. The guy there was pretty adamant that you just dont see them there in winter as its too cold and they prefer to stay in the rivers and sun themselves to keep warm. He was pretty certain that you generally don't see them in winter. It sounds strange, but I think the water is just too cold for them in winter.

Anyway, despite being paranoid about sharks in Sydney, I was perfectly comfortable body dragging in knee to waist deep water. I would have preferred if it was shoulder deep so that I could crash more. As it was I think the others were taking the piss out of me for body dragging so much, but hey, its easier than kiting

For anyone that is keen on getting out of a 13 degree Sydney winter, and going to somewhere more like 27 degrees, I would recommend it. Its a shame there is no windsurfing gear there though With only 5 other kiters around, it would have been awesome.

I think the best thing about going there compared to Fiji in the past, was there was actually wind there!

Loftywinds said...
I am drooling every time I stumble across this place...

It is so consistently above 15knots and the massive sand beaches.... What better place in Oz other than Yeppoon could you escape and have pure kite surfing Nirvana!?

Stuff travelling to Bali, Cook Islands, etc... Cape Flattery is IT

ps: no I don't work or know Kite Safaris, and I have yet to go there. One day I will.

Hahaha it's funny you say that about yeppoon lol. It's awsome but I'm not sure it compares to Cape flattery, but I'll let you know when I head up in Aug yewwww. Although I'm a little worried as I'm down to 1 kite now (11m c kite).

sotired said...
I just visited the place,

Thanks for that review. My mouth is watering. Speaking of which, what was the food like?

Loftywinds said...
11m would about minimum up here in the tropics, but we're getting good 20 to 30 knot squalls, so you may even be over powered. I have a spare 15 Cabrinha if you come through Townsville mate. Cheers Kemp

Yeh i should be all good on the 11, bloody long drive drive up there tho.

Loftywinds said...

kemp90 said..

Loftywinds said...
11m would about minimum up here in the tropics, but we're getting good 20 to 30 knot squalls, so you may even be over powered. I have a spare 15 Cabrinha if you come through Townsville mate. Cheers Kemp

Yeh i should be all good on the 11, bloody long drive drive up there tho.

So when are you in Townsville mate? Or have you've already been?


I travel through in Aug. Although I found a boat in Cairns so looks like I'll be driving up there early. Might stop a Bowen I think.

Efilnikufesin said...
Worked as a pro fisherman along that coast for 12 years , used to sit in the leeward side of Flattery during a heavy blow , which was pretty frequent in that part of Queensland . Credit to Ants Kitesurfari for recognising one of the most beautiful and windy places on earth. When you know your moon and your tides , you can spend an afternoon gathering mud crabs , scallops , oysters , and fish out of knee deep water , in coral sand filled mangrove stands with crystal clear water . Paradise !!!??!

I'm salivating

Efilnikufesin said..
Worked as a pro fisherman along that coast for 12 years , used to sit in the leeward side of Flattery during a heavy blow , which was pretty frequent in that part of Queensland . Credit to Ants Kitesurfari for recognising one of the most beautiful and windy places on earth. When you know your moon and your tides , you can spend an afternoon gathering mud crabs , scallops , oysters , and fish out of knee deep water , in coral sand filled mangrove stands with crystal clear water . Paradise !!!??!

Ha when I was a kid we could do just that at Hervey bay and the surrounding small fishing villages in daylight , not any more though place is f...ed from over fishing, land run off etc , only took 1 generation, my old mans generation thought they were entitled to take all, unfortunately in NQ we still see a lot off the southerners taking everything .
Anyway winds good and the Barras are still choppin between the warm hours of the day.