hangtime said...
Next stop orpheus Island, Hinchinbrook Channel, Cardwell , Bedara Island, Drunk Island, Mission Beach, then somewhere after that.
The Channel is croc and sandfly hell. A lot nicer around the outside. Zoe Bay on Hinchinbrook with a hike up to the falls is an almost mandatory stop but watch out for crocs.
Drunk Island is only that until about 6 or 7 pm as the bar on the spit closes early after the day trippers leave. I think you will have trouble getting into the bar at the resort.
While you are in the area you should go out to Bowden Island which is just a few miles south east of Bedarra.
It is a magical spot and really well worth the detour.
As you go further north Mourilyan Harbour is great but you have to wonder how they get sugar ships in there.
The Frankland Islands are idyllic and pristine.
For fabulous snorkelling and diving go to Thetford Reef 10 or 15 miles out from Fitzroy Island. There are a few moorings out there belonging to the commercial operators but right inside the reef is a great little lagoon with a sandy bottom.
You should have no trouble negotiating it with a catermaran. I used to take my Peterson 42 with a 7'2" draught in there on a regular basis.
The resort on Fitzroy used to be yachty friendly and they have a BBQ buffet that was fairly reasonable. However if you are in that area why would you not be trolling your Macca Spoon and pick up a juicy mackerel.
When you get him, give him a tot of rum so he doesn't splash blood all over the place then gut him and stuff him with onions, garlic, bananas or whatever you have on hand, spices and a bit of oil. Wrap him in alfoil and take him ashore to the camping area and cook him on the BBQ. Yum!!
[}:)]
