Cruising the Coral Coast

One of the most idyllic cruising areas in the world is Queensland's Coral Coast with its brilliant blue waters protected by Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest Coral Reef and most of it has been placed under the protection of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. It is 2000 kilometres long and covers roughly 350 000 square kilometres.

Snorkelling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef is superb. There are thousands of individual reefs to explore. They range from the more sheltered inner reefs to the spectacular pristine outer reefs at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

The following is a typical itinerary. The timings and places we actually stopover at will be determined by the weather and the tides we experience during our voyage.

Sofala usually departs Mooloolaba on a Friday and is scheduled to arrive at The Whitsundays in time for you to fly out of Hamilton Island on the Sunday evening of the following weekend. If you would like to stay in the Whitsundays or charter a bareboat we would be happy to make the bookings for you in advance. Should our schedule be disrupted by unfavourable weather, an alternate means of transport to Hamilton Island will be provided in time to meet your connection flight home.

Our departure on the Friday from Mooloolaba Harbour is timed to arrive at Wide Bay Bar in the last hour of the flood tide. At the commencement of the voyage our course north takes us along the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

Each student will be given the opportunity to navigate, perform crewing tasks and skipper the sturdy but fast 37 ft sail training vessel 'Sofala'.

A three hour rotating watch system will be used to ensure each trainee has the opportunity to have at least 6 hours sleep through the night.

Our arrival at Wide Bay Bar should coincide with the last hour of the flood tide into the Great Sandy Straits, in time for us to make a safe and leisurely bar crossing.

We will then make our way north following the inland waterway to Garry's Anchorage where we will anchor for the night. Following a BBQ lunch on board, Sofala's inflatable tender will enable the crew to stretch their legs onshore on the heritage listed, largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island. Crew can remain on board to catch up on some sleep as they wish. A hot meal in the evening will top off a perfect day before retiring in readiness for an early morning start.

Sunday sailing begins with our departure planned at 0600 (6am). Students will be given the opportunity to test their navigation skills on the shallow waterways.

We will sail through the Straits to Hervey Bay and then on to the marina at Burnett Heads (at the head of the Burnett River which leads to nearby Bundaberg).

The Trade Winds often provide some fast sailing under spinnaker or poled out headsail.

On arrival at the marina all the crew will be able to use the excellent facilities which are of a very high standard. It is only a short taxi ride into Bundaberg for those who would like to partake of the clubs and other facilities.

Monday brings an early start with our departure planned at 0500 (5am)! Sailing past the magnificent coast north of Bundaberg takes us past the Town of 1770 and on to Pancake Creek, a sheltered anchorage surrounded by bushland to the South-West and protected by wide sand banks from the sea to the North-East. Tuesday we rise very early in readiness for an 0515 hours (5.15 am) departure for the Rosslyn Bay Marina near Yeppoon. As we approach Kepple Bay we pass the enticing Kepple Islands to the East of us. Rosslyn Bay Marina provides all modern conveniences including hot showers, cafe and restaurant. It is a short taxi ride to Yeppoon.

Wednesday morning we have a big sleep in till about 0600 and after breakfast we depart at 0630 bound for a sheltered anchorage at Port Clinton. Port Clinton is one of those places really removed from civilization. There are no human inhabitants, no shops, just a great sheltered anchorage. This is the area where the army and navy conduct war games. (Not while we are visiting!)

Thursday at 0630 we depart for the very unique and beautiful Percy Islands. We are really in very tropical waters now. The sea is well sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef and wild life abounds. The air and the sea are pristine, full of colour and beauty.

Our anchorage at the Percy Islands will afford the opportunity to visit the shore in our inflatable tender and maybe visit the shelter where countless cruising sailors have visited and left all kinds of memorabilia. Middle Percy is inhabited by a small number of people who leave their produce for purchase by visitors in the hut - purely the honesty system!

Friday we depart our anchorage at 0600 hours, headed for the wonderful and very beautiful 'Refuge Bay' at Scawfell island.

Saturday we depart Scawfell for the marina at Hamilton Island. Our last night is spent in the heart of the Whitsundays at the biggest resort island in the group. The marina has all the usual facilities and is surrounded by world class restaurants and a nightclub or two.

We also have full run of the island and can use the pool and bar facilities at the main resort hotel. Everything is just a short walk from the marina.

Sunday - The nine nights and ten days have flown by and it is now your choice to either fly home via a direct flight to your capital city from Hamilton Island or:

You could choose to bareboat charter a sailing vessel of your own from one of the several charter operators in the area if you would like to explore the Whitsundays at your leisure!