Question for the Brains trust here,
Has anyone anchored overnight at holbourne island which is off the coast of Bowen?
and in what sort of conditions ie winds etc, was thinking of stopping overnight when coming south from Townsville.
Was thinking Townsville , Cape bowling green, Holbourne , Airlie
Dave
Holbourne Island is a great little spot to anchor in a southerly if you want to take a more direct route to Airlie. I spent a few hours there one afternoon gutting about It might be OK in a northerly too. Have a look at the chart and cruising guides.
My suggestion is to sail over to Cape Cleveland in the afternoon, anchor and get an early start from there to avoid having to go into Bowling Green. Bowling Green is OK but it is just a sand spit which gives you protection from the swell but certainly not the wind. If it is blowing you will get sand blasted to hell. Not a good anchorage in a northerly.
The early start from Cleveland should see you get to Cape Upstart late afternoon. Tuck in close but again a bit exposed in a northerly. I think it will be too much of a stretch to make Cleveland to Holbourne in a day. You have a cat though so if you have good northerlies you just might do it.
If you have made it to Holbourne you would not bother going in close to come through Gloucester Passage. With tides it can be diabolical getting past Abbott Point and into Edgecumbe Bay.
From Holbourne it would be logical to head straight towards Whitsunday Passage to anchor at either Rattray Reef or if you can make a bit further to Gumbrell, Armit or Double Cone Islands. From there it should be an easy day run to Airlie.
I hope that helps.
Thanks Cisco,
Last time was at Cape Cleveland were swarmed by flies, to the point my Missus will make me take a wide path past it.
Thanks for the pointers on bypass of Gloucester passage.
