We got to Rainbow Beach just past 11 and did a bit of a car shuffle. I'm leaving my Ute at Inskip so all our gear was stuffed into Nelly/Pete's or the back of Bruce's ute. After a quick lunch we were off to the point and air down parking and I said goodbye to my ute for a week.
The barge was just departing other side so we joined the queue. About 13 cars in front of us so we would all easily fit on. Smooth drive over and Kristie timed it well so we hit the beach 2 hours after high on the outgoing tide.
Smooth run up with Pete's first time ever driving up the beach. Still had to take the bypasses around the rocks and we stopped at Maheno for a photo but it was pelting down rain so we kept going. By the time we reached Ken's shed it was clear.
Off to the pub for dinner and talk about the plan for the next day. Ken wanted a scout of the water (vis) and current before diving so a fishing day was put forward.
5 of the boys went off fishing and my parents, Kristie, her girls, Nelly and I staid back. We decided to head to Champagne Pools for a look. The quietest I have ever seen it. Even managed a picture when it was empty.
Back by lunch and the boys were back not long after with a pretty decent haul. Weather was looking a little iffy for day 2 but we decided to push on for a dive anyway, so the afternoon was spent putting dive gear together and preparing the boat.
In the morning a bit more boat preparation was necessary due to discovering a perishing fuel filter. Some duct tape and swearing later and it was all sorted.
Launch was into a great calm gully and we began our trip out. As it was a Westerly wind tucked against the island was relatively calm but as we reached the top we felt the full force of the 15+ kn winds. About 10km into the 22km trip we decided to pull the pin as it was too rough :(
Luckily there was a wreck close to shore so we were still able to drop in. It was only 8m deep but there was a lot of structure and fish. Nothing too big or exciting but I did stumble onto a Moray and saw a Leopard Ray swimming off into the green water.
Water temp was about 20°c and with the wind it was very chilly on the surface. Shortish drive back to a second wreck even shallower and greener water... With the wind and the cold water Jeremy (in a dry suit) was the only one not freezing so we pulled the pin on dive #2
On the way back to the shed we saw a Dingo enjoying the surf. When back Rod got a good fire going while we rinsed dive gear off. It was nice to warm up by the fire with chips and cheese. We enjoyed an amazing BBQ dinner cooked by Snr, lovely salad supplied by Nelly, and then turned in early for bed.
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| Photo by Jeremy Ford |
Tue morning was a pack up time for some while others got ready for another fishing excursion. Dive gear mostly dry I left my boots and wetsuit out for a little.more sun and Bruce kindly offered to pack them away for me (as he was taking them back.)
Setting off about 10am we stopped by some attractions on the way south. Red Canyon and Pinnacles (coloured sands) are always beautiful but the Maheno on an incoming tide probably got the most excitement out of the girls.
After playing with the waves as they surged through the potholes it was time to set off again. Tide was starting to encroach the best driving path forcing us onto softer sands. Eli was still easily navigated though. It's not bad at the moment. We reached Happy Valley, the start of the Great Walk near 12 and after a sneaky pie the others headed off hoping to use as much of the harder stand they could.
I set off on the Walk, which you can read about in it's very own post here.
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