It seems to be that time of the year where “Winter Escape” threads are popping up so I figured I’d throw up some pictures and my opinion of the Australian Kite Surfari in Queensland, might be helpful to a few people. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks up north with Ant and Paulie and i have to say that the place has exceeded my expectations, and they were pretty high due to the positive reviews I’ve read. First up the camp is a premium setup, very comfortable nicely set up water tank rooms (awesome idea). The common room is a nice little setup and a great place to escape the wind (it’ll get to that stage!) and the showers and dunnys are as good as what you’ll get in a hotel. It really does have everything you need, plenty of places to kick back when you need a rest from kiting. Food is also top notch, big brekkies and varied dinners washed down with a couple of cold beers. After that kicking back by the fire or checking out the stars is a top way to end the day.







The location is awesome. The tidal lagoon can be a bit choppy on the high tide but on the changing tide it’s a great location, butter flat areas can be found at the right times. Outside the lagoon the wind whips up some great little ramps which are awesome if you’re in to big air. My favourite is to kite the lagoon as the tide goes out then hit up the ramps on low tide. Great fun. The wind cranks, there hasn’t been a windless day since I’ve been here. Most days have been 7/9m days with a few 11m days thrown in, generally ~25-30 knots. The water is generally nice and clear, not the muddy crap you get in cairns. The exception being when some really heavy weather comes through and stirs things up.







If you’re in to buggying the sand flats at low tide are great fun, good alternative if you need a change from the water. Fishing is meant to be alright too but I haven’t had a chance to confirm that. Plenty of animals to keep you entertained too with 4 dogs and a little pig……yep, something different. Overall I’d have to say the place is well worth the price. Solid wind, transfers from Cairns, great company, quality company, choice food and top facilities. Hope this helps a few people out with their winter holiday decision!

I've Already Booked. Looking forward to it !!!

Soon keen for my trip. Im glad iv order a 7m, especially for it.


Question, how long dose it take to get there from cairns?

Takes about 5 hours. You should arrive around midday. The way things are going your 7 should get a workout

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Hybrid_Z said...
Takes about 5 hours. You should arrive around midday. The way things are going your 7 should get a workout

Hmm I'm heading up for that freestyle camp with drury. Probably not then best with to try new stuff but so keen.

5 hours, dam. I'm driving up to cairns, that's going to take 14 hours haha.

You'll be fine mate! As long as the wind is consistent you'll actually have an easier time learning tricks. Smaller kites slack more!

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Drury said...
You'll be fine mate! As long as the wind is consistent you'll actually have an easier time learning tricks. Smaller kites slack more!

How many other's are coming on out trip drury?

Yea great place...Been twice....just a little advice take your big kites too.

Awesome pics- What gear were you using for the low light/ Star shots?

Nikon D600 with a Nikon 16 -35 f4

Nice one Matt - awesome pics and a solid review !! I had the best time 2 weeks ago and nailed a few new tricks but now back in the Vic "summer" and 10 deg air temp just doesn't cut it in the fun factor any more !! To those on their way up north to Ants and Paulys north of Cooktown - Im so jealous !! Like Hybrid said - its awesome !!
As far as kite size goes - Im 90 kg and was on my 11m Bandit 7 kite all the time but that said we had a quiet week and the week before my 8 m would have been a better choice so Ant suggested. Basically work on a range of 15 to 30 knots and take kites to cover those conditions for your body weight and style and you will have it nailed - ask Ant closer to your trip and he will be able to give you more accurate info :-)

Thanks for the post dude. Great info and pics. I'm looking at doing a group trip next year can't wait. Cheers.

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fingerbone said...
Yea great place...Been twice....just a little advice take your big kites too.

Yeah for sure. Sessions on the big kites are ace here.

Looks awesome. 10 days till I'm there!

What's the water temp? I herd it's been quite chilli (for us queenslanders)?

That's Chris in pic 2 (just above) from here in Hervey Bay (and Paul in pic 3). The guy only started a little while back and seems to have really progressed, trip seems to have done him the world of good whilst we've been restricted to SUP back home

Had a fantastic week. The wind just didn't stop blowing 24/7. Was loving the
25-30 knots after usual 10 knots in Hervey Bay this time of year.

Yeah young Chris's progression was amazing as was a 12 year olds (young dude with blue helmet) on the trip. Left me behind.
My excuse for not progressing was that I was just hanging on for dear life - having
too much fun just boosting....(and the fact I'm an old fart).

Was a bit cooler than expected due to that antartic blast that came through but
still only had rashie and shorts. Clear shallow water, clean sand...mmm

Get up early-kite, have cooked breakfast-kite, have cooked lunch-kite, have cooked tea-crash.

Great get-away, great hosts, great food, and of-course great kiting- I'll be back.

ps Matt the photographer takes great shots as seen above...

agree with Sandblaster! Eat, kite, repeat for days on end is great for the soul.

Thanks Ant & Paully for a great holiday and see you next year.

We had a great group of 9 for our stay and having photos to remind us of these good times is great. Thanks Matt

Best trip iv had. Even tho the wind didn't blow every day. I think I had more fun on the days it didn't blow. From being dropped off on a coral kay and catching trout after trout. To hiking threw the rain forest and swimming under a waterfall. And when the wind was light those buggy's are faarking fun.
I think everyone should give this place a try at least once.

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kemp90 said..
Best trip iv had. Even tho the wind didn't blow every day. I think I had more fun on the days it didn't blow. From being dropped off on a coral kay and catching trout after trout. To hiking threw the rain forest and swimming under a waterfall. And when the wind was light those buggy's are faarking fun.
I think everyone should give this place a try at least once.

Was such a good time mate!

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Drury said..

kemp90 said..
Best trip iv had. Even tho the wind didn't blow every day. I think I had more fun on the days it didn't blow. From being dropped off on a coral kay and catching trout after trout. To hiking threw the rain forest and swimming under a waterfall. And when the wind was light those buggy's are faarking fun.
I think everyone should give this place a try at least once.

Was such a good time mate!

was so good.

Haha if I could change my profile name, I would changing it to JB for sure lol. And dare I say it, but i kind of miss the pig lol

Definitely keen for one of these, when i get some spare cash!!

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kemp90 said..
Haha if I could change my profile name, I would changing it to JB for sure lol. And dare I say it, but i kind of miss the pig lol

I reckon shes already packed on 10kg since you were here!

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Hybrid_Z said...

kemp90 said..
Haha if I could change my profile name, I would changing it to JB for sure lol. And dare I say it, but i kind of miss the pig lol

I reckon shes already packed on 10kg since you were here!

That's outrageous

Just got back from a four day session up at AKS and can say that all the awesome reviews above are right on the money. Ant and Paully are great hosts with a fantastic set up that really delivers for all your kitesurfing needs. The accommodation is great, the food is awesome it blows day and night and some of the flat water sections are like glass. I left there with only one regret and that was that I did not book the full seven days.

I can recommend getting a crew of seven or eight keen kiters together and heading up for a trip, you will have a blast.

Thanks again AKS for the awesome trip, great company and the lashings of Flyday Love Juice! (and if you want to know what that is, you are just gonna have to book a trip).

Cheers

Chris

Cant go wrong with kitesurfari. Im a cairns local and head up at least twice a year. Accom has come a long way (can send you pics from 2009 if you want to see progression at its best). Wind is great, perfect place to master strapless back rolls

^^Nice one ashkiter^^

LOL Ash, in the last pic that board looks like its got your name written on it