So, I am moving my boat from the Gold Coast to Gladstone or beyond and was hoping for some advice regarding the sailing plan.
I am in a 40 ft boat with 2.1 mtrs draft. I am leaving mid April

My plan so far:
Leg 1 Leave Coomera and motor inside of Stradbroke and anchor over night in Morton Bay (any suggestions)
Leg 2 Leave Morton Bay and sail to mooloolaba and remain there until conditions are right to cross Wide Bay Bar.
Leg 3 Leave Mooloolaba and anchor over night inside Fraser Island (any suggestions)
Leg 4 Sail to Hervey Bay
Leg 5 Hervey Bay to Bundaburg
Leg 6 Bundaburg to Gladstone
I May keep going to Rosslyn Bay and leave the boat there until August, then sail to Arlie for race week then on to Cairns.

Would appreciate if anyone can suggest any must see places as I will most likely not pass through the area again

Lady Musgrave is nice, for snorkelling, kitesurfing,relaxing. Just keep your eye out for the resident 4 m tiger shark!

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RiffRaff said..

So, I am moving my boat from the Gold Coast to Gladstone or beyond and was hoping for some advice regarding the sailing plan.
I am in a 40 ft boat with 2.1 mtrs draft. I am leaving mid April

My plan so far:
Leg 1 Leave Coomera and motor inside of Stradbroke and anchor over night in Morton Bay (any suggestions)
Leg 2 Leave Morton Bay and sail to mooloolaba and remain there until conditions are right to cross Wide Bay Bar.
Leg 3 Leave Mooloolaba and anchor over night inside Fraser Island (any suggestions)

After crossing the bar and coming through the passage just head straight over to the other side of the harbour. You can tuck in close to the shore and anchor in 3 to 5 metres of water. Dead flat calm anchorage.

Leg 4 Sail to Hervey Bay

You will have to work the tides but I have done it with a 2.2 m draft.


Leg 5 Hervey Bay to Bundabeurg
Leg 6 Bundabeurg to Gladstone

Pancake Creek is a do not miss anchorage.


I May keep going to Rosslyn Bay and leave the boat there until August, then sail to Arlie for race week then on to Cairns.

For Bundaberg to Mackay get Noel Patrick's "Cruising the Curtis Coast". Lots of great anchorages. Port Clinton, Blue Pearl Bay, Island Head Creek and of course Middle Percy Island.

Would appreciate if anyone can suggest any must see places as I will most likely not pass through the area again

Riffraff,
Moreton Bay is large area with many great anchorages. You need to consider the tide in planning your travel as it make a big difference to speed. Note the tide floods from the North.

If you can make Peel Island in a day from Coomera you can anchor at Horseshoe Bay on the southern side which is protected from any wind from the north.
If it's blowing from the south go around to the north side of the island and anchor in the Larzett. Make sure you have the chart plotter on or charts in hand as you need to watch your navigation around Peel.

Wait for the run out tide and sail from Peel to Tangalooma and anchor overnight near or behind the Wrecks. You can sail from Peel up to Mooloolaba but its a big day 10 hrs or longer if you are against the tide.

If you leave the Wrecks on the top of the tide you can sail over a shallow section at the northern end on the Wrecks where the barge comes in and then continue to Mooloolaba. If you leave on a low tide you have go back down to the south before you can continue north.

At the top end of Moreton Bay the tide can run as much as 4kts in the middle of the tide so you need to make sure its a run out tide to run with it.

There's lots of ships that run between Moreton Bay and Mooloolaba so try and stay on the edge of the shipping channel.

I've sailed to Mooloolaba a number of times its a great sail in the right conditions.

Seabird,
Thanks for the advice regarding Moreton Bay, I will review my plan in this area.

Cisco, My apologies for misspelling Bundaberg, I drink enough of the rum, I should be able to spell it by now.

""After crossing the bar and coming through the passage just head straight over to the other side of the harbour. You can tuck in close to the shore and anchor in 3 to 5 metres of water. Dead flat calm anchorage.""

So where abouts "on the other side" Cisco? Did you mean Coolooloi Creek or

Pelican Bay [where you must light up before dusk or the ferries may run you down!]

We ran Manly Boat Harbour to Mooloolaba (left Manly an hour before high tide at 0600am and reached Mooloolaba mid afternoon. We then left Mooloolaba for Wide Bay Bar in the early hours to arrive abeam the Bar about 2 hours prior to high tide. We allowed about 10 hours at 5 kits which worked well. Once in side the bar we stayed in Pelican Bay. It's a fairly big area,plenty of room to share with the ferries. Depending on your arrival time , if he tides still running in, you could continue up to Gary's Anchorage and overnight there. The shallow part of the trip up the Great Sandy Straits is called Sherridan Flats and you will need to plan the transit there around high tide with that draft. The local Coast Guard Sandy Straits can also be a useful source of information in helping width advice of when high warmer is expected in that area.

In Hervey Bay we stayed at Urangun as I have family there, there are also numerous anchorages on the north western side of Fraser Island.

Riff raff, don,t spoil your journey by using the motor. Coomera to Peel Is. has many great anchorages , and is a great if you have the canvas hoisted. Slipping sands, Blakesleys, Horseshoe, Little ships club and Lazerettes are all great overnight anchorages in the right winds. Yes there are a few anchorages along Moreton Is. worth visiting as well Don,t rush your exit from the southern bay area, even worth a look at Coochie.
Have a great trip and keep in contact. There are some awesome sailors on this site that will guide you on your journey if required and feed you valuable info on your trip .
Fair Winds

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nswsailor said..

""After crossing the bar and coming through the passage just head straight over to the other side of the harbour. You can tuck in close to the shore and anchor in 3 to 5 metres of water. Dead flat calm anchorage.""

So where abouts "on the other side" Cisco? Did you mean Coolooloi Creek or

Pelican Bay [where you must light up before dusk or the ferries may run you down!]

I don't have a chart handy but probably a mile or two south of being directly west of the passage and yes, keep an eye out for the ferries.

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RiffRaff said..

Seabird,
Thanks for the advice regarding Moreton Bay, I will review my plan in this area.

Cisco, My apologies for misspelling Bundaberg, I drink enough of the rum, I should be able to spell it by now.

You probably drank too much of it and that is why you misspelt it.

The stuff is crap anyway. Switch to Mount Gay Genuine Eclipse Barbados Rum. You will never look back. Sailor Jerry's is a great rum too.

Double Island Point- Just recently I have laid over just behind the Point to await the ideal tide at Wide Bay bar. Anchorage is big and comfortable in E , W & SE conditions. Regular shoaling sand. The latest waypoints on the bar , from Tin Can bay CG , seem to be a bit tight. I needed to favour a Northerly tending track to avoid shoals about half way across. Do use the best tide conditions available . Cheers, Bob

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slainte said..

Riff raff, don,t spoil your journey by using the motor.

Thanks for the Info Slainte, the waterways between Coomera and Southern Moreton bay seem quite narrow and shallow in places.
Are there any areas I should look out for as far as depth. I was planning on traveling through this area while tides are favourable so I do not anticipate any issues.
After the excellent feedback on this thread I think I will re-evaluate the time I had scheduled to do this trip I do not want to miss too much by rushing it.
I was planning on 10 days . Is this enough?

Mount Gay is just magic, as is Appleton Estate and if like Cuban, then Havana Club is very hard to go past.

Coming north from the Gold Coast, the shallow spot is just before you get to Jacobs Well. It is well marked, but you may need to feel your way through carefully. I think it has been dredged recently in which case you shouldn't have any problems.

We usually do it this way:
1. Brisbane to Mooloolaba. Note previous advice on having the tide help you out of Moreton Bay, and starting from the northern end of the bay. The entrance to Mooloolaba has been problematical too at times, ask the local VMR for advice, you may need to wait if you arrive close to low tide. You can anchor in the river at Mooloolaba, just go a bit further upstream past the 2 marinas. It gets very crowded and a bit shallow in parts, but we've always been able to find a spot.
2. Mooloolaba to Double Island Point. Rarely, DI Pt is uncomfortable due to swells, but you should only be considering a bar crossing when it's fairly calm anyway, so you shouldn't have any trouble. It is well sheltered in S or SE, and is a magic spot. You might pick up a mackeral if you're trolling as you round the point.
3. If you can arrange it, cross the bar in the morning, and on the early stages of a rising tide (BUT if the swells are more than 1m, you'll want to ignore this advice and wait for the top of the tide). If you can cross early in the rising tide, you will be able to do the whole of the sandy straits with tidal assistance. The shallow point is at Sheridan Flats, and this is near where the tide changes direction. We will usually cross Sheridan Flats just before high tide, and maybe anchor near White Cliffs till the runout tide gets established - then you can keep going, tide still behind you, and anchor for the night at Big Woody or Kingfisher depending on wind direction.

However, if you're not in a rush, it's also a good idea to take a few days coming through the Sandy Straits. Gary's Anchorage is good for a night or two.

4. From Big Woody it's a fairly easy sail up to Bundaberg.

5. From Bundaberg you've got a couple of options. Pancake Creek if you're sticking to the coast, or Lady Musgrave for some coral reef experience. Both are great places to be, although Musgrave can be unpleasant (though safe) if the wind is over 15kt.

6. We usually bypass Gladstone and go straight to Rosslyn Bay, maybe overnighting at Cape Capricorn. Gladstone is another port where you need to consider tides on both entry and exit because of the strength of the tidal flow, and it takes a long time to get in and out at the best of times.

Enjoy it - I'm looking forward to our next trip in a few months time!

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RiffRaff said..
After the excellent feedback on this thread I think I will re-evaluate the time I had scheduled to do this trip I do not want to miss too much by rushing it.
I was planning on 10 days . Is this enough?

No! Passages are a thing to be done in a time frame and 10 days is a good allowance for Gold Coast to Gladstone.

The Brissy to Gladdy racers do it in about a day and a half butt that is around the outside like four Buffalo Girls.

The trip up through The Great Sandy Straits is magic and will enhance your navigation skills. However going outside of Fraser Island is also a great trip.

If you time your passage right to the tides, it is a great adventure rounding the top end of Fraser Island (the Break Sea Spit) between the Spit and the Breaksea Spit Light ship.

It is an area of tidal flows and overflows that should only be passaged in good weather and best done on a high slack tide. As you go through you will swear that your sounder is reading wrong. It will say that you are in 40 to 50 feet of water but the water is so clear you will see the sandy bottom and think you will ground any moment.

If you go that route heading for Bundaberg you will save yourself about 12 miles and will most likely have a beam or broad reach over to Burnett Heads.

The time I did it we exited the passage about 8 am and got into the Burnett River about 5 pm. The yacht was a Peterson 42 and I guess the wind was 18 knots during the day and the distance was about 60 miles. We were doing 6 knots plus with head sail alone.

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RiffRaff said..

slainte said..

Riff raff, don,t spoil your journey by using the motor.

Thanks for the Info Slainte, the waterways between Coomera and Southern Moreton bay seem quite narrow and shallow in places.
Are there any areas I should look out for as far as depth. I was planning on traveling through this area while tides are favourable so I do not anticipate any issues.
After the excellent feedback on this thread I think I will re-evaluate the time I had scheduled to do this trip I do not want to miss too much by rushing it.
I was planning on 10 days . Is this enough?

Hey Riff Raff, around Macley and Russell islands there are a few shallow areas, but sticking to the middle of the channels should keep you out of trouble.
If you intend to do the trip once only, take as much time as you can.

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cisco said..

RiffRaff said..

Seabird,
Thanks for the advice regarding Moreton Bay, I will review my plan in this area.

Cisco, My apologies for misspelling Bundaberg, I drink enough of the rum, I should be able to spell it by now.

You probably drank too much of it and that is why you misspelt it.

The stuff is crap anyway. Switch to Mount Gay Genuine Eclipse Barbados Rum. You will never look back. Sailor Jerry's is a great rum too.

I once went to a party in Bluderburg Cisco met some guys who work at the distillery They produce a flagon of Black stuff the bottom of the barrel so to speak after a while of consumption I didn't remember a thing the next day where I woke up [V Im not saying Ha Ha and Ive drank some nasty stuff over the years ( < Just a coffee head now bro ) But that stuff really got me

All good advice and I done this trip a month ago, crossing the big bad wide bay bar with a 2knot SE wind and a two metre swell and catching a spanish mackerel on the lure as I aproached the nasty bit.
My advice would be to go Maloolabah to Double island point and shelter there for the next favourable tide, Its what I do when on this part of the coast.
Gladstone is an industrial port with not a lot going for it for the cruising sailor so unless youre working there ...... Go to Rosslyn bay .
North west island is worth the effort if you've got the time.

Thanks Hangtime,
I am seeking work in or around Gladstone and that is why it was my first option.
Interesting what you said about Wide Bay Bar. I see many comments on these forums about how dangerous bars can be, almost to the point where the novice sailor would run for the hills. All you hear is how dangerous they are.
Being from WA I do not have a lot of experience in this area but I have read more stories about how easy it was after all the hype than I have bad luck stories.
I guess if you treat them with respect regardless and make considered decisions then it should be just another day on the water

Hi Riff, I've tried a few options with Wide Bay , over the years , touched once and got lost once , but that was years ago. Today it is not much of a risk, so don't be put off ! However, these are my planning parameters . Only cross , for the first time , an hour before high. Lay over at Double Island if your timing is wrong. Keep the sun behind you in the mid section. Have Tin Can Bay CG text to you the latest waypoints. It is very difficult to viz the beacon on Hook Point , in daytime. I found , last Nov. that the best water was always to the North of the point to point track. Keep on track and only diverge if there is good reason tho'. It is quite a busy bar and a trawler or boat ahead coming in or out can be worth plotting as a back up only. Some say that it is easier at night because you can viz. the Hook Point beacon. Never tried that tho'. I'll be crossing early June after a night at DIP.
Good sailing, Bob

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RiffRaff said..


I am seeking work in or around Gladstone and that is why it was my first option.

If you are thinking of living on board in the marina, think again. I think these days the best you will get is 2 months.

That's right Cisco I was advised of that when I was looking at marina rates there.
I wasn't planning on living aboard.

FYI Cisco they advised it was a maximum of 6 months, not bad rates either as far as Marinas go.

Well I leave the Gold cost tomorrow and am planning on doing the inside route to Morton bay.
Have heard some conflicting stories regarding the power lines just North of Cabbage tree. Charts say safe clearance is 20.3 meters yet one guy said he wouldn't do it in my boat. I have an air draft of 17 meters and a water draft of 2.2 meters.
Anyone have any comments regarding this

Riff , I went under the power lines that was about 10 years ago, My cat drew 1 m but the mast was 20m above water. Had no problems but keep on the " highest side " of the available channel.

I go under regularly with 19.2m (63') and we clear with ease even at the lowest point. If you hug the western tower there is plenty of water and a lot more height. We have checked it out and we think we will be able to get my new boat under with a air draft of 25m (83'). When we take the new boat under for the first time we will be using a second boat to double check clearances. As an electrician I am very aware of clearances required for HV.

Thanks all
Did it yesterday, miles of room under power lines, still it makes you a little anxious the first time.
Not much room under the boat though bounced the bottom a few times around Jacobs Well, all in all a good trip.
Today we go to mooloolaba

Hello RiffRaff
I'm not sure if your plan is to stop at Urangan but I am currently here for a couple of nights and draw about 1.8m. I was sitting in the mud today and some of the bigger boats had their water lines about a foot and a half out of the water. I'm in the Great Sandy Strait Marina and can't say if there is an overall problem with silting or maybe I wasn't given the best berth. The tides are getting better over the next few days but with you drawing 2.1 it might be worth knowing what you are in for if you get here. My next stop is Bundy and I would imagine Cisco might be more knowledgeable on this area.
Watch out for the wide bay bar. I came across in low 2 no wind conditions but a fair S/E swell coming through and we caught a wave for about 40 seconds. I was following the local rescue boat (after seeking Tin Can Bay CG advice) through at the time and the bow wave off my boat was wetting the targa at the back. Not bad for a 12 tonne steely (Adams 40) to get on the plane. The steering was light as a feather and the boat tracked very well, but the engine probably didn't know it could rev so high. Would have made a nice photo but I wasn't going back for a re-run. The worst part was I had the misses on board. (There was a lot of slick talking needed after that one)

Thanks Crusoe,
We crossed wide bay bar on Sunday and conditions were good, stayed in Gary's anchorage Sunday night
I came into Urangan yesterday on the low tide and bounced the bottom through the entrance. I touch again pretty quickly after that so I flogged the engine to get me to the nearest jetty. Got there, Just. Within an hour I was well aground and sitting solidly on the keel. Never again.
Left this morning just before high tide and heading for Bundaberg.
I am on a Delphia 40.2 called REA, say hello if you see me.

Hi I am not sure that I want to hear all this talk about bouncing over bars etc Still planning my trip solo in about 2weeks

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Lexmark said..

Hi I am not sure that I want to hear all this talk about bouncing over bars etc Still planning my trip solo in about 2weeks

You will be fine as long as you note tide times and conditions. Well before you come to the Wide Bay Bar contact Coast Guard Tin Can Bay and ask them for the way points to go in. They will text them to your phone. Better than the radio.

The approach is onto a red/white/green sector light then turning port onto a blue flashing lead light. It is only a single light so I am not sure how you gauge whether you are to port or starboard of track at night. On this leg you will be beam on to the swell and roll quite a bit. Just ride it and keep your course.

We went in on dead low tide and at midnight which is contrary to all advices on crossing bars but the conditions were near dead calm and Coast Guard advised that our entry should be good.

Day time entry is obviously the best except for late afternoon with the sun in your eyes.

Bumping the bottom near Jacob's Well, the shallow spot of The Great Sandy Straits and entering Urangan Harbour is almost mandatory on any boat with more than a 2 metre draught. Just make sure the tide is rising at bumping time.

If you go into Urangan Harbour and the put you on the first finger, make sure you have doubled up mooring lines and plenty of fenders. The swell comes straight in there.

Entry into the Burnett River at Bundaberg is NOT a bar entry but it is long and fairly narrow. DO NOT try to come in on the South Head Light, you will ground on rocks. The channel entry is a red to port and an East Cardinal to starboard. You can cut in two or three markers short of the end and all the reds and greens flash at once like a runway.

Once in the channel stay well up on the reds as there are shallows on the north side and a low rock wall that extends about a third of the way along the channel. You will be beam on to the swell coming along the channel and most likely roll your guts out until you get in to the river proper.

Don't go into the Burnett Heads basin as it is full, my having claimed the last available anchoring spot and you will not be allowed to go alongside the marina as it is weak and will soon be taken out to make way for a redevelopment.

There are good anchorages between that basin and the Bundaberg Port Marina. That marina is very good but has prices and a manager that leave a lot to be desired. The Burnett Heads IGA is very good for reprovisioning.

Further up stream in the town reach there is no more Midtown Marina. It went in the floods and there is anchoring only. If you do anchor in the town reach there is a risk you may have to leave your anchor behind due to underwater hazards left by the floods.

If any Seabreezers are coming into Bundaberg and would like to meet up for a chin wag, sherbert or would like some logistical support, do not hesitate to PM me and I will send you my phone number.

Cheers Cisco.