Nicholas and Jasmine on the Mackay Marina breakwall. The beach is in the background and the kitesurfers are taking advantage of the strong winds.
Nicholas and Jasmine, late afternoon with wind blowing in their hair, as we sit on the outside high break wall waiting for the winds to drop with the protected Mackay Marina in the background.
Early morning on our way into Mackay after leaving at midnight from South Percy Island following a very uncomfortable swell. It will be a great day... just look at the beautiful rainbow!
Nicholas and Mackay marina with break-wall in the background and long walking bridges down to the marina wharf. At low tide it is extremely steep. We enjoyed our stay here, nice and relaxing.
Picture of one of the large dolphins just north of Great Keppel Island.
Nicholas relaxing on deck; ... it is tiring watching dolphins.
Genni is under Nicholas in that sail bag tied to the deck and under that are the two scuba tanks. Beside Nicholas is the stand up paddle board. The blue box under the boom is the filter component of the desalinator (water maker), the white tube is the automatic hydrostatic released 10 person life raft with EPIRB, followed by the blue spray dodger and bimni.
Dolphin spotting just north of Great Keppel Island on our way to Port Clinton for the night. These few dolphins were the largest we had seen. Dolphin just entering the water in front of the boat.
Another lovely day, we are slowly getting closer to the Whitsunday Islands. Heading up the Great Sandy Strait ... so calm and protected.
The little crabs at the bottom of the Great Sandy Strait. Come on, I'll take you on you big humans!
Chasing the small crabs on the beach at the bottom of the Great Sandy Strait.
Another day with the dolphins, it never gets old or tiring.
Another day of sailing, lovely.... but .... that white thing is blocking the view!
While offshore, need to have all the cool safety gear! lifejackets, PLBs (mini EPIRBs), we weather jackest and of course... a monkey.
Sea snake off Lady Musgrave Island. It came right up to the boat, for a picture, and then sounded out of sight in about 26m of water.
After travelling across the bar and catching a couple of rather large waves (hitting 15.9 knots) the kids felt a little upside down.
Entering the Great Sandy Strait at the bottom of Fraser Island - safe at last!
Mooloolaba Marina at sunset. A wonderful place for a visit and really close to the beach and a short walk to the shops.
Morning Light with our neighbours, we fit right in! Marina Mirage Gold Coast.
Dolphins in action, private show just for us! Cool!!!!!
Kids relaxing offshore, can't remember where this was taken, but it was nice:)
The dream yachting life... and reality. Jasmine waiting for our washing at a laundrymat on the Gold Coast.
Jasmine in the rain at the Nelson Bay Marina. What happened to the rest of the whale Mummy?
Heading into the Great Sandy Strait. Fraser Island Ferry in the distance to the left of screen.
Nicholas and Jasmine, happy to be in the entrance to the Great Sandy Strait with the Fraser Island Ferry in the background. Pelican Bay is just around the corner to the left. Sun is setting ahead. Ahh.... a calm night of rest at last!
Nicholas and Jasmine after we have crossed the Wide Bay Bar at the bottom of the Great Sandy Strait between Fraser Island and the Mainland. Yep, we tossed and turned and they are now stuck upside down. One of our calmer days... oh and they say Daddy needs a shave too.
Yacht tied up on the dock at Marina Mirage, gear strapped on deck includes inflatable tender, additional fuel cans, extra gas bottles, 2 life rafts and desalinator.
Nicholas and Jasmine with the Yacht on the Gold Coast at Marina Mirage
Mummy and Nicholas on a nice calm day
Jasmine in her off shore gear.... also known as PJs.
One of may Dolphins that have visited us on our journey so far.
Genni set off Moreton Island
Sunset as we pass Shark Island outside the entrance to Nelson Bay
Yacht loaded with gear ready to leave Pittwater
Yacht Morning Light at the Royal Motor Yacht Club ready to depart on our first day. Gear stacked everywhere!
Preparation: This is Yacht Morning Light up on the slip in Pittwater in Feb 2017 getting anti-foul paint applied and having the engine serviced in preparation for the trip.
Preparation: Nice clean propeller with prop speed paint and new anode (Feb 2017)
Preparation: Big keel, cleaned and ready to go!
Preparation: Nicholas and Jasmine finishing their sailing training at the Spit in Sydney - Middle Harbor Yacht Club, Dec 2016
Photos and Videos
Photos and videos of the adventure