Port Hinchinbrook

Wednesday 20th August

On leaving Dunk Island we headed south to Port Hinchinbrook at the north end of the Hinchinbrook Channel. We had a really good sail, with Peter on the helm for a couple of hours. We clocked up about 9 1/2 knots in a blustery force 4 to 5 wind. Peter looked very content behind the wheel. The entry channel is very well marked and is dredged to a minimum depth of 2 metres, so we headed in on a rising tide at about 1/2 tide. The channel needs dredging again as we slid to a stop in the mud bar that has built up. What to do? The kettle was put on, the engine left in gear and the boat aimed at the rest of the channel. After the cuppa we slowly slid through the bar and into the marina.

It's a lovely modern marina in a small town, with a long strip shopping centre. Supermarket is good, as are the facilities. There is a lovely modern bar and restaurant on the marina as well. We had a lovely meal the first night and ate on board the second night. We were joined by Suzan and Michael from MaaMalni who stayed the night before driving back to Cairns to launch their boat. They received an enomous shock when they got the bill for their boat repairs.

This morning we topped off the fuel tank and set off south again at the top of the tide, no problems this time! The Hinchinbrook Channel is a very beautiful channel with high and jagged mountains both to the left, on the island, and to the right on the mainland. Australian north end is not flat by any means. The peak of Hinchinbrook Island is almost permanently cloud covered. At about 2.00 o'clock we anchored off a small island in the middle of the channel and had lunch and afterwards set off to Lucinda at the south end of the channel. We are now anchored for the night on the opposite side to the town in a small creek estuary and are very snug. Dinner is being prepared at the moment.

I have been in contact with the marina in Townsville and we will be there for a couple of days at least. I have arranged for the new Raymarine to be fitted there and the system tested. We will take a day trip to Magnetic Island, which is a suburb of Townsville, and rent a car the next day. We will probably head south towards Mackay after this stay.