The final stretch for 2024

The month of October was a busy one for us; we left Liberty tied up in Hervey Bay on the 1st of the month and flew to Melbourne, ready to take possession of our new inner city “digs” and unpack all our belongings, which had been in storage for over twelve months! Fortunately, the move in went very smoothly and we enjoyed a lovely couple of weeks getting ourselves organised. Then, on 16th of October, we welcomed another granddaughter to the family: Matilda Louise O’Connell, the first daughter for Chris and Amy and a lovely sister for Jack and George. On the following Saturday, accompanied by “assistant first mate” Ian, the captain flew back to Hervey Bay to prepare the boat for its final passage home.

It was windy as the two sailors flew into Hervey Bay and several of the tourist boats had opted not to operate that day. The captain was keen to move, however, and the next morning they untied the lines and headed down the Great Sandy Straits, timing their arrival at the shallowest section of the straits at high tide, crossing over and anchoring at Gary’s Anchorage that afternoon. Several other Boaties were also moored there, waiting for the wind and waves to abate before making the crossing over the notorious Wide Bay Bar. 

 Monday was a quieter day, with a short passage down to Inskip Point and a long walk along the shore to study the conditions for the passage. On Tuesday, with light winds and calmer seas forecast, they had a leisurely breakfast and waited for the tide to be “right” before joining the conga line heading out through the bar. Conditions were quite good for the crossing and they turned east, passing Double Island Point and cruising down the Sunshine Coast to motor in through the Mooloolah river bar and tying up at the jetty near the coastguard station.

 On Wednesday morning they continued cruising south, and conditions were perfect. They entered Moreton Bay and motored past the wrecks at Tangalooma, continuing down the bay and anchoring just off Peel Island, in Horseshoe Bay. It was a lovely afternoon for a walk along the beach and a barbecue on the back deck. 

 Next morning they cruised across to the Canaipa channel, taking the scenic route down to Tipplers resort on South Stradbroke island and enjoying lunch ashore. 

After a quiet afternoon and a reasonably early night, and with stronger winds forecast over the Friday, the anchor was raised for the final time as they motored along the Broadwater and into The Coomera River, tying up at the Salacia Marina - Liberty was home again!

There will be short jaunts here and there to make the most of our lovely local waterways, but for now, our six months of cruising is over…until next time!