WIDE BAY BAR
When entering or exiting the Great
Sandy Strait through its southern end,
between Hook Point at the bottom
of Fraser Island and the mainland at
Inskip Point, sailors must cross the
notorious Wide Bay Bar on the seaward
side of the passage.
The bar has a reputation for being
one of the most dangerous on the
Queensland coast because of the length
of the crossing (over 3nm), its distance
offshore, the time it takes to cross “The
Mad Mile” (up to one hour depending
on conditions) and the changing
weather and sea conditions during
that time. As with any bar crossing,
it should be treated with respect and
mariners should attempt it only during
favourable conditions.
Coastal bars are dynamic in nature
and, in March 2017, a hydrographic
survey of the bar confirmed that
shifting sandbanks over recent
years had encroached on the centre
line bearing of the approach to the
passage. As a result, Maritime Safety
Queensland changed the line of the
Hook Point directional light to ensure
boaties are over the best water depth
when crossing the bar. (Mariners
should obtain the latest information
and double check reference points with
the Volunteer Coastguard at Tin Can
Bay.)
The Tin Can Bay Coastguard
recommend that vessels with drafts
exceeding 1m should cross the bar in
the last two hours of the incoming tide,
preferably at high tide. And because of
its east-west alignment, it’s best not to
attempt the passage from seaward in
the afternoon as the lowering sun may
make the leading lights difficult to see.TIN CAN INLET AND
PELICAN BAY
After clearing The Mad Mile and
dodging the barge that ferries 4WDs
between Inskip Point and Fraser
Island, mariners enter the southern
end of the strait at Tin Can Bay. Afterrounding Inskip Point, you can follow
the channel markers to port into Pelican
Bay and motor between Pannikin Island
and Bullock Point with the tide up, or
continue south along the main channel
into Tin Can Inlet to anchorages near
Carlo Point and the town of Tin Can Bay.
Inskip Point is the sandy projection
of Rainbow Beach on a peninsula that
acts as a natural breakwater, ensuring
calm waters and safe anchorage in the
western lee at Pelican Bay. While this
may not be the most scenic anchorage
in the strait, it is a good staging or
finishing point for crossing Wide Bay
Bar, and the ideal base camp for those
wanting to explore the local area or visit
Fraser short-term.
While there are no boat launching
facilities at Inskip, you’ll have no
trouble getting a tinnie from a trailer
into Pelican Bay and, for bigger boats,
council-managed boat ramps are
located at nearby Bullock Point and
Carlo Point and at Norman Point (Tin
Can Bay).Great Sandy Strait, QLDCLOCKWISE FROM MAIN The Fraser Dawn getting ready to ferry passengers to the
island; Catching some rays at mealtime; One of many beaches on offer; Anglers trying
their luck onshore; Vessels of all kinds can be found in the Great Sandy Strait.tradeboats.com.au 41