Cruising Helmsman – June 2017

(Sean Pound) #1

Following are some of our favourite places to
visit and swim.
At Hinchinbrook Island there is a pretty
waterfall a short walk from Zoe Bay on the
south-eastern side.
The waterfall in Nara Inlet, Hook Island,
Whitsundays, has a trickle f lowing year-round,
but is worth seeing post-rain. You can climb the
waterfall and watercourse behind it for more than a
kilometre; definitely not advisable when wet though.
The watercourse on Whitsunday Island
accessed from Cid Harbour is worth the climb,
with lovely views and waterfalls and pools
scattered along its course.
At Cape Upstart a depression in the hills
indicates a watercourse and a refreshing series
of pools eventually rewards rock hopping.
Turtle Bay near Fitzroy Island has a small
watercourse and waterfall year round, with
some welcome pools.
At Cape Bedford, north of Cooktown, sweet
water from springs f lows out beneath the sand


hills to the sea, with melaleucas betraying the
fresh water.
Ninian Bay, south of Cape Melville, has a
beautiful freshwater lagoon complete with
melaleucas, lilies and water birds just a
few hundred metres inland from the beach
camping area. Caution is required here though
as crocodiles inhabit the area: swimming is
not advised.

SALTWATER HIGHS
Great experiences have often involved
encounters with other species, including: being
surprised by the circular dance of three manta
rays beside us at Russell Island, Franklands
group. This was beautiful beyond words.
Waking up to whalesong echoing through the
boat at 5am while moored at Langford Island
in the Whitsundays. Or swimming with green
turtles and attempting to be as graceful and
failing miserably, of course.

“... THESE CAN MORPH INTO USEFUL


LEARNING EXPERIENCES WITH THE


WISDOM OF HINDSIGHT.”


49


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