Sandy Cape Trip - SSRKC · URANGAN TO SANDY CAPE - FRASER ISLAND. A NINE DAY PADDLE. 18 th - 26th August. 2016. This venture was not a SSRKS activity. George Reeman suggested it

URANGAN TO SANDY CAPE - FRASER ISLAND. A NINE DAY PADDLE. 18th - 26th August. 2016.

This venture was not a SSRKS activity.

George Reeman suggested it. A paddle to sandy cape, 95km each way, with the probability of meeting whales as we journey.

NOTE from George. The objective is to reach Sandy Cape at the north tip of Fraser Island. This is not a whale watching trip. (Good luck, muttered Albert).

Day 1. Thursday.

Urangan Boat Harbour to Woralie Creek. 28 klms.

7.30 found six club members at the harbour boat ramp. George, Bob Whiting, Garth Petersen, Albert Jansen, Graham Garrett and Dave Pass. Kayaks loaded with 12 days food and camping gear and 4 days water, keen to launch on this perfect winters day. A clear sky and light s/w breeze to help us on our way. 12 km past Big Woody Island as the wind stiffened and we were soon off moon point on Fraser and then to smoko at Coongal point area.

Excitement as we saw considerable ‘whale’ activity so far south! This turned out to be white water at the sth end of Coongal shoal.

Around mid day we hauled our heavy boats up the beach (low tide) to camp at Woralie Creek. (A 6 man lift, 3 straps, made carrying the boats reasonably easy).

Lunch/set up camp and a welcome swim in the fresh water creek beside camp.



Urangan Boat Harbour Departure

End of the day.



Day 2. Friday.

Woralie Creek to Wathumba. 21 klms.

Friday dawned clear and calm.

We were launched by 8.30 and paddling north toward Awinya Creek, our intended smoko spot. Whales in the distance, wind and tide in our favour, happy campers! From Awinya some went wide to use the wind and some stayed close to shore to enjoy the coastal detail. We met at the creek entrance for a hard paddle/wade through shallow out running water (lowish tide) up the creek to Wathumba camp site.

Bob tried the fishing in the creek and Graham offered to top up water bottles at the Nat.Parks water tank across the creek. Others lazed/walked the beach until happy hour.



Pristine Waters.

Under Sail.



Day 3. Saturday.

Watumba to Rooney Point. 24 klms.

Daylight brought a surprise! A large ‘tinnie’ had been deposited beside the camp on the high night tide. The moon was on the wane so tomorrows tide would not lift it off. With another boat towing and ten bodies pushing he was soon on his way.

Another perfect day as we paddled out across Platypus Bay. This north section of the bay is where the whales tend to gather, so we were hopeful of meeting some, especially Albert who had not ‘paddled with the whales’ previously. We were not disappointed. We soon had whales around, under and beside us while a DRONE hovered over us! Probably from some whale watching craft beyond our horizon. George tried to keep us on track, but Bob and Albert were all over the bay and Garth was way behind having a ‘close encounter with a whales tail’.

It is quite obvious when out there in our comparatively frail craft, that these huge creatures have no intention of ‘bumping’ into us.

And so it continued all morning, whales constantly in view, sometimes very close and the occasional huge turtle or pod of dolphins for variation.

With such great conditions, we decided to continue around Rooney Point to find a camp site. As we rounded the point, the crystal clear water of platypus bay suddenly changed to ‘soup’;



brown thick pulverized sea weed. Bob the fisherman eloquently identified this as ‘snot weed’. Not only dirty and smelly but it sticks to anything it touches, including bodies, boats and sails!

We continued around the point in the vain hope it would at least thin out a bit, but eventually made a careful landing to camp on a pleasant beach under a good cover of casuarinas.

“Glassed Over”.

Bob with company.



Day 4. Sunday.

Rooney Point to Sandy Cape Lighthouse. 14 klms.

Sunday morning weather continued in perfect style, virtually no wind. Dingo tracks around the kayaks as we packed to launch through the ‘soup’. Although no wind at this time of day, this section of coast is outside the protection of the bay and a moderate wave made for a cautious launch. Garth saw most of us away with a “knuckle’ launch; skirts on and quickly through the surf to minimize getting covered in muck. Not Albert, he launched himself, leg over each side and paddling hard! We spent 10 minutes scraping gunk off him, his boat and sail!

We were soon in the small bay below the lighthouse and continued on toward the cape a short way looking for an official camp site, found only a ‘no camping’ sign and returned to below the lighthouse.

Safely through the small surf to the open area at the base of the track up to the light, we checked the many national parks signs and found no “ no camping” sign, and so began the procedure of carrying the boats up. As we did so a 4x4 pulled up near the boats and ‘NORM’ stepped out. He must have been a Norm as his generous belly, wrapped in a broncos tee shirt proceeded him, and his big hand had a firm grip on a can of XXXX which he was inhaling through the gap where a front tooth used to be! A most friendly bloke who soon produced 6 coldies from the fridge and insisted on taking our group photo on everyones camera!



Lunch and camp organized we were about to set off for the walk up to the light when Ranger Matt and his apprentice turned up. He was quite astounded that we had appeared from nowhere and made it quite clear that we could not camp here. ‘Pack up and move to the official camp site 8km further on at Sandy Cape’ was his greeting. He had no chance! A compromise was reached, we would stay tonight and move on tomorrow. We parted company on good terms, but this gave the group a dilemma. Some considered the lighthouse to be a satisfactory terminus and had planned a rest day for tomorrow while others felt that anything less than the actual cape (8km further) was a cop out. Discussion resulted in the solution that Albert, Graham and Dave would take the easy option of a 16km paddle, wind and tide assisted, back around Rooney Point to find a camping site somewhere near the point. George Bob and Garth would take the tough option, a 32km paddle in which tide (and wind as it turned out) would turn against them and they would beach and launch through the soup for a break. Added to their difficulty was that Rooney point can get a bit rough with wind over tide conditions.

Sandy Cape Lighthouse.



Day 5. Monday.

Sandy Cape Lighthouse to Platypus Bay. 32 klms.

Not an ideal camp site as the sand hills extended well around the point into platypus bay. The second weary group arrived around 1.30 having made good time in some difficult conditions, but in the bay it was calm with whales often passing close in to our camp. This was just too much for the novice whale paddler Albert, who could not raise any enthusiasm for a group to paddle out to the whales. Off he went, dragging Bob across the beach to launch and spend a special time with just him and whales around and under him. ‘What a buzz’ was his comment.



Day 6 / Day 7. Tuesday and Wednesday.

Rooney Point to Awinya Creek. 30 klms.

Our intention was to paddle to Wathumba, but conditions were ideal for a paddle straight across Platypus Bay to Awinya; slight sea and a light north wind to help us on our way. Once again the whales were around as we paddled along the coast toward Withumba for smoko in the shadow of the high sand hills, then south across the bay. By midday, tide and wind had turned against us so the final hour or so was a hard slog on tired arms. Relieved to finally reach Awinya and preparing to carry the boats across the beach (low tide) a family, mum/dad and 2 adult sons, came and insisted on helping carry the boats up. No argument from us! They were quite fascinated that we oldfellas could paddle all the way from ”that point” so far away it was almost out of sight.

The forecast was for strong winds, nth/w to S/W, for the next few days, so we pegged the tents down well and were grateful that it was a planned rest day tomorrow. At least we had shelter among the casuarinas and clean soft grass under foot, not to mention the fresh water creek behind camp.



Windy Camp.

Unpleasant Shore Break.



Day 8. Thursday.

Awinya Creek to Coongal Point. 15 klms.

Thursday dawned grey and cold but after the rest day we were impatient to be on our way ‘home’. A very heavy surf was rolling onto the beach, wind S/W 20knots gusting 25knots. We chose to wait as the forecast indicated it might ease around mid day and the tide run would also ease about then. We decided to launch at 11am as the surf was now down to 4 rows of breakers with the occasional ‘big’ one rolling in from far out. Bob was the last to launch , having helped the others to ‘knuckle’ their way off the beach. With the occasional ‘big one’ determined to lodge in the armpit, we made our cautious way south. The wind continued to ease and we beached north of Coongal point around 1pm.



Day 9. Friday.

Coongal Creek to Uranban Boat Harbour. 20 klms.

Clear sky, light S/W and no surf greeted us on this our final day. We waited impatiently until 9am when the tide would turn in our favour. Although we had the tide, once around Moon Point we had a stiff S/W in our face and wind over tide conditions. Quite ‘lumpy’ as we crossed the main channel off the point but then a great paddle/sail back past Big Woody Island and into the harbour.

George led us through the entrance as he ‘logged off’ with the Coast Guard.

‘GOOD ONE GEORGE’ I heard Albert mutter as we entered the harbour.

Report by Dave Pass



TRIP NOTES. WHEN TO GO.

August is a good time for the whale migration and the weather is generally agreeable.

The tides run strong into and out of Hervey Bay. Ebb tide to go north and Flood tide to go south.

DRINKING WATER.

We each carried around 15 litres.

We boiled all drinking water taken from the creeks.

We used creek water from Worilie Creek and at Awinya Creek.

We obtained tank water at Wathumba and at Sandy Cape Lighthouse.

We had info that water might be available from Bool Creek, 3.5 km before Sandy Cape Light.

However, the water we found was unusable. Investigating further along the stream might be worthwhile.

We did not land at ‘Carree’, the camp site at Sandy Cape. Water might be available there. (National Parks).




CAMP SITES.

There are no toilet facilities at any site.

Woralie.

This site is shaded and beside the fresh water creek.

It has road access.

Awinya Creek.

This is the most popular camp. Fresh water creek, shade and the’ whale ‘ area begins from here north. Ranger Matt told us that Awinya is becoming so popular that that number restrictions may be introduced , especially at Easter.

It has road access.

Watumba Creek.

Popular with the boats.

Well sheltered, good shade. Water tank across the creek.

It has road access.

Rooney Point.

There is no camping between Watumba and Carree (Sandy Cape) and no beach driving, so no Rangers!

Sand hills predominate between Watumba and Rooney.

Inside (south) of Rooney , the hills are only 1 or 2 meters high, just an inconvenience. North side has good beaches but we found extreme weed for 10 km or so toward Sandy Cape.


(Base of the track to the light).

Not an official camp site and the ranger checks!

A good site if needed and a walk up to the light will give views north over Sandy Cape. Ranger Matt told us of the tank at the right side of the track, adjacent to the lighthouse.

Carree, at Sandy Cape.

We did not beach there, but it looked good but popular.

It has road access.

Good Luck With The Weather!!



Marloo—zone 8

Caution: Deep wash-outs at mouth of Eli Creek. Beach passable 2 hours either side of low tide.

fenced fenced

Lake Allom

Lake Wabby

Eurong QPWS office

One Tree Rocks—zone 2

Wongai—zone 1

Kirrar SandblowLake McKenzie

Hervey Bay

Winnam—zone 3Poyungan—zone 3

Gabala—zone 2

Cornwells—zone 2

Yidney Rocks

Poyungan RocksRiver Heads

Happy Valley

Eli—zone 4

Guluri—zone 4

fencedhikers

Urang Creek

LakeGarawongera

Red Canyon

Dundubara

Cathedrals on Fraser (private)

K’gari (private)

Maheno Wreck

Eli Creek

*Moon Point

Wyuna—zone 7

Guruman—zone 6

Yurru—zone 6

Eugarie—zone 6

Wahba—zone 5

Maheno—zone 5

The Pinnacles

Woralie Creek

Coongul Creek

Bowarrady Creek

Awinya Creek

Bowal Creek

WungulSandblow

Lake Bowarrady

BoomerangLakes

Lake Coomboo

Great SandyMarine Park

fenced

fenced fenced

KnifebladeSandblow

fenced

Burad—zone 7

Corroboree Beach

* Sandy Cape

Ocean Lake

Waddy Point

Middle RocksWathumba *

Orchid BeachPlatypus Bay

Rooney Point

Carree—zone 9

Diray—zone 9

Duling—zone 8

Ocean Lake—zone 8

Ngkala Rocks

Teebing(Wathumba spit)

Orange Creek

Towoi Creek

SouthPacificOcean

fenced fenced

30km/h inland roads40km/h beach pedestrian areas80km/h Eastern beach50km/h Hook Point inland road

Survive your drive All road rules apply. Conditions change. Speed limits:

• Camp at least 50 metres from the water’s edge.• Never clean fish or discard fish or food scraps

near the water’s edge, campsites or boat ramps.• Take care when launching or retrieving your boat.

Be croc wise Estuarine crocodile sightings have been reported on the west coast of Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Strait.

Rainbow Beach

Garrys Anchorage

Hook Point inland road

MidyimDulara

18km beach access ramp

11km beach access ramp

Dilli Village (private)

Govi—zone 1Lake

Boomanjin

Eurong

Ungowa

Central Station

Wanggoolba Creek

LakeBirrabeen

LakeBenaroon

Caution: Beach is only passable at low tide.

Hook Point

Inskip Point

fenced

hikers

fenced

The Fraser Island Section of Great Sandy National Park is surrounded by Great Sandy Marine Park. Visit <www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/great-sandy-marine> for further information.

A detailed Fraser Island Great!Walk topographic map can be purchased online, over the counter or by phone at www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/experiences/great-walks/topographic-maps

Great!Walk

Great Sandy Marine Park

No vehicle zone: Beach driving is not permitted from Coolooloi Creek to Moon Point.

Kingfisher Bay

Yidney Scrub

Coolooloi Creek

Garulim

Moon Point

Great S

andy Strait

No vehicle zone: Beach driving is not permitted from Towoi Creek to Sandy Cape Lighthouse gate

Caution: Soft boggy sand on the Indian Head bypass track.

Caution: Moon Point to Towoi Creek—soft boggy sand and deep creek crossings; potentially dangerous.

Marine stingers are present in the ocean, especially in the summer months. Swimming is not recommended.

Indian Head

WARNINGLook and listen for aircraft landing and taking off along the eastern beach.

Fraser Island Recreation Area mapGreat Sandy National Park

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5 10 15 20kmScale0

LegendRecreation area

Other lands

4WD track

Walking track

No vehicle zone − hazardous beach

Great!Walk*

Central Lakes scenic drive

Southern Lakes scenic drive

Lake Garawongera scenic drive

Northern Forests scenic drive

Beach camping area

Distance (kilometres)

QWPS Information Centre

Ranger station

4WD tent camping

Boat access camping

Walk-in camping

4WD camper trailer

Private accomodation

Shop, gas, ice

Fuel

Toilets

Waste transfer station

Picnic table

Sheltered picnic table

Gas barbecue

Telephone

Lookout

Walking track

Barge landing

Police station

Ambulance

Wreck

Sandy Cape lighthouse

Dishwashing areaPortable toilet waste disposal facilityWater−treat before drinking

No camper trailers

Do not swim in the ocean

• NEVER feed dingoes.• Always stay within arm’s reach of

children, even small teenagers.• Walk in groups.• Do not run. Running or jogging can

trigger a negative dingo interaction.• Camp in fenced areas when

possible.• Lock up food stores and iceboxes

(even on a boat).• Never store food or food containers

in tents.• Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.

Follow dingo safety advice provided with permits and on signs throughout the island.

Be Dingo-Safe!

Documents

Sandy Cape Trip - SSRKC · URANGAN TO SANDY CAPE - FRASER ISLAND. A NINE DAY PADDLE. 18 th - 26th August. 2016. This venture was not a SSRKS activity. George Reeman suggested it