Mooloolaba Introduction - Page 2

**Insequent** · 02-01-2023, 05:46 AM

First, here is the reason you see pods of dolphins in the vicinity of Tangalooma.
https://www.tangalooma.com/dolphin-f...BoCr6gQAvD_BwE

Yes, weather dependant for your planned outing. Any wind direction with a W in it will be uncomfortable above 15kn for most of Moreton. Kooringal excepted. If its 15-20kn of wind then N or S will also be uncomfortable, you would want some E in it. Sandhills likely best unless stiff and W and /N winds.

Alternatives are to go west to southern side of Mud, or other islands. Or join everyone else at Horseshoe Bay, S side of Peel Island. North Stradbroke has some options provided not much W. Further south, in the "Bay Islands" (also referred to as bowels of the bay due to water colour) plenty of places to get away from strong winds. But I don't swim in the Bay south of Peel. And anywhere in the Bay shallow, clear water is a pre-requisite for getting wet IMO. Not until you get near Jumpinpin or the Broadwater down at the Gold Coast do you get clear water again.

**Insequent** · 02-01-2023, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serene

Yeah we saw a pod of dolphins too. Normally I see one or two surfing the bow wave, but this time we saw a pod of about five or six of them milling about in the middle of nowhere.

Here is the reason:
https://www.tangalooma.com/dolphin-f...BoCr6gQAvD_BwE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serene

Next trip will be leaving Mooloolaba early in the morning, heading to Tangalooma wrecks for the day, just to experience it, then mid-afternoon moving south to an overnight anchorage. Will be looking for suggestions on where to anchor.

We will either try the southern end of Lucinda Bay or the sandhills. Obviously weather dependent.

For Moreton Island anchorages, wind direction and strength is key. Above about 10 kn and any W = rolly. If its 15kn and gusting a bit more then N or S is crappy also in most places. Ideally have some E in it. Sandhills can be OK N to SE at 20 or more, but if S then Blue Hole is better. Or pick one of the Bay islands to hide behind. Kooringal is a bit tricky to get to, and not a lot of room but is good in N or W. Mainland side of the Bay can work well for something with a W in it, but shallow water so you will be a distance from a (muddy) shoreline. Just stay on the boat. If its quite ugly in the Bay then the Brisbane River is a nice option and you can get as far as the junction of the Bremer River easily, a bit less than 30nm from Luggage Point. Its fairly straightforward really......

For you the biggest hassle is that its a number of hours to get to Moreton from your berth, and it can be a long trip punching into waves to get home if it turns to crap. Try to avoid wind against tide direction. Shallower areas of the Bay can become downright nasty at those times. If I have to go against strong wind I'll wait until i'm also pushing against the tide, if I can. Yes, much slower. But a lot less "excitement", pitching and spray. Your boat will be up for it, but it will not likely be called "pleasure boating" by your crew!

Serene · 02-01-2023, 06:31 AM

Great information. A very big thank you Insequent. This is the sort of local knowledge I haven't found in Alan Lucas' Cruising the Coral Coast or the Beacon to Beacon guide.

Serene · 02-01-2023, 06:32 AM

All makes sense and the names are familiar as I have been studying the charts closely, except for Blue Hole. Where is this? I don't think I have seen it on any charts, unless I have missed it.

Serene · 02-01-2023, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insequent

[SNIP]

For you the biggest hassle is that its a number of hours to get to Moreton from your berth, and it can be a long trip punching into waves to get home if it turns to crap. Try to avoid wind against tide direction. Shallower areas of the Bay can become downright nasty at those times. If I have to go against strong wind I'll wait until i'm also pushing against the tide, if I can. Yes, much slower. But a lot less "excitement", pitching and spray. Your boat will be up for it, but it will not likely be called "pleasure boating" by your crew!

Our cruise speed is 7.4 knots at 1,800rpm which seems to be the sweet spot for the boat, so yes understand the distances from Mooloolaba. I have been telling my crew that the boat can handle more than we can handle...it is just uncomfortable!

**Insequent** · 02-01-2023, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serene

All makes sense and the names are familiar as I have been studying the charts closely, except for Blue Hole. Where is this? I don't think I have seen it on any charts, unless I have missed it.

It should be shown. Its just a bit SW of the Sandhills and you enter from the north only. And you will want half tide or more to enter and exit. Initially you might think it would not be much better than the Sandhills, but in stiff S it certainly is.

Serene · 02-01-2023, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insequent

It should be shown. Its just a bit SW of the Sandhills and you enter from the north only. And you will want half tide or more to enter and exit. Initially you might think it would not be much better than the Sandhills, but in stiff S it certainly is.

Got it now. Thanks. Found it on the Beacon to Beacon charts just NW of Crab Island.

It isn't named on my Navionics charts.

Kit_L · 02-10-2023, 03:52 PM

@Serene,

A warm welcome to the forum. I will be up your way some time this year (June–July on current plans involving selling our house).

Simi 60 · 02-10-2023, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insequent

Alternatives are to go west to southern side of Mud, or other islands. Or join everyone else at Horseshoe Bay, S side of Peel Island. North Stradbroke has some options provided not much W. Further south, in the "Bay Islands" (also referred to as bowels of the bay due to water colour) plenty of places to get away from strong winds. But I don't swim in the Bay south of Peel. And anywhere in the Bay shallow, clear water is a pre-requisite for getting wet IMO. Not until you get near Jumpinpin or the Broadwater down at the Gold Coast do you get clear water again.

And Horseshoe bay @ Peel is refered to by many as "The Toilet Bowl"
How many boats there on a weekend and how many use holding tanks?

Rendezvous2 · 02-10-2023, 10:34 PM

Hi We are another SEQ local, Based Hope Harbour.

Moonfish · 02-11-2023, 12:14 AM

Not necessarily related, but my good friend Eric Stone wrote a song about his time in Mooloolaba. It’s one of my favorite songs he ever made. Y’all might enjoy it, too…

https://youtu.be/puvAcFYbkWk

**Peter B** · 03-08-2023, 11:50 PM

Hey, I like it. Great song. Not enough songs based on Aussie places. That's one thing I admire about American songwriters. They are not backward at coming forward and featuring places in their country.