Mid year half term winter school holidays here (or just gone).
Living 5 hrs south of Sydney means we get quite cold here in winter but nothing like when I lived in the UK. Decided to head north with the family, rib and even the dog for a bit of winter warmth to north Queensland.
The 3000km drive took 4 solid days to drive with setting up the tent etc each night. It wasn't until we got within 1 day of our destination that we started feeling some heat rather than the frost each morning.
We stayed north of Port Douglas in the Daintree rain forrest. Mid winter temps of around 26-27'c and water of 26'c for the 2 weeks was very comfortable.
Checked out a few saltwater crocodiles and headed offshore in 30 knots of trade wind only to have to return due to see conditions at 10 km offshore.
The barrier reef starts at around 25km offshore so we needed a new game plan to reach it with the winds that prevail this time of year. We headed further south to launch which enabled us to take the rough sea side on rather than head on. This added time to our trips but at least got us out there even if it did take 1.5 hrs each way.
Once at the reef you are in flat protected water from the extensive reefs that rise to the surface from 30m ish. Did a few trips with the whole family exploring corals and fish but mostly hit the area with my eldest daughter who's mad keen on fishing.
Rod and line fishing was slow going which suited my daughter as she couldn't wait to to spear a few fish (much more selective than rod and line fishing).
The little rib went flawlessly once again and Im already planning the next trip away with it. Most days we were doing well over 100km with our biggest fuel burn being 24lt, thats cheap boating to me.
Most of the pictures are still on my kids computers but heres a few. My daughter also got offered sponsorship from a Cairns dive shop since returning which she's pretty excited about.
Jon
RIB Saffron
Sula
I know what you mean!...Great pics from Down under...although the seasons first fresh caught Mackrell does stand up to pretty much anything IMO
Clewless
Beretta
)But NOT quite a sinking Ship yet!!
still see heaps of great things from my mates on Facebook.
