Calendar


Trip Diary

08-2012 Peel Island (An Ekka tradition)
08-2012 Moreton Island
07-2012 Rocky Point
06-2012 Blakesleys
06-2012 The Bedroom
05-2012 Breakfast on Karragarra
05-2012 St Helena
05-2012 Perigee Bedroom
02-2012 Queen Mary II
02-2012 Mud Island
11-2011 St Helena
11-2011 Shorncliffe to Redcliffe
10-2011 Weinam Ck to Dunwich
10-2011 Peel Island
10-2011 Breakfast on Karragarra
10-2011 St Helena and Green Island
09-2011 Wivenhoe Dam
08-2011 Fraser Island
08-2011 Canaipa Passage
08-2011 Karragarra
08-2011 Stradbroke Island
07-2011 St Helena
07-2011 So long, and thanks for all the fish.
05-2011 Green Island
05-2011 Wivenhoe Dam
04-2011 Upper Noosa River Weekend
04-2011 Easter at Woodgate
04-2011 Mud Island
04-2011 Karragarra for Breakfast
02-2011 Bongaree
02-2011 St Helena
01-2011 Weinam Ck to Blakesleys
10-2010 Moore to Blackbutt Rail Trail
10-2010 Whitsundays
09-2010 Mud Island
09-2010 Redcliffe
09-2010 Girraween
08-2010 Upper Noosa River
08-2010 Potts Point
08-2010 Peel Island
08-2010 Gateway to City Bike Ride
08-2010 Mud Island
07-2010 Blakesleys Afternoon Paddle
07-2010 Kedron Brook to Scaborough (and return)
04-2010 Colmslie Beach
04-2010 Brighton Park
01-2010 Nundah Creek
01-2010 Blakesleys
01-2010 Upper Noosa River (with a difference)
01-2010 New Year Paddle
12-2009 Potts Point
08-2009 Raby Bay to Peel Island
08-2009 Wynnum Creek to King Island
07-2009 Sandgate to Redcliffe
05-2009 St Helena
04-2009 Wellington Point to Peel
04-2009 Breakfast on Karragarra
03-2009 King Island
03-2009 Mission Point
03-2009 Mud Island
01-2009 Morning Tea at The Pin
01-2009 Circumnavigate Macleay Island
01-2009 New Year Recovery Paddle
12-2008 Caniapa
12-2008 Pine Rivers
11-2008 Coochie Night Paddle
10-2008 Breakfast at Karragarra
10-2008 Girraween
10-2008 Coomera Falls Circuit
09-2008 Hinchinbrook Island
09-2008 Manly Harbour Festival
09-2008 Linville to Blackbutt Rail Trail
08-2008 Weekend at Blakesleys
08-2008 Old Woman Island
08-2008 Circumnavigate Macleay Island
07-2008 Upper Noosa River
07-2008 Weinam Creek to Dunwich
06-2008 Scarborough to Bongaree
06-2008 Wellington Pt to St Helena
06-2008 North Stradbroke Jazz Weekend
05-2008 Point O'Halloran to Blakesleys
04-2008 Upper Noosa River
04-2008 Aquatic Paradise to St Helena Is
04-2008 Eprapah Creek
03-2008 Paradise Point to Moreton Island
03-2008 Wynnum Ck to Tangalooma Point
03-2008 Amity Point weekend
03-2008 Bremer River
03-2008 Brisbane River - Gregors Ck to Barneys Rocks
02-2008 Play Day - Coochie Mudlo
02-2008 World Wetlands Day Paddle
02-2008 Brisbane River night paddle
01-2008 Australia Day Week
01-2008 Blakesleys 3/4 Moon Paddle
01-2008 Shorncliffe to Nudgee
01-2008 Brisbane River - Barneys Rocks to O'Sheas Crossing
12-2007 Raby Bay to One Mile via Blakesleys and Potts Point
12-2007 Diamond Head to Tipplers
12-2007 Wynnum Ck to Green and St Helena Islands
11-2007 Bike Ride Bay Islands
11-2007 Tingalpa Creek
10-2007 Potts Point Night Paddle
10-2007 Return to Gilligans Island
10-2007 Salt Water Creek and Coomera River
09-2007 Elimbah Creek
09-2007 Scarborough to Caboolture River
09-2007 Fraser Island Whale Watching
09-2007 Circumnavigate Russell Island
08-2007 Pine Rivers Night Paddle
08-2007 Linville to Blackbutt Rail Trail
08-2007 Brisbane River City Reach
08-2007 Peel Island
08-2007 Brisbane River
08-2007 Green Island Day Trip
07-2007 Pine Rivers Night Paddle
07-2007 Mooloolah River
07-2007 USS Kitty Hawk in Brisbane River
06-2007 Black Tie on Peel Island
05-2007 Harrys Hut Camping Weekend
04-2007 Theodolite Creek
04-2007 Upper Burrum River
04-2007 Circumnavigate Big Woody
04-2007 Walkers Point to Toogum
03-2007 Boat Passage to Big Sandhills
12-2006 Woodgate to Mon Repos
10-2006 Fraser Island Whale Watching
04-2005 Keppel Islands
12-2004 Fraser Island
10-2004 Munna Point Camping Weekend
10-2004 Mooloolaba to Maroochydore
09-2004 Coochie Mudlo Island
08-2004 Karragarra Island
07-2004 Wellington Point to St Helena Island
06-2004 Noosa River Camping Weekend
05-2004 Brisbane River Night Paddle
04-2004 Budds Beach to Moreton Island
10-2003 Bulwer to Tangalooma
05-2003 Eatonsville to Harwood Island

Links

SEQSK Discussion Group
SEQSK Newsletters
Adventurer Anthony Malloch

Breakfast on Karragarra
Date: 09-10-2011
There is always something about breakfast on Karragarra. Could it be the time of day ? Is it the short distance followed by a variety of ways to return ? Is it the shelter from strong winds gifted by the islands of the southern bay ? Is it the chance to see a dugong or bay dolphin which frequent these waters ? What about the resident birds of prey ? Is is the kayak friendly white sandy beach fringed with casuarinas ? Could it be the sturdy picnic tables in the dappled shade of the native hibiscus ? What about the best loo in Moreton Bay ? Whatever, there is always an excellent turn out from far and wide and today was no exception.

Over 20 kayaks of all ilk, strippers, stitch and glue, plastic, fibreglass, composite and kevlar, from the spanking new to the museum piece were sequentially launched by chattering hands. Graceful silhouettes chattered all the way across to and through Garden Passage. A bird of prey high on watch from the barren branches of a mangrove was at first a sea eagle, then a brahminy kite followed by the inescapable conclusion when the changing light showed the russett cloak - it was a BFB - a big fat brahminy. Irena had an unexpected visitor at close quarters. Any closer and it may as well have been in, or (as Mark tried with boat splitting consequences) under her kayak. Whatever, it was close enough for the dugong. This bought kayaks into a curious viewing circle. It looked like the dugong was being ringed by a silent hunting party and with a stripper wielding a seal club little wonder it didn't come back.

The beach was commandeered by an array of colour and the Moreton Bay Canteen was open for business. More chatter. Funny stories were shared, including paddling Strong Tide Passage (against the tide) and thinking twice about walking in murky water in search of fresh (this was after all serious croc habitat) in the midst of cooking breakfast, supping tea or ravishing a coffee. Carol's beautiful cake was commandeered for birthday duties and relinquished itself to a ceremonial carving after the birthday song. Brian was presented with some fantastically lairy head wear which he accepted with good grace. His tactics with the radio given to him by the group for his 70th kept him off air. At least now he had the option to remain visible way up in the distance.

After breakfast and a discussion of the return options the group did the usual and split. Mark and I came directly back. We had a not to be missed date to visit Merv Hodge's garden. On an ebbing tide we bravely scooted across the mud flats but did so quickly as half a foot of water dwindled to several inches. The numbers of birds of prey was incredible. At least six whistling kites, a pair of brahminy kites and another of sea eagles were circling or settling with a Km of each other. Some bird in the mangroves, possibly an ibis was squawking vigorously. Crossing to Wienam Creek was an easy sail on a beam reach. It was slightly lumpy, perfect for a newbie to settle in too. This is the place we come when the forecast ramps it up over 25Kn - there is a lot of fun to be had, unlike the pure grind of last weekend.

Whenever there is breakfast on Karragarra you know there will be a good turn out. Paddlers are drawn from all quadrants far and wide like bees to a honey pot for it is as much an opportunity to catch up with friends as be in a beautiful part of Moreton Bay.

PS Visiting Merv's garden was like going on a walk at Girraween. Flannel flowers were in profusion amongst sandstone outcrops. Merv is a doyen in the world of Australian Native Plants. He developed many of the grevillea which grace gardens today. Merv was most welcoming and generous with his knowledge. Little wonder the acknowledgments in my garden books are indebted too him.

If you are wanting some Australian natives for your garden, especially ones which are endemic to Brisbane's Southside (and often hard to come by), then come to the Society for Growing Australian Native Plants Annual Spring Plant Sale. It is being held at MacGregor State High School on 22 October. Entry is free.

Yeah I know it clashes. Decisions, decisions - kayak convention vs native plants. I know where I will be (and it's not because of Scottish ancestry). Look forward to seeing you there.
Launch from Weinam Creek
Just follow the chattering
Strippers
Glass and those stitched and glued
New faces
A new boat
The dugong hunt
Beached on Karragarra
Breakfast at the Moreton Bay Canteen
In the dappled shade
Birthday surprise
Love that hat
Local royalty
Heading back