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

Rocky Point
Date: 29-07-2012
Today's paddle proffered a rare vestige of Moreton Bay, a place we had not yet explored by kayak. This and the promise of a 20Kn tail wind on the return leg made today's paddle worthwhile despite it's proximity to the Logan River. Not our favourite place. Nothing to do with the environment, but the unprovoked charm of rock chucking natives.

A staggered launch of six kayaks headed south from Weinam Creek on the flooding tide into a steady headwind. Monolithic homes crowded each other for their command of the Orchid Beach foreshore. Not that there was much sand. The murky waters disguise a rocky ambush and real estate prices would have to be subject to diurnal price fluctuations. Once around Point Talburpin it was best guess for when turning right would take us into Redland Bay Channel and relative shelter from the insistent southerly. Large moored vessels provided reliable clues. Brian's location affirmation from fishermen in a powerboat took us around the eastern side of Redbill Island into the Logan River. By now there was an urgent need for a comfort stop. Slight technical hitch. The foreshore had become muddy and very public. There were tinnies a plenty and large trees amiss. After rolling out onto a very slippery muddy bank getting the giggles whilst clinging desperately to cooch for some form of purchase, it was off to look for some vegetative discretion. Tricky in a fluoro top and 3 foot high mangroves on a bank that was head high with what now seemed like an infestation of fishing tinnies.

After slithering back into the cockpit it was a wash ride across the Logan for the protection of the mangroves to get some southern purchase for what looked like would be a bumpy ferry glide across to Rocky Point. A steady 15Kn on the beam and the temptation was too much. Much to Peter's horror up went the yellow and black and whoopee we were off. Oops. I had forgotten to untie the knots in the end of the sheets. This had the potential to end up in tears and the fingers couldn't work quickly enough. The other kayaks faded into the background while I aimed for where the pylons strode out of the water onto Rocky Point. It was a fun scoot until I let the sail go and waited. Phil came by then threw up his sail. Mark radioed permission to abandon post, so with no need for further encouragement it was back to the wind and pull on the sheet. Yee haa, it was time to hunt Phil down. When he turned to look at the squawking paddler coming alongside he reckoned I had a grin like a split watermelon.

At the top of a choppy tide there is very little flat land around Rocky Point that looked like easily accessible public foreshore. A couple of feet less and the area under the pylon could have had potential. Turns out there is a bit of swampy foreshore (chairs advisable) about 100m further north of the six or so houses. Today a local kindly allowed us to pull up a pew on their front lawn. The bull ant wasn't quite so convivial and gave my touche a painful touch up. After a leisurely lunch in the welcome warmth of the sun it was back out into the bluster for a skid home. Brian was not looking forward to this. Mark gave me the OK to sail off with Phil while he came in at the rear and in contact via the UHF.

The start was fun but it soon dulled as the tide progressively took the same direction as the southerly. There were a couple of decent uncontrollable rides during which I worked out how to make Phil speed up. Quite simple really, just come careering down a wave out of control with a stern rudder not having much effect and ride up on the back of his kayak. Nothing quite like a monstering by a cracked up old girl to make this brand new kevlar kayak go like the clappers. Of course all done whilst cackling like a goose. The two kayaks were pretty much an even match - Phil's superior sail area (downwind) was neutralised by my boats faster hull speed. However, I think the Werner paddle has it over my clapped out Canoe Sports model. There might be a bit of paddle technique in there, but jeepers don't tell Phil that. After a convenience stop at the best loo in Moreton Bay (Karragarra), Phil and I played touch tag with the other four and left soon after they came ashore. We needed to get across the southern end of Garden Island before the water ran out for the last sailing leg to Weinam Creek. Phil gave me the use of his other Werner paddle for this leg and yes, they are a good paddle. The tendonitis in my elbows settled immediately and it felt like I was paddling with nothing.

By the time Phil had packed the other four kayaks had just come through the Garden Island passage. Another 10 or so minutes and they would have enjoyed a muddy walk. The wind we had so enjoyed remained steady, the tide was now whistling out so their plug back was one large ferry glide. I was pleased that we had done the hard yards first. I was also delighted to have explored another part of Moreton Bay. Looks like I might have discovered the reason to fork out for a new paddle. Too bad I don't like the price tag - any crank shaft Kalliste 205 out there in need a new owner ?
Staggered start from Weinam Creek Ramp
Phil and Mark sheltering from the southerly
Getting settled in for lunch
Phil's custom kayak and it's unique colour
George, a study in concentratiion
Karragarra comfort stop