Mark wanted to be on the water by 7:00am to make the most of the tide for the 38Km paddle to Awinya. After some frigging around we were finally on the water and paddling out of the harbour by 7:25am. A favourable wind gave assistance until we left the shelter of Big Woody Island. The seas were gentle and sloshy. Given the conditions we opted to paddle direct to Fraser Island with a break at Coongul Creek.
While paddling up the island in groups of 2 or 3 the whale watching boats came in close to follow the channel next to the island. They created the biggest swell of the day. There were a few tiddlers to ride in on to land at Coongul Creek for a relief stop and a bit of a munch. Within 5 minutes the boats were stranded by the outgoing tide. We moved on fairly quickly to
avoid further heavy lugs and get the most of the run with the next break at Bowarrady
The lack of a favourable wind was becoming positively annoying. By the time we reached Bowarrady some seemed happy to call it a day. However Mark did not want to loose the remainder of the tide run and being only 5Km from Awinya insisted we push on. No arguments from me as the beach at Bowarrady was thick with snot weed as was my boat when two little waves jumped in the cockpit. The creek at Bowarrady was not looking too favourable having run dry near the bottom of the tide.
Awinya was a welcome sight even if it was 100m from the waters edge to the campsite. No snot weed here. This place is simply gorgeous and we had the pick of the best grassy areas under the casuarinas at the northern end. This was the first time to give my new Macpac tent a burl. Nicknamed 'The Taj' it is a luxurious little number made out of that fragile looking slippery siliconised nylon. It has heaps of space plus an annex and would
not be favoured by volume sensitive cyclists or bushwalkers. After camp was set it was straight to sundowners a glorious sunset, dinner and bed.
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Finally on the water
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Look up and live
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Luxury on left - business on right
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Sailing to Fraser Island
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AM tea at Coongul Creek
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Coongul Creek
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Landing at Bowarrady Creek
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Bowarrady Creek
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Snot weed at Bowarrady Creek
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Arrival at Awinya Creek
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Nearing the campsite
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Setting up camp
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Sundowners
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Day close
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