Monday 31 July, 2006 – 19:52 by Innforapenny in Default
DUNK ISLAND TO CAIRNS
After leaving Hinchinbrook we headed for Dunk Island just a couple of hours sailing – or shall we say motering – first time the southerly decided not to blow.
Dunk has really been hit by cyclone Larry. Most of the resort is being rebuilt, There are trees down every where.Huge piles of rubbish that has been bulldozed into mountains waiting for pickup, consisting of trees, furnitue, mattresses. We spent a couple of days anchored off the island sun bathing, fishing and enjoying the ambiance. We did a dinghy run to Mission Beach for supplies. Lots of back packers and little else.
From Dunk we headed for Mourilyan harbour on the main land. The only thing going for it was that it has the biggest sugar warehouse in the southern hemisphere – big deal!!! Nice harbour mind.
From there we decided to head for Innisfail, a tricky entrance, only 200mm at low tide and 250mm at high tide!! On arrival at the entrance the fairway buoy had disappeared. After discussions with coastal patrol, who was their usual non committal selves, we proceeded in very slowly when the depth sounder started to read less than 100mm under our hull so we decided that Innisfail was not for us and headed back out.
The new location that night was Fitzroy island about 15 miles south of Cairns. Because of the devestation once again from cyclone Larry the resort has been closed
to the backpackers and campers who normally would frequent the island and is only a daytripper stop from Cairns. It still has a nice pool and kiosk and bar. They are revamping the island into an upmarket resort. Yoy can buy a two bedroom apartment now fom $595.000 if you get in early!!!
