Gypsy Cruising

18 August

Cape Richards (Hinchinbrook Island) to Dunk Island

The conditions today are fine, warm and still.  The light southerly wind wasn’t strong enough to sustain sail so the engine got us the 18 miles to Dunk Island.  This morning before we left however, a few of us dinghied ashore to look at what was left of the old eco resort in our bay.  The resort closed in 2010, and then a fire destroyed most of what remained in 2015.  Signs warned of trespassing, but unfortunately the one facing our direction had collapsed and was unreadable so we didn’t know we weren’t allowed to poke around (what a shame).  The diesel power generator and fuel tank were still intact as was the swimming pool.  Only some burnt out refuse and the general layout was otherwise discernible.

The pool looks remarkably well - everything else is trash

The beach on the far side of the resort layout was really quite lovely and was obviously worthy of a small resort.  James took it on himself to climb one of the coconut palms and dislodged four coconuts.  Sadly, all were very young and inedible.  He came away from the experience having shown us he could do it but with a bunch of skin abrasions that required a trip to our medicine box.

The beach outside the old Hinchinbrook eco resort

James climbing a coconut palm

The final northwards passage was quiet and easy, under engine and autohelm.  We passed Bedarra Island just south of Dunk, host to another small, exclusive and yachty unfriendly resort.

Reaching Dunk Island deserves a bit of a special comment, I guess.  I’ve been specifically preparing for this cruise for over two years, both individually and as a member of the Alfreds Cruise Committee.  We’d decided very early on that it would be the Pittwater to Dunk Island Cruise and, while the island itself could be described as being like so many others with a gorgeous white sandy beach, it had special significance for us.  I’ve covered a total of 1,540 miles (2850 km) in the effort, a longer distance than sailing Sydney to Hobart and back again.  To have finally reached this destination gave me a sense of relief, satisfaction and immense pleasure.