Meet up with Paul at Ilbillbi Road House. forecast below 5knots until lunch then rising into 8knots NE. Rising tide from 930 on wards so running with the wind so hopefully that will be helpful to a good day.
Follow each other in to Green Hill. This trip is a first for both of us and is some way a bit of reconnaissance. My fuel on board was 100lts, Paul 105.
We have quick inspection of the beach for launching. Have to use Paul’s 4WD as I wouldn’t get van on to beach let alone in the water.
Paul would launch his and then swap trailers and launch mine.
Visibility was not great almost looked like fog looking out to the horizon. Had trouble getting my bearings for a while and needed just that confirmation that Paul could supply. Due to the fact he was prudent enough to copy our course into his app.
Although we only needed to head in the general direction and it all come to light as different islands took shape and confirmed.
We hardly strayed from the planned route. Didn’t get away until 645 a bit of mucking around launching and making trailers safe.
We arrived Curlew after an hour on the water arriving 745 conditions were good no chop slight short swell petering at Curlew. Paul had 10L jerry he wanted to empty into ski to get it out of the way.
Then slip over to Bluff Island the SE corner hoping to get a sighting of Percy. Made radio contact with VMR Mackay confirming trip log had been activated. Our closest repeater is Knight Island channel 80 that may have a problem lately. Scratchy contact was made on 21 in Mackay 86klm surprisingly enough and just as surprising 22 on Penrith 76klm was clear as a bell from Percy.
SE end of Bluff there is this column. Would like to explore the opposite end of island to check out its namesake. In general on this type of trip I don’t go wandering around off the plan to much. No Percy in sight but only a few klms off of bluff it all become clear.
We had a go at getting into lagoon on first arriving. Tide may not of even turned from a 2.4M low. The entrance could of walked skis over but to what end ? We went an anchored in West Bay in front of A Frame.
The Iconic Middle Percy A Frame 2.25hrs at a dawdle arriving around 9am. We try to make radio contact with the caretakers to no avail.
Had a bite to eat in the A Frame marveling at the paraphernalia. Like there is so much to see that I didn’t stop to read anything as it would consume so much time if one started. Video will give you an idea of what I am saying. Mementos, messages and emblems from vessels from allover the world that stop in every chance they can.
Caretakers were finally contacted and we were given a friendly welcome by Mal & Kerry.
Tour of the Tree House that is an amazing Icon in its own right. Not sure my understanding picking up on bits is used for private guest.
Obviously a lot more time could be spent here but being our maiden trip out here the need to get going was upon us. I fueled 20ltrs leaving the other as back up that wasn’t needed. Had quick look in the Lagoon as it was low on water with only neepish high tide at 330pm.
Getting away 1145 we are on almost a mirror that stayed that way with exception the last 10k a small chop that didn’t break our stride. Tinonee Peak Island was our first way point on return. Could be worth a better look around next time interesting rock face NE side.
This has to be the southern end of Tinonee Peak Island and that means I haven’t got a photo of Douglas Island that we scooted by.
Ridge Island is aptly named and is up for a circuit next time passing.
Ridge Islands NW corner had this to share with us along with 2 shallow caves in that rock to the right in the shadow.
We had a dream run all day back Green Hill at 145pm. Skis behaved and performed admirably. Fellow explorer had dedicated himself to the trip that made it more comfortable for me. Both had ample fuel I know I had a minimum of another 75klms. Paul’s ski was sipping along brilliantly for a 300. He only added the 10ltrs to his 70ltr tank and may of had close the same excess ? I managed to bring wrong key for padlock on trailer chain that the angle grinder fixed. Great day thanks Paul and VMR for their coverage.
Jet Ski North Queensland 