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Oceania » Australia » Queensland
Sailing in the Whitsundays - Saturday, June 10, 2000
A very early morning bus ride had me travellnig down from Cairns to Airlie Beach. Airlie is a nice little town that seems very much geared up for tourists coming through to the Whitsundays.I'd booked myself on a sailing trip for the next day. After just coming off a 3 day diving trip in Cairns I was looking forward to getting back on the sea to put an end to my land sickness!
I can't remember the name of the company I used for the sailing trip but it was very well organised. A bus took us down to the harbour and were were taken to the boat. We were asked to put all our shoes in a box for the duration of the trip so we didn't damamge the deck. One thing to be aware of is that you can't take too much luggage on board. I was able to leave mine in a hostel, but if you're stuck there is a kind of shop place in Airlie Beach with luggage lockers.
Our yacht had a captain and a hostess to help witht he sailing and to cook our meals. They asked us what things we all wanted to do to make the most of our trip - we decided to stay closer to airlie beach where the best snorkelling was, rather than visiting the famous whitehaven beach. There was also the option to go diving.
It was great being out on the ocean on a yacht - my first time sailing. Its a bit strange at first when under sail when the boat tips over a bit to one side, but you soon get used to it. We sailed to a little cove - no one else there, and spent the afternoon snorkelling away. This was on Hook Island:
The food onboard was pretty good - we had a BBQ ondeck that night and there was even nice cake for snacks.
Night time on board was the best part - it is so peaceful and being away from any lights you could see and amazing amount of stars. There weren't individual cabins for everyone - I was on the convertable bed/sitting area but I was qutie comfortable and asleep quickly.
The next day we went to a big sandbank and there was great snorkelling around there. Then, unfortunately, it was back to harbour. Everyone from onboard met up that night for a meal which was great for killing some time before my overnight bus trip.
Overall, this was my favourite bit of my trip to Australia - makes me want to learn to sail and take a boat out myself.
- Created:
- Friday, October 22, 2004 at 12:31 PM
- Last Modified:
- Friday, October 22, 2004 at 1:22 PM