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From TCP # 7
By Bob Norson
Just off the path most travelled, hidden
on a piece of coastline that seems relatively featureless compared
to the islands across the channel or the drama of nearby Cape
Hillsborough lies a bit of boatie heaven.
The entrance on the north side of Outer
Newry Island is perfectly navigable though the water is shallower.
Just keep an eye on the rocks at the east side. The 'main' entrance
at the south end is more popular. A blind man driving the QE
2 could get in there. . As you approach the port from the east,
the ends of Outer Newry Island are oh so clearly marked by very
distinctive rock formations, The 'Wedding Cake' on the north
and ‘Concertina Rock’ on the south.
Around Outer Newry Island, the shore falls away steeply, not
shoaling until well around the west side where the southerly
anchorage is. If it's a northerly, best anchorage is to the south
of Newry Island. Even if it seems OK at the time, a northerly
can develop an ugly roll in the anchorage by Outer Newry, usually
in the middle of the night at the change of tide.
Outer Newry has a camp area and toilet
block but not much for access except in the mud and mangroves.
Newry, on the other hand, has a beautiful beach that is obvious
from the main anchorage. There was a resort on the island but
gone now. It was taken over by “Parks” which has done
some very amusing things in it's attempt to…. well, I'm
not sure! For example, east of the beach there is a clearing
that was planted with a surprising variety of trees on a grid
with in ground irrigation no less! While I admit I am not expert
in such things, the types of trees planted and the grid pattern
seems strange for the location and conditions. Perhaps I'm right
because many of them are dead now despite apparently expensive
attention.
Scattered around the island are a number
of stone structures erected by the old resort. These were partially
torn down a couple years ago. I assumed at the hands of “Parks.”
Now there are very nice low fences surrounding them with shiny
great padlocks on the gates of the fences that a child could
jump over. I'm sure there is a very amusing reason for all that
but it escapes me. Right in front, above the beach, there is
a thing that was almost gotten right. A building that had been
a bar/food service area was converted from a mostly enclosed
hall to a roofed shelter by knocking down the walls and replacing
with pillars. The wind can now go through the place but the view
is lovely. The problem is the lack of cooking facility. NO FIRES!!
The sign says. It seems that many who visit the island regard
the rule as unreasonable. There were recent remains of three
fires behind the shelter when I was last there in January. I
think it would be possible to provide a facility for camp fires
there that would not be unnecessarily risky. A suggestion for
“Parks,” If there isn't one made people will make there
own anyway. While I'm on suggestions, I heard that Parks requires
permits for camping there…WHY??
Around the corner on Rabbit Island is the
dumbest thing "Parks" has done. On the southern tip
is a flat spot with a shore covered in rocks and oysters. Damaging
to boats and dangerous to walk on. That is where they have erected
a pavillion and a BBQ! Are they that stupid or do they just hate
boaties?
VICTOR CREEK has got to be as close to
trailer boat heaven as you can get without resorting to religion.
There will be a few who will be irritated that their little secret
is being published! To compound the irritation of the locals,
I'll also say that the creek appears to be an excellent cyclone
hole! There… I said it! But I digress. |
Accessed via Seaforth road, the boat ramp
in the creek is already known and popular to locals. Even in
average weather the possibilities are numerous. There is a large
body of water sheltered behind the islands and mangroves. Fish
abound, or so I'm told. Me being the worlds worst fisherman,
I'll have to take the word of others on this. If the weather
opens up, the possibilities are endless.
The large bay behind Cape Hillsborough
provides a little shelter from the soueasters but when it flattens
out altogether there is no reason why even a small boat can not
safely make it out to Brampton or Carlisle islands, have a fish
and a walkabout and make it back for lunch.
Coming in from the port the channel is
very well marked. For the tinnies the entry is most anytime and
anywhere but deep draught vessels work the tides, which are substantial
on this part of the coast. Mooring room has pretty much been
filled except at the far end of the creek where there isn't much
water at low tide..if any. There is a spot to anchor near the
boat ramp but swinging room is only just. An arm of the creek
just past the ramp would make storm shelter for several boats.
I've seen a 44 ft boat up there before. Other joining creeks
have enough water that years ago they were shelter for the “Fairmiles”
that were used as island ferries. If I say much more I will probably
get a rock through my window but suffice to say that the area
warrants having a look.
It's a long walk from the boat ramp but
there is a store up the road. A pushy would make short work of
it if you have one. There is water by the boat ramp at the toilet
block but you have to work for it. There is no outside tap so
you have to work out how to get it out of the sink or shower.
It tasted like hell but it didn’t kill me.
ATTENTION TRAILER BOATS!! The Seaforth
Boating Club operates yard close to the boat ramp and it's own
radio station which is happy to log on boats from Prudhoe Island
to Shaw. The station is on the air from 0700 to 1800, 7 days
and is known to be helpful whenever they can, even for non members.
Mike Jennings, current care taker and radio operator told me
of a recent call for help from a large boat anchored at the port.
The Boat was stuck there in a 40 knot blow with no dinghy. A
crew was desperate to get to the airport in Mackay so he went
out and got him in the club boat and arranged transport for him
from there. “We try to help people when we can,” he
said.
The call sign is VKQ 815 and Mike says
they could sure use some volunteer help on the radio. If you
want to join, you can contact The Seaforth Boating Club, P.O.
Box 4, Seaforth Q. 4741.
For more detailed navigational information,
see page 151-2-3 of the new “Cruising the Coral Coast.”
You DO have the new one don’t you?! |
