Mackay

We awoke to blue skies with patches of heavy cloud. The pitching eased around 0300 but we still kept rolling. We up anchored at 0700, destination Mackay. It was an uneventful trip..no fish, no dolphins, no wind. Then we came across the charted restricted area just outside Mackay-it was a parking lot for cargo ships waiting to pick up at Hay Point just south of Mackay.

 

Recreational boats are restricted to transiting the area with no anchoring allowed. Who would want to anchor in between cargo ships?

 

Just outside the harbour entrance we saw a strange looking yacht. Out came the binoculars. Ah it's Greenpeace. We were admiring the A frame masts and commenting on its size when we noticed a small cruise ship slowing to approach the yacht.

 

 

                                                     Ah of course it's the police!

 

Greenpeace's yacht is rightfully named Rainbow Warrior and is the first ship built specifically for Greenpeace. She is one of the most environmentally friendly ships ever built. More about her at this link. http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/en/about/ships/the-rainbow-warrior/

The Rainbow Warrior was on the east coast to bring attention to the fate of the Great Barrier Reef with the impact of coastal developments and coal exports. A week after we saw them in Mackay, activists had boarded a coal cargo ship in Bowen.

We tied up in Mackay Marina at 1355 and as we (AK) needed to be in the area for three weeks, pledged to find somewhere to anchor.

About Mackay: In 1860 John Mackay led an expedition to seek pastoral opportunities and they came across the coastal ranges, now known as the Pioneer Valley. Within a few years sugar became the dominant industry. The prosperity and confidence of the city is reflected in the fine older buildings. Sugar production ensured Mackay was Australia's fastest growing town in the 1920's & 30's.

Customs House Mackay

 Sugarcane farms are now being razed for highway developments and coal is now the biggest industry which is reflected in the prices (especially for accommodation) in Mackay. It does appear more 'cosmopolitan' than Rockhampton. As the official start to the Whitsundays, tourism was a major industry. There are signs in the marina for island trips, especially to Brampton Island. Most island resorts have now closed.

The dogs were excited to be in a marina again. They love promenading with other boat dogs. Marg and AK got stuck into repairs, purchasing a new generator and assignments.