(F)Airlie Ordinary

We took a quick road trip up the coast to check it out and to assess possible anchorages near Mackay (AK has one semester in a diploma of nursing (done in Mackay) remaining and was making the trip regularly from Rosslyn. Although a return to nursing is a shock, the idea is to pick up remote area contracts occasionally so that our plan of travelling to Asia can come to fruition (finally!). After completing a placement at a GP clinic attached to the Mater Hospital, the concept of nursing again became pleasurable!
The river in Mackay was not an option as it is not navigable at low tide and even Manatee would be sitting in the mud.
We drove up to the Newry Islands which are just north of Mackay and a dinghy ride from the mainland. The creek looked a little croc infested....no thanks!
So off we went to Airlie Beach. We weren't planning to sail into Airlie as we had been told by some yachties that it didn't have much to redeem it, so a road trip into the area seemed like a good excuse to check it out. The yacht club was great, the views from the verandah fantastic and people were very friendly.

view of the Whitsunday Islands from the verandah

 

a casualty of Oswald still on the rocks

The town was sad though, many shops closed and the main road undergoing road works which meant it was difficult to walk down the street.

So after a day of sightseeing (lots of sugar cane) we resigned ourselves to being in Mackay marina for the three weeks.

a little bit commercial shipping/a little bit marina

Islands tantalisingly close over the break wall

Manatee snug in her berth