Beautiful Brampton

Our log on 13th June reads "E-SE 5-10kts. Beautiful day- blue skies and flat seas. Anchor up 1205 for trip across to Brampton Island. Anchored near jetty at 1355hrs. Beautiful."

Lucas records Brampton "was originally used as a coconut plantation, most of the Coral Coast's coconut palms being transplants from here. It was settled by the  Busuttin family who, after experimenting with chinchilla rabbits, raised cavalry horses primarily for the Indian Army. With mechanisation came the demise of this endeavour so they started a small resort in 1933. They sold out in 1959 after which it changed hands twice."

The closed resort on Brampton Island

Voyages Resorts closed the resort down in 2011 and re-development was supposed to happen in April 2012. The resort was in a perfect location with the reef directly off the main beach, snorkelling amongst beautiful reef within minutes.

Runway at sunset

The reef is still beautiful, boaties having the place to themselves. The National Park campsite in neighbouring Carlisle Island also appeared to be a non-event, overgrown with neglected facilities.
 

Carlisle Island campsite beach

Is this beautiful or what?

The next day we all explored in the dinghy, finding Turtle Bay on the south eastern side of Brampton. Our log reads "swam and Marg snorkelled. Lots of small turtles and one massive girl who at first glance appeared to be a rock-on close inspection she was 1/2 dinghy size." 

Life guards watching snorkelling activity

The nights in the anchorage were extremely rolly, we learnt after the first night to tie everything down or our morning would be spent cleaning and tidying. Our days were spent swimming, reading, walking and exploring. We fished from the dinghy one day and Marg caught and released a small cod. At times there were 8 other boats in the  anchorage.

 

Locals playing on the golf course

Main resort pool, now home to fish!

More locals enjoying resort living!

 

Really?


We left 5 days later-very happy and very relaxed!