We headed over to Rattlesnake Island which is one of the islands south of the Palm Island group, northwest of Magnetic Island. RAAF Townsville conducts live firing with military aircraft on regular occasions and allegedly there is unexploded ordinance lying around- good on em! In September 1943 a B-25 Mitchell aircraft crashed in 50' of water three miles off Rattlesnake.
We left Maggie at 1330 and after seeking unsuccessfully to sight whales, we anchored off Rattlesnake at 1700 in NE winds with an easterly swell. Travelling between it's neighbour, Herald Island, Rattlesnake harboured a majestic manta ray which was lingering on the waters surface about 1m from Manatee. With a quick flap of its wings it accelerated away-fantastic!
Rattlesnake Island is a favourite with local fisherpeople who camp on the Islands beaches. Fishing trawlers also regularly use the anchorage. We were lucky to have it to ourselves on our visit. The NE winds gave us a lee shore so AK made first use of our new berth in the wheelhouse for anchor watch. The holding was excellent and the winds fortunately turned SE overnight.
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| Ruby's own rockpool |
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| A rockpool for humans! |
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| A stunning location |
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