Lucas in Cruising the Coral Coast states "Hinchinbrook Channel is the most scenic, calm waterway on the east coast of Australia thanks to Hinchinbrook Island's magnificent peaks and valleys..it is Queensland's largest island National Park".
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| Hinchinbrook Channel via google maps From Orpheus Island we could see the sugar sheds of Lucinda at the southern entrance to the channel, but close inspection revealed a tricky entrance with a fairway buoy and numerous buoys missing. We scraped the bottom crossing the bar but were thrilled to see dolphins fishing near the sandbar. Motoring past the old molasses wharf near Dungeness we joined the assorted fishing boats stuck on the poorly marked sandbar. After a heated discussion on whose fault our grounding was, the wash from a newly stuck arrival allowed us to reverse off and continue on our way. Once in the channel proper we could enjoy the spectacular scenery.  Wow- a marker buoy  The picturesque channel We decided to anchor off Haycock Island and noticed dinghies with their bows in the mangroves as we approached- fishing we decided. They quickly disappeared as we anchored. We then noticed a 2m croc just under the surface near Manatee. Very brazen we decided. Later the "fishermen" returned and from their activities we realised they were "relocating" crocs. We spent a very relaxing night and set off at 1045 the next morning for Cardwell. Our fish finder was showing lots of fish in the channel but alas our trolling brought us no dinner.   We anchored off Cardwell in 3m at 1330 and set off in the dinghy to check out the public jetty. The seas were short and choppy and the jetty was untenable for Manatee as we could see (it was low tide) an old pile sticking up from the mud on the jetty's approach. We needed to buy dinghy fuel,dispose of some rubbish and Ruby was demanding a walk on terra firma so we decided on a beach landing. Bad mistake! On exiting the dinghy we walked a few metres (rubbish and Ruby in arms) and sank up to our knees in silty mud. Pretty freaky as crocs have been known to visit the beach. Marg continued with Ruby and AK returned to the dinghy as the tide was beginning to turn. We realised later we were the locals afternoon entertainment with many photos taken of us crawling across the mud. The afternoon continued to suck as Marg and Ruby were off getting stuff done as AK attempted to rescue the dinghy which was quickly overcome (and sunk) by the waves that arrived with the change of tide. Hmm no locals to help pull the dinghy up the beach. It quickly filled with water and luckily two backpackers came to the rescue and helped bail and recover the dinghy.  Cardwell's waterfront park- at least Ruby enjoyed it! Our afternoon continued to be miserable as our dinghy ride back to Manatee was frightening-the seas had got bigger and rougher and we all got drenched. At 1745 we pulled up the anchor on Manatee's bucking deck and headed across to Scraggy Point on Hinchinbrook Island. We managed to get the anchor down just prior to sunset-all fraught and hurting. We slept until 1100 the next morning and awoke to National Parks burning off. Ahh gotta love the roller coaster of cruising. Next stop the Isle of Dreams. |
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