A Great Morning at Brampton and then on to Thomas Island

Monday 26^th June 2017

It was a bit rolly last night at Brampton, but not unbearable. We had a late arrival last night and the boat came in with great confidence, so hopefully had been here before. It took him quite a while to anchor and when we awake this morning he was gone.

Not sure what to expect weather wise this morning, this shot was at 7am

We intend to move further North today, whilst Kite Runner plans to spend a few relaxing days at anchor at Brampton.  However, we do not plan to eave until the tide starts running out at about 1pm, so we put the dinghy in the water and go ashore with Phil and Wendy to explore what is happening with the resort.

Approaching the resort in our dinghy

As we were heading off our boats, a small barge motored into the bay with drums onboard, and we followed him into the shore, as we figured he would know where all the rocks and coral were.

The Barge that arrived before us is setting up to unload their drums of diesel

Once we had our dinghies on the beach we felt sorry for these two old and one young guy, trying to get these drums off the barge and rolled up the beach, so Phil and I gave them a hand. Of course then the empties from previous deliveries had to be found and put on the barge for return to Mackay.

Phil and I rolling one of the drums up the beach

And then the empties had to go back on the barge

One of the guys turned out to be the caretaker, so once the barge departed, he was happy to talk to us about the resort and what was happening. It seems the resort is still owned by United Petroleum from Melbourne, and that they had submitted a proposal to council to develop a 7 star hotel. There is little clarity about where it is at, whether it will be approved and what happens next. It is such a pretty spot it deserves some high class development there.

Cyclone Debbie doesn’t appear to have done as much damage as looters, according to the caretaker, who have progressively moved most things of value they could readily carry away from the Island.

One of the Beachfront Ground Floor Units, now with it's internal beach

We had a good walk around and through the resort amazed at how it must have been and the deterioration that has taken place since the doors were literally shut 6-7 years ago, and the place was abandoned. There are still some parts where the furnishings are almost as they were when they left.

Remnants of a Lounge area

Not much happening on the airstrip these days

Carole and Wendy walking along the beach in front of the resort

Everything is very overgrown.

Much of the water sport equipment is still scattered around the resort including sailing catamarans and jet skis, and a lot of machinery that no longer works.

Remains of the sea sports department

After an enjoyable morning ashore, it was time to say our goodbyes to Phil and Wendy and I am sure we will catch up later on, after planned trips back to Sydney, maybe in early August, as our schedules now take us in different directions. We are heading for Airlie by Friday, they are heading to Hamilton Island, but don't have to be there till 8th July, so will burn some time in the lower Whitsunday Islands.

Heading back to our boats at anchor to prepare for departure

After getting back to our boat and getting the dinghy back on board, we pulled up our anchor and were on our way to Thomas Island, just before 1pm. The breeze was light and behind us, so we motored the short 20nm and had our anchor down at Thomas Island at 3.45pm.

Anchored at Thomas Island

It is another very pretty anchorage and looks like we may get a good nights sleep. We are in no hurry to leave tomorrow, so will have a good look around in the morning, before heading the short distance tis haw Island tomorrow afternoon.