Onwards to Keswick and St Bees

Thursday 7^th September 2017

It was a very pleasant evening at Brampton, well lit by the full moon. This morning we are having another short hop on our way to Mackay, this time heading for the islands of Keswick and St Bees. The wind is forecast to go east overnight, so the best anchorage looks like being in Egremont Passage between the two islands.

We raised our anchor at around 8.15am, and not long after a nearby monohull was also underway, heading in the same direction as us. There was not enough wind to sail, so we charged the batteries instead, arriving at the northern entrance to the passage just before 11am. We were quite surprised to find the 6 moorings that used to exist in Horseshoe Bay have been removed, but after having a look around at other potential anchorages, we headed back to where the moorings used to be and dropped anchor. Two catamarans were already there.

Farewell Brampton

Boats anchored at Horseshoe bay 

Once settled in we relaxed for a while, had lunch and decided to go ashore on Keswick Island to have a look around. There is a boat ramp about halfway along the side of the airstrip, so we landed there and pulled the dinghy up out of way.

Approaching Keswick boat ramp and airstrip by dinghy

Time to have a look around

Two other dinghies are already there, so the tourist influx today is significant. On the welcome to Keswick sign there are instructions that you can walk to the kiosk, which is around 250 m down the runway on the left.

Our boats at anchor past the end of the airstrip 

It becomes clear that the island is not ready for such an influx of tourists as the kiosk is closed, only staying open between 10am and 12 noon (maybe), during the week. Nevertheless we walked down and inspected the facilities, meeting up with the crew of the monohull, "Freestyle1", that followed us out of Brampton. The boat comes from Geelong, and they are also on their way south. We will no doubt see them in Mackay tomorrow.

There are lots of Welcome signs but no-one to welcome you

It is a shame the kiosk isn't open, as it looks like a nice spot for a coffee or lunch and a cool drink

A couple of locals head down the airstrip in a golf buggy (the preferred form of transport here)

They were looking to see if they could hire a golf buggy to look around, as there are a few roads on the island and about 15 permanent residents, plus some holiday accommodation. One of the locals , who was heading to the boat ramp to launch his tinnie to go fishing, suggested they talk to the caretaker, whose office is at the southern end of the airstrip. They went looking for the caretaker, to no avail.

There was no response from the caretakers office, but there are a few buggies nearby

Back at the boat ramp to put our dinghy back in the water, there were a few other yachties ready to head back to their boats. One of them knew the island well, as he had lived here as a child when his father was caretaker. It had been more than 20 years since he had been back.

It is quite hard to work out what is going on here, as the infrastructure is extensive (airstrip, roads, sewerage etc,) but so few residents. A visit to their website is not enlightening about how it all works. They just say contact them if you are interested building here and all will be explained ! Head Office is in Double Bay, Sydney.

If the kiosk does open, it would be worth a visit, as apparently there are extensive bushwalking trails, but the maps can only be obtained from the kiosk. Alternatively, you could hire a golf buggy, if they have any charged!

Our parting view of the kiosk from our dinghy as we head back to Mica

There are some nice houses on the island

Back on Mica, we relax for the rest of the afternoon, and as low tide approaches, two boats feel the need to re anchor further out away from the edge of the reef. We are already conservatively clear.

The wind has died by sunset, so we will see what comes up tonight. In te meantime, it is time to light the BBQ.