Attractions

Some History

In 1770 Captain James Cook sailed passed the Wide Bay Bar. 27 years later, William Edwards sailed through the Strait looking for a new site for a penal colony, it was found to be unsuitable. Settlement came after 1842 when Andrew Petrie explored the Strait, and the first settlers came to Maryborough, on the Mary River . In 1863 word got out about the massive Kauri pine stands on Fraser Island , which saw the invasion of timber cutters. In 1867, gold was found at Gympie.

Suddenly people came from all over the world. A quarantine station was setup at North White Cliffs to process the immigrants. White Cliffs became a stopping point for cargo clippers to fill up with fresh water from the many creeks and lakes on Fraser Island . The timber industry boomed and a mill was built at Balarrgan, now know as McKenzies. ( There is a dive site at McKenzies which is fascinating because of the assortment of debris, rubble, and decaying pylons in reasonably shallow water. A fossickers delight. The dive site ranges from 4 to 20 metres.)

Across the Strait at Mary River Heads, Bingham was established to harvest the massive oyster beds that where found in the Strait. In later years the oyster beds where wiped out by disease. But the settlement of River Heads survived. Timber cutting was also stopped on Fraser Island and the industry is now on the mainland with renewable pine plantations. Even the clippers are a thing of the past, replaced by private vessels, which have come to explore the Great Sandy Strait

The Great Sandy Straits is protected by Fraser Island & the mainland from Inskip Point, south past Rainbow Beach to Tin Can Bay, & north to Hervey Bay . Mangrove-lined shores, sandy tidal flats, & a maze of tidal creeks & islands with a diversity of flora and fauna, and nesting sites for migratory trans-equatorial shore birds makes the Great Sandy Strait a wetland of international significance. The waterways are serene with numerous locations providing safe anchorage & inviting further exploration.

The Strait is also a designated Dugong Sanctuary & these majestic mammals may be seen as they surface from feeding on the sea grass on the sandy bottom. Turtles & playful dolphins are also frequently spotted, & the Straits are a bird watchers paradise. The Great Sandy Strait is also a fisherman's paradise and for those who are well prepared and keen enough, they will definitely not be disappointed. You may fish with hand lines, rod & reel, hand spear or spear gun in the area.

Yabbies are good bait, and can be found throughout the Strait. A yabbie pump is provided with your tinny, as well as 2 crab pots, fish net, measure, & gaff for you to use while on your houseboat holiday, at no extra charge.

Overnight Anchorage 's

Snapper Creek.If you wish to go into Snapper Creek, we advise you to be very cautious as it is a very busy area . Do not tie up at any jetties. If anchoring in the creek near Norman Point , please anchor on the South side of the channel close to the coastguard and yacht club. The local trawlers, who use the creek, travel close to the green markers, please stay out of their path.

If anchoring overnight in the Snapper Creek area a $6.00 fee is payable to the harbor master, you can do this by paying at the TCB Coast Guard Headquarters. If you wish to return to the marina, please contact Tin Can Bay Houseboats and Allan will make arrangements to take you back in.

If you have no real need to anchor up in the creek, we recommend that you do not. A good anchorage outside Snapper Creek can be found to the east of Norman Point and is quite pleasant if the wind is not strong

Teebar Creek. Teebar Creek is a beautiful anchorage that has 2 mooring spots. The first is close to the trees after entering the creek. There is very deep water close to the shore. Watch out for the famous sandbank located approx 80meters out from the trees. The anchorage is between the sandbank and the trees.

Further up the creek is Bird Rock. This is a fairly restricted anchorage which is located near the beach with the paper bark trees. The beach is a lovely spot to picnic, or stretch your legs. Teebar creek is surrounded on both sides by the Wide Bay Military Reserve which once off the beach is a restricted area.

Pelican Bay .Pelican Bay is a little bay almost surrounded by Inskip Point, the gate way to Fraser Island . Try to plan your entrance and exit on half or rising tide, as it is a shallow entry, but well worth the effort as it is a short walk to the beach side of the main land, or to the point to watch the ferry's taking 4WD to Fraser Island . During holidays & long weekends Inskip Point is a favorite spot for campers to enjoying this beautiful area. There are 2 anchorages in Pelican Bay .

1) Over by the old jetty ruins. It's a little west of the old piles, about 40-50 m off shore. The water is fairly deep in close to the sandy beach.

2) On the north part of the Bay. It is close to the surf beach. The water is quite deep and it is best to check around with the depth sounder to find the deepest water.

Travel time is approximately 2 hrs from the Marina .

Bullock Point. Bullock Point is a little farther down the main land then Pelican Bay , with Panniken Island on one side & the main land on the other. There are 3 anchorages at Bullock Point. To the north of the jetty about 50m, & to the eastern side of the channel are good anchorages. Or continue past the jetty & anchor in the centre of the channel in the deepest water. Be careful not to moor too close to the western side of the channel, as there is an old oyster bed lease which becomes exposed at low tide. Please be aware of the oyster stakes against Panniken Island . The jetty is used by Fraser Island Ferries, so please keep this area clear.

Bullock Point is a sheltered anchorage with a muddy bottom.

Kauri Creek. Kauri Creek is the largest creek in our cruising area. The water is quite shallow on the way in, so be careful. If progressing further up the creek, keep an eye out for sand banks as they shift.

There are a number of suggested mooring spots. Just inside the mouth is a comfortable anchorage with deep water close to the southern bank.

Further up the creek is a deep water anchorage near the Red Bank and again further up near Hedley boat ramp. Here is a beach and grassed camping area.

If you spend some time in Kauri Creek, you may be lucky enough to see some dolphins. If you stand on the back of the boat and splash water with your hands, Mystique and Patch may come over. They will take mullet from your hand. ( Please, do not touch them, it is illegal).

Travel time is approximately 2 & 1/2 hrs.

Figtree Creek. Figtree Creek is a good anchorage for E to NE winds. This anchorage is not recommended for strong winds from the SE, SW or NW. When anchoring, be aware of the rock ledge as shown on the chart. Fresh water is obtainable by following the road south for 0.9 km.

On the sandbanks opposite Figtree Creek, you can see the remnants of the oyster industry that flourished here. Nowadays, at low tide, small oysters can still be found on the sandbanks.

Snout Point .Snout Point is a good anchorage. You enter Snout Point from south, you will find it a comfortable anchorage in good weather and it has beautiful white sandy beaches & open area on Fraser Island to explore.

Travel time is approximately 3 & 1/2hrs.

Ungowa.Ungowa is a pleasant area with very deep water, so please note this if you wish to drop anchor. We suggest that you anchor south of Ungowa towards Yankee Jack Creek where the water is a little shallower. (5 metre rather than 20 meters). This area is very well protected from winds from the SE to E. If there is a N to NW wind or a SW wind, it is very exposed and we recommend that you move accordingly.

White Cliffs & Ungowa .

Ungowa is a pleasant area with very deep water, so please note this if you wish to drop anchor. We suggest that you anchor south of Ungowa towards Yankee Jack Creek where the water is a little shallower.

White cliffs has a disused log loading site, & where the old clipper ships would restock with fresh water. Not far from here are the wrecks of 2 ships, the Ceratodus, & the Palmer. There are many creeks into Fraser Island in this region to explore.

Travel time is approximately 8hrs

Sheridan Flats Tidal flows in the Great Sandy Straits meet in the vicinity of Sheridan Flats. North for Sheridan Flats, ebb tides tend to flow to the North, whilst south of Sheridan Flats they flow south. Travel time is approximately 6-7hrs.

Hook Point to the Bluff . Hook point to the Bluff on Fraser Island is an ideal lunch stop as the beach is beautiful and the water is clear.

There is no overnight anchorage allowed here. When anchoring you will note that the water is very deep (15-20m) and the bottom comes up very quickly to 2 meters. You will have to be extremely careful to anchor in the shallower water and allow enough anchor chain and rope out, so that the vessel does not drag. If it does, the anchor may not even touch the bottom and the boat will quickly drift away in the current.

Elbow Point. Elbow Point is another nice stop for lunch with a beautiful beach. Also no overnight anchorage allowed here. It is located on the southern end of Fraser Island opposite the entrance to Kauri Creek. We suggest that you watch the falling tide and the prevailing weather, as the sand runs out a long way before you reach deep water .

Also no overnight anchorage allowed here. It is located on the southern end of Fraser Island opposite the entrance to Kauri Creek. We suggest that you watch the falling tide and the prevailing weather, as the sand runs out a long way before you reach deep water .

.Brown's Gutter. Access to Brown's Gutter is from the northern end, it is a very narrow entrance in between the sand banks. Try to plan your entrance and exit on half or rising tide, as it is a shallow entry.

Brown's Gutter is a pleasant anchorage, surprisingly protected, once you are well within the gutter. There is no beach in here, but the fishing and crabbing is good. Travel time is approximately 3hrs

Figtree Creek. Figtree Creek is also a good anchorage.

When anchoring, be aware of the rock ledge as shown on the chart. Fresh water is obtainable by following the road south for 0.9 km. A journey up Figtree Creek in your tinny (provided with your houseboat) will give you a look at some of the interior of Fraser Island .

On the sandbanks opposite Figtree Creek, you can see the remnants of the oyster industry that flourished here. Nowadays, at low tide, small oysters can still be found on the sandbanks.

Travel time is approximately 4hrs

Yankee Jack Creek . Yankee Jack Creek 's anchorage can only be entered from the north. If you are coming from the south, head towards the high cliffs and then turn southwards staying close to the cliffs in deep water. Drop anchor in about 3 meters of water where the anchor is indicated on your chart.

Gary 's Anchorage . Gary 's anchorage is a very sheltered inlet that goes on the Fraser Island side of the main channel with Stewart Island on the channel side.

You can enter & leave Gary 's Anchorage from the south, & the north. Once in at Gary 's old logging ramp, there is a deep water anchorage out from the Forest Recreation Area.

Gary 's is a very popular spot for all types of boats traveling north and south. There is a good sandy beach with a BBQ's. There are some good walks on Fraser Island , but be warned: be prepared for sand flies and mosquitoes, as they are vicious in the dense undergrowth.

Travel time is approximately 5hrs

Stewart and Dream Island .A good anchorage can be found in the channel between Stewart and Dream Island , opposite the houses on Stewart Island .

The fishing and crabbing is good here if you travel up the small creeks in your tinny.

Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Kingfisher Bay Resort is located about 2 km north of McKenzies Jetty. You are very welcome to go ashore and enjoy the facilities, such as the restaurants, bars and pools. You can also purchase some supplies at the Resort. Please anchor on the south side of the jetty only.

This is the Northern Limit of our charter area. Please do not go beyond Kingfisher Bay Resort as our Houseboats are not surveyed for these waters. Heavy penalties do apply for all.

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McKenzies Jetty .

Mckenzies Jetty is an old ruined jetty once used by logging industry on Fraser Island . In it hay day there was even a railway line with a steam train to carry the logs to the barges to take to the main land. Little remains today. This area was also once the training ground for the Z force commandoes during WW2.

If you are a keen bushwalker, there is a good walk to Lake McKenzie which is truly one of the most spectacular lakes on Fraser Island . There are 2 roads which you can follow. The southern road is the shortest (5-6km), the northern road (8km).

Moonboom Island . The southern Moonboom Island offers a good anchorage. This is a pleasant anchorage in good weather with beautiful sandy beaches.