3 night downriver cruise

[Troppo]

Spent three nights on the Fitzroy River, first night just out of town then going down 25 km to a place known locally as the 'cut-through' [1991 flood cut a new channel across a curve in the river]. Motored down with my eyes glued to the GPS with depth sounder following a route I had crafted which I hoped kept me away from the numerous mud and sand banks.

Sunset, first night on the river

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First night, beside a high bank

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The days were not that grand, strong winds blew up and caused a few problems, also hot and humid. Early mornings, late evenings and the nights were awesome. The wind then was either a light breeze or non-existent, temperature was cooler. Just totally awesome being out on the water.

After anchoring on 2nd day, wind blew up strongly from SE, however, N winds had been forecast and I was unprotected. Moved Windchaser to middle of river, depth under 3 m of water (and shallower areas around about) but better position to wind. Went and searched for water deep enough to anchor out of wind.

2nd day, temp anchor in middle of river

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Found hole with 6 m of water at low tide near sandbar beside bank and when the tide had risen enough that I could bring Windchaser across without my concern about depth, I moved and re-anchored.

anchored in hole beside sandbar and bank

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high tide in the hole

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View from cockpit, high tide

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Windchaser performed flawlessly. Certainly an easy boat to live on, at least for short periods.

[DESIREMK1]

Hi Troppo ,

Lovely , and inspiring pictures mate ,

Please enlighten me , where is the Fitzroy River ? .

In the near future I plan to travel the length of Sydneys Hawkesbury River with my young children , in my Mk1 . If it weren't for a Bathroom Renovation on our rental property in Broken Hill , it would be this xmas holidays .

Brad
DESIREMK1

[Troppo]

The Fitzroy River is the one that runs through Rockhampton Central Qld. I was recently reading some maritime history and even though Rockhampton was a port for a while, sending out beef, gold, etc, the shallowness of the river plus its ever changing channels and banks caused many shipwrecks and groundings. For such a large bit of water, it is amazingly shallow. At low tide in places it is only between 2 and 3 metres deep but there are many stretches with 8 to 15 metres in the main channel.

[woodsy]

Thanks for the story WITH photos Troppo.
I very much enjoyed it.

[KJD13]

Thanks Troppo, the article and photos add more pressure for me to venture up North in my Toppie - who knows, one of these days!!!!
Cheers,
Kevin
Wayward Lady, a Mk 111,
Williamstown, Vic