Te Moana

Queensland Cruising Guides

We hope to take Te Moana north to Queensland later this year. So it seems logical to start with some books to help us do our planning and of course, anticipation is two thirds the fun.

So here are four guides which have been recommended by our friends at the RPAYC:

Cruising the Coral Coast by Alan Lucas ISBN 0-9581768-0-9
This guide is currently in its 8th edition (2003). Alan Lucas is highly regarded by the Australian cruising community for this and other cruising guides on Australia. Of course, for one guide to cover the entire coast of Queensland with its countless islands, the Great Barrier Reef and well renowned shallows is a greater challenge than even Alan Lucas can pull off. It was inevitable that some detail is missing. Some of this detail is filled in by the other well known guides for individual parts of the Queensland coast.

The Beacon to Beacon Directory by Maritime Safety Queensland (ISBN 0 73452531 1) 5th Edition (December 2002).
This covers the area from the NSW border to Bundaberg. It uses unusual but effective metaphore of a Road map or rather the Australian concept of a Street Directory to show how to navigate the area. The maps are clear and a terrific range of photographs of popular anchorages accompany the maps. No commentary or recommendations, but good solid information on how to find your way around coastal areas.

Curtis Coast by Noel Patrick (ISBN 1 86252 7377) Revised and reprinted 2003.
The latest edition of a guide first piblished in 1986 by a well regarded local sailor, updated and published by his daughter, Lynne Kornbrekke. It covers the area from Bundaberg to Mackay. Lots of detailed local maps and beautiful recent aerial photography sets this guide apart. A well organised layout and commentary makes it easy to use as a reference.

100 Magic Miles by David Colfelt (ISBN 0 9586989 1 0) 6th edition 2000.
This is the classic guide for those visiting the Whitsunday Islands. The islands covered are off the Queensland coast from MacKay to Bowen. This is the accepted standard for anyone cruising the Whitsundays. It has loads of information and accurate descriptions of passages and anchorages. Its reputation is well earned and a must for anyone sailing that area.

So, there we are. Some good books to use for our planning and use through the trip. Out of the above guides, I have used "100 Magic Miles" while on a various charter trips in the Whitsundays, the others are recommendations from respected friends/authorities. Anyone cruising the Queensland coast would do well to have these references at hand.

The logical place in Australia to buy any of these guides is Boat Books
Posted by Marius at February 29, 2004 06:44 PM