Maatsuyker Canoe Club - home page

MAATSUYKER CANOE CLUB
NORTH/WEST TRIP 2004/2005 (& Albatross Island)

 

Trip leader - Jamie Fergusson
Anthea Fergusson, Sue Shearman, Graeme Soden, Matthew Watton, Jeff Jennings, Hayley
Visiting paddlers - De-Anne & Grant from Queensland & John Hynman, Vic.

Thumbnail image of trip map

TRIP NOTES-

DAY 1 - 27 December 2004 - Denium Hill to Mosquito Inlet (Walker Island)

We left Denium Hill at approximately 1pm - There was a strong s/w wind - initially head for Hunter Island but turn towards Walker Island due to strong wind.  approaching mosquito inlet - have to drag over sand bar - water disappearing as we head towards shack in channel on sthn end of walker
Dist - 20km

Camping on the grass near a hut in Mosquito Inlet

DAY 2 - 28 December 2004 - day off at Mosquito Inlet

go for walk to n/e walker island then rolling practice in arvo in mosq. inlet.

DAY 3 - 29 December 2004 - Mosquito Inlet (Walker Island) to East Telegraph Bay

early start - on water 6am to still have enough water to leave mosq. inlet - heading out to east.  after leaving eastern end of inlet - sailed up to Petrel Islands and then sailed to Three Hummock Is. with an easterly tidal flow.  We landed on beach on s/e corner of Three Hummock (below Sth Hummock) for lunch.  Afternoon stopped at sthn end East Telegraph Bch.  Walked to nthn end E.Teleg then moved the kayaks to nthn end to camp.  Fish caught for tea.  Distance - 32km approx

a rest stop on the s/e corner of Three Hummock Island Lunch at East Telegraph Beach - Three Hummock Island

 

DAY 4 - 30 December 2004 - East Telegraph Bay to Cuvier Bay (via Albatross Island)

early start - 6am - fine day - very light breeze.  cruised around to 5 sisters for lunch break.  walked to Chimney corner for water (david - caretaker).  1.30pm left to go around Cape Keraudren - wind very light - stopped just before cape & decided that Jamie, Matt, Sue, Hayley would go out to Albatross Is.  tide rising.  group split at cape.  Albatross group paddle a big arc to the n/w and reached Albatross at 4pm.  Jamie landed first, Matt, Sue, Hayley.  up gully, thru cave, up hill to right.  watched for 1.5hrs.  Left about 5.30pm - tide flowing past albatross is. to s/w and took us quickly to the south upon leaving.  We headed on 90 deg course (taking us about 150 deg) and ended up at Cuvier Bay at 8.10pm feeling stuffed but elated)  Welcome party on Beach.  Distance 60km approx

Sunrise at East Telegraph Bay Approaching Albatross Island entering one of the caves on Albatross Island

 Jamie was last to launch and pushed the kayak out and then climbed aboard

 

DAY 5 - 31 December 2004 - Cuvier Bay to Stack Island

slight sleep in - started 8.30am with strong n/e wind.  sailed around Cuvier Pt, and snuck thru & inside all the rock channels - sailed down to sthn end Hunter then had headwinds across to s/w corner of Stack.  lunch break - walk around island - then moved to s/e corner beach.  swim in arvo, walked to meet up with Jeff/John who were at n/e corner - then had new years eve at 8pm (to get to sleep early)  Distance 23km approx

DAY 6 - 1 January 2005 - Stack Island to Cave Bay

sleep in and on water at 9.30am - sailed down to Jeff/John and then had great sail to Penguin Islet with strong s/w wind.  Paddled around island and then headed across to Cave Bay - some managed to sail for a bit in challenging s/w swell & wind.  Landed at nthn end Cave Bay. - walked to Homestead in arvo for water - visited Cave also.  Distance 13km

DAY 7 - 2 January 2005 - Cave Bay to s/e corner Hunter Island

8.30am start for a paddle close to the shore back down Hunter Is. to sthn tip - against tide - difficult at s/e corner due to easterly flow - Jamie towed de-anne - camped next to hut - early sleep 9pm - very strong s/w wind present  - Distance 10km

DAY 8 - 3 January 2005 - Hunter Island (s/e corner) to Denium Hill (end)

awoke at 3am for 4am start - wind light s/w - clear skies and lots of stars out - paddled course of 120 deg - getting lighter around 5am - gradual glow of sun in front of us - paddled to north of Kangaroo Is and turned to course of 150 deg once off n/e corner of Kangaroo Is.  down channel into Robbins Passage and over to Denium Hill and reached car at 7.10am.  Eaten alive by sandflies while unpacking boats.  Distance 22km