Whitsunday’s Part 3: Relaxing on South Molle Island

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July 2021

After spending a week exploring the Whitsunday’s with Holly we realised after her departure that there was so much more to explore. So after our guest departed we decided that before the leaving the area we would spend some more time sailing the Whitsunday’s. However instead of heading straight out to the islands we decided we would spent a couple of days relaxing after our action packed week of non- stop activity. Although we didn’t spent it anchored off Airlie Beach, instead the day Holly departed we sailed around to Wood Wark Bay 5nm north of Airlie Beach. That day we had a relatively easy trip of motor sailing as there just wasn’t enough wind to turn the engine off.

We arrived in Wood Wark Bay about midday and anchored at the far end of the bay and spent the following two nights hiding out while we sheltered from some rather strong trade winds. While there we spent most of our time on the boat as there were no real beaches or walking tracks at that end of the bay. Although after two days we were ready for a change in scenery so weighed anchor and sailed to the next bay over, Double Bay.

When we first arrived in Double Bay we decided to anchor near the bays entrance so we could enjoy a short walk ashore on the bays only beach. However being so close to the entrance meant we were exposed to the swell which caused Allagai to roll uncomfortably and so following our walk decided to try our luck further inside the bay. Thankfully deep in the bay we were far enough in to stop the swell reaching us however with nothing to do ashore all of our time was once more spent on Allagai. By now the inactivity was starting to wear thin so the following day we decided it was time to leave these northern bays altogether and head back to the Whitsunday Islands.

Leaving Double Bay we headed straight to Airlie Beach where we spent the night and filled the water tanks before sailing on to South Molle Island. We sailed all but the last mile on our way to South Molle into a 10-15kt headwind. However with flat water and the current in a favourable direction it turned out to be a rather pleasant upwind sail, reaching the island in the late afternoon. When we arrived we dropped anchor in Bauer Bay and were amazed by the beauty of the Island, with luscious green rainforests and rocky peaks we couldn’t wait to explore the following day. However the beauty of the beach was spoiled a little by the remains of an old abandoned resort which after being damaged by a cyclone some years before had since been left to rot and fall apart.

The following day we set off from Allagai early eager to walk along some of the islands many walking trails. To start with we walked to the rocky headland called Spion Kop which we were anchored under. This was a very easy walk compared to some we had completed recently and took us through many different types of vegetation. The walk departed from the sad remains of the old resort, but that was quickly left behind as we wound our way through a beautiful rainforest. Although our walk through the forest was short lived as we passed into a dry eucalypt forest and then into an open grassland. All throughout the first part of this walk we were continuously delighted by butterfly’s and birds as the flew around us and the trees overhead. After about an hour of walking we finally made it to the end of the trail which consisted of two beautiful lookouts from each side of Spion Kop. The lookouts at Spion Kop were quite amazing with lovely views down to Bauer Bay where we were anchored and out towards Hamilton Island.

We spent some time at the top enjoying the view before heading back to Allagai however instead of returning via the same trail we decided to take a little detour so we could see as much of this beautiful island as possible. Also by returning via a different track meant we could pass one of the islands other attractions known as the Balancing Rock. This wasn’t far out of our way and left us in awe when we arrived, as it seemed that this giant rock was in fact appearing to balance on a very fine tipped point. Following a short detour we decided it was time to return to Allagai having spent a couple hours off the yacht and walked about 6km.

After our walk ashore we spent the next four nights anchored in Bauer Bay hiding out from rather strong trade winds. While waiting out the wind we enjoyed one other walk out to Mid Molle Island which was a lovely walk via a short forest path and then along the coral littered beach and spit. But mostly we were enjoying spending some time on Allagai in one place rather then the continuous moving it had seemed we’d been doing since arriving in Queensland. As following our extended stay at Molle Island we were due to head back to Airlie Beach as we had invited Holly and her friend back to join us after their interstate travel plans had been dashed by Covid restrictions.

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