Tony Walker, owner of the Integrity 340, “Sheba”, has spent a pleasant six weeks exploring the natural wonders of Great Keppel and onshore around Rockhampton and Yeppoon.
From his home port of Hervey Bay, where Sheba is moored at the Great Sandy Straits Marina, Tony travelled north via Burnett Heads, Pancake Creek, Cape Capricorn and then Fishermans Beach, taking four days and enjoying the scenery along the way.
“I’ve owned smaller runabouts up to 5m all my life, but when I retired three years ago, I wanted something larger that I could spend longer periods on board,” he explained.
“I spent some time researching the different brands online and found Integrity matched my needs. They offered the best value, I like their style, comfort and economy.”
Sheba, named after the very dear cat who adopted Tony when his neighbours in Maryborough moved house and couldn’t take her, has been equipped with Starlink, solar panels and all the mod-cons required by this solo sailor.
Now, enroute to Runaway Bay for routine maintenance, Tony described his recent voyage as “totally relaxing and filled with highlights”.
“There were whales everywhere, even right up close to the beach at Keppel Island. We could see them from the restaurant. I did a little bit of fishing, walked a number of the trails on the island and berthed at Keppel Bay Marina, Rosslyn Bay. From there, I took the bus into Rocky and around Yeppoon to see all the sights.”
Noteworthy anchorages around Great Keppel include Leeke’s Beach and Long Beach. “From Long Beach you look out over Half Way Island – it’s very picturesque,” Tony said. “Depending on the wind and the weather, there are many great anchorages. The beaches on Great Keppel are beautiful, and the sand is pure white.”
Around his home port of Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast Tony recommends Maaroom on the mainland, and then on K’gari (Fraser Island): Garrys Anchorage, Coongal Point and Rooney Point.
“And there’s plenty of good fishing for whiting in the Great Sandy Straits.”
