August 2, 2002
SUNSHINE COAST

Mooloolaba is the heart of the Sunshine Coast. It is a lively holiday town, small enough to walk around but with almost everything you might need. A regular bus service links Mooloolaba to Maroochydore, a somewhat larger town where the regional airport is located.

The Mooloolaba Yacht Club Marina is a few minutes' walk from the town. The Yacht Club is on site and cruisers organize regular gatherings for BBQ/quiz nights etc. For those with children especially, the beach is just a couple of minutes walk.

There are no phone lines to the docks but USB kits are available for hire.

Facilities: We had little call to use local facilities here but we understand from other cruisers that there were marine specialists in all the key areas and there is a chandlers a few hundred yards up the road.

Shopping: Mooloolaba has a supermarket and there is a small shopping mall, but Maroochydore has a large mall and cinema complex. There is also a good range of restaurants, delis, and a butcher who will vacuum pack and freeze meat for you.

Nearest port for clearing: Scarborough or Bundaberg

Contact: www.mooloolabayachtclub.com.au or e-mail to boats@yachtbroker.com.au

There is another marina in Mooloolaba, which we used because the YC marina did not have space for us. It is called the Wharf Marina and it would not be to everyoneÕs taste, though we enjoyed it there. It is predominantly used by fishing boats, though they do have a few berths available for cruisers and, importantly for us, can accommodate 20 metre boats. (See photograph included in our 10 May article.)

CAPRICORN COAST

Bundaberg Port Marina is situated near the entrance to the Burnett River leading to the town of Bundaberg. Around 130 international cruisers clear customs each year here.

By taxi it is about a 10 to 15 minute drive into the town. There is a bus service twice a day and the marina runs a minibus once a day, leaving at 10am and returning at 1pm.

In the marina complex there is a bar/restaurant, and once a week the marina hosts a BBQ. Internet access is available in the bar. This is a relatively new marina and the new owner has plans to further develop the site.

Facilities: Marina chandlery and electronics, shipwrights, and general engineering are all on site.

Shopping: The cafe in the marina carries a very few basics (milk, newspapers) so for shopping you need to visit Bundaberg town where there is a supermarket. On Sunday morning there is a fresh produce market (marina runs a minibus to it) which is excellent.

Nearest Port of Entry: Bundaberg

Contact: oceanpacificseafoods@bigpond.com and www.bundabergportmarina.com.au

Gladstone

A barbeque get-together at Gladstone.

Gladstone Marina is 20 miles from the entrance to the Gladstone river, close to the heart of town. Despite the fact that Gladstone is a major industrial area, the marina is in pleasant park-like surroundings and there is a pretty boardwalk along the river to get into town (10 minutes' walk).

There is a cafe/restaurant on site and BBQ pit which cruisers use every Thursday for an informal get-together. We found this an exceptionally friendly location.

The marina does not have hardstanding but there are three facilities in the immediate vicinity. Gladstone Marine Centre is right next door to the marina.

An increasing number of boats are choosing Gladstone as their port of arrival. Form Gladstone the Whitsundays are within easy reach and if you are happy to miss out Brisbane this location offers a much shorter distance to cover up to Cape York.

Facilities: FORGACS is a large boat yard with full facilities as well as a hard stand/storage yard. There are some yacht services in Gladstone but surprisingly they are not particularly extensive. Nevertheless with a bit of organization you could carry out a refit here.

Shopping: Gladstone has a good selection of stores within walking distance of the marina and a large shopping mall a 10-minute taxi ride away. There is also a weekly shopping trip from the marina to Rockhampton.

Nearest Port of Entry: Gladstone

Contact: www.gpa.org.au and e-mail to marina@gpa.org.au