We were very fortunate to be able to spend a night at Sanctuary Cove on return from our wonderful little cruise around Moreton Bay, with a dramatic stormy sunset that was something of a portent for the flooding that was come just a week or so later...
Sometimes, things don't need any explanation - they do exactly what they say on the tin...
After a wonderful stay at Tangalooma, we headed back south towards Sanctuary Cove and anchored for the night at the wonderful protected Horseshoe Bay at Peel Island. This uninhabited island has an interesting history, having been a leper colony for much of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but is now an unspoilt wilderness with wide sandy beaches that are refit for recreational boats...
As an ex-sailor, there's nothing I enjoy more than a sunset at sea, and if there happens to be an f'ing big ship around to silhouette against it that's even better...
Somehow, despite living in Brisbane for over 15 years, I had never been out to Moreton Island. I had heard fabulous tales about the wonders of Tangalooma - the wrecks, the dolphins and the incredible sandhills, but the closest I had been was passing in cruise ship or looking out across the bar from North Straddie towards Moreton Bay's biggest island. I have travelled a lot, but having been there, I can honestly say it is one place that truly lives up to it's hype, and probably exceeds it in most!
The snorkelling around the wrecks was some of the best I have EVER enjoyed ANYWHERE as you can see below...
Let's face facts, if you got the chance to explore the fabulously expansive Moreton Bay on a 65ft luxury Riviera motor launch you'd take the chance wouldn't you? Well, never one to let an opportunity pass by, especially if it involves being out on the water, I jumped at the chance to head off from Sanctuary Cove in mid-February for a 4 day jaunt around the islands and bays that make up Brisbane's water playground...
