EXPERIENCE LIFE AS A RIVIERA & BELIZE OWNER SUMMER 2017 KOORINGAL EXPERIENCE 2017 STORY & PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP
As the mercury rose in the state s heatwave, hot weather records tumbled across parts of south-east Queensland over the same weekend R Marine Jones set off for its annual Kooringal Experience for Riviera & Belize owner s. Escaping the sweltering temperature for a weekend on the water couldn t have been better timed and greeted with some welcome cloud cover the first contingent met at the mouth of the Coomera on the Gold Coast s Broadwater. Guided by Randall Jones on Riv 1 the fleet weaved through the delta like network of inland waterways that connect the Gold Coast with Moreton Bay. Parting the clouds along the way the fleet grew as it headed north, boats joined from Calypso Bay, Lower Moreton Bay, Brisbane and boats that had overnighted in Myora joined the procession past the top of North Stradbroke Island across the channel to the bottom of Moreton Island.
A couple of hours from the Gold Coast, Kooringal is a world away, time has been kind to this sleepy little town at the Southern end of Moreton Island. Shifting sand banks, challenging access and a limitations on development have preserved this relatively unknown slice of SE Queensland. Once a year the extended Riviera and Belize family from the Gold Coast weave their course to the safe anchorage of Days Gutter on the banks of Kooringal. The shifting sands bars make it impossible to have a permanent channel marked all the way in, where the buoyage system ends and safe anchorage begins is about half a mile. Riv 1 lead the way dropping temporary colour coded channel markers to guide the impressive fleet of 31 Rivieras and a Belize Motor Yacht into the safe anchorage. Kooringal has a long history with Oysters, in the 1920 s Frank Day later known as the old man of Moreton established the first cultured Oysters on the banks of Kooringal, today Oysters are the primary industry of Kooringal. The war bought about the end of all activities on Moreton Island except for Military operations, as a result oyster farming ended for Frank Day and the oyster beds died out. When the military camp was set up around his hut, Frank Day used his boat to bring supplies for the troops stationed there, it was the troops who named the anchorage Day s Gutter. Taking the northern most spot to drop the pick Riv 1 settled it s anchored and then the team assisted the fleet with positioning throughout the anchorage. Spanning over 750 x 100 metres all 32 boats bejewelled Day s Gutter Anchorage, a very impressive sight.
Having arrived in pictured perfect conditions, the buzz around the fleet was desire to catch up and share in what had been a stunning trip, the call out of the VHF to head north up the gutter, bring drinks and snacks for a tender raft up on the outgoing tide. Drifting like a slow motion snowball the tender raft up increased in size as it rolled through the anchorage, each inflatable would tie it s tether to the next. Occasional thrusts from the Riv 1 tender guided the revolving tenders towards the middle of the channel. For two hours the impromptu rendezvous, drifted chatted, socialised and quenched away the resplendent Friday afternoon.
Once the heat from the sun abated the aqua valet (20ft RIB courtesy of Ribforce Inflatables) moved through the fleet picking up the radioed-in valet requests. The self drivers were met at the tidal valet point. The destination was a short stroll across the tidal flats and down the leaf and sand the lined street, reminiscent of Garden Bars from days gone by, adorned with maritime memorabilia, the world famous Gutter Bar is a welcoming place. Eighty eight of the RMJ extended family met up for a fantastic evening of socialising and dining on fresh local seafood.
The next morning the sun cast it s warm glow over the fleet, an early morning beach walk around the Southern tip of Moreton Island was stymied by the lack of access due to the constantly changing nature of the sand in this area. High tides and shifting sand banks of the South Channel prevented anything but low tide access to the Pacific Ocean side on the island. A highlight for all who attend the Kooringal Experience is the exploring the tidal areas by tender. Crab Island situated just a few hundred metres from the fleet is rich with marine life on the incoming tide. Exposed sand flats become covered with the clear waters coming in through the passage between Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands. Teeming with Rays & Turtles it is like a staged show of marine life, in their natural habitat. Directly below your tender are all sorts of species, a fever of Estuary Rays startled by the explorers take flight like a flock of birds escaping a predator. The ecosystem at the southern end of Moreton Island has been less affected than any other area in the South East, the Rays have a plentiful supply of Solider Crabs and Beach Worms in this tidal environment and any are treated to stray Oysters from the Toulkerrie Oyster Farm further up Days Gutter. Resembling a shark but part of the Ray family the Giant Shovel Nose Rays are quite the spectacle, they bury themselves under the sand but a keen eye can spot them. Sharm the events Safety Officer spotted a decent sized Shovel Nose and launched himself into the water GoPro in hand to capture some amazing underwater shots of it leaving it s hiding place, with sand trailing off it s scooped triangular nose like a golden coloured silk scarf trailing behind in a gentle wind.
Late Saturday afternoon, those that chose, met up on the Western bank of Days Gutter for an afternoon refreshments and nibbles. Over time the beached tenders slowly re-floated themselves with the incoming tide, toes became submerged as the sand bank became awash in the 27 degree water and the sun in the West painted the sky with hues of blue orange and pink. On cue the Full Moon rose above the trees to the East before everyone returned to their boats bathed in the light of the moon. The next morning the sun rose, the tide came in and the fleet weighed their anchors to traverse the channel out of Days Gutter and back home. Kooringal Experience 2017 was a fantastic event to start the year with, as Adam who recently purchased a Riviera said Thanks again for a good trip I feel much more confident in the boat now. That s exactly what this event is geared around, building confidence and experience to join us for more great adventures further afield. If you would like to watch a video of the Kooringal Experience 2017 CLICK HERE