CALOUNDRA

via PUMICESTONE PASSAGE, BRIBIE ISLAND

22nd/23rd JANUARY

This is the weekend of the King Tides. The trip up Pumicestone Passage to Caloundra is through one of the most scenic and historical areas. This has become an annual event for Club Whittley Qld and one of the most enjoyable.

In July, 1799, Matthew Flinders in his 29 feet long sloop the “Norfolk”, accompanied by an aboriginal guide from the Broken Bay area north of Sydney, “Bongaree”, spent 11 days on Bribie Island. Landing at the southeastern point, he was accosted by the local aboriginals. He named this area “Skirmish Point”. He then entered the passage; bringing his boat ashore for repairs at the place he named “Whitepatch”.

Whilst his boat was being repaired, he sailed in his tender further north up what he thought was a river, trekked inland to the Glasshouse Mountains, climbing Mt Beerwah to assist him in the extensive mapping of the area. He sighted the mouth of the Brisbane River and noted in his log that the area looked a good place for settlement and needed further exploration.

The Legend of the Glasshouse Mountains

Tibrogargan, the father and Beerwah, the mother had many children - Coonowrin, the eldest, Beerburrum, the Tunbubudla twins, Coochin, Ngun Ngun, Tibberoowuccum, Miketeebumulgrai and Elimbah. According to the story, there was also Round who was fat and small and Wild Horse (presumably Saddleback) who was always straying away to paddle in the sea.

One day, when Tibrogargan was gazing out to sea, he noticed a great rising of the waters. Hurrying off to gather his younger children in order to flee to the safety of the mountains to the west, he called to Coonowrin to help his mother, who by the way, was again with child.

Looking back to see how Coonowrin was assisting Beerwah, Tibrogargan was greatly angered to see him running off alone. He pursued Coonowrin and, raising his club, struck the latter such a mighty blow that it dislocated Coonowrin’s neck, and he has never been able to straighten it since.

When the floods had subsided and the family had returned to the plains, the other children teased Coonowrin about his crooked neck. Feeling ashamed, Coonowrin went over to Tibrogargan and asked his forgiveness: but filled with shame at his son’s cowardliness, Tibrogargan could do nothing but weep copious tears, which trickling along the ground formed a stream which flowed out to the sea. Then Coonowrin went to his brothers and sisters, but they also wept at the shame of their brother’s cowardliness. The lamentations of Coonowrin’s parents and of his brothers and sisters at his disgrace explain the presence today of the numerous small streams in the area.

Tibrogargan then called to Coonowrin, asking him why he had deserted Beerwah; at which Coonowrin replied that as Beerwah was the biggest of them all she should be able to care for herself. He did not know that Beerwah was again pregnant, which was the reason for her great size. Then Tibrogargan turned his back on Coonowrin and vowed that he would never look at him again.

Even today, Tibrogargan gazes far out to sea and never looks round at Coonowrin, who hangs his head and cries. His mother Beerwah is still heavy with child as it takes a long, long time to give birth to a mountain.

Another piece of trivia, Captain James Cook, supposedly named the Glasshouse Mountains after the glass houses or kilns in his hometown of Marton, England.

Now you have been enlightened with this brief history lesson - back to the trip.

For those who have not made this trip before, Pumicestone Passage wends its way around numerous islands through narrow channels between the mangroves with the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains as a backdrop. Once through “The Skids” and “The W’s” - the shallowest point - it is a straight forward run to Caloundra and the Blue Hole on the northern most tip of west Bribie Island. With Crystal Clear water, this is a magnificent anchorage, which overlooks, Caloundra, Golden Beach and the Glasshouse Mountains. A short walk across the island is the surf beach which is good fishing - so bring your surf rods - but not for swimming.

TIDES: 22nd High Tide 1029 hours 2.68M

High Tide at the Skids 1228 hours

23rd High Tide 1114 hours 2.68M

High Tide at the Skids 1313 hours

High Tide at Caloundra 0946 hours

To get through the Skids at high water, we shall be leaving Mission Point at 1145 hours.

For those who know the area - Meet at Mission Point for morning tea - 1030 hours

For those who are unfamiliar - we shall be anchored outside Volunteer Marine Rescue, Bribie Island base, leaving promptly at 1000 hours to meet up with the others at Mission Point. See attached map 2.

FOR THOSE TOWING THEIR BOATS TO BRIBIE.

The public boat ramp at Spinnaker Sound is a very good all weather ramp.

Security Parking is at the Caravan Park opposite the trailer park at a small cost.

See attached Map 1.

FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE THE EXPERIENCE CROSSING THE BAY

If you have a G P S, the following waypoints may help. They have guided us across the bay numerous times in fairweather and foul.

N W Peel Island - Green 27.30.3S

153.19.2E

7.5NM

E St Helena Island - Red 27.23.224S

153.15.243E

3NM

W Mud Island - Cardinal (w) 27.20.532S

153.13.737E

16NM

Deception Bay - Red 27.07.8S

153.07.5E

2NM

Bribie Island - Yellow Channel Marker 27.06.5S

153.09.7E

The distances are approximate.

Allow about 2 - 2.5 hours from N W Peel to Bribie Island.

FOR THOSE RELYING ON BEARINGS

See attached Map 3. and instructions.

Fuel, Ice and Water are available at Spinnaker Sound from 0800 hours daily. Fuel dock is on your port side on entering the Marina.

Saturday - On arrival at the Blue Hole - Swimming and a Bar-b-que.

Sunday - Swimming, fishing etc.

At 1230 hours - head back through the Skids to Mission Point and home.

Radio - During the weekend, we shall be monitoring 27 mg Channel 96

VHF Channel 72

We look forward to seeing you. Mark it on the Calendar, as it is a trip worth doing.