Palm Islands cruise - Day 1, Dungeness (trip #13)

Got some time off after the new year so prepared for a 3-4 day solo trip away from home base, and explore some waterways up north. Plan was to head for Lucinda's ramp - Dungeness, a gateway to both the Palm Islands group and spectacular Hinchinbrook Island (southern end).

Set off for Ingham mid afternoon, it's 110 km north along the Bruce Highway. Once clear of Townsville's road construction works just north of Deeragun, the comfortable/safe tow speed was about 70-85 km/hr   (45-50 knots similar to that of L'Hydroptere, the fastest hyrofoiled sailing trimaran in the world!) But did use a a half tank of petrol hauling a one tonne plus payload, so refuelled the ute at Ingham BP, cruised through Ingham town centre, then headed for Lucinda another 30 km along windy cane farm back roads at 50-70 km/hr tow speed. Ingham gets allot more rain than Townsville so had a lush green appearance with occasional patches of rainforest trees. The pace of life seemed as if in a past century compared to the city rush i'd just left. Small sugar towns dotted the way, and it was not far from the mighty Herbert river. Here is the map of Townsville to Lucinda (showing Palm Islands)

It took about 1.5 hours in all the reach Lucinda town, turn left at the fisherman's pub on the corner and headed a few more km through mangrove country to the small craft port of Dungeness, about 140 km from home base, it's the longest road trip I've done with Teria so far, about two hours or so, but it also meant reaching a new cruising grounds.

Dungeness ramp carpark - rigging up area

The boat ramp and car park is a very good facility. Plenty of space to rig up well clear of the ramps activity zone. Motels, Pubs, tackle shop and charter boat facilities were all there too. Dungeness is a nearly all tide ramp for shallow draft boats. I had also launched my Hartley 16 here decades ago and didn't recall any problems.

Rigged up under the ample floodlights during dusk, one of the ramps busy periods for recreational fishing boats. By 7 pm all was quiet so it was a good time to launch. The floating pontoon was very handy to tie up at while the trailer was parked. Just a note about launching at very low tides - there is a sharp drop off at the deep end of the ramp, this limit is well marked by a bright yellow sign on the pontoons post. It is also salt water crocodile habitat, so kept an eye open and stayed on or near the trailer frame when unhitching the boat.

Dungeness pontoon dock and boat ramps

Rigged and ready to go

Launching

At the dock - Good flood lighting

Motored out into the darkness of the harbour on a new moon.  Used a strong torch to spot motor boats moored in there and motored upriver past them all. Dropped anchor about 500m from the ramp about 40m from the eastern bank mangrove forest. Nice feeling hanging off the new short-link chain knowing that it can never chafe through and break like a rope warp could. Rigged the LED anchor light which shone brightly. A few powerboats idled past with anglers aboard as they made way to fish not far up the estuary.

The tide ran out against wind so lay stern to and side on the the breeze, but the enclosed anchorage is small with smooth water, Dungeness harbour is a very secure and comfortable place to anchor overnight.

Lucinda and Dungeness harbour - ramp and anchorage location

Dungeness is on a small side branch in the Herbert River  The ramp gives access either to the Northern end of the Palm Island group or Hinchinbrook Island / channel. Predicted winds were light to moderate N - NNE which favoured sailing to the Palm Islands. Having only 22 Litres of outboard fuel meant sailing as much as possible to make it last for several days.