<strong>The</strong> Australian Wooden BoatFestival 2011 - Hobart gets it right!Words & photos by Jim Geddes, SC Te ArawaOf all the myriad of uses that wood and wood products have been put to over countlesscenturies, surely its use in carving and boatbuilding must be the closest to an art form.<strong>The</strong> sight of a mature woman running her hand over the beautiful bright finished side of a5.5 keelboat on static display as if caressing the flanks of a beloved horse was amemorable sight amongst many memorable sights at <strong>The</strong> Australian Wooden Boat Show,at Hobart Tasmania, February 11-14, 2011.THE AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL WEBSITE:www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au <strong>The</strong> next show is set to be February 8-11, 2013<strong>TCP</strong> Note: <strong>The</strong>se are a few of Jims many excellent photos. Just before deadline we receivedmore photos and stories from other visitors to the festival. See the <strong>TCP</strong> website for theaugmented electronic edition for more of Jims photos. Also words and photos from StuartMears and Julie Long.myState Financial are to be congratulated for the leap of faith in eliminating the entrancefee. <strong>The</strong> risk paid off with what looked like the largest attendance ever, with thousands oflookers and lovers of wooden boats padding around admiring craft as diverse as squareriggersto a Japanese Hachoro boat.With well over 400 boats attending the volunteers had their work cut out for them, howeverall seemed to run smoothly with nary a terse word uttered, a testament to the efficiencyand dedication of all involved.<strong>The</strong> festival was not without its share of celebrities; actor Philip Rush, chef Tetsuya, roundthe world sailor Jessica Watson and that doyen of small boat designs, Ian Oughtred.Would I go again? You bet, my accommodation is already booked!
<strong>Home</strong> Grown Paradise“How often do we dream of far flung islands, wayout somewhere over the rainbow... yet oft-timesforget treasures right in our own backyard?One such gem is Zoe bay on Hinchinbrook Island.”Steve Kenyon on SC Felix describes the beautyof this special place.Zoe Bay FallsMaggie<strong>The</strong> last time I was here a plan to land <strong>The</strong>refore few Yachts risk it overnight.up to 200 tourists a day loomed dark (<strong>The</strong> exception on this visit being theand inevitable, so when Chris, Maggie wonderfully intrepid pair, Chris and Gilli onand I recently sailed in, it was a great “Westwind”). <strong>The</strong>re also be such beastiesjoy to find this never eventuated. In fact as sand flies ashore, but what matters thisthere are no more people ashore now to someone who truly wants to walk in thisthan there were 20 years ago. Our wilderness. Shallow draught vessels canEarths largest Island National Park, has tuck into the Nth creek, whilst a sturdy Catquietly side stepped the on rush of or bilge keeler can simply sit down safe“civilization”, to remain the same and snug in the Sth creek entrance.pristine wilderness as on the dawn ofit's creation. Further north, around the corner inMissionary Bay there is good holdingTowering mountain peaks festooned with over mud. Within this bay the small beachstreaming white scarves of cloud, misty at “Macushla” provides a very popularforest valleys wherein live waterfalls and picnic area, while secure anchorages cantrails untrod by men. Long white beaches, be found in a series of deep creeks.- plus,remote little coves peopled only byincidentally, any number of prawns andoysters, pure Australian Fauna and Flora hungry fish.and mangrove fringed estuariesOn the inside Channel betweensurrounded by a world of timelessHinchinbrook and the mainland, naturestunning beauty.has thrown down a vast array ofmangrove creeks, aptly named <strong>The</strong><strong>The</strong> gem of it all, and surely one of the Australian Everglades.top ten vistas in all Australia forspectacular scenery, is that whispered Here, in perfect cyclone shelter, are anysecret, Zoe Bay. Here, on a perfect day, number of anchorages, with all the mudthe hardest heart on Earth could not but crabs, prawns, and fresh fish imaginablebe moved. A blue ocean washing the feet just waiting to be invited aboard. <strong>The</strong>reof rainforest which rises, then rises again are also some magnificent estuaries here,through shrouds of gray clouds burnished which deep draught vessels may venturewith generous streaks of orange and gold up. <strong>The</strong>se deserve much more than yourto titanic peaks standing aloof from time casual acquaintance, but be warned,and such small matters of men. Chris some twilights here may reach out a warminstantly decided to move his office from hand, cradle your heart, then bear it gentlyCanberra to the foredeck !away to realms previously unknown.Cruise the WhitsundaysCharter a luxury Perry or Fusion 40 Catamaran“Mango Tango” &“Razzle Dazzle”Early Bird specialsfor 2011available nowView from top of Zoe FallsOnce ashore in Zoe there is anenchanting path meandering throughdappled sunlight and a fragrant profusionof vines and multi colored trees, allstanding upon carpets of lichen andleaves. A short walk further brings you to afresh water pool where “the water downthe rocky fall lets fall her shining hair”.<strong>The</strong>n another easy climb will fetchyou up on top of the falls. From here youcan stand midst the murmur of gurglingwaters, and drink in a view which defiesdescription.How-some-ever, Zoe, like all greatcharmers, has her foibles, so can eithergrant or withhold her favours on any slightwhim. <strong>The</strong> bay itself is open to the East,and shallow well offshore over hard sand.On a more practical note, the entrance toPort Hinchinbrook Marina is somewhatsilted up. However current heights can bechecked via radio. <strong>The</strong> cheerful Marinastaff are very helpful, their landscapedgardens include a swimming pool plusthere's a little forest path leading toCardwell by the Sea.Here one can purchase fresh veggiesand meat; stroll an esplanade fringed withrare Calophyllum trees; and chat withfriendly locals. <strong>The</strong> latter pleasure beingeven better when lazing on Alans' pubveranda with a cold drink, a gentle seabreeze, and the wide Pacific calling.continued next page...‘Where we takepride in yourPride ‘n’ Joy’www.whitsundaycharterboats.com.auWHITSUNDAY LUXURY CATAMARANSemail: sales@luxurycats.com.au Ph: (07) 49<strong>47</strong> 1653 mob:0419 874 096• Cradles to suit yachts, motor cruisers& catamarans to 16 tonne• With qualified shipwrights on sight• Insurance work catered for• Easy access• DIY WelcomePh: 4948 8239 | Fax: 4946 9512 | www.shuteharbourslipway.com.au | slipway@bareboat.com.au | Whitsunday Rent A Yacht Jetty<strong>Page</strong> 20 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Coastal</strong> <strong>Passage</strong> #<strong>47</strong> 2011
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