 | We started at Denium Point. In this area the tide goes out for kilometres. Within two hours the water was lapping at the boats. The boat on the left is a North Sea Tourer, the other a Tasmanian designed Greenlander. |
| A moderate south westerly gave us the chance to sail as we headed for Hunter Island about 20km away. Off to the north was Three Hummock Island where we hoped to be in a few days time. |
| We stayed overnight on Hunter Island. The noise of Mutton Birds or "Shearwaters", kept us awake. The full moon meant that we would have higher tides and stronger currents. |
| Next day we headed out to Steep Island, a mysterious island that we hadn't been on before. Laurie with his double sail was cruising along. |
| Steep Island was a real suprise. On the seaward side was a huge indentation with shear cliffs. The island is a mutton bird rookery. These birds are eaten as a delicacy. Millions arrive after their long migration each year in October. |
| One side of the island was pierced by a long sea cave. With favourable winds Laurie sailed through from the seaward side. The cave walls were richly decorated with purple and green marine growths. |
| This shot gives you some idea of how massive the cliffs and cave is. The cliffs are volcanic in origin, partly basalt and part tuff. |
| After leaving Steep Island we stopped on Hunter Island to investigate a curious pink mass on the rocks. It turned out to be a dead sperm whale. By its colouring it could have been white when alive. As you can imagine it was rather smelly. |
| We then set off for our main destination, Albatross Island which was about 30km away. This part of the coast is quite treacherous with strong tidal currents that change rapidly on the tide. |
| After a few hours of paddling across strong overfalls, the island loomed larger on the horizon. It was here that the currents really hit us and we had a long slog for the last 3km. Still this island is magic. |
