Inaugural Brisbane - Gladstone Rally of Discovery

by Ian Grant on 12 Jan 2008 Here's a wonderful opportunity for cruising sailors to join other cruisers in a non-competitive sail up the Queensland coast. Queensland Cruising Yacht Club will host the inaugural Brisbane to Gladstone Rally of Discovery cruise to celebrate the historical 60th anniversary of Queensland’s premier blue water classic.

Rally officials, Glen and Karen Somerville have issued an open invitation to owners of cruising yachts including catamarans, trimarans and family motor launches to enter the event which starts on Saturday March 15 and finishes in Gladstone on Easter Saturday after overnight visits to Mooloolaba, Tin Can Bay, Kingfisher Bay Resort, Bundaberg and the tranquil anchorage of Pancake Creek.

'This type of event which presents a safe cruising environment has been in the melting pot for some time and we are expecting an enthusiastic response from owners who have plans to cruise this part of the Queensland coast'. Glen Somerville said.

As expected the course has been designed to allow all the competitors to rest and refresh with the opportunity to meet new ‘cruising mates’ in a relaxed atmosphere including barbeques and beach parties but more importantly be in Gladstone to join the 60th Anniversary celebrations with the race fleet crews.

After an overnight stop in Mooloolaba the Rally fleet will basically sail a headland to headland course past the Sunshine Coast beaches and Double Island Point before crossing The Wide Bay Bay and dropping anchor in the placid waters of Pelican Bay.

On the third day they will plot a course through The Great Sandy Straits to enjoy a Beach Party with a difference at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Then they will cruise in company to spend the fourth stopover as guests of the Bundaberg Cruising Yacht Club and an onshore party hosted by Globe sailing yachtswoman Judy O’Donoghue.

The course from Bundaberg into the picturesque Pancake Creek will include an opportunity to visit the Bustard Head Lighthouse before preparing for the approximate 31 nautical mile cruise into the magnificent Gladstone Marina.

Both Glen and Karen Somerville have planned the Brisbane to Gladstone Rally around their extensive experience and confidently believe it will expose new cruising sailors to a high level of boat management education and all participants to a fun filled social environment.

Further informationis available from Rally Director Karen Somerville on 0412 939 078.