If you use the satellite overlay in google maps to look at the Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochy and Noosa entrances there does not seem to much difference between them as far as you can tell from the imagery. This is just the entries I am talking about so far.

Was talking with a guy week ago who has been across the Caloundra bar on his mates boat which is a 30 ft motor boat. He reckoned his mate does the transit fairly regular and the boat draws over 1 metre. Even though there is a canal estate at Golden Beach, the aerial shots do not show there are many boats in there. I think you could get in there on a high tide with a 4 foot draught in the right conditions.

It is not a place to think about going into to shelter from rough weather. The only place to even consider going into for shelter in rough conditions between your location and Bundaberg is Mooloolaba and even there can be quite risky.

I don't think the Maroochy River is worth considering and I am sure is less passable than Caloundra.

The Noosa River is a possibility. There are a lot of boats in the Noosa River so obviously it is a path well trod which means plenty of people to ask about where and how.

It just puzzles me why you would want to go into these places. Can you enlighten me on that??

I anchored inside Double Island Pt some years ago. Ok in a southerly if a bit rolly, not at all good in east, nor east or north

The only problem being based in Mooloolaba is there are no day/overnight anchorages close.
Moreton Bay is your best bet if you can get a easterly breeze

my brother had the same problem when his boar was there, after a while he got bored with doing laps around old woman island

I love sailing up to Mooloolaba but I always stay a few days or a week so I can get the run out tide on the way up and run in on the way home.

Do you keep your boat in the Mooloolaba marina? Maybe we could swap berths if you wanted to come down to Brisbane for a few days?

bubble7777 said..
motivation is to sail up there spend a day frolicking around in the sheltered water and have a good overnight spot to set anchor and then sail back home.

I'm thinking maybe sail upto double island point and do the same. pull in behind the point and spend a day relaxing and then sail back. but its the first time I would have sailed in open water so I was looking for a bit of a shorter trip. short trip feels like I'm taking more baby steps. also double island means it will be an overnight sail as well. but its my first time in open water and so like I was saying anxiety will be running high.

Caboolture River to Caloundra will be a short trip but definitely not "baby steps". I think you need to have fairly big kahunas to be going in and out of there.

For you a trip up to Mooloolaba should be a fairly easy part day run even if you did not go into the river and anchored in the hook of the bay and the same with Noosa as long as weather is going to stay southerly. That of course will mean usually a bash to get home.

If you want to go into places like that I suggest you sell your H 28 (Herreshoff) and get an F 28 (Farrier trimaran). You will need to develop quick thinking though because they rarely sail at less than 20 knots. :-D .

As much as I love my Lotus, I would love to own a Fast Farrier.

No problems mate. You have a great yacht for travelling further north for more satisfying extended adventures.

H 28s have spun the globe more than a few times. They are the kind of yacht that will heave to in heavier weather quite easily and let you get some rest without worry if you have enough sea room.

Two people on your yacht could have an absolute ball bringing her up to The Great Sandy Straits, spending a week or two there and sailing her back home again.

I do not suggest really that you should sell your H28. Great boat. Just make her the best little H28 between Brisbane and Bundaberg or beyond.

That is what I am doing with my lovely Lotus as in trying to make her the best 30 footer between Brisbane and Gladstone. I want to do that race before I fall off the plank.