Bundaberg Port Marina is where Selena and I first arrived in Australia after leaving New Caledonia. It is an official Port of Entry which is popular for many South Seas cruising yachts due to it's central location on the Australian coast, and relatively easy approach from seaward having few reefs or hazards to dodge.
For our first season in Australia Selena and I sailed south to stay in Brisbane for several months, visiting friends, etc., then returned here to Bundaberg for haul-out and storage during the 6 months I had to fly back to the USA to work and replenish the 'ol cruising kitty.
Returned in late September for the second season and worked through October painting Selena's hull bottom with anti-fouling paint and several maintenance projects to get her ready for sailing again.
October is also a time when many sail boats start arriving in Australia from the Islands in the South Pacific. Had great fun talking with them and hearing what's new in the islands that I had visited a couple years ago. Naturally there are always a few "tall stories" sprinkled in to make things interesting. The last week of October the Marina hosts a festival for the finish of a yearly "fun race" that starts in Port Villa, Vanuatu. The image below shows many of the international cruising yachts decorated with nautical flags for the occasion.
Bundaberg Port Marina (Lat 24-45s Lon 152-23e) is located just inside the mouth of the Burnett River, and 160 miles N of Brisbane. The actual City of Bundaberg is about 10 miles inland on the Burnett River.
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