After talking about it, planning for it, and finding countless reasons to delay our departure, we are finally aboard Stars End 2, heading north with no fixed plans, no timetable, and no particular destination in mind. Just north—to warmer weather and the simple pleasure of being back on our much-loved yacht.

Determined to stop procrastinating, and carrying enough provisions to comfortably survive the next cataclysmic apocalypse, we cast off despite rain and winds that were hardly encouraging. Our first stop was our favourite anchorage at Moreton Island before continuing on to Mooloolaba and its notoriously unpredictable bar entrance.

After a few days watching the weather, we finally departed through the Mooloolaba Bar in what appeared to be fairly mild conditions. What we hadn’t fully appreciated was how quickly “fairly mild” could turn into “hold on and hope for the best.”

The bar has two shoal areas where surfers happily gather to enjoy the breaking waves. Following the maritime markers, we were making our way through when a rogue wave—around four to five metres high—suddenly appeared over one of the shoals. One moment there was open water ahead; the next there was a moving wall of ocean towering above us.

I was sitting by the open flap in the cockpit clears, filming the bar crossing and completely trusting Frank’s navigation at the helm. Consequently, I was utterly unprepared for the enormous wave that materialised out of nowhere. Frank managed to turn Stars End’s bow into the wave, but the force of the water simply shoved the boat over onto her side.

I grabbed for anything solid, but was thrown backwards as water exploded through the opening where I was sitting. Amid the chaos, I remember seeing the cockpit well completely full of water while Frank remained focused on getting us into safer water.

The whole event happened so quickly that neither of us can clearly recall every detail. What I do remember is turning around once the cockpit had drained through the scuppers and seeing surfers floating nearby, all staring at us with expressions that suggested they were every bit as surprised as we were.

It was only after we had cleared the bar that we were able to take stock of what had happened. Thankfully, apart from my prescription glasses being ripped from my face and one of Frank’s hearing aids being washed clean out of his ear, we escaped unscathed.

Further inspection revealed another casualty in the form of my nether regions.
The resulting bruises from being launched around a cockpit are quite ‘artistic’, and make themselves known every time I attempt to walk. Let’s just say that while Stars End 2 survived her knockdown remarkably well, some of her crew are still undergoing repairs.

So unfortunately, our preparations had not matched our confidence. Having not anticipated an involuntary knockdown, we had neglected to ensure every window and hatch was securely locked. Water found its way into places water should never be, and various items inside the boat had clearly attempted to relocate themselves while Stars End was on her side.

After motoring clear of Mooloolaba, we set course for Fraser Island. While we can appreciate a good adventure as much as anyone, this was one adventure we have absolutely no desire to repeat.

After anchoring overnight off Rainbow Beach, we gave Stars End a thorough preparation for this morning’s crossing of the Wide Bay Bar. Hatches were secured, loose gear stowed, and everything was properly battened down. This time we were taking no chances.

The crossing itself went smoothly, although the conditions were surprisingly choppy despite the light winds. It was still somewhat unnerving to see large breaking waves crashing over the surrounding shoal areas, but careful navigation saw us safely through.

We are now anchored in calm water at Inskip Point, enjoying the peace and reflecting on the last couple of days. The anchorage feels particularly wonderful after two bar crossings, one unexpected knockdown, a yacht full of seawater, a missing pair of glasses, and a hearing aid that is probably halfway to New Zealand by now.



For the moment, all is calm aboard Stars End 2—and that’s exactly how we like it.