Pristine conditions
for the Kooringal Summer Weekend
A spectacular aerial image of 30 Rivieras winds through the Moreton Bay channels towards Kooringal.
Glorious late-summer weather in Moreton Bay’s pristine natural environment, calm cruising and spectacular sunsets set the scene for more than 100 guests who enjoyed R Marine Jones’ long weekend at the end of February.
Thirty-three luxury Riviera motor yachts, from a 36 Sport Yacht to a sparkling new Riviera 645 SUV, made the journey through the waterway’s famous shifting sands to anchor at leisure near the tiny town of Kooringal at the southern tip of Moreton Island.
Setting off from Cleveland, Jay and Helen Stevenson joined the fleet at Peel Island on their Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht ‘Blu Jay’.
“Last year’s Kooringal trip was so good and this one was even better,” says Jay. “The weather was perfect; we had a lot of fun catching up with friends and the weekend was a really nice mix between organised activities and free time.”
From Peel Island, the convoy formed a steady procession through the Rous Channel, with the R Marine Jones team leading the way. A Google satellite image of the area reveals swirling sandbanks and narrow passages. Even for veteran skippers, this is one of the most challenging areas in which to navigate a large luxury motor yacht.
Careful navigation is required between sandbanks as the fleet follow the R Marine Jones team line astern towards Kooringal.
“The weather was perfect; we had a lot of fun catching up with friends
and the weekend was a really nice mix between organised activities and free time.”
Jay Stevenson
“It’s very handy having the team there. They send a tender and jet ski ahead to mark the path in and out, which makes it much more straightforward,” says Jay. Once safely anchored and settled in, guests tendered ashore to kick off the weekend. “There were around 100 people on the beach and it was a great atmosphere,” he says. “We spent the afternoon socialising over Aperol Spritzes and oysters.”
Safely at anchor, it is time to party on the beach at Kooringal with spritz drinks and oysters.
The following day gave everyone the opportunity to continue celebrating in style, with crews showcasing their nautical-themed outfits over a long, leisurely lunch at the much-loved Gutter Bar. “Randall and the team put on a great lunch, with prizes for best dressed. We got into the fun and wore sardine shirts, sardine dresses, skipper and captain hats. It was good fun! After lunch we went for a swim around the southern end of Moreton and had a few drinks in the water – fantastic.”
Nautical dress was the theme at the lunch as Jay and Helen Stevenson and their guests (left) donned sardine outfits while others found suitable headgear.
Russell Wright, aboard his Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht ‘Bliss’, is no stranger to Moreton Bay and for him, the Kooringal weekend is a perfect reminder of why it never fails to delight.
“I’ve been boating in Moreton Bay, would you believe, for nearly 60 years,” admits Russell, who was in the motor yacht business from the 1970s until retiring in 2015. “The area is wonderful and you hardly need a guide – except getting into Kooringal. That’s one spot where it’s nice to be led in, especially in a larger Riviera.”
That sense of support extended beyond navigation, with the R Marine Jones team hosting a relaxed beachside Q&A, where anchoring techniques and practical tips were shared among owners.
“It’s a great reminder for all of us. There are a lot of people who would like to do more but don’t have the confidence. This is a great way to build that confidence and get assistance, especially if you’re getting familiar with a bigger motor yacht.”
“There are a lot of people who would like to do more but don’t have the confidence.
This is a great way to build that confidence and get assistance,
especially if you’re getting familiar with a bigger motor yacht.”
Russell Wright
Being safely anchored gave everyone the chance to escape on their tenders and explore the area.
“It’s a fascinating place. You have to go in at high tide, in amongst the mangroves and estuaries to see shovel-nose sharks, stingrays, lots of turtles, there’s just a wonderful variety of wildlife. It’s a lovely little cruise, puttering along with a couple of dozen other tenders, having a drink, radios on, taking in nature.”
While some owners got into the squid fishing and crabbing, plus night fishing with underwater lights for gar and other species, Russell prefers an easier pace.
“I’m not a great fisherman to tell you the truth, I’ll spend $200 on bait and gear and get $2 on fish,” he laughs. “We tend to socialise and relax. We love to sit back on the foredeck with a drink and a breeze and enjoy the sunset. There’s no place like it.”
Left: Heading ashore to explore the shallow waters around mangroves (right) that offer protection for turtles and stingrays.
“You have to go in at hight tide, in amongst the mangroves and estuaries to see shovel-nose sharks, stingrays, lots of turtles, there’s just a wonderful variety of wildlife.”
Russell Wright
The fleet at anchor as the sun paints the horizon a bright pink.
Another sensational sunrise marked the end of the long weekend and had Russell considering what R Marine Jones Experience to join next.
“Maybe if they go to K’gari or Lady Musgrave, that’d be great. On an organised trip you can really relax. You don’t have to think as much about the navigation yourself, the team is there for support if needed, and the social aspect is great. It’s all upside.”
