Retiring and want to take the tandem around Australia

Hi everyone, after a few setbacks we are finally on our way, we have done Noosa, Caloundra, Broadwater Gold Coast, Tweed River, Yamba, Myall Lakes, Port Stephens, and have just sailed Lake Macquarie, and it was magnificent, we are staying at Belmont Pines. We are heading south and would love to here from anyone about recommendations re sailing spots or caravan parks on the water, and would just like to thank everyone for all there info so far, it has been very useful.

Patonga has a great camping ground with easy access to the water. It would make the perfect base for exploring Lion Island, Pittwater, Hawkesbury River and Cowan Creek.

Thanks for that, what a great spot Patonga was, also did Batemens Bay, found that to be fantastic as well, again thanks for everyones help.

Must apologise Lonnie. I am only just reading you post now about you being at Lake Macquarie. I was away in Bathurst that weekend anyway for the 12 hour race. Glad you're having a great time mate. Looking forward to your trip report.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Hey Lonnie, where are the photos and stories?
No, I will take that back as it will only make us jealous.

I finally gave up on the Hyundai i30 rig.
Just got sick of overheating and scrubbing out back tyres.
But I do want to be able to car top the TI and tow the van.
Of course I really wanted to be able to get the car in the garage with the TI on top.
It is just so easy to hook up the electric winch, press the button and forget about it.
Well, I guess a little to easy to forget about it as I still haven't replaced the rivets on the knuckles.

Anyway, back to the point, I bought a 10 month old VE Commodore Calais.
So instead of sailing, I will be mounting a pole at the front and second battery.
Just a pity about the roof rack mounting points being half way along the vehicle.
And of course the Mrs doesn't like the look of added rails.

Still working on being the in same boat, so to speak, as you Lonnie.

Cheers, Brian in SA

This is the 3.6L which should make a better rig -

Bugger!
Guess who bent their TI frame getting the TI off in the Garage.
Fixable of course but another weekend without sailing.

None the less, have enquired re a site at Lake King Waterfront holiday park at Gippsland.
I like the idea of being able to tie up the TI at the bank for a week.
Just being able to walk that short distance, install the mirage drives
and sail off to explore the islands, is so appealing.
Cheers, Brian in SA

Hello All
Back home in Brisbane after a 7 week touring holiday along the NSW east coast.

Took the TI on top of the car and towed the caravan behind.Most useful apps wikicamps aus -
for finding caravan parks and boat ramps and navionics- for on the water.

Sailed Wallaga Lake,Batemans Bay,Lake Conjola, Lake Macquarie-Belmont and Mannering Point,
Port Stephens-Nelson Bay and Lemontree Passage, Scotts Head, Nambucca Heads and Yamba.
Didn't get out at Narooma, Forster or South West Rocks as the weather not good.

Had an absolute ball!

Missed out on catching up with some of our fellow hobbie sailers as time and weather weren't always on our side

Thinking of heading up the Qld coast maybe as far as Cairns for a couple of months during winter so would love to hear from anyone who knows of goods caravan parks or free camps and places to sail.

Cheers Lance

Sorry I missed you Lance....next time. Glad you had a great time.

What a perfect setup mate. You've got it made.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Yep! Lonnie, looks like you need to do another lap!

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

Hi Lonnie - how do you get your TI on and off the roof? Beautiful well made set up btw.

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John
2011 Tandem Island
Ocean Kayak Cabo
Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT
Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro

The three things I use are a Rhino T Loader, a piece of one meter tubing, and a plastic ladder from Bunnings, because I have done it so many times I can get it of and set up in about 40 mins, and putting it back about the same, am I can do it by myself, basically what I do is take of the outriggers off, slide the main hole on to the T Loader, then drop the aft section on to the small ladder, place the wheels under the hull then lift of the T Loader on the the trolley, , I use the laddder also to put the straps on, and the tubing is so usefull for feeding the straps over the hull, but like most people, when we are at home, I use the trailer. I see from your previuos posts Johnno, your are local to me, if your ever looking for a day on the water, just let me know, also I am also interested in doing a trip to North Queensland.
Cheers
Lance

Hi Lonnie.
I'm still jealous but glad it worked well.

My Brotherinlaw lives at Mareeba and the back of Cairns and during my last visit I did a circuit of Lake Tinaroo. The Lake is West of Cairns in the Atherton Table Lands.

I decided when I retire that will be a definite spot for the caravan and TI.
There are a couple of caravan parks but the timber logging forrest around the lake has camp sites.
Some with toilet and possibly shower but most with nothing.
Just keep a lookout for the logging trucks as they are mostly on dirt roads and don't slow down for anything. A short section of the road is bitumen but to go around the lake is a dirt track. It was ok in my i30 in dry weather so you shouldn't have a problem.
NicNRob grew up sailing on Lake Tinaroo. His TI is in Canberra under storage while he does a stint in Afghanastan. He did recommend it highly for sailing.
There is a fee, I think payable to the National Parks people. Signs are at the entrance.

Cheers, Brian in SA

Warners bay is a good level spot to drop a kayak in see my maiden voyage in my AI.
Let us know and we could have a Hobie expedition when you get here. I'm still working but have week ends:
See the the Wrners bay to Marmong point at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO-Qaxd ... tube_gdata - Video Tube for YouTube - iPhone/iPad

Kieran

After reading posts on this forum, I'm pretty sure I should retire in Australia. Just gotta get through the next 30 years!

No need to wish your life away, but yes, I can say from experience that Australia is a great place to retire and play with a TI!

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker