If you are a first-timer or a relatively newcomer, you might be wondering about the best places to hook up with Boyne Tannum ‘regulars’ during the event this year. There are plenty of opportunities to catch up on land and water before and during the event. So here’s a quick guide. Bear in mind that weather is always a key factor.
While a few in Team CruiseCraft leave for Boyne-Tannum a day or two before the event, many TCC boats will travel north along the Bruce Highway leaving Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts in the morning of Thursday June 7.

The Golden Nugget Caltex Truck Stop (on your left heading north, a few kilometres south of Gympie), often makes a convenient stop for a coffee and toasted sanger.

Past experience shows some participants arrive at this stop between 5.00 a.m. and 5.30 a.m. departing around 5.45 p.m. That generally has them arriving at Boyne Tannum around lunch time.

The unofficial headquarters of Team CruiseCraft (TCC-HQ) is the BBQ shed and cabins located in Team CruiseCraft Ally at the Tannum Sands Beach Caravan Park on Millennium Esplanade at Tannum Sands. Early this week and due to a cancellation by a mining company, there still were a few cabins available for rent. All Team CruiseCraft participants, irrespective of whether you are staying at the park or not, are most welcome to catch up here. Ordinarily we’ll unpack and grab a take-away lunch – if the weather is fine, then some boats probably will head straight out, a number of them staying out overnight.

Mobile phone reception is not good in the park.

The launch ramp is great and has a pontoon, but the entrance of the river into the bay can be impassable at low tide.

Touch base at TTC-HQ for local info, but have a look on Google Earth before you leave home.

Fishing destinations to look up include the Rock Cod Shoal (about 40km offshore) Masthead Island which is about 15km further out and then the far offshore areas of North West Island, Douglas Shoal, Guthrie Shoal and surrounding reef areas.

(The MPZ17 Gladstone map available free from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority mentioned in Bulletin #1 is a great help. There are good fishing areas closer to base as well. Again, don’t leave your homework until the last minute.

Double and then triple check that you have enough fuel range including allowing for a change in weather and sea conditions.

In between weather-related fishing windows, TCC-HQ is a good place to hang out, check the catches, share a lunch or a refreshment. The BBQ shelter becomes a meeting place in the late arvo and early evening – an ideal place to throw dinner on the BBQ with your new friends.

Of an evening, it’s off to the competition site in Bray’s Park, back home for a night cap and time to file a few Zzzz’s before doing it again the next day. Team CruiseCraft is an alliance of like-minded people so don’t be a stranger – look up, turn up and hook up.

Looking forward to catching up with you.
Kind regards
John Daffy
0403 180 178
info@teamcruisecraft.com.au