A fleet of 25 Rivieras made the 30 nautical mile journey from the Sovereign Islands north to Kooringal.
Sixty Riviera enthusiasts joined in R Marine Queensland’s annual Kooringal Experience, a 30 nautical mile voyage from Sovereign Islands at the Gold Coast north to Kooringal at the southern tip of Queensland’s Moreton Island.
It was the third Kooringal Experience organised by R Marine Queensland, the third one for Robyn and Alastair Duffield but the first on their new Riviera 42 Flybridge, Riv 4 Two.
Kooringal is one of Robyn’s favourite anchorages.
“I just love it,” she says. “The water is crystal clear. It’s just like being in the Whitsundays (in North Queensland).”
R Marine Queensland's Sharm Brown (left) and Dealer Principal, Randall Jones.
R Marine Queensland dealer principal Randall Jones says this year’s Kooringal Experience attracted a fleet of 25 Rivieras, ranging in size from 36 to 56 feet, which gathered at Amity Point on the north-west side of North Stradbroke Island.
“The team onboard Riv1 prepared the entry into the channel,” explains Randall. “Sharm and I had surveyed the area earlier and we set out some marker points so we could guide the boats one by one safely into the anchorage.
“Kooringal is not somewhere you can visit without some local tips and good guidance.”
R Marine Queensland organised a walk at the Spit.
After some early rain and wind, the weather improved by the Saturday. A beach walk to the Spit to take in the south passage views and burn off a few calories had the Experience participants ready for Saturday lunch at Kooringal’s Gutter Bar.
“The staff at the Gutter Bar laid out a great spread of fresh local oysters, king prawns and Thai style hot food and salad,” says Randall.
R Marine Queensland treated Riviera owners to a feast of local oysters and fresh king prawns.
“Saturday night we joined a few cockpit parties and, at the last count, we saw about 15 people on the back of Alastair and Robyn’s boat Riv 4 Two.”
Boating is Alastair’s way of relaxation. Robyn says tranquil Kooringal is the perfect spot to unwind. But for her, it’s “all about socialising and catching up with other Riviera owners.
“And we really enjoy R Marine Queensland’s experiences,” she says, “because they allow us to do both.
“Melinda, Randall and Aimee all do a really good job organising these trips and I look forward to the next one.”
The next experience on R Marine Queensland’s calendar is ‘Kids Marine Training Day’, April 14. Register your interest by emailing R Marine Queensland or phoning (o7) 5502 9544.