From Flinders it was an overnight sail up the east coast to a tiny place called Portland Sands. There was nothing there but a handful of homes tucked back off the beach and looking for all the world like a place that people go to hide from the government.

Meanwhile, back at Grammy’s, Bridget was enjoying Ali’s visit.

After a night of rest at Portland Sands, we continued north to Margaret Bay, after weaving through the Home Islands. It was a desolate spot we were sure to finally spot a saltie at.

I flew the drone all over the place looking for a big saltwater croc lounging around the area. No luck.

Over the years cruisers that stop here had created a bush path from the anchorage on the north side, through the bush to the exposed beach on the south. It was quickly apparent that we were on the right path, as all along the way was marked by blue plastic bits.

Still on the right path.

Once we reached the south side it became clear where the idea for blue plastic trail markings had begun. Worth keeping in mind that this is inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zone.

The garbage stretched like this as far as you could see.

While we didn’t spot any crocs, we did see a dingo running on the beach a few hundred yards behind us. When we returned we could see his paw prints inside our footprints.

The wavy sands were beautiful at low tide.

I’m still navigating without a depth finder, so the ever increasing tidal range gets trickier and trickier.