A car there. I would be offering a carton to get someone to come with and leave your car and trailer an where you are staying. 

I would go into the fisheries office in Gero as you have to let fill out a form for your intentions on going to the islands and they have lots of pamphlets on what you can do there. Snorkeling is awesome over there. Big brain coral where there is a fishing cleaning station. In the sanctuary there is very good snorkeling where you can hand feed trout. Then also the history of the islands itself is also worth reading.

You'll have a following sea and in that size boat you'll be fine. 

Enjoy the trip with the family

I hadnt heard about the trout so that will be a good thing for the boys to do.

I'll see if carvan parks are willing to put up with a rig for a few days.

Cheers

I haven’t heard of issues at Batavia ramp and see plenty left there including mine at times.

Sounds like you are going to Easter Group not Sthn?

Beware that Morley and Wooded are shallow to get in and out of over sand so watch the tides.

Other than that they are good for the family when sterned up to beach.

It will be very busy and all moorings will be full so have good ground tackle and an anchor alarm even if it’s a phone app.

I had a disconcerting experience there at Easter a few years ago on a 35 knot night, it’s no fun stressing over anchor dragging overnight.

We’ve arrived in Gero and everyone I’ve spoken to has said that school holidays adds a different dimension to the cars left out - we’ve lined up the Belair camp ground for the car and trailer.

i spoke to a local who had been out today and he said it was horrible out there - seemed to think a current running south was making the SWly swell stand up ‘awful’! The wind forecast on Willy and others is showing it easing a touch tomorrow so we’ll have a look. I’m thinking we will start at the southern group tomorrow night and then head up to Easter and maybe Wallabi during the lulls on Friday.

He showed me the live weather data from the shipping beacons that reiterated his horrible ride! Handy to have. https://www.midwestports.com.au/operations/seaview.aspx

If it’s a bit sporty for the family tomorrow, I’m sure we’ll find something to keep us busy in ole Gero! 

Any suggestions for family time in the southern group? Other than enjoying the scenery and catching a few fish!

Trip report

Batavia ramp doesn’t appear to be an issue for leaving cars - even at Easter time. There was half a dozen there for the few nights we were away. If you are hesitant, a storage spot at Belair caravan park is $10 a night and you can take the boat into the cove across the road from the van park to pick up the car driver - very easy.

Motels for boats - we stayed at Ibis Styles - heaps of room for boats and secure.

Fish - we didn’t set any records but caught enough fish. As it was our first trip, we found The obvious spots hold lots of fish that are just undersized, so they obviously get a bit of a work out. It gave us an overview for next time.

Weather - Willy Weather appeared to update more often and had the overlay of the actual weather vs forecast - Very handy 

Drinking water - tip for young players - fill your water drum at home or with water you are used to drinking . The water in Gero is ‘different ‘!!

210 litres for 115 miles. As Rob H said - an easterly is good for going over but means you are working hard getting home and you go through fuel...

Thanks again for the advice fellas. 

You were right - I was dreaming to think we were going to get up there on our first trip - there’s so much to see .. Though it would have been good to get to the Dawn service on big pigeon. Did u see the ABC? https://m.facebook.com/abcmidwestandwheatbelt/videos/414632225996300/.

I followed your lead and went down to wreck point on the inside, walked the lighthouse, dived the southern reef and then headed up to Morley for the second night.  fished our way home Saturday. 

We probably only saw half a dozen trailer boats but the majority by far was penned boats for the school holidays and a few Sail boats from who knows where. As you said, all the moorings were taken but we were able to sneak right into the beach for the nights.

Its hard to describe the islands as they r incredibly rugged, very unforgiving but incredibly special. We’ll definitely be going back and try the northern half of Easter and the Wallabies. Do you know what sort of distances you run for those sort of trips? I’m running 380 litres of fuel and budget for 2 litres per mile.

What a trip mate - looks brilliant.

I read up about the tractors from Gregory - that sounds pretty good. https://portgregorycaravanpark.com.au/port-gregory/faqs/I'll give the caravan park a call and see if i can get more info from them.

Have you done it or know anyone that has? I'd imagine it would be only good for Easterly type winds.

It will be interesting to see how steep the beach is there - whether it's like the videos we see from Alaska launching in the surf!

Only issue i see would be if they need to submerge your whole trailer (i.e. need to remove the brake actuatorso it doesnt get wet). May also need to install guides to make sure the boat sits on straight when coming back in.

Now i see why you are passionate about good anchoring gear!!

We got inside / over the Morley reef but once the wind swung to ENE, it started running down the inside of the Easter group and the anchorage wasnt all that flash. I think Wooded would have been much better if the wind is going to swing to the North Eastern / Northern quadrant.