Horseshoe Bay Snorkelling and Cape Edgecumbe Walking Trail

Tuesday 2 July 2019 – 266 446

Rose Bay this morning was too deep and too rough for snorkelling, so instead we drove to Horseshoe Bay.  The snorkelling here was beautiful with a variety of coral types.  It was very cold.  I was frozen by the time I got out, but it was worth it.  The coral was only a short swim from the beach and quite sheltered.
https://www.queensland.com/en-au/attraction/horseshoe-bay-bowen

This afternoon we did the Cape Edgecumbe Walking Trail.  This starts at Horseshoe Bay and quickly climbs to a lookout, from which we could see as far north as the jetty for Abbott Point Coal Terminal.  Next was a side track to the site of a WW2 radar station, again with amazing views.  It was almost low tide when we got to Murray Bay and we explored some of the rock pools and could see the coral on both sides of the bay.  This is a bit further out but seems quite sheltered.  Climbing to Mother Beddock Rock and lookout was next.  This gave views along Kings Beach and out to North Head Lighthouse.  At Rose Bay, the tide was on the turn and we explored rock pools filled with coral.  We also saw several large sea slugs.  Grays Bay, and views over Queens Bay concluded our hike.

Coral at low tide

Dessert tonight was mango sorbet!  I can’t visit Bowen without enjoying the mangoes.