In late October, 12 Integrity Motor Yachts entered the Brisbane River heading upstream to see the varying sights and changing scenery of Queensland’s state capital. As the group cruised the river, they drew attention from onlookers all the way to Carrington Rocks and Ipswich.
When the idea of an Owners’ Rendezvous was promoted, the Integrity Motor Yacht’s team was bowled over by the response. The answer was resoundingly ‘Yes, let’s cruise the Brisbane River’. The date was set for late October and the planning started with lead Captain Tim Edwards.
Due to the long meandering nature of cruising a river, the Rendezvous was spread out over five days to make the legs as short as possible. The group started at the mouth of the Coomera River heading north to stop at Little Ships Club on North Stradbroke Island. After a healthy serving of fresh Straddie prawns, the group undertook a briefing for the coming days.
The next morning, the Integrity Motor Yachts headed across Moreton Bay to enter the Brisbane River cruising past the port operations and under the Gateway Bridge to come to anchor in the Hamilton Reaches. Heading ashore, dinner was at the urban hip East Street Northshore before a major Queensland storm rolled through. Once passed, the anchorage was calm for the remainder of the evening.
The following morning, anchors weighed and the 12 Integrities continued upstream through New Farm, the CBD and Southbank reaches.
“It was quite the sight and it certainly got people’s attention. There was a lot of chatter on Facebook and we even had residents along the river send photos and footage of the motor yachts,” explained Lee Randall, Business Development Director.
The next stop was at Carrington Boating Club for a Sunday Roast put on by the volunteers and members of the historic yacht club on the southern bank of the river at Corinda. It was a lovely, homely event watching the sun set over the Integrities at anchor and the palatial homes of Fig Tree Pocket across the River.
“Carrington Boating Club was certainly a highlight of the trip. The hospitality they showed was perfect and it is a little hidden gem on the River,” continued Lee.
The next day was to see the group go as far west on the River as possible. The shoreside scenery changed from suburbia to farm land and large rural property. Stopping at Kookaburra Park, the group had cruised all the way into Ipswich. Dinner was a casual BBQ ashore before the epic cruise back downstream, retracing their journey and ending at St Helena Island off Manly.
“It was certainly a different type of cruising yet those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the event. We now will start the planning for next year’s rendezvous and are open to suggestions,” offered Lee.
Register your interest in future rendezvous or make a suggestion by contacting the team today.
