King Tide washes away the coastline

 

It was not something the residents of Biggera Waters and Labrador expected to see that day with up to 13 roads awash with waters from the 1.84 metre King Tide. The good news is, even though some of the roads were a bit tricky to navigate through, the beaches themselves are still open.

 

With a larger than average swell which is to be expected with any king tide, Life guard Chief Warren Young advised that even with this tide expected to be the highest of the year, the beaches are still safe “for a swim between the flags.”

 

So what exactly is a King Tide? Put simply a king tide is an above average high tide which is seen only a few times throughout a year. The cause of a king tide can be either from when the tide is enhanced when the earth is closest to the sun (this usually occurs in January) or when particular weather patterns form.

 

Usually king tides are predicable and also the main cause of erosion on Gold Coast beaches.

 

 

Grange Realty at Runaway Bay Marina

Real estate is one of the key industries on the Gold Coast and Runaway Bay Marina is proud to have one of the most reputable agents on the northern end of the Gold Coast, Trina McNeil set up her Real Estate office, Grange Realty on level 1 of our commercial building.

Grange Realty not only specialises in the local 4216 postcode but also surrounding areas such as:

 

  • Sovereign Islands
  • Ephiram Island  
  • Paradise Point
  • Hollywell
  • Sanctuary Cove
  • Helensvale

Grange Reality has established itself as a name in real estate you can trust specialising in properties on the Northern end of the Gold Coast. Trina herself has worked in the real estate industry for over 20 years and has experience in all aspects of real estate including:

 

  • Sales
  • Acquisitions 
  • Evaluations
  • Data Analysis 
  • Market Research

Grange Realty has the added advantage of being able to provide the services of a qualified and registered solicitor in house. Andrew McNeil BCom LLB, is a solicitor specialising in estate planning, probate and estate administration, wills and power-of-attorney.

 

If you would like to contact either Trina or Andrew please call (07) 55641 408 or otherwise pop into their office,  located in Suite 5B of the Runaway Bay Marina, just opposite Ruffino’s.

 

 

Juvenile Humpback Whale Found On Gold Coast Beach

It was a sad sight that greeted the team from SeaWorld on Sunday the 9th of November when they responded to reports of the remains of a dead whale at The Spit. Upon closer inspection the whale was identified as a juvenile humpback whale which had significant sized bite wounds believed to be caused by sharks, although it could not be determined that this was the actual cause of the whales death.

With the stench keeping many onlookers at bay, the SeaWorld team handed over the reigns to the Gold Coast City Council who arranged for the removal of the carcass. Due to the weight and size, heavy machinery was used to remove the whale.

Jellyfish season is here!

The jellyfish season has well and truly arrived in South East Queensland. This weekend the foreshore at Paradise Point was littered with hundreds of ‘Blue Blubber’ jellyfish which had been washed to shore with the tide. Whilst most of the jellyfish were dead it was still necessary to be cautious of stings.

The Blue Blubber (or Catostylus mosaicus) is a native species of jellyfish to Australia and most commonly found in the waters of southern Queensland. The Blue Blubbers can be found in the waters off Sydney and Victoria but their blue colouring is diluted to a white or brown colour due to the plant cells in the substance of their body.

As we saw today on the beach at Paradise Point, the Blue Blubbers move just below the surface of the water in dense swarms. Their sting is still painful but not to the extent of a blue bottle. An ice pack will be all that is needed. Sea lice were apparently a big problem today in the water also.

Days like today, the best way to be in the water is on a boat!

Gold Coast Beaches Closed From Strong Winds

If you are a surfer, kiteboarder or wind-surfer, these gusty conditions must be absolute paradise! For the rest of the beach goers, perhaps not so good.

 

For the second day in the row Gold Coast beaches have been closed due to 90km/hr winds whipping up a 2 metre swell with one wave off the Southport Seaway being measured at 6 metres. Whilst the conditions are still appealing to some, the Lifeguards are warning people to be cautious.

 

At least with the sun out, the beach is still good for sunbathing.

 

 

Gold Coast's Beached Whale

It was keeping the nation on the edges of their seats as the 36 hour ordeal to save a juvenille humpback whale from the sands of Palm Beach unfolded in front of hundreds of concerned onlookers, camera crews and of course the Seaworld rescuers.

After numerous set backs including tides, harnesses snapping and a some well-intended-but-damaging interventions by onlookers, the 20 tonne male humpback finally made it back out to the ocean. Although he was exhausted he managed to almost ‘wave’ good-bye to his tireless rescuers as he rolled through the waves stretched his flippers.

There was certainly a sense of community spirit as the good news of the whales freedom made it’s way around the country.

Photo Credits: Gold Coast Bulletin

Gold Coast’s Beached Whale

It was keeping the nation on the edges of their seats as the 36 hour ordeal to save a juvenille humpback whale from the sands of Palm Beach unfolded in front of hundreds of concerned onlookers, camera crews and of course the Seaworld rescuers.

After numerous set backs including tides, harnesses snapping and a some well-intended-but-damaging interventions by onlookers, the 20 tonne male humpback finally made it back out to the ocean. Although he was exhausted he managed to almost ‘wave’ good-bye to his tireless rescuers as he rolled through the waves stretched his flippers.

There was certainly a sense of community spirit as the good news of the whales freedom made it’s way around the country.

Photo Credits: Gold Coast Bulletin

The Sanctuary Cove Boat Show is Back!

The 2014 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show kicks off tomorrow with a fantastic variety of displays, stands and of course, boats. The exhibitors and program this year are first class and will not disappoint the thousands of visitors expected to turn out for the 2014 Boat Show.

 

But how do we get there, you ask? There is a range of options available:

 

Water Taxi’s from Runaway Bay Marina 

Zane’s Water Taxi   www.inzanewatertaxis.com.au  Ph: 0404 905 970

Broadwater Taxi www.broadwatertaxi.com.au Ph: 0403 587 804

 

Free ‘Park and Ride’ services

There are two venues to park your car and shuttle into the venue:

– Millaroo Drive, Helensvale (off Exit 62, just south of Westfield Helensvale)

–  Sickle Avenue, Hope Island. NOTE: parking space is limited at this venue and will work on a first in, basis.

 

Shuttle Services

As part of the  Park ‘n’ Ride option, a shuttle bus service will be operating FREE for visitors of the Boat Show and travel on a continuous three-stop route between the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Helensvale Train Station and the Park ‘n’ Ride Car Park in Helensvale. Times that the service will operate:

Thursday 22nd: 7:30am – 7pm

Friday 23rd – 7:30am – 9pm

Saturday 24th – 7:30am – 9pm

Sunday 25th – 7:30am – 7pm

 

Free Translink Train Ride

An arrangement between Translink and the 2014 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show has confirmed visitors of the show will travel FREE  on all Queensland Rail City Network trains upon the presentation of  a pre-purchased ticket to and from the event (excluding RailBus).*

For train times please visit www.translink.com.au.

*This offer is only valid on the event days, 22-25 May 2014, when a valid ticket is displayed.

 

For more options check out the official 2014 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show website.

 

Runaway Bay Marina will be there under Tasman Marinas and located at stand 137. There is a number of business’s from Runaway Bay Marina exhibiting this year, so make sure you pop in and say G’day!

 

 

 

The Dragonfly visits the Gold Coast

 

The Dragonfly, believed to be worth more than $100 million, is a 73m (240ft) vessel, custom built by Perth yacht builder HanseaticMarine. Sporting a Cayman Islands flag, it arrived on the Gold Coast earlier this week after visiting Fiji. 
It is understood the world’s fastest conventionally powered superyacht could not get into Brisbane’s Rivergate marina so made the journey south. Wonder if it would like to stop in at the Runaway Bay Marina? 

Flipper and Friends Visit the Marina

We have had quiet a few sightings from boaties, guests and staff at the Runaway Bay Marina of not just one or two, but sometimes up to a dozen dolphins cruising in and around the waterways of the Marina.
With calves in tow, our guess is they are more than likely feeding on the large number of mullet that regularly congregate around the marina piers.
A few of the locals informed us there was a large pod of dolphins – perhaps the same one – sighted last weekend traveling around the waterways just past the Bayview Towers Marina at Runaway Bay which is great to hear!
So for all of the boaties, please take extra care when moving your boats in and out of the Marina, just in case our surprise guests pay us another visit soon!