Erle Levey and Melissa Innes
Humans are strange animals. We know we’re operating at a daily pace we can’t sustain.
Technology has dramatically influenced the way in which we live our lives – often so many of us connected at every moment to every person and organisation we are associated with.
And so it happened I found myself on board the Dolphin Wild Island Cruises catamaran – accepting an invitation for a Friday evening cruise on Moreton Bay.
Driving into Newport on the Redcliffe Peninsula, we were impressed to find ourselves among some fine waterfront houses.
Soon, we were looking for a boat that was preparing to sail. Standing on the dock waiting to board, we were among the excited chatter of fellow passengers joining the inaugural Moreton Bay sunset cruise of this newly-owned and operated eco-adventure business.
The crew were busily put the final preparations in place aboard the 22-metre catamaran that has recently undergone a refurbishment and fit-out to welcome sunset cruisers seeking an experience set aside from the usual ground-dwelling night out around Moreton Bay.
The water brings a fresh perspective to what can sometimes be a too-familiar social experience on a Friday or Saturday evening.
Setting out, the twin hulls of the vessel meant a smooth cruise through the inlet toward the bay – a calmness that we hadn’t felt in quite some time began to descend. Water has that affect for many of us.
The reflections on the water, the swooshing sounds, and this time surrounded by such an interesting and unexpected display of architecture. There was plenty to observe as we sipped our champagne or sauvignon blanc, and made our way out into the bay.
After the surprise of driving into Newport and the development that has taken place, the second surprise was about to reveal itself.
As our surroundings opened up rapidly into the vast, relatively sheltered waters of Moreton Bay, the view from port side literally takes your breath away.
There were as a familiar sight of the Glasshouse Mountains – but seen from a completely new perspective. It was as if we were looking at a postcard, or painting of a distant landscape.
What a vista … and it must be much the same as when Captain James Cook navigated the area in 1770 or when Matthew Flinders landed in 1799 and called the area Red Cliff Point, after the red-coloured cliffs.
Initially occupied by the indigenous Ningy Ningy people, the native name for the area is Kau-in-Kau-in – which means Blood-Blood.
The Dolphin Wild Island Cruises business had recently been purchased by husband and wife team David Boon and Hayley Creamer.
A young, passionate, and very experience couple, they have launched the sunset venture and we were inspired to hear more about their philosophy of supporting local businesses in the region.
They met on a super yacht in the south of France and started travelling together.
Since then their lives have continued to revolve around boats and caring for people – first in Far North Queensland and then on the Sunshine Coast.
Their focus has since shifted to Moreton Bay and they took a full leap of faith in this exciting cruising business.
The primary operation is Moreton Island for the day, and they have developed close collaborations with local suppliers of food and drinks.
While on the main deck of the vessel had offered a bustling atmosphere of excitement and social chatter, and close access to the main bar and snacks, venturing to the upper deck offered the greatest insight into why taking part in a sunset cruise was a great idea.
Now on the starboard side as we returned to port, the sun was setting over the Glasshouse Mountains vista, the water was shimmering in its golden glow, and for the first time in a while it was a matter of pausing, taking a deep breath and remembering what it was like to stop and relax.
To take those increasingly rare moments in our life where the calm washes over you, your eyes feast on the beauty of nature, and you remember the important things.
Our natural environment and how vulnerable it is to human impact.
The value of relationships and meaningful conversations. And the importance of moments like this.
Self-reflection and quiet – to nourish our soul and bring inspiration to our thoughts.
