R Marine Crawley recently organized a boating experience from the Gold Coast to Grafton along the Clarence River. The trip was over four days, and 11 Riviera boats participated. The weather was ideal for the first leg of the trip, making for a smooth and enjoyable journey.
You can see all the general photos of the trip here.
RMC Experience members can see all their personal photos in their individual member albums online.
All of the boats spent the first night on anchor at Iluka, where they enjoyed a fun game of barefoot bowls. After the game, they had a delicious Chinese dinner together, which was a perfect way to end the first day of the trip.
During the second day of their trip up the Clarence River, the group came across the Old Harwood Bridge that needed to be open in order for the boats to pass through. Following the bridge crossing, they continued on with their journey before encountering two cable ferry crossings.
One of these, The Bluff Point Ferry, is one of the few remaining cable ferries still operating in New South Wales and has been in operation since 1954. It crosses the Clarence River between Brushgrove and Cowper and can carry up to 24 vehicles at a time. The ferry is an important link for the local community and provides a picturesque way to cross the river. The calm waters provided the perfect backdrop for the boats to cruise peacefully through.
As the journey continued, the group stopped at various locations along the way, meeting up for pub dinners, where they had the opportunity to mingle and make new friends.
However, towards the end of the trip, the weather forecast predicted foul weather that would have made the journey back to the Gold Coast challenging. As a result, the group decided to return to the Gold Coast earlier than planned to avoid the rough conditions.
Overall, the boating experience was a great success. It allowed our new Riviera owners to enjoy the beauty of the Clarence River, make new friends, and create lasting memories. It was a perfect example of the joy and camaraderie that boating can bring.