This year's Australia Day weekend we headed to Straddie for four full days of diving.

Most off us arrived at Ken’s on the Friday evening, meeting at the Point Lookout Hotel for dinner, followed by a diving brief by Mark our Dive Manager.

The first day of diving was to Manta Bommie where we didn't see any Mantas but were treated to some Leopard sharks, turtles and eagle rays instead. Anna undertook some Sports Diver training (use of the SMB, navigation and deployment of DSMB). Our second dive of the day was at Shag Rock where we saw a shoal of cuttle fish, wobbegongs, moray eel and several octopus, one of whom came out of his hidie hole in full view from our safety stop.

Ross, Rob and Jessie joined us on Saturday evening just in time for the traditional BSAC Australia Day weekend BBQ. Kevin manned the hot plate whilst other worker bees prepared the salads and add ons. A great evening.

The second day of diving, with Rich as DM, started at Flat Rock where the visibility was excellent, it felt like we were swimming in an aquarium. Lots of pretty, colourful small tropical fish and corals as well as more octopus. We then moved back to Shag Rock where we went to 2 different swim throughs, one with a huge shoal of fish at it's entrance. Lots of surge and current.

That evening we all went to dinner at the Bowls Club where service was slow but the food enjoyed when it arrived!

Greta was the DM on the third day of diving. Conditions were better than the preceding two days with Manta Rays making an appearance, so some happy divers returned in time for lunch.

Meanwhile, Anna, Rich and Ross hiked up Mt Vane and were rewarded with 360 views across Moreton Bay and the Pacific.

That evening we had a club curry at Ken’s.

On Australia Day itself we were joined by Hannah who managed the final two dives. Both dives were arguably the best of the trip. Good visibility, Manta Rays and even a juvenile great white (or not!?).

Greta, Anna, Rich, Kevin and Ross took a stroll down to Main Beach where we had a swim before returning to Ken’s via the essential ice cream stop at Point Lookout.

After lunch there was time for a game of frisbee on the beach before heading over to Dunwich for the ferry back to the mainland.

Thanks to Mark S for organising the trip, Mark S, Rich, Greta & Hannah for DM-ing, Kathryn for mothering us, everyone who brought along food for the occasion and everyone who mucked in with the daily chores and food preparation. A great team effort with a great team result.