Worth the Climb: Moreton Island Sandhills as Liveaboard Sailors Preparing to Sail the World Ep 106

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. In this episode of our liveaboard sailing journey, we explore the incredible coastline of Moreton Island and climb to the top of the famous sandhills for one of the most breathtaking views we’ve ever seen from our cruising sailboat. After sailing across the bay and anchoring off this wild and remote island, we head ashore to experience the natural beauty that makes this destination so special for sailors, cruisers, and lovers of boat life. Living as liveaboard sailors, we’re constantly reminded that some of the most unforgettable experiences come from places you can only truly reach by boat. Moreton Island is a dream stop for anyone interested in coastal cruising, anchoring in remote locations, and combining sailing adventures with land exploration. From the water, the towering sandhills look surreal — but climbing to the top reveals sweeping views of the ocean, coastline, and our tiny floating home anchored below. This episode captures the heart of cruising life and slow travel by sailboat. We leave the boat behind for a few hours, hike through soft sand, and take in the raw, untouched landscape that makes island sailing and world travel by sailboat so unique. It’s moments like this that balance the practical side of sailboat ownership — maintenance, upgrades, and passage planning — with the adventure and freedom that come with life at sea. If you’re interested in liveaboard sailing, beginner sailing, sailboat living, or you’re a sailboat owner dreaming of bigger adventures, this episode shows the lifestyle side of bluewater cruising. It’s not just about miles sailed; it’s about the places your boat can take you — hidden beaches, dramatic landscapes, and views you have to earn. We are preparing our boat and ourselves for sailing around the world, and experiences like this are a huge part of that journey. Exploring islands, anchoring off remote shores, and discovering nature from our floating home is what liveaboard cruising life is all about. Follow along as we share real boat life, sailing adventures, and the path toward full-time world cruising — one anchorage, one island, and one unforgettable view at a time. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:22 Leaving the Dock 03:35 In Moreton Bay 04:10 Head Sail Out 04:44 Anchored at Moreton Island 06:27 Sunset on Anchor 07:38 Sunrise 09:16 Sourdough on the Sailboat 10:01 Solar Battery Check 10:39 Little Sandhills 12:50 Climbing the Sandhill 13:46 On Top of the Sandhill 17:04 Stingray 17:42 Sourdough Time 18:01 Solar Upgrade Check Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat