Dolphin Feeding in Tin Can Bay
by Rhyll Davis
16 June 2008
She is too shocked to cry. The thief and his haul are long gone but her now-empty hand remains outstretched, the slippery residue of the stolen fish smearing her tiny palm. It is a lesson she has learnt the hard way – always heed the guide’s advice to keep your fish safely in your bucket until ready to feed it to your chosen dolphin, or a cheeky cormorant will swoop in for a speedy takeaway breakfast. Luckily for this five-year-old robbery victim her father presents her with his own fish and she is soon happily hand-feeding handsome wild dolphin Mystique, the rude theft long forgotten.
Avian assailants aside, mingling with the rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in the warm waters of Tin Can Bay on Australia’s east coast is a truly enchanting experience. What makes it even more special is that these magnificent wild creatures interact with humans, on an almost daily basis, of their own volition. Almost 40 years ago local fisherman helped nurse an injured female back to health, and even after fully recuperating, Scarry, as she became known, continued to drop in on her human nurses, eventually bringing along her playful young son Mystique. Now grown up, friendly Mystique visits most days, his girlfriend Patch in tow along with any other members of the family pod who feel like stopping by for an early morning snack.
Local waterfront café Barnacles provides the fish (for a voluntary coin donation), along with cheery banter and friendly guidelines for interacting with the dolphins. The main rule to keep in mind is not to pet or touch the dolphins, however the mammals themselves tend to ignore this and will often nuzzle into hands or legs – much to the recipient’s delight. Volunteer guides ensure each dolphin receives only less than 10% of their daily food intake, so they don’t become dependent on humans and forget how to source their own food.
Barnacles Café doesn’t only offer refreshment to the dolphins – it is also an ideal spot for visitors to enjoy beautifully prepared local food while sitting in the sunshine, chatting to locals and watching the boats go by while waiting for the dolphins. Mystique normally makes an appearance at around 8:00am, however by 7:00am the clear water by the boat ramp is usually already filling up with hopeful human visitors, often lucky enough to catch an early glimpse of the dolphins frolicking further off-shore as they prepare for their morning ritual.
Standing knee-deep in the clear, calm water of Tin Can Bay’s eastern most tip of Norman Point, while watching wild dolphins dance and play with each other before they happily approach the crowds of people gently proffering small fish is an encounter with nature not to be forgotten. The strong smell of fish and saltwater only adds to the experience of bonding with the animals in their own environment, and the look of serenity and wonderment that crosses even the youngest dolphin-feeder’s face as they encounter these most beloved of sea beasts is a sight to cherish.
Being wild animals in their natural environment, sightings of the dolphins of course can’t be guaranteed but on the rare days they decide to skip the boat ramp breakfast bar there is plenty in the local area to keep the visitor amused. Located in sunny Queensland's south-eastern corner, a leisurely hour and a half's drive north of sophisticated tourist hotspot Noosa, Tin Can Bay is rapidly gaining popularity as a tourist destination in its own right while maintaining its small town charm.
When planning a tour of Australia’s east coast, this tiny town rarely appears on a “must-see” list of destinations however with its proximity to the trendy Sunshine Coast, whale-watching delight Hervey Bay, and World Heritage-listed Fraser Island there is no real reason not to visit this quaintly named hidden treasure. Thought to derive from the Aboriginal word “Tuncunbar”, meaning dugong (a type of sea cow) or big fish, the name seems to have evolved in line with the simplicity and unaffected nature of the town. Its sheltered position within a deep but narrow inlet provides superb recreational fishing and boating opportunities, with "tinnies" (small aluminium runabout boats), yachts and houseboats all readily available for hire locally.
Conveniently for the boating enthusiast, the dolphins have chosen the Norman Point boat ramp as their place to visit the humans - although the original drawcard for the dolphins was more likely the scraps from the nearby fisheries rather than the ease of access for boaters. After spending the morning interacting with these magical mammals, it is easy to launch a boat at one's own leisure and enjoy a long, lazy day exploring the local waterways.
Windsurfing, canoeing, snorkelling and diving, or even just splashing about in the family-friendly shallows are all on offer, but you don't have to spend as much time in the water as one of the famous dolphins to enjoy Tin Can Bay. A 9.5 kilometre "Environmental Walkway" traces the bushy foreshore, intended to provide access to local wildlife while causing the least possible disturbance to them. With an 18 hole golf course, 2 lawn bowls clubs, tennis courts and a skateboard park to cater for the more active visitor, along with more sedate pursuits such as beach-combing, bushwalking and a gentle horse ride through native bushland, Tin Can Bay provides a tranquil and picturesque getaway for those who desire relaxation and simple pleasures rather than an action or culture packed holiday.
With its spotless sandy beaches, clear, calm waters, friendly locals and its unspoilt natural beauty, it is no wonder long-time resident Robert "Bobby" Horder says, Tin Can Bay is "the backdoor to heaven" - and the happy, sociable, well-fed dolphins are sure to agree.
Getting There
Qantas flies London-Brisbane - "Dreamtime Special" sale is on now for £945 including taxes and charges, for departure between 1 September and 30 November 2008. Contact Qantas
www.qantas.com.au Regional airports on the nearby Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay give easy access from the southern capital cities.
Coaches travel north from Brisbane Airport and the Brisbane Transit Bus/Rail Centre. Contact Greyhound Bus Service
www.greyhound.com.au Tel: +61 7 3236 3035
A daily rail service from the Brisbane Transit Centre stops at nearby by city centre Gympie for transfer to local coaches. Contact Queensland Rail
www.qr.com.au
Accommodation
Tin Can Bay Tourist Park – Caravans, limited camping
Tel: +61 7 5486 4411
Sleepy Lagoon Hotel/Motel
Tel: +61 7 5486 4124
Dolphin Waters – Luxury apartments
Tel: +61 7 5486 2600
Tin Can Bay Houseboats
Tel: +61 7 5486 2669
Raine & Horne Real Estate - Holiday house lettings
Tel: +61 7 5486 2066
Further Information
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