Mackay Cay

Mackay Cay is everything we hoped it would be! A pristine coral atoll with nothing but birds for company, surrounded by azure water. And then there’s the snorkelling… So many different fish, gardens of vibrant coral, and even a couple of relaxed turtles who really didn’t care whether we swam along with them or not!  I have Continue reading


Great Keppel Island lived up to its name!

We’re heading north again this morning, planning on an overnight to push us further along so we reach the Whitsundays before strong winds next Thursday. We’ll be out of internet range for a day or two so we’ll see you out the other side! The last week has been magical on Great Keppel Island, catching Continue reading


West past the Thomson to Winton

They say that once you cross the Thomson River you’ll keep coming back. I think they may be right. Last week I flew from Bundaberg to Brisbane to Barcaldine to Longreach then drove to Winton for the Outback Writers Festival. I watched the landscape change from blue and vivid green to tan and rich ochre. Continue reading


The downside of the great adventure…

It’s been a strange old week. The forecast winds haven’t dropped below 25 knots (50 kms/hr) and the gusts have been considerably stronger. We’ve stayed anchored in Double Bay along with another couple of boats, all cocooned in our own little worlds. Roobinesque’s been tugging at her anchor while Wilbur the Wind generator continues to Continue reading


Friends, sailing and strong wind warnings.

We’ve had a smorgasbord of delights over the last week. 7 days ago we were hauled out at Shute Harbour and Roobinesque had her propellor seals changed. 6 days ago our friends arrived from Cairns and we set sail with a near perfect forecast. It’s always great to catch up with friends and being able Continue reading


Mooching around

So there we were, just about to set off from Macona Inlet to head to Stonehaven, and Capt G checked the oils in the engines. There are two dipsticks per engine – one for the main motor and the other for the sail drive which runs the propellor. Sadly, when we pulled the sail drive Continue reading


Shaw Island and company with pedigree

We were up with the sun this morning at Thomas Island as the promised wind shift arrived early. (I know weather forecasting is not an exacting science, and I appreciate they work very hard, and I don’t wish to sound ungrateful, but in the last two weeks the weather’s been leading the forecast by 12 Continue reading


Who Named the Beautiful Whitsunday Islands?

One of my Face Book friends, Evelyne, asked me about the naming of the islands that we’re visiting and her question sent me off on a mission. While Capt G sailed us from Goldsmith Island to Thomas Island I delved back into the history of the area. I knew Captain Cook had named the Whitsunday Continue reading


Just blowin’ in the wind

We’re back on-line again after a busy four days alternating between being battered by the wind or becalmed! Such is this sailing life. As we entered the Telstra black-hole around Shoalwater Bay (which some of you will know is a Military Training Area so it’s understandable why Defence may not want their troops having access Continue reading