Shute Harbour - Gateway to Sailing Whitsunday Islands

Shute Harbour is the focal point of communications between the mainland and the Whitsunday Islands. Protected in all weathers, it is surrounded by the lofty hills of Conway range. It is the best mainland natural harbour for some miles along this stretch of the south-central coast of Queensland. Here are the dreams of enchanted holidays among ' South Pacific Islands' begin; at 0800 hours each day the island cruise boats assemble, their hulls gleaming in the morning sun. Shute Harbour is also the home of our Whitsundays bareboat charters team.

Back to Top

Long Island Club Croc and Palm Bay

Historically, Happy Bay has been a popular first-night anchorage for bareboat charterers, who often haven't time to get to another overnight anchorage after their briefing in Shute Harbour but who want to get on their way rather then spending their first night at Shute. It is the site of Club Crocodile Long Island Resort. If you wish to overnight at Happy Bay and visit the resort whilst sailing the Whitsunday Islands, radio ahead of VHF Channel 16 to advise your arrival time and to book a mooring with the watersports Manager.

Just south of Happy Bay on Long Island is Palm Bay. Palm Bay has a dredged channel and lagoon offering another good overnight anchorage near Shute Harbour, a great place to stay during your Whitsundays bareboat charter. There is room in the lagoon for 8 vessels and there are 2 moorings outside the lagoon as well. Once in the harbour, yachts pick up a mooring and tie a stern line ashore. There is an overnight fee and visitors are welcome to use facilities at the Peppers Retreat, including the signature restaurant 'La Riviera'. 

Back to Top

Lindeman and Shaw Island

Lindeman Island has a Club Med resort, most of the island is national park. The jetty is public and may be used for unloading/loading passengers or to tie up the dinghy. The island has some marvellous graded walking tracks through vine forests and valleys filled with butterflies. The bird life is abundant. Excellent views are available from the high ground to the Whitsunday Islands.

Back to Top

Hamilton and Gulnare

Hamilton Harbour is marked by port and starboard beacons, the harbour is dredged to 2.4 m at low water throughout, deeper in the channel that runs just off the marina to the main jetties at the head of the harbour. Radio ahead to the harbour master on VHF 16/68 and make arrangements for a berth. Call again on arrival and you will be directed again to a berth or mooring. The overnight fee entitles you to 'the keys to the island'. Nearby to Hamilton Island is Gulnare Inlet. It is a very protected anchorage that has a few shallow spots on the way in, so be aware of the state of the tide, it is probably best to enter on a rising tide.


Back to Top

Turtle and Chance Bay

Turtle Bay consists of a beautiful series of bays just east of Fitzallan Passage. There are a number of good lunch time spots in suitable weather during the April to September trade winds season.

Chance Bay, also on Whitsunday Island, is a double bay with 2 beautiful sand beaches. There is good snorkelling around the reef areas. As with other south exposed anchorages along these islands this one is risky for overnight use during the trade wind seasons.

Back to Top

Whitehaven and Chalkies

If coming from Solway Passage watch out for the reef area which is always covered at the south east end of Whitehaven Beach. It is marked with a north cardinal mark. Proceed north until you are well clear of the passage before turning to port and heading for the beach. If you are considering sailing the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven is a must-see.  Whitehaven is an incredible expanse of pure white sand, the legacy of a geologic era when the sea level was lower. It is a magnificent beach and one that is understandably popular with all and sundry, from itinerant yachts to motorised catamarans complete with rock bands.

Just across the passage from Whitehaven is Chalkies. This anchorage has a magnificent beach. If Whitehaven is crowded this is a good alternative. In neap tides and light southerly winds, snorkelling at the Northern end of the beach is good.  People that experience any of our Whitsundays bareboat charters often comment on the beauty of this iconic location.

Back to Top

Tongue Bay

Tounge bay is quite a large anchorage that offers a secure haven for keel boaters that want to explore Hill inlet or who have fled the crowds or the swell at Whitehaven. The depth is fairly shallow and the holding is good.

Back to Top

Cataran Bay

Border Island is one of the outlying Islands that will reward your efforts for going there. Reef protection buoys have been installed to prevent further damage to the islands excellent fringing reef.

Back to Top

Butterfly Bay

The Western Bay offers the best protection. The bottom is strewn with Coral which has suffered damage over the years and the reef protection buoys have now been installed. The reef and sand beaches here offer excellent exploring. Watch out for Sting rays when you walk on the sand flats (shuffle your feet).

Back to Top

Hayman, Blue Pearl

Hayman Island is one of Australia's most talked about resorts. However at the northern side Blue Pearl bay waits. Blue pearl bay is a lovely expanse of bay with beautiful beaches. Blue Pearl offers some good diving and snorkelling. The best dive sites are off castle rock and dolphin point.

Back to Top

Stonehaven

Stonehaven is a majestic bay surrounded by some lofty hills. It is very blustery in heavy South East conditions. Moreover the anchorage is relatively deep. Because of these two factors put down plenty of anchor line.

Back to Top

Nara and Macona

Nara Inlet has numerous anchorages within with sandy beaches and great bush walking tracks. You can explore Aboriginal cave paintings and take in amazing views of the Inlet. Nearby Macona inlet is also vast with numerous sand beaches to explore.

Back to Top

Cid Harbour and Dugong Inlet

Cid Harbour is a very large Harbour and one of the all weather anchorages of the Whitsundays. It was occasionally used as an anchorage by the Australian and Allied navies during World War 2. Today it is popular with Yachts, trailer sailers and campers alike.

Back to Top

South Molle

Bauer Bay, home to South Molle Island Resort, is one of the most quiescent anchorages among the islands. The principal reason for staying here is to do one of the walks of the Island, or to visit the resort, or to take cover if the weather turns poor. If visiting the resort you can contact them on VHF channel 16 and announce your arrival before going ashore. Take the dinghy to the Jetty, not the beach.
Back to Top

All anchorage information comes from '100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef' by  David Colfelt.
To  order your copy of this book, please contact us

To learn more about 100 Magic Miles and the anchorages visit the 100 Magic Miles website




Back to Top