Shute
Harbour
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 Whitsunday Rent A Yacht.
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, 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. 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'.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Stone Haven
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Source:'100 Magic Miles of the Great
Barrier Reef' by
David
Colfelt.
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| To learn more about 100 Magic Miles and the anchorages visit www.100magicmiles.com |
