After six days in Mackay, we topped up the fuel and started our cruise south to Keppel Bay Marina. It was about 10 months earlier that we’d made our way north to Mackay, so this time I picked some different anchorages so we could see more of the Queensland coast.
Along the way, we were privileged to witness some stunning sunsets and I hope the following photos provide you with a glimpse of what we enjoyed.
Our journey south
As I started writing about our anchorages between Mackay and Keppel Bay Marina, I realised why, on our trip north, I split my blog into two sections – I had so much content. But this time I’m keeping it as one, with some key points and lots of photos! These were the places we anchored at:
Prudhoe Island
Digby Island
Hunter Island
Supply Bay
Port Clinton
Great Keppel Island
Mackay to Prudhoe Island (23 March)
- Distance 28NM, took about 4 hours
- A bit of roll so we put out one flopper stopper
- Very clear water and beautiful beach
- We saw a number of turtles but they all seem to have a “camera detector” and quickly dive underwater
- Reasonable internet (Telstra) and free-to-air TV
- Anchored in sand and broken coral
- Stayed one night
Prudhoe Island to Digby Island (24 March)
- Distance 18NM, took about 2.5 hours
- When we left Prudhoe Island, the anchor was a bit stuck, but we applied the brake and small bridle to motor forward and this released it
- In his book, Cruising the Coral Coast, Alan Lucas writes “The lagoon-like anchorage looks much better than it is, being exposed to heavy swell at times”
- He also writes “the anchorage is charming in light weather, but diabolical in developed winds”
- There was a bit of roll, so we put out one flopper stopper which really helped
- If you listen to the video, you can hear that it was a bit windy too.
- Paddled the kayaks over to the beach to see what the “structure” was on the island (it turned out it was the wreck of a small boat)
- No internet or phone signal
- Stayed two nights
- Anchored in some sand & mud
These are some photos taken between Prudhoe Island and Digby Island.
These are photos taken while staying at Digby Island.
Digby Island to Hunter Island (26 March)
- Distance 34NM, took about 4.5 hours
- Hunter Island is part of the Duke Islands
- On anchor, the wind was holding us side on to the swell, so put out one flopper stopper
- Became quite rolly the second day, so we put out the other flopper stopper
- Good internet but no phone signal
- Stayed two nights
- Anchored in some sand & mud
These are some photos taken between Digby Island and Hunter Island and you can see the day wasn’t quite as sunny. Also, there was a long stretch of open water, so not a lot to take photos of until we approached Hunter Island.
Hunter Island to Supply Bay (28 March)
- Distance 24NM, took about 3 hours
- Some internet but no phone signal
- Fast-flowing current but good holding in sand
- We faced north and south, depending if the tide was flooding or ebbing.
- Quite a lot of roll so put out both flopper stoppers
- Stayed one night
- This is how Alan Lucas describes Supply Bay “often an encampment area during military exercises, with a large red sign behind its beach warning Danger Bombing Area.”
These are some photos taken between Hunter Island and Supply Bay, and it started as a very sunny day.
Supply Bay to Port Clinton (29 March)
Originally we were going to stay at Pearl Bay (as per video), but with no internet there to check weather, and swells wrapping around the bay, we opted for Port Clinton.
- Distance 30NM, took about 4 hours
- Some internet but no phone signal
- LOTS OF BUGS (and a crab on the anchor when Robert brought it up!
- Strong current but good holding in sand
- Stayed two nights
These are some photos taken between Supply Bay and Port Clinton. If you’d like to other photos of this area, take a look at my blog, Keppel Bay to Mackay – Part 1.
Port Clinton to Great Keppel Island (31 March)
- Distance 45NM, took about 6 hours
- Good internet and phone signal (Telstra)
- When we arrived at GKI, I went kayaking
- Some very nasty sandflies!
- Stayed two nights
Great Keppel Island has amazing beaches, great snorkelling, and tracks for hiking. There’s still one resort on the island as well as a couple of other places to buy food. Great Keppel Island deserves its own blog – Exploring Great Keppel Island.
These are some photos taken from Port Clinton on our way to Great Keppel Island.
Great Keppel Island to Keppel Bay Marina (2 April)
- After 10 days on anchor, it was time to go into Keppel Bay Marina to replenish our supplies, and enjoy a few meals out
- Distance 9.5NM, about 1.25 hours
- We requested a berth suitable for a 16m boat (although we’re closer to 15m than 16m) and so we’re sticking out a bit in a 14m berth!
Where to next?
We’ll be heading to Gladstone via The Narrows, a 27-kilometre long narrow strait, connecting Keppel Bay (at the mouth of the Fitzroy River) to Gladstone Harbour.
This passage requires good planning and timing because there’s a stretch of water that dries at low tide.
10 Responses
Charlie’s worth his weight in gold! I liked the close-up photo of Quoin Island.
We were delighted to see the photos of both of you looking so very happy. It is a marvelous trip you have undertaken.
Loved the photos of both of you ‘relaxing’ with a quiet drink, particularly the one with the two cats in the background, also relaxing. It’s great that you haven’t even had to contend with even one cyclone!
Thanks May, yes it’s good to relax after a busy day!
Yes! Do a new (Alan Lucas) book
Titled: East Coast Cruising Tips and Tricks
Very Informative and also fantastic to look back on in the future.x
Thanks Pam, but I doubt there’ll ever be another Alan Lucas style book, too much technology now like Zulu waterways and Navionics. I already enjoy reliving the trips by looking back on earlier posts. Maybe a photobook one day!
You should put all your blogs into a book. Great descriptions and awesome photos as usual.
Don’t reduce the photos as they are stunning.
Love to you both x
Thanks Sharyn. Maybe a photobook one day!
Wow you are really living the dream. Your blogging is fantastic. You have seen so many beautiful beaches , sunrise & sunset & scenery. We hope you have continued safe travels. Cheers 🥂🍾😘
Thanks Sonja, we’re very lucky.