We have not heard much said of the coast between Airlie Beach and Cape Gloucester, but it is wonderfully scenic with its bays and beaches, and finishing with the passage between the mainland and the striking Gloucester Island (photo).

Friday morning, we left Double Bay, with its inventory of fish intact and covered the 20-odd miles to Cape Gloucester in time for lunch. The first two hours were idyllic, with sun, flat water and 10-15 kt astern and lots of gybes as we followed the line of the shore. Approaching Gloucester Passage, things got more lively and then for a while we were close-reaching into 20 kt with full sail up. The fresh wind died out mid-afternoon and we went ashore to the resort for a coffee and to think deeply about the Melbourne weather.

Our mooring is just south of Passage Islet, which many will know of as the "Shag Islet" of Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club, whose annual get-together of a couple of hundred yachts will take place here late in August.