The Newrys is one of the best kept secrets in the Whitsundays. Many yachties sail straight passed in their hurry to get to the better known islands but for those of us who have been here the response is always the same; love the Newrys. It’s a very pretty group of five small wooded islands just off the coast about 40k north of Mackay. A snug anchorage is created by two adjacent islands and in addition to coastal cruisers like us, it is a popular destination for small local sailing vessels (these are all Macgregors – motor boats with a sail) and even for fishing trawlers seeking refuge from a blow.

A couple of the islands have walking paths (a bonus for yachties who don’t often get to exercise their legs) and very attractive picnic and camping areas. Fishing is allowed in most places but the attraction for me is the kayaking and I’ve been having a ball circumnavigating the islands. It’s not easy flat water stuff; the tidal current surges between the islands and a 15 knot wind creates decent waves, but with land so close, I feel pretty safe.