MCA Editorial·July 2026
The famous places are famous for a reason. The great places are usually the ones next door.
Australia has more navigable waterway than most boaters will cover in a lifetime — and most of it is empty.
Australia has more navigable waterway than most boaters will cover in a lifetime — and most of it is empty.
Rivers
The Murray, the Hawkesbury, the Fitzroy. A river cruise is a completely different experience to an offshore run.
Estuaries
Where fresh meets salt. The best fishing, the calmest overnight anchorages, and often the most beautiful evenings.
Islands and Reefs
Not just the Whitsundays. Every state has islands within a day's run of a ramp that most locals have never visited.
Things to Think About
- Which nearby waterway have you never explored?
- Do you have a chart of somewhere you don't usually go?
- What's the trip that would surprise your regular crew?
Key Takeaways
- The great places are usually quieter than the famous ones.
- Rivers, estuaries and islands all offer different experiences.
- Australia is bigger than most boaters realise.