Shelter, holding and local know-how for the classic overnighters around Townsville. Always check the forecast before you commit.
The classic Maggie overnighter.
A wide sandy bay on the northern side of Magnetic Island with public moorings and good anchoring in sand. Café strip, pub and pontoon jetty ashore. Excellent shelter in the prevailing SE trades and a favourite Friday-night run out of Townsville.
Granite and turquoise on the eastern side.
A quiet bay on the eastern side of Maggie — granite boulders, hoop pines and clear water on the fringing reef. Public moorings in the bay, exposed to easterlies but glass-flat in a westerly. A morning-coffee anchorage.
Palm-group reef anchorage.
The main anchorage on the western side of Orpheus Island — public moorings on the fringing reef edge, deep water alongside and quiet nights in the trades. The classic overnight step north from Townsville toward Hinchinbrook.
Wilderness anchoring under the mountains.
Multiple protected anchorages along the Hinchinbrook Channel — Missionary Bay, Haycock Island, Zoe Bay off the east coast. Mud and sand holding, all-round shelter in the creeks and a real sense of wilderness. Watch the tide range and the crocs.
Trade-wind shelter south of Townsville.
Anchor in the lee of Cape Cleveland out of the SE trades. Sand holding, easy access from Ross Creek and a productive fishing ground on the doorstep. A settled-weather stop — swings on a northerly change.
Northern step toward the Palm group.
The main sheltered bay on Great Palm Island in the lee of the trades. Community island — check current access before landing. Anchor off in sand, plan the weather and use as a passage stop only in settled conditions.