A quick sail from Airlie to Cairns with a few days at Maggie Island and John Brewer Reef and Fitzroy 🤗

We are being fancy and staying at a marina for a little while since it’s still cyclone season & James has to fly out to work. Chose the most luxurious marina for the occasion! Such a treat to have gym, pool & office space all included! And cafes nearby. Excited to call Airlie Beach home for the next little while ☺️

Left Percy Island and had a night at Scawfell before making our way up to the Whitsundays. Finally some upwind sailing which was a first for us!

Big 17hr day, had the engine cut out a few times 😅 but just arrived at Percy Island, anchored at a new anchorage there in the dark (why are we always anchoring in the dark!) and excited to stay here for a day or so.

After splashing in Bundaberg, we sailed and motored all day and all night to get north out of Alfreds potential path. We have made it to Great Keppel Island and will chill out around here for the next few days!

We’re back! And straight into a refit. Today we started sanding the sides and needle gunning and rust spots.

The winds have been stronger at night, and after a spontaneous decision to leave Scawfell in the afternoon, we had a good sail averaging 5.4knots. We arrived and dropped anchor at Percy Island at 3am. It’s always fun arriving at an anchorage in the dark 😅 always feel so rude with the spotlight on everyone’s boats. The anchorage is rolly but we woke to the sunrise this morning and are glad we have the whole day here to enjoy!

Been making tracks south! Super stoked to have my best friend onboard (Razzy) joining us for the trip!

We have been doing some big days!

Yesterday’s sail from Dunk Island to Orpheus Island 🏝️ We arrived in time for a swim and dinner while the sunset. Beautiful island. But today we are off to the next!

Just arrived at Dunk Island, what a beautiful anchorage 😊

We’ve had a lovely sunny day motorsailing to Russel Island 🏝️ Just picked up a mooring & getting ready to go up the mast to install a wind reader 😁

Beautiful sailing conditions for the morning 😁 Then we had to motor sail for the afternoon once the wind died down. We made our way to Arlington Reef to anchor for the night before we continue our reef hopping journey south.

We’ve left our home port of Cairns! Just arrived at Tongue Reef for the night, then tomorrow we are off for some spearfishing 😆

Our second attempt sailing upwind in 25knts to get from Lizard Island to Cairns was a success! Well… sort of. We had the motor on the whole time because we are still not confident at sailing. But we did motor sail for parts of it. We went non stop for 48hrs running on little sleep and little food. The waves were drenching us and it was a lot! But we made it.

Today was a BIG day… after waking up early to take advantage of a slight wind decrease, we set off to sail against the wind and punching into the swell. After battling for about 9 hours, we made the call to turn around and come back to Lizard Island.

We motor sailed for 2 days to get here, and it was SO WORTH IT! We left Cairns at 4:30am Saturday morning, arrived at Mackay Reef 6:30pm Saturday night, Left Mackay Reef 5:00am after some engine trouble and arrived at Ribbon 5 at 4pm Sunday arvo. Went for a little dive off the back of the boat and James got a trout for dinner. Woke up this morning to a pod of dolphins. Absolutely magical! We will probably stay here the whole day diving and enjoying the ribbons before setting off tomorrow towards Lizard Island.

This was our first trip where we really covered some distance! And first trip sailing just us as a couple with no guests onboard or travelling with any other yachties. It has been such an unreal experience. With two full days at Ribbon 5, and a beautiful sail from there to Lizard today. Arriving just at 5pm to crack open a drink. What a life!