Middle Percy Island QLD
22-23 May 2019
I need to warn you that this video is 12 mins long, but it is well worth watching. If you ever get a chance to sail to Middle Percy Island, you will find this delightful place and amazing woman Cate and her husband John, who are the lessees. Only 5-6 people are residing on this island and John, and Cate both live in the homestead which is in the middle of the island. We weren't planning on coming here, but when we told Peter from "Norman" that we were going to Yeppoon (after Great Keppel) he asked us to pick up some feed and take it to Percy Island, and we are lucky that we did.
Upon landing at the Western Bay, we were welcomed with the A-Frame building built for the Yachties which contains loads of memorabilia and a place to sit and enjoy each others company (off the rocking boat). There is local produce to purchase, and I believe their honey is one of the best in Australia - so Pete says.
The lagoon is a brilliant turquoise colour, similar to Plitvice Lakes in Croatia - however not at the same scale and I didn't see any waterfalls here. There is quite a difference in tidal change, so Cate and John's boat sits dry between the tides. The oysters are accessible at low tide, and Greg and Kerri from "Cat-O-Gery" gave John some handy tips to retrieve the oysters. They both provided lots of valuable suggestions about sailing, as did Peter from "Norman."
The walk up to homestead via the goat track different to any other hike I've done. Walking through mangroves and mud flats and then coming across the Blue Tiger butterfly gardens was an extra treat, there were lots of floaties to indicate the way. Upon arriving at the homestead, we were greeted by John who was off to fix the spring water pump and then Cate took over and explained the history of the island and showed us the memorabilia and books. We became members of the Percy Yacht Club (member no, 151) and Cate gave us a flag, plaque and made dog tags - what a fantastic thing to watch. Heading back down to the beach, we took the quad track, and there are many things to see along the way (you should watch the video) along with more butterfly gardens. Truly magical and serene.
We have come at the right time, and there is goat stew tonight. Steve shot and prepared the goat, and his daughter cooked the meat, and the yachties provided the vegetables and the nibbles. It's a great way to meet the other yachties and share some stories. It was also Steve's birthday, and we had some delicious birthday cake baked by Cate.
Our time was memorable at Middle Percy Island. I look forward to returning another time, and we will certainly allow more time to stay and help out where we can with gardens and repairs.
www.percyisland.com.au
@middlepercyisland
https://www.trippinturpins.com/more-than-swimming-and-sunsets-on-middle-percy-island/?fbclid=IwAR2i7BGbrOI2HjB2QkL3IfxFp7RflYXVaI2XifOqFyoEu82fu6VU5XPS8rM