100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef: The Whitsunday Islands
Australian Natural History Nautical Reference Adventure Travel Sailing & Boating Guides Travel Guides Marine Ecology Eco-Tourism
Cruising the Whitsundays without a copy of David Colfelt’s “100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef” on board is like setting sail without a chart: possible, but nowhere near as safe or spectacular. First printed in 1988 and re-issued in this fully updated 2000 paperback, the 256-page illustrated reference is still the undisputed “bible” for anyone who wants to explore the 74-island Whitsunday group—whether by bareboat charter, private yacht, kayak or day-tour boat. Every page is field-tested local knowledge: GPS-accurate waypoints, aerial photos of each anchorage, snorkel-site coral maps, tide windows, wind-shelter ratings, national-park rules, fishing hotspots and even the best beach for a sunset beer. Slip it in your dry-bag and you have a cruising guide, natural-history primer and safety handbook rolled into one.
What sets the book apart is its eco-focus and visual richness. Colfelt, a lifelong Whitsunday sailor and marine photographer, shot every image himself, so the 100-odd colour plates do more than decorate—they steer you toward coral gardens teeming with Maori wrasse, quiet seagrass beds where dugiles feed, and hilltop lookouts that deliver Instagram-worthy panoramas without the crowds. Text boxes explain cyclone-proof reef regeneration, bare-boating etiquette and how to read the “colour code” of fringing reefs so you can drop the pick without damaging living coral. Young adults get quick-reference symbols for “swimmable at half-tide”, “mobile coverage” and “no-go bird-nesting zones”, while seasoned skippers appreciate the detailed BOM weather windows and emergency Medivac coordinates.
Collectors and second-hand hunters prize the 2000 edition because it is the last to carry the classic laminated cover that shrugs off salt spray and the stitched binding that stays flat on a cockpit table. This copy is clean, unmarked and smoke-free, so the aerial chart pages remain crisp enough to photocopy for the crew. Whether you are planning a once-in-a-lifetime Great Barrier Reef charter, upgrading your ship’s library, or searching for an Aussie gift that actually gets used on the water, “100 Magic Miles” delivers the local secrets that turn a good holiday into an unforgettable voyage.
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