Nestled 100 kilometres off the central Queensland coast, south-east of Mackay, Middle Percy Island remains a legendary yet largely inaccessible haven for adventurous sailors.
Unlike commercialised spots in the Whitsundays or Great Keppel Island, Middle Percy offers no ferries, airports, or resorts—access is strictly by private vessel, making it a true bucket-list destination for yachties navigating the Great Barrier Reef.
The Iconic A-Frame Shack: A Living Museum of Maritime Memories
At the island’s heart stands a rustic A-frame shack built in the 1970s by former leaseholder Andy Martin—a “labour of love” that serves as the unofficial yacht club and social hub.
Visitors moored in the sheltered West Bay freely explore this treasure trove, where walls and rafters brim with global mementos: yacht signs, flags, caps, buoys, artwork, clothing, and plaques left by generations of travellers.
“It’s a wonderful bit of living history,” said Andy’s cousin, Cate Radclyffe, who first visited in 1984 and fell in love with the island’s tranquillity. “Thousands leave their mark… and return to find plaques from parents or grandparents.”
Tradition of Hospitality and Community
Middle Percy upholds a longstanding ethos of welcoming seafarers, from aiding shipwrecked sailors in bygone eras to sharing goat stews around campfires today.
Caretakers trade fresh goat meat, honey, fruit, and vegetables with visitors, fostering camaraderie where social status fades amid the island’s remoteness.
“It’s a really good leveller,” Ms Radclyffe noted. Yachties Alison McLoughlin and Stephen Zonneveld, repeat visitors from NSW, call it “magical” and a “yachting mecca,” praising the helpful residents and shared meals.
Rumours of Buried Treasure and Volunteer Life
Adding intrigue are century-old tales of hidden gold sovereigns buried by a late-1800s hermit, sparking endless (fruitless) searches among visitors.
Founding secretary of the Percy Island Yacht Club, Stephen Kenyon, joked about his 108 unsuccessful hunts.
Most of the island is now national park, with a small lease managed by the not-for-profit Percy Island Conservation Group. Volunteers are vital for maintenance, gardening, and sustaining the goats—descendants of colonial stock.
“It’s always open to people who would like to come and volunteer,” Mr Kenyon said, highlighting the appeal of self-sufficient island life amid isolation.
This remote paradise continues to enchant those willing to sail its waters, preserving a unique slice of maritime heritage far from the modern world.
