The tracks
The historic Homestead sits at the top of the hill near the centre of the island, built with original timber from Col. Armitage’s house of 1878. It’s about a 45–60 minute walk from both main anchorages.
From West Bay, two well-marked tracks lead up to the Homestead:
- The long track (4.5 km) is the easier walk, following the sandy road past several scenic lookouts.
- The short track (2.5 km) is a narrow, winding and shady “goat track” that gives quick access to the lagoon and the Homestead.
Some walkers take the short track up and the long track back down; others do the long walk early to beat the heat, and return in half the time on the short track.
From Whites Bay, a popular anchorage when northerlies are blowing, a 2.5 km signposted track climbs to the Homestead (see below).
Other tracks lead to Rescue Bay and Castle Rock. The hand-drawn “mud map” at the A-frame shows them all, along with the creeks and where to find phone reception.
Before you set off
- Water: bring plenty of drinking water, as the island’s supply is very limited.
- Timing: head off early, before 9 am, or after 3 pm, to walk in the cooler part of the day. The sun sets quickly in winter.
- Gear: wear sun protection and suitable clothing.
- Your dinghy: the tides are large, so anchor it safely.
- Where you are: you’re on national park land until you reach the conservation park area around the Homestead.
Our famous bush honey and limited seasonal vegetables are available at the Homestead when you arrive.
Whites Bay track to the Homestead
The track starts on top of the rocky promontory between Whites Bay and Dolphin Beach; follow the red and white markers. The 2.5 km trail passes through wooded country and some steep sections up to the “main road”. Turn left for the Homestead, or right past the hoop pines of Mount Armitage towards the “airfield” (not yet serviceable, although any help to fix that would be appreciated!).
The middle section is steep, so you may want to stop and enjoy the view from the rocky hillside. You might even get phone reception up there, but only on Telstra.
At the top, turn left for the Homestead (1 km). There’s a lovely view of South Percy from Weather Station Hill, formerly known as “Dead Sheep Hill” after the remnants of the Whites’ flock, which grazed the island from 1921 to 1964.
Alternatively, turn right to explore the cool hoop pine forest at Mount Armitage and the grassy area overlooking Whites Bay, with a wonderful view of North East Percy. From this angle it looks like a giant floating on its back, and you can see how legends arose.
The vegetation is very different from the West Bay route and well worth the effort, so get those legs working different muscles if you have time to spare.
The hidden forest behind Whites Beach
If you’d rather stay near the beach, explore between the central sand dunes to find a tranquil, cool forest, fragrant with native frangipani when it’s in season. (This is a different tree from the one dubbed the “Percy Island frangipani” by the Society for Growing Australian Plants in 1989, which lines the West Bay to Homestead track for 1 km above the A-frame.)
The entrance is hidden between the dunes behind the centre of Whites Beach. Walk between the dunes, lined with casuarinas stunted by the gale-force south-easterlies, into the sheltered area behind them, where wonderful paperbarks grow.
Continue up the sandy seasonal creek for a refreshing change from the beach. When it’s flowing, the creek has sandy-bottomed pools to play in; be prepared to be nibbled by yabbies! This area was reputedly settled in the 1850s by the Kanaka trader Captain Cook Till, who had a settlement of Pacific Islanders and Torres Strait Islanders. Many of these people were forcibly removed from their homes, traded by their chiefs and Kanaka traders, and taken to Mackay and Townsville to work in the cane fields. There’s more about the island’s past on the History page.
The creek bed ends at a rocky cliff with a seasonal waterfall, which leads up to the grassy hills above Whites Bay towards the potential airfield site. Once you find the track, follow it left to the Mount Armitage–Whites Bay turn-off, where you can continue 1 km over Weather Station Hill to the Homestead.
Snakes and other critters
There are no deadly snakes on Percy Island, but please be aware of:
- Collared whip snakes: the skinny snakes you’ll see by day, sunbathing or darting across the path. They’re not aggressive but may bite if surprised in the leaf litter. The worst case is needing antihistamines from the Royal Flying Doctor Service medical chest at the Homestead.
- Spotted pythons and brown tree snakes: night-time snakes about a metre long. They’re no problem for people but deadly for baby birds, eggs and reptiles.
- Giant centipedes: their nip can affect some people badly, so antihistamines in your kit could be essential.
Royal Flying Doctor Service advice: anyone travelling by sea should have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination to prevent serious infection while adventuring in the tropics.
No injuries please! If you do need help, see the Contact page for the Homestead and emergency radio channels.