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About Us
Windward Publications Pty Ltd is operated by Anthony, Emma and David Colfelt from their offices in Berry, New South Wales. Windward has published three books about the Great Barrier Reef region: 100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef – The Whitsunday Islands, The Whitsundays Book, and Barrier Reef Traveller. Only 100 Magic Miles is currently still in print.
During the past forty five years David and Carolyn travelled extensively along the length of the Queensland coast exploring the marine park, observing its wildlife, photographing and writing about the islands. Carolyn was an artist and potter; she studied art and design at East Sydney Technical College and pottery at the Nowra TAFE. David had thirteen years experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a writer and in general management before going into freelance photography, writing and magazine editing.
Since 2009, David and Carolyn's son and daughter-in-law Anthony and Emma have been involved with producing and researching 100 Magic Miles, taking on all editing responsibilities in 2018 to keep the book accurate and relevant for today's travellers. Together they own a boutique graphic and web design studio Handmade Web & Design while not working on new book editions and products for Windward Publications.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there's no PDF of 100 Magic Miles that can be downloaded from the publisher. Any other PDFs that might be out there are pirated copies.
It takes much time, effort and cost to update and print 100 Magic Miles, so we simply cannot risk allowing a digital version of the book to be shared around. It would make it unviable to keep updating and publishing new editions. We think that is in nobody's best interest.
No, that is not permitted. This publication is copyright. Other than for the purposes and subject to the conditions prescribed under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of it may in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photo-indexing, recording or otherwise), be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without prior written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to the publisher.
Yes, 100 Magic Miles is sold in many good bookstores around the country. You can usually pick up a copy at ship chandlers and newsagents in the area too. Or it can be purchased online here and will be dispatched to you promptly.
Yes, you can, however, you will miss out on the latest updates, such as:
- New public moorings and their locations
- Various new infrastructure developments such as Shute Harbour (post Cyclone Debbie) and Port of Airlie.
- Resorts in operation, and whether you can visit them casually
- Contact phone numbers and websites for the most current set of useful service providers
- Condition of various snorkel and diving sites (cyclones decimate some coral gardens from time to time)
- Bag limits for fish and latest regulations for the marine park zones
- Navigational marker changes and latest pilot guidance
Aside from this, the islands and anchorages themselves don't change too much from one edition to the next!
Watch this space... we are developing a companion app for 100 Magic Miles, though we are taking our time to get it right. We need to ensure it's of sufficient additional value that it makes the investment in this technology worthwhile.
Sorry, but those days are over. Back in the day, many bays had no name and so various monikers were attributed by charter companies and certain book authors (who will remain nameless) to aid in identifying where a charter vessel was located or headed. However, most places have a name now and the authorities take a dim view of putting unsanctioned names on maps, official or not.
A brief history of 100 Magic Miles and Windward Publications
1979
The Yachtsman's Handbook the the Whitsunday Passage
David Colfelt collaborates with David Bradley and many other contributors to create The Complete Yachtman's Handbook to the Whitsunday Passage for Whitsunday Yachting World.
1985
100 Magic Miles is born
David and Carolyn get the arial survey photographs from the Lands department in Canberra and Carolyn develops all the sketch maps (by hand) for the Whitsunday Islands and creates scores of illustrations. David writes all new chapters for resorts, diving, fishing, etc and updates the cruising guidance. Together they publish the first edition of 100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef – The Whitsunday Islands.
1989
Barrier Reef Traveller is published
David and Carolyn publish Barrier Reef Traveller (ISBN 0959083057). It is an armchair traveller’s guide on how to see the Great Barrier Reef. It covered all points all along the Queensland coast from which the Reef is accessible – from the gateway cities of Bundaberg in the south to Cooktown in the north, as well as all island resorts from Lady Elliot
1990
3rd edition of 100 Magic Miles published
1993
4th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
1995
The Whitsundays Book is Published. Digitising 100 Magic Miles.
The Whitsundays Book (ISBN 0646230395) is published by David and Carolyn. It is a general introduction to the Whitsunday islands, including a wealth of detail about local history and the environment – the marine habitat, wildlife, geology, vegetation – as well as information on all of the activities available in this popular subtropical paradise: boating, fishing, diving and snorkelling, camping, visiting a coral reef.
Meanwhile, David involves his son Anthony in assisting with converting all of Carolyns original hand-drawn maps for 100 Magic Miles into digital formats for computer aided desktop publishing.
1997
5th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
2000
6th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
2003
7th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
2007
8th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
2010
9th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
Anthony and his wife Emma start assisting David and Carolyn with research and updates to the book
2014
10th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
2016
11th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
2018
12th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
The first edition where Anthony and Emma take responsibility for making updates to the book
2019
13th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
2022
14th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
Anthony and Emma take over all research and publication duties
2024
15th edition of 100 Magic Miles published
100 Magic Miles - 15th EditionGet the new book - out now
The ultimate guide to Whitsunday cruising, island adventures, and marine park exploration. Fully updated in 2024 with essential tips on anchorages, walks, snorkelling, fishing, and safety. A must-have for sailors and explorers alike.
