It’s been 10 years since the “Message in a Bottle” was discovered at the serene shores of Whitehaven. We felt a sense of nostalgia and excitement. We decided to return to the site. We were driven by the hope of uncovering more hidden treasures. They still are concealed in the sands. However, to our surprise, all we stumbled upon was the cheerful presence of young Luke (Photographed), who was busy setting up an awesome BBQ lunch that filled the air with mouth-watering aromas.
As we reminisced about the past, we recounted the incredible story of how 20 years had passed since that fateful day when the bottle was first left behind by the adventurous Melbournite’s aboard BlueBerry Hill, sharing tales of their daring escapades and the excitement that Fueled their journey.
Recap on their tales below:
A message in a bottle that was left 10 years ago was found on Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia.
Staff from Cruise Whitsundays stumbled upon the bottle while exploring the pristine sands of the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white silica sand and breathtaking scenery. As they carefully examined the bottle nestled within the sand dunes, excitement grew among them when they discovered a message hidden inside.
The message was damp, and as it was gently removed from the bottle, small bits crumbled off and were whisked away by the breeze. Fortunately, these fragments were recovered, and the team painstakingly pieced the note back together, revealing the heartfelt message left by six adventurous holidaymakers in 2004.
The message reads:
5th August 04. We, the good friends and crew of the Blueberry Hill DO PLEDGE to return to this spot at a time in the future to retrieve this bottle and remember the good times we’ve had and the good friends we have. Signed by [signatures].
Wayne and Sandy Henderson and Joe and Susan Marguccio (hailing from Melbourne) and Pete and Marion Heywood (Sydney) chartered the motor catamaran Blueberry Hill, embarking on a skipper yourself or bareboating holiday with Cumberland Charter Yachts in August 2004, to celebrate Joe’s milestone 50th birthday with joy and adventure.
They brought along a cherished bottle of Penfolds St Henri from Melbourne, which became one of many delightful bottles enjoyed on the trip amid laughter and camaraderie.
While cruising to the stunning Whitehaven Beach and spending a blissful day soaking up the sun, they were inspired to write a note reflecting their shared memories and dreams, signing it with a flourish before snapping countless photos to capture the moment. Tying a small yellow rope to a nearby tree as a quirky marker, they whimsically buried the bottle deep in the sand dunes, making a pact to return one day and unearth it, each hoping for the nostalgia of friendship and adventure to reignite.
“Ten years ago, we had no idea it would get to this! We thought we’d be lucky to find the bottle!” said Joe Marguccio, filled with astonishment and nostalgia upon learning of the discovery.
Cherie Louise, who happily found the bottle along with her co-worker Monique Hartley-Smith, revealed that the pair were diligently completing their standard check for rubbish along the beach in preparation for departing with day cruise guests when they stumbled upon the bottle lying discreetly in the sand dunes, like a lost treasure waiting to be discovered.
We joked before we picked it up wouldn’t it be funny if there was a message in it! Ms. Louise recounted with a smile.
To their amazement, there was indeed a message, and they were thrilled to have unearthed it. They began to carefully try to remove the note from the bottle, but due to dampness, some bits flew away, prompting them to walk up the beach to recover the missing pieces so they could finally read the heartfelt note.
It was at that moment that we googled “Blueberry Hill” and tracked it down as being a Cumberland Charter Yachts vessel, piquing our curiosity and excitement, so we promptly contacted them to share the remarkable discovery.
From there, they were incredibly impressed to manage to pin down the group who hired the Blueberry Hill all those years ago, connecting the past with the present in such a delightful manner, and the heartwarming story was complete, weaving nostalgia and adventure into an unforgettable tapestry of memories.
The Hendersons had returned to the Whitsundays in 2008 and searched Whitehaven Beach high and low but could not find the tree or marker and Disappointedly returned to report to their friends that they suspected they would never again find it.
“We were quite confident of being able to locate the area because at the time when we buried the bottle, we had taken photos both from the beach and looking back from the Blueberry Hill’, said Sandy Henderson.
Little did we think at that time how quickly trees and shrubs grow and areas change, Wayne and I walked the length and width of Whitehaven for hours and could not find any signs of where that bottle could be! she said.
Then last year Wayne and I Traveled to Queensland again and spent four days in Airlie Beach so we visited Blueberry Hill in the marina to reminisce about the fantastic time we spent on her in the Whitsundays and sent photos back to the others, We are all still good friends and celebrate everybody’s milestones and when we are together always talk about the Blueberry Hill and Whitsundays and rate it as one of the best holidays we have ever done and would recommend it to anyone, a must for the bucket list!”
Will the group to return and have another Whitsundays sailing holiday in August 2024 to celebrate Joes 70th Birthday ? stay tuned ….
More recently Queensland Parks and Wildlife have build a new bushwalk to a second lookout point at the southern end of Whitehaven. this excellent trail Consists of man made staircases and meanders through the Vegetation. At the very top is a huge Cantilever platform from which you can see almost 360 degrees, to the south is pentecost and West hamilton Island and north along the expanse of pure silica beach to Tongue bay.
To enjoy this Bushwalk while it’s cooler and quieter, we highly recommend planning your visit during Sunset or Sunrise. This timing not only allows you to experience the scenic beauty of nature at its finest but also gives you the opportunity to have this stunning location almost all to yourself, away from the hustle and bustle of the day.
On our previous trip, we took a delightful champagne breakfast picnic, Savoring the luxurious bubbles while watching the sun gradually rise and paint the sky with vibrant Colors.
The golden rays breaking through the horizon created a breath taking sight that felt almost magical, filling our hearts with gratitude for such moments. It was an enchanting experience that was truly unforgettable, allowing us to connect with nature in a way that is rare to find.
We couldn’t resist returning for a sunset cocktail to relish the exquisite views as the day melted away into night, the sky transforming into a canvas of purples and oranges.
Just be sure to bring your Favorite snacks and drinks along with a beach blanket to fully enjoy this magical experience! Once the sun has set, you’ll need a torch to navigate your way down the trail and back to the boat, as the twinkling stars begin to emerge above, adding to the charm of this serene adventure.
The sounds of the environment shift as night falls, creating a soothing backdrop that makes every step feel like part of a wonderful, unforgettable journey.
