The Mercys

Join us, as we leave everything behind to sail this incredible world of ours ✌🏼 HEY THERE and WELCOME.
(2)

We are The Mercys, a family of 4 that value family time and have a passion for travel. After working years and feeling like we had no work life balance we decided to change our lives dramatically. It was time to focus on what truely mattered now and what brought us happiness day to day, so we took steps to support our dreams of work life balance. We packed up our dream home in the city of Sydney f

or our big adventure to find our new home in a destination where people holiday. So come and join us as we head out and see what our new state has to offer. Thanks for following our adventures
The Mercys
Shona, Bowen, Kota and Harlow

23/07/2024

Life can be full of unique experiences…
Nail biting while we pass a reef system to get into the shallows, playing in a foot of water under the boat, Harlow drifting away on the SUP during the outgoing tide, The kids walking through the water to Scotty’s boat & shucking oysters off the shoreline rocks. Would you believe me if I said this was all in just one day? It’s Sailing Life!

22/07/2024

Thinking back to beach days in Mackay 💭 Being stuck in Mackay for Cyclone season certainly had its upside 💛
As we start planning where we will spend the next cyclone season, I’m filled with anticipation, will it be awesome? Will we be safe? Will it be COMPLETELY different to our last cyclone season? That is guaranteed!

21/07/2024

Currently, we are hauled out, applying new antifoul and checking Bowen’s repair job of the keel after the unfortunate event that happened in refuge bay.
👇 if you look hard enough, you can probably see a good inch of our keel on the big bommie in the first photo!

20/07/2024

I hope they will remember these days, forever 💛
The kids go through their ups and downs, missing friends, missing having a house, missing the routine that comes with a land life however they have started to gain a real appreciation for how truly special their lives are ✨

19/07/2024

Don’t mind me, i’m just basking in earths beauty!

18/07/2024

Pulling back into Cairns was a complete full-circle moment for us. It seems like so long ago, but also like no time has passed at all.

When we picked up Tayrona 9 months ago we first set down anchor in Cairns river with what felt like NO clue, overwhelming anxiety and NO idea what the future had in store. Now, with 1200 nautical miles under our belts, countless locations visited, hundreds of hours on the water, almost 200 nights on anchor, an overwhelming amount of repairs having been completed and MANY a sundowner shared with countless salty sailors, we re-entered Cairns with a new found confidence.

Within 2 days we were humbled once again by the learnings we were soon to have. A boat dragging into us in the middle of the night, re-setting our anchor at midnight, re-setting again and again… and again in the soft silty mud bottom, completely moving spots and finally anchoring again for what we hope will be a solid hold with room around us (finally).

Even with our newfound confidence, we are constantly reminded that we will continue to learn and grown as long as we are living this boat life.

17/07/2024

No one can’t tell us, she isn’t half mermaid 🧜‍♀️ So much love for the ocean 💜

17/06/2024

Yesterday was absolutely, just one of *those* days… lazy sunday morning followed by a hike, new anchorage, calm seas, mellow wind, a day at the beach with bocce & SUPing only to be greated with this epic sunset, a campfire cook-up complete with marshmellows, good friends and good tunes. Doesn’t get much better honestly ✨

01/06/2024

After stretching food & getting ‘creative’ with the last of our provisions while out on anchor, it’s always nice to get back to some of the luxuries of land life. For some that’s some tasty Mexican and a margarita, for others, it’s a boost juice, gelato or a quad cheese burger from McDonalds… to each their own I guess!

29/05/2024

Join us on an unforgettable adventure as we sail to the stunning Whitsunday Island to hike the iconic Whitsunday Peak! In this video, we capture the breathtaking journey by sea and the exhilarating trek to the summit, where panoramic views of crystal-clear waters and lush islands await. Whether you're an avid sailor, an enthusiastic hiker, or simply a lover of nature's beauty, this experience offers a perfect blend of adventure and serenity. Link to video is in the comments 👇🏼 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe it helps us keep this sailing dream alive.

29/05/2024

~ Nara Inlet ~
You’ve seen us upload a lot about Nara. The first time we visited we were complete noobs. We were too cautious and moving around so fast that we didn’t get to experience it as we should have. We completely underestimated the beauty of it. It has been our safe harbour many times and we have explored almost every inch of shoreline. We recently beached ourselves, not once but twice. We have so many incredible memories of sunsets spent on the rocky shore and bioluminescence at the back of our boat. I’m sad to say goodbye, but excited for what’s in store.

Here we are on our first beaching.

28/05/2024

After a number of days of provisioning and getting everything in order for our trek north, we had a carefree day in Airlie. Trouble free homeschooling morning, Açai Bowls, bookstores, reading in the park and finished off with a stunning sunset 👌

19/05/2024

Finally managed to get in some snorkeling at Langford Island. We were excited to find the incredible underwater turtle sculpture however, visibility was poor and we couldn’t find it 👎 Luckily it was a glorious day because we had a great time basking in the sunshine and adventuring the little sand island!

19/05/2024

We recently decided to take on one of the more difficult hikes in the Whitsundays, not that we really understood how challenging it would be.

The Whitsundays Peak is 5km… not *that* far right? However when taking into account the steep incline for the entire distance, the thick mud track due to recent rain, multiple water crossings and about 10 HUGE fallen trees obstructing the track, it was clear to see why it was labeled ‘Hard’. Let alone with kids in toe.

It was certainly one of the most challenging things we have done as a family but we all pushed through and were super impressed to accomplish it! The view from the top was incredible, and although I wish I had have taken my proper camera, I think I might have passed out if I did as my camera bag is 7kg alone.

All in all, an incredible yet challenging day for everyone. I’m super proud of my little munchkins for making it. Once, not too long ago, they complained about walking to the end of our drive way 🤣

18/05/2024

Sometimes, black & white says it better 📸
Mothers Day at Windy Bay, Haslewood Island

16/05/2024

Caught between a sailor's dream and the irresistible allure of a Whitehaven sunset 🌅⛵ There's something magical about sailing past Hill Inlet, but it seems every time I try, the setting sun beckons me ashore for those breathtaking beach photos. Who else can relate?

08/05/2024

A month late but we finally ran back into
Stayin_afloat & managed to get in some beach fun before the sky opened up

26/04/2024

Embark on a captivating adventure with us as we explore the mesmerizing Aboriginal cave art of Nara Inlet, run our watermaker in Woodwark, and soak up the serene lifestyle of life on anchor. Join the journey and discover the beauty of nature and the depth of indigenous culture in our latest video! 🌿🎨⚓
Link in comments

26/04/2024

Exploring the ancient Aboriginal rock art sites along Nara Inlet’s shores is like stepping back in time, connecting with the rich cultural heritage of this land in a deeply meaningful way. Check out our newest video out today, where we take you on a trip through some of Nara Inlet’s historical sites. Link in bio.

21/04/2024

Welcome to Gulnare Inlet!

Located on the eastern side of Hook Island in the Whitsunday Islands, it’s part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park known for its stunning scenery, with lush greenery surrounding calm turquoise waters.

It’s a popular spot for snorkeling and diving, offering diverse marine life including colorful corals, tropical fish, and sometimes even sea turtles.

We spent an incredible few days exploring, crabbing and taking in the incredible sunsets of this stunning location, be sure to check out our newest video, link in comments and bio!

14/04/2024

🌊⛵ Set sail with us on our latest adventure! 🌴 From navigating through rainstorms to the breathtaking beauty of the Whitsundays, our new YouTube video captures every thrilling moment. Join us as we leave the marina behind and journey back out to the islands, exploring everything from the ups and downs of the weather to the awe-inspiring Phantom Cave. Don't miss out – click the link in the comments to watch now! 🎥🔥

06/04/2024

Boat life… after 40knot winds, no sleep & a rolly anchorage last night we decided to move in anticipation of Wednesdays horrid weather forecast and to avoid another horrific night. We had 6% on our solar/batteries. We decide to set off on a 4hr sail, only to have our topping lift line snap immediately.
Plan B: Follow the tide to the closest anchorage to fix our snapped line (which is now flailing in the wind toward the top of the mast… wrapping itself around the rigging).
Bowen ‘McGyvers’ a solution to hold our boom off our roof & we arrive at our refuge for the night. Black clouds surround us, with a tiny bit of sky right above our boat. Looks like I have to go up the mast to retrieve the topping lift line… fast, before the black clouds close in on us & wind picks up. Have I mentioned we have never successfully gone up the mast? We retrieve the line, get down and realise it’s STILL tangled. Cue solution #2: line up, line down 😅 then we collapse on the lounge. Look out the window to an incredible double rainbow right in front of us.
After what has been a pretty sh*tty 24 hrs, it’s amazing how something so simple, can raise our spirits so far. Boat life hey 🫠

05/04/2024

Truth 💣
The truth is…. the live aboard lifestyle is not always a picnic. We are 6 hrs off shore and a low system pops up over night, right on top of us. We are safe, we have moved to the next bay over to avoid the swell & we have tied up to a larger mooring ball. Now to sit it out and wait. So, don’t be fooled by our insta highlights of stunning beaches and sunsets, because some days, we are sitting inside, trying to conserve power, water and food because we aren’t sure when we will get the sun back, when we can get to water suitable for making water, or when we will get back to a shop for fresh food. On the upside however, Starlink was the best investment we have made so far. Allowing us to feel connected to the outside world and with the ability to constantly monitor weather it’s been a game changer.

02/04/2024

After a number of false starts, we finally made it out of the marina… finally, we are back in the blue!
It was a bit of a sketchy passage as we all find our sea legs once more, however after arriving it’s easy to remember why we do this. The tranquillity. The sunsets. The adventure. Strap in 🏴‍☠️ We have tons of adventures planned!

20/03/2024

The fascinating history behind these epic boulders blows my mind 🤯 Turns out, over time, the volcanic rocks above weathered away, revealing these giant granite boulders. Some are bigger than houses and just sitting there, defying gravity! Nature’s own jaw-dropping masterpiece!

17/03/2024

A little while ago, Kota became obsessed with the TV show ‘Alone’.… he was certain he would survive if left to the elements. Well he had been begging for weeks to let him do a ‘24 hr survival challenge’ and we finally relented to a 1 hour survival challenge, while we were in the Whitsundays recently. We tendered them across to Cairn Beach, while we were anchored and allowed them to give it a go. Kota was set of providing food through fishing and Harlow had her mind set on creating a shelter. They made it a good 20 min before Kota had his line hooked around the sea floor and Harlow was ‘unbearably starving’. She hadn’t thought to bring food, her soft bunnies took precedence when told she could only take a limited number of items. It was a fun 20 min for them and a quiet 20 min for us haha. They haven’t mentioned a ‘survival challenge’ again for some reason? 😝

14/03/2024

Dockside dreams come true ✨
Our boat is our sanctuary, with the marina dock as our backyard & lucky enough to have Stayin_afloat as our next door neighbours. From potion making to busking and talent shows, skating to chalk drawing and endless games… Who says home can’t be wherever the waves take you?

12/03/2024

We were lucky enough for the rain to give us a break for our Sunday session! Enough time for us to get out for a roll, enjoy some good tunes and to test out my new Hendeer a Bohemian way of life picnic rug, before getting caught in what was one of the most epic storms we have encountered so far… lucky we are in the marina, that’s all I can say 💀

09/02/2024

🌊⚓ Dive into the captivating world of marina living with our latest YouTube video! Join us as we take you behind the scenes in Mackay Marina, showcasing the daily grind of boat jobs, the thrill of preparing for Cyclone Kirrily, and the joy of having amazing neighbors by our side. From stunning waterfront views to the camaraderie of marina life, this video offers a glimpse into the unique experience we cherish every day. Don't miss out – click the link below and embark on this unforgettable journey with us! 🚤🏠👫

09/02/2024

We’re modern day explorers, living a nomadic lifestyle… Wandering adventurers searching for the next slice of utopian shoreline.
As we raise two wildings to embrace the world as their classroom, its no surprise, that even though homeschooling has been a challenge at times (for the ‘standard’ stuff), the learning opportunities provided in 3 short months of sailing, are immense. Identifying marine life whilst hand feeding them off the back of our floating home, understanding the geography of our rugged & vast landscape as well as learning about all of the environmental factors of living in nature… the importance of water conservation & weather and the impact we as humans, have on reef systems and marine life have opened their eyes to learning outside of the classroom.
…and the best part? They don’t even know they’re learning.

Address

Sunshine Coast, QLD

Website

http://www.youtube.com/c/TheMercys

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Mercys posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Videos

This bag has been on an real adventure, first to the Sunshine Coast for a hospital stay & surgery (the perfect airplane carry-on size), then for picnics, beach days and various other family adventures… to say I’m a fan, would be an understatement 🩵

Just imagine…

Come on let’s go check out Buderim Falls.

Spent the morning Drinking beers and listening to good tunes by Trentan at Terella Brewing so good 😊 love this place. Highly recommend you try there Mango XPA 🍺.....#themercys #terellabrewing #sunshinecoast #sunshinefood #wine #beer #brewery #foodie #livemusic

Birds eye view of Point Arkwright

Popcorn & Movies

Shortcuts

Our Story

The Mercys is a lifestyle Vlog targeted to all. Providing quality content that is both edgy & clean featuring beautiful left of centre locations, holidays, models and fashion.