14th April 2017 –
We left Hastings Westernport Marina in Victoria Friday 14th April which was Good Friday, on a planned trip to The Hawksbury River NSW. Traveling in our American made motor cruiser Merridian 459, our agenda somewhat unplanned as we have to safely progress our way weather dependant. We decided to make our way to Phillip Island for our first night , which was only a two hour trip at roughly 8kts. Another couple of boats from our Marina at Hastings were also moored up near to us at anchor near New Haven. There is always quite a tide running here so there was a sound of water slap overnight if one happened to wake. Fuel tanks full, Water tanks full plus additional 50L drinking water, and around 20 meals, fresh and frozen on board. Oh and the odd bottle of wine of course. Recently polished and serviced ready for our trip of roughly 1400 Nautical Miles (2600 kms). 
Sat 15th April –
We were in no rush to get away, so after a leisurely breakfast and a quick check of the weather and we were off. Travelling under The San Remo Bridge at Phillip Island (pic above Phillip Island ), the morning was dull and grey, but the sea was ok as we progressed along the Bass Coast towards “the Prom” we were accompanied by a neighbouring boat from Hastings, which was kind of nice as we usually travelled alone. They made a few stops along the way, but we both arrived at Refuge Cove at Wilsons Promontory around 4pm. We have travelled here previously, and I had no idea the beautiful scenery in the Promontory area. Many Rock Islands belonging to the “Glennie Group”, the “Anser Group”, my favourite includes the one in the below photograph “Skull Rock or Cleft Island” towering 113m above sea level. Although only accessibly by helicopter we were able to go quite close for some good photographs. We saw many seals and dolphins around this area. Although there was plenty of mooring room in the main cove, we chose to anchor in the smaller initial Cove as we really like the splendid scenery here. Huge boulder appear suspended above the water, Australian Native Bush with birdsong, and clear deep inviting water. Very peaceful here indeed. We wanted to be social to our neighbours however, so immediately readied the tender and took a bottle of wine to share with John and Kerry on “Malia” along with Rob and Liz of “California Dreaming”. It was a great afternoon, then we zipped back around to “Seaclusion” to cook up a storm. We still hadn’t decided whether or not to stay here or move on next day, so decided to just check the weather next morning. Had a great sleep here. Dark and quiet. Beautiful part of the world for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and diving. Fishing allowed outside the Marine Park. Today’s travel 8kts 90nm 167kms.
Im sure you can see it why we love it here.
Sunday 16th April –
Todays weather didn’t look too bad, and if we didn’t progress the next few days we didn’t want to start our holiday stuck here for a week. We set out towards Lakes Entrance, similar weather to yesterday with a gentle rock n roll. We hadn’t left early which meant if we didn’t make it to Lakes Entrance in the dark we would need to cross the sandbar there to access the Marina. As we hadn’t been there before we anchored up off shore adjacent to a sandy beach out of Lochsport. We were in the medium swell all night but we still managed to make a delicious meal. On board we have a small toaster style oven and a microwave in the galley, but we also have an electric BBQ, a gas BBQ, and a glass benchtop oven which we use a lot. Good for many different types of cooking. Some of the meals in the freezer I prepared a few weeks in advance, vacuum sealing and freezing leftover meals. A big trip today . 8kts 101nm (over 12.5 hours)
Monday 17th April –
From Lochsport to Lakes Entrance was a short distance and the weather was looking terrific. A bright sunny morning with the sea calming off as we cruised. The entry into Lakes Entrance is quite narrow, and as well as following our satellite navigation and depth sounder instruments, there are markers to sign up to get across the sand bar safely. Wanye managed it quite easily. Apparently in poor weather it can be quite tricky. We got fuel here. The ocean by this time (around 0900) was glassing off. It was stunning really. We decided to increase our speed to 16 kts 135nm (250 kms or 9 hours)to get around to Eden while the weather was so beautiful. We hugged the coastline passing Cape Conran, Point Hicks Light House, Gabo Island, then across the state border and past Green Cape. A stunning Lighthouse and Cottages on the cliffs. On the way we saw dolphins, seals, as well as some red tidal currents (probably zooplankton) Into Twofold Bay near to Boydtown is where we lay at anchor for the night. It was an hour off sunset as we arrived, so a lovely golden light while we found a peaceful and beautiful place to anchor for the night. 
Tues 18th April –
We decided to stay another night in Eden. After breakfast we took the tender over to the small and secluded beach. There was enough sand to have a walk and a good look around. Then we took SEACLUSION to have a Deisel stop over to the Wharf. Wayne phoned ahead and we were met by the fuel truck. I went for a walk to the local fish shop. There was a long wait for hot food, but we ordered some fresh cooked fish. I was intending buying some local prawns, but there were only frozen Australian or Vienamen Thai prawns. Decided I could do without.
We moved our position for tonight, moving to the sawmill bay, where there is a military wharf. There was no Military Vessel there, so we were able to anchor between the wharf and the beach. This was also a really nice place to anchor for the night. There was some slight noise from the mill for a while, but the boat is fairly soundproof so this wasn’t a problem.
Wednesday 19th April –
Left Eden for destination Bermagui. We both love “Bermi” and were looking forward to it. The trip was lengthened by us cruising to “Bunga Canyons”, “Tathra Canyon” and “the shelf”, “12 mile reef”, and “6 mile reef” towing some lures. I ended up with a headache and not feeling great. Family friends were waiting for us when we arrived. It was lovely to see them. They took this pic of us arriving into Bermagui harbour.
We tied up on the Commercial fishermans wharf. Facilities at The Bermagui Fishermen’s cooperative are really good considering it was a mere $25.00 per night. There is a Gelati shop, a clothing and gift store ), Fish n Chip shop, Chinese, Italian, Art Gallery, Coffee shop/cafe, and washing machine and showering facilities if needed. The Italian Restaurant was lovely. We had actually by chance ran into a friend that only lives 5 doors from us and went there with his sons and their mates. Most of our party had Eye Fillet, I had a duck pasta dish which was small but tasty. Otherwise we were self sufficient with our food, only really needing to purchase fresh salad and vegetable items.
We had our electric bikes on board and made great use of them here. The wharf here is a high one, but we have exiting doors from the upper deck so we could get them on and off reasonably easy. We rode all over the town several times, across the bridge to the BP servo, and of course had an egg and bacon roll from Bridge motors and to the Woolies supermarket in town.
We had a couple of folding backpacks and an esky that fitted on the parcel shelf, so were able to do our shopping with ease. There is no taxi service in Bermagui and it was good being self sufficient even though Wayne’s friends offered us cars etc. We spent 4 great nights here but were busy walking, cycling, chatting, having coffee in the Patisserie in town, and watching the big long line boats and trawlers unloading their cargo. The long line boats unloaded Marlin and Yellow Fin Tuna. The Trawler unloaded lots of Ling, Snotty Travalla, Tiger Flathead, Sea Perch, Squid and other varieties.
Another boat, smallish with a scuba diver unloaded about 6 fish boxes of Purple Spiny Sea Urchins, also off to the Sydney fish market for up market restaurants both here and overseas.
An older gentleman went out a few days in a row and came back with bins brimming with cockles.
I did do a couple of loads of washing here. The co-op where we are moored charge $4.00 for a wash and the same for a dry. I also used our on board front loader and got everything done. I’ve put washing lines on the top story of the boat, the flybridge, and with our privacy curtains no-one can see our washing hanging there.
I enjoyed flying the drone around here, getting a bit more confident.
We decided to leave on day 5 and progress our trip north.
Monday 24th April –
Batemans Bay today (day 11 ). We trolled up and along an area known as Tuross Canyon.
No luck, and arrived after a 7 hour trip around arriving at 4pm. We navigated across a shallow bar crossing so had to time the trip. The Marina is smallish and fairly new. The most expensive we’ve paid for here, at $75.00 per night it is $25.00 more than Docklands, and $50.00 more than Bermagui. The facilities are fairly limited to showers and a laundry that is apparently a bit ordinary, so fortunately we are self contained. The marina walkways are wooden and all floating pontoons. The bikes were good here for the next 4 days too. We are about 2 kms from the town centre, so it was really easy popping into town sometimes 3 times a day for coffee, shopping, sightseeing, and movies. The town has most shopping needs anyone would require really, with an industrial component as well as domestic shops and businesses. We arrived on Anzac day so visited the Memorial in town The Soldiers Clubs etc were pretty busy that day, with locals playing 2 up in the garden of the pubs. It is a fairly friendly large centre with lots of eateries along both the waterfront and in the town. It is a pretty spot. Locals obviously confident going around flat out in their boats. There are some Public Swing moorings just on the outside of the bar, some at Tollgate Islands, and some on a beach on the north side. Our last day here a large stormy front came through but we didn’t get much rain here at Batemans Bay. After 4 nights here we moved along.
Friday 28th April –
I was really looking forward to going to Jervis Bay. I had previously visited Huskisson, the small town within the Bay and seen the large Bay area with prominent headlands. The trip was ok and we both listened to our books on iPads as we made our way along the coast. The entrance to the Bay is quite spectacular, with a lighthouse on the Northern Headland. It is on a 65m clifftop making it almost useless, in particular in low cloud or foggy weather, so although still standing, the lights here have been relocated to lower points. There are several areas to shelter in Jervis Bay, with good swing moorings and areas for safe anchorage. We hooked onto a swing mooring in a small cove with good shelter from southerly winds aptly named “hole in the wall”. It is a stunning place really, and we had a beautiful sunset and calm weather so took the drone out for a fly.
Saturday 29th April –
Although pretty spot here and we could have stayed a lot longer, we decided to keep moving north while the weather looked good over the coming days. Even though the day was to be a short one, and the sea wasn’t rough so to speak, there was a couple of metre swell side on giving us quite a spectacular roll effect. After I almost slipped from my seat a few times, we sped up for the last hour to make the trip more palatable. Leaving Jervis Bay the cliffs and caves were a real sight to see, and there were quite a few small fishing boats and also a dive boat moving up and along the cliffs getting into their fishing and diving marks.
When we arrived into Port Hacking I didn’t really know what to expect, but the past 2 weeks of beaches and cliffs and little towns to be seen we were suddenly in suburbia, around 20kms from Sydney. Port Hacking suburbs of Cronulla, Carringbah, and many others. We moored at The Burraneer Bay Marina for the night. It is a fantastic facility, although we were rather lucky to have secured a berth for the night as they were fairly full up. For our sized boat we paid around $75.00 for the night. The staff here were all extremely obliging and helpful, even assisting to tie us up. We were able to access fuel here, on pontoons with large fenders so was really easy. Had we needed to there were shops in striking distance of the Marina, around 2 or 3 kms. I had phoned a diving friend Tricia in advance on the off chance she might be able to see us, and was really surprised to find she only lived 2.7kms from the Marina. I couldn’t believe it actually. She came and took us to her house for the dinner which was lovely. It was nice to catch up on all the news etc and see where she lived.
Sunday 30th April
We had a very comfortable night at Burraneer Marina. The staff here as I mentioned were extremely helpful and even sourced us a charcoal filter that we needed. We were also able to get all our washing done on the boat here and refill with water before heading off to explore Port Hacking and the South West arm. This required some careful navigation as the area is very tidal with many shallow areas. We were warned not to be tempted into cutting corners here.
The area is lovely. Lots of beautiful homes on the steep slopes right down to the waters edge where most had boatsheds and private landings. Some areas there are 3 houses extending up to the road, and the only access they have is by a private vernicular next to their homes, or by water.
Only a very short distance into the trip and the Royal National Park was our home for 24 hours. Large rocks, eucalypts, banksias, rock oysters, all around us. It was extremely peaceful here with only a couple of other boats in the area. Surprising as we were only 19kms from Sydney Central. We tied up to a mooring here and set out in the tender to explore the shallower water and went as far as possible. The water became quite shallow….a foot or so, and we had only just repaired the tender of a few punctures yesterday so didn’t want any more. There were quite a few few small fish here and there, and yabby or crab holes everywhere in the sandy bottom. Anyway we had been out in the tender for a few hours so returned for a late lunch. The days are lovely. And sunny some-shirts and shorts are all we have worn so far, but the days end abruptly around 5.45 when the sunsets.
It was a very quiet night as we were the only boat to be seen. When we woke up I tried to catch a fish with no luck! A beautiful area, I would recommend to anyone who have the opportunity.
Monday 1st and 2nd May
We drove into the Cronulla Ferry wharf after speaking to someone in the office there who gave us directives as to here we could pull in. We tied up here for about an hour and took the short walk to local supermarket for a few additional groceries.
The bay there had stunning waterfront homes once again, and I think it would be a lovely area here. We could see sporting ovals from the wharf area. There is a kiosk there also so we stopped long enough for a coffee before making our way to Botany Bay
It is quite industrial for the first few kms inside the heads, with oil/gas/fuel wharves, and the end of the Sydney airport runways here. We picked up a mooring here. It took me a couple of goes to pick the rope up as our boat pole is a little short. To pick up a mooring I have to lay on the front of the boat, with one arm hooked on the bow rail to hold me in position, and with the other arm lean down as far as I could to reach the rope, which on this occasion was large and heavy. Once I pick up the rope, sometimes Wayne has to come and help me pull it up onto the boat as some of them are quite heavy with barnacles and growth, or just very large heavy ropes.
There were 3 or the area. From here we could see Captain Cooks landing area, flags, monument, and few buildings on a large grassy area, and a sandy beach where I was hoping to take the tender and have a walk around. The weather however was unpleasantly windy.
We made lunch and stayed a short while, but decided to move further in and up the bay. The river here is the George river. The area is mainly lowlands, with mangroves, mud flat areas, and a few beaches. Large sailing clubs visible. We went under the first bridge and took a look around, including Sylvania Waters, where most of water front homes here around 25 years old now. Nevertheless some beauties, and majority with swimming pools in their waterfront gardens.
There is a second bridge here which prevented us from progressing any further as our boat is too high to get under. We found a fairly uninteresting area to anchor up for the night. By now the wind was picking up and we really had to tie up for the night. We went to an area where there were loads of other boats moored, but most of them were pigsty looking wrecks with only 2 or 3 of them looking like there was anyone on them.
Wayne went to bed around 10 and I didn’t feel tired. I lay in bed listening to my book, and after an hour or so got up to have a drink. Looking out the window there was no sign of any other boats. I know it was dark but I couldn’t see anything. I looked out the other side where there should have been a catamaran. Nothing. I looked out the kitchen window again and could see a flashing white light. I was sure that looked wrong. I then went to our bedroom and looked out. I could see the George’s Bridge. Very close. And a flashing red channel marker about 30 m from the back of the boat. We were about 600m from where we had anchored! I woke Wayne realized how far we had moved and he quickly got the engines running. It was pitch dark. Using the instruments he drove towards where he knew there was an emergency police mooring, but I didn’t think I could reach it. Then we came right to where there was a huge mooring. I grabbed my life jacket and somehow managed to get hold of the huge rope. I couldn’t lift it properly, so Wayne helped and organised it and we secured it with 2 of our ropes one from each side of the bow. Well that was excitement we could have done without. We had to wash off a bit of mud from the rope but all was well. That huge mooring could have held a tugboat. Took a while to get back to sleep but felt very secure after that episode.
Next day the wind was howling and it was apparent we were going nowhere. Book reading and movies was the order of the day.
May 3,4,5,6
Botany Bay to Sydney Harbour only took a few hours.
Arrived in Sydney harbour on a beautiful sunny day, with not much swell. Almost immediately on the southern head there is a candy striped small lighthouse, then a very small secluded beaI ch area which has a public mooring bouy. We tied up here and had lunch. It was really nice. There were lots of people out walking and a few siting in the park.
We then progressed up the bay mainly to the south exploring in each of the bays and harbours. There wasn’t much traffic in the way of yachts etc, mainly ferries, so it was easy to both navigate and have a look at the same time.
we went right into naval areas and saw huge ships, gorgeous restaurants on the waterfront, The Opera house and of course The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
After going under the Sydney Harbour bridge we anchored very near to the Anzac Bridge in a designated area which was very close to the Sydney fish market, Darling Harbour, and Glebe, all of which we got around to in the tender. Wayne dropped me off at the Sydney Fish Market where I got some very fresh green tiger prawns. Unfortunately it was only a drop off jetty so Wayne had to stay with our tender. I also had to opportunity to have a nice walk as Wayne let me of on another small jetty near to our boat and found some shops in the Glebe Ferry Road which was good. He explored around in the tender then came back and picked me up.
During the next three days we explored every arm of the river system here. Up the Parramatta river as far as a motor boat was allowed without a permit. This took us quite near to Homebush Stadium where Sydney hosted the Olympics in 2000. We moored near Cabarita Marina on a public swing mooring overnight in Hen and Chicken Bay for our second night in Sydney after tying up on their marina and having a coffee. We swung around quite a lot, but you don’t really notice the movement unless you are looking out the window.
We had hoped to stay there both nights, but the first night being a Saturday it was very popular and lots of boats. The Sunday was a
Or quieter and it isw a lovely spot to stay. There are several old military style buildings here on one side, and national park on the other.
May 7
May 8
May 9
May 10
We headed up the river to destination Wisemans ferry. About 4 or 5 hours to get there. Initially high cliffs on both sides, but opening up to mangroves, mud flats, and a few farms and cleared land. Many small private jetties all the way along. There was a big fire we also saw, but we thought it was probably a controlled burn. It was a nice trip and I spent a few hours on the bow soaking up the sun.
There are 2 public moorings at Wisemans Ferry, right beside a duel car ferry which is an historic point of interest. The roads here being made by convicts, and quite a bit of history attached to the area. We stayed on the boat until next morning. No tv but plenty of phone signal here. Although we were quite close to the car ferries we had no issue with any noise as the boat is almost soundproof.
11th May
We went for a ride on our tender across to a small jetty and tied up. Only a short walk around 400m into town alongside a golf course so a pretty walk. there are only a few shops here, an Art gallery with local art, a country service station which also serves as local bait shop and all kinds of hardware, a supermarket, and a few cafes. The supermarket was a bit limited, but we had a coffee there before heading back to explore further on the tender. We carefully manoevred the tender as close as we dared to the car ferry, waiting for it to go across, but the ferry driver waved us through, so we continued upstream for about a km or so, past where many many hire houseboats are moored, and another car ferry also crosses to a different road. It is quite amazing that here, around 40kms upstream, the river is still a couple of hundred metres wide. Very brown and dirty looking. Back on board we tidied up and went on our way back downstream. We needed to stop somewhere for lunch, and because there was no other boating traffic around, we simply anchored right in the middle of the river, and barbecued some sausages for lunch. As we continued we decided the best place to refuel before our next large journey was to return to Bobbinhead Marina. We didn’t have coffee or anything as we needed to get somewhere to moor for the night. We moored on a swing mooring in America Bay. A little bit of surge, and a few more boats here than we had previously seen, around 10 or 12.
12th May
13th May
14th May
15th May
16thMay
17th May
18th May
We decided to leave Batemans Bay, and headed either for Bermagui or Eden, weather dependant. The tide was quite low as we departed, and the swell was quite a bit more than we anticipated leaving the harbour, but it settled as we got on our way and the trip wasn’t too bad at all, improving ever so slightly as we progressed. We arrived in Bermagui at 1pm, after an encounter with some whales. We saw 2 ahead of us and Wayne told me to have my camera ready. Boy did those whales cover some ground. I was standing on the bow watching and waiting, when all of a sudden one of them emerged right next to the boat. Of course I missed the photo opportunity, so Wayne turned the boat and we moved quickly trying to get in front of the migrating whales, then stopped and waited. After about 15 seconds or so there it was again, heading straight towards the side of the boat, around 100m away. Next time it emerged it was only around 20m away, and Wayne was already moving out of its way.
Rob and Pete invited us for dinner which was great, although Pete had to go to work. We had a lovely meal, and it was great to catch up again.
19th May
Waking up in Bermagui after a solid night sleep. Although we are on the Fishermans Trawler Wharf I find it extremely quiet and peaceful, hardly any boat movement here except occasional groan from a rope. Even during the night a large fishing boat tied up and it didn’t wake us.
Expecting rain we had a morning walk into the main part of Bermagui, Wayne returned to the boat precinct and I continued my walk a little farther with my camera just taking my time.
We spent most of the afternoon listening to our books, as the rain set in just as I returned to the boat around 1230. We have been very lucky on this trip this being only the second day we have struck any rain.
louspix 