Bathurst Harbour

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Revision as of 02:13, 8 October 2011

Bathurst Harbour, Tasmania

Bathurst harbour - SW Tasmania
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(Click links for more information)
	DD°M.M′N/S, DD°M.M′E/W
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Overview

Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour together provide a large world class temperate cruising ground. These two areas lie in the middle of Tasmania's World Heritage South West National Park.

Access is a challenge as the south and west coasts of Tasmania are fully exposed to the Southern Ocean. To the west, there is no land until you reach Argentina, to the south, the next land is Antarctica. There are few civilised facilities in the area and no permanent residents. There are no roads, although there is an unsealed airstrip at Melaleuca. Several walking tracks converge on this area, but the walk back to civilisation takes up to a week.

There is a huge number of anchorages spread around the shores of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour and these provide great opportunities to explore the surrounding wilderness.

Port Davey is a large bay, mostly open to the west and experiencing the full effect of the westerly swell, but there are sheltered bays around the edge which provide sheltered anchorage.

The Breaksea Islands provide a natural barrier which shields the Bathurst Channel from the swell and this channel has numerous excellent anchorages along its length.

After 8 miles, Bathurst Channel opens out into Bathurst Harbour, a large inland waterway. The Harbour is quite shallow at around 5 or 6 metres, but mostly free from dangers. There are several good, interesting anchorages around the harbour.

Melaleuca Inlet lies in the SW corner of Bathurst Harbour and can be navigated (with care) by most vessels for 3 miles to the settlement of Melaleuca where the airstrip is situated.

Cruising the region

Because these waterways are within a World Heritage Area and National Park, there are some restrictions on anchoring, use of motors, diving and fishing. These are not onerous and those who sail with a clean wake will not be troubled by them.

Boats visiting this area should be prepared to be self sufficient in fuel, food and spares for an extended period of time. Good water is available from several sources. There is no guarantee that a suitable weather window for return along the south coast will be available when needed, so all vessels should carry an adequate reserve of supplies.

Note that there are strong tidal flows in Bathurst Channel, especially in those areas that are particularly narrow.

The whole area is a national park. No pets are allowed. No dogs, no cats.

Charts

Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.

Chart Source

Chart No

Chart No

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Local Weather

A Typical SW Tasmania Day
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While most of the pictures show Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour on beautiful clear days, this picture shows the normal weather in Claytons Corner. Be prepared for extended periods of wet and windy weather.

Sources for Weather forecasts:

• Weather forecasts are provide several times a day by Coast Radio Hobart on HF and VHF frequencies. There is a VHF repeater on Maatsuyker Island which broadcasts on channel 82. Reception of this channel in the Port Davey / Bathurst Harbour varies with your location and may depend on the height of your aerial. Clear line of sight through to Maatsuyker provides best reception.

Approach and Navigation

Access to Bathurst Harbour from Port Davey is via the 8 mile long Bathurst Channel. This channel is generally deep. Where it is narrow, tidal flows can be very strong. This especially applies in Bathurst Narrows and in the gap between Joan Point and Farrell Point.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Submit details about facilities for checking in - where to dock, location of immigration & customs, etc.

Offshore Islands and Groups

List Islands

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• None

Anchorages

The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service proved guidelines for visitors. In particular, see the map of the Port Davey Marine Reserve. Note the restrictions on anchoring, diving, fishing, motorised boating and any boating in some sensitive areas.

Bathurst Channel

The Waterfall in Bathurst Channel
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• Waterfall Bay

• Schooner Cove

Wombat cove in Bathurst Channel
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• Wombat Cove

Wombat Cove is a pleasant small anchorage on the north side of Bathurst Channel. Anchorage is in about 4 metres on a sand bottom. This anchorage is sheltered from all wind directions.

• Parker Bay

• Joe Page Bay

• Horseshoe Inlet

• Ila Bay

• Clytie Cove

Bathurst Narrows
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• Frogs Hollow

Frogs Hollow lies just inside the western entrance to Bathurst Narrows on the southern side, just beyond Eve point. Depth is around 4 metres and the bottom is sand and mud. This all weather anchorage is a useful base from which to climb Mt Rugby. From the anchorage, dinghy across to Starvation Cove. The Mt Rugby track heads up the prominent ridge. Allow most of a day for the climb. Good footwear and suitable clothing for rough weather are essential for this climb. Note that a weather change could make a return dinghy trip across the Bathurst Narrows very dangerous.

• Iola Bay

Iola Bay is an alternative base from which to climb Mt Rugby. The bay is small, shallow and there is a rock shelf extending from its southern side. Enter through the narrow entrance with care and anchor in the centre of the bay. To climb Mt Rugby, dinghy to Starvation Bay or to the small bay to the east of Iola on the northern side of the Channel. the track heads up from a rocky beach. Note that you must not anchor in Bathurst Narrows, apart from in these bays. See the Port Davey Marine Reserve Map for details.

Bathurst Harbour

• Kings Point

Claytons Corner in Bathurst Harbour
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• Claytons Corner

Claytons Corner has the only jetty in the World Heritage area of SW Tasmania. Rain water tanks feed the hose on the jetty. Anchorage is in about 4 metres, with a thick mud bottom. Vessels drawing less than 2 metres should be able to use the western side of the jetty, but only at the outer end. Win & Clydes house and the attached water tanks are maintained by volunteers - please respect the facilities that have been provided.

• Moulters Inlet

• Swan Cove

• North Inlet

• Kings Jetty, Melaleuca Inlet

Yacht Repairs and Services

No facilities at all.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

None available

Water

Volunteers have refurbished Win and Clyde Claytons house and its jetty in Claytons Corner. Most vessels will find it possible to moor alongside the outer end of the jetty (western side is deepest). The roof of the house collects rain water to the tanks and this is piped to the jetty.

Electricity

None available

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• None

Eateries

• None

Internet/WiFi

None

Laundry

• None

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• No roads, no cars

Garbage Disposal

There are no garbage disposal facilities with the World Heritage Area. Basically, if you sail into the area with it on board, sail out with it on board.

Parks and Wildlife prefer that holding tanks be used within the Bathurst Channel and Harbour area.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

• Access to the Port Davey area is by foot (up to a weeks walk), boat or by air to the Melaleuca airstrip. In summer, Par Avion run regular flights and in winter, occasional flights from Hobart airport.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• February 2011 - Pedro

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