Melbourne

From CruisersWiki

Revision as of 16:40, 26 May 2011

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

(Click links for more information)
	37°50.37′S, 144°56.15′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

History and background

In 1835 John Batman, a successful Tasmanian farmer, sails to the mouth of the Yarra River and negotiates the purchase of 600,000 acres of land from the local Wurundjeri aboriginal people with blankets, knives, looking glasses, tomahawks, scissors, handkerchiefs, shirts, flannel jackets and flour, and the promise of a yearly rental payment. Together with Tasmanian convict’s son and businessman John Pascoe Fawkner he founds Melbourne, which is temporarily called ‘Batmania’. Melbournites are wryly aware of the humourous association that Melbourne has with Gotham City.

At its inception Melbourne is unique in being an Australian settlement of ‘free’ people, not of convicts.

In the following years government buildings are built, the city grid is established and first plots of land are sold. Most buildings from that time were timber constructions that have not survived. The Melbourne Cricket Club is founded, and a seaport and market are opened. Melbourne is declared a city by Queen Victoria in the 1840's, and by the 1850's (the state of) Victoria breaks away from New South Wales to become a separate colony. Further history

Sailing the area

Port Phillip Bay is generally fairly pleasant, although it can be a little choppy with wind. The worst it gets would be three metre waves accompanying a strong Southerly coming up from the Antarctic, but such conditions are rare.

Charts

Probably should have AUS143 Australia South Coast - Victoria - Port Phillip (1:100000) and, if worried about the entrance at all, AUS144 Australia South Coast - Victoria - The Rip (1:25000) (yep, that's what they call it!) These are both issued by the Australian Hydrographic Office and available for AU$35.00 each (laminated $50.00) at Melbourne Map Centre

Radio Nets

Submit details of local radio Nets.

Approach and Navigation

The entrance to Port Phillip Bay is graced by three lighthouses, the Black Lighthouse at Queenscliff, the White Lighthouse at Queenscliff and the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. These are all on the Western side.

Due to the restriction of the tidal range within Port Phillip caused by the relatively narrow entrance, the tidal stream in the vicinity of the Heads does not turn at high and low water. The force of the tidal streams depends upon the relative water levels inside and outside Port Phillip. The greatest difference in levels occurs at about the time of high and low water at Port Phillip Heads. This is when the inward and outward streams run at their strongest, up to six knots under normal conditions and may exceed nine knots in extreme conditions.

Yachts should therefore plan to enter and exit during slack water periods, which occur three (3) hours before and after high water, when levels are the same inside the harbour as outside. Port Phillip Heads Tides

Check-in facilities

Submit details about facilities for checking in & where to berth, etc.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

PORT PHILLIP BAY

• Anchorage Marina
• Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron
• Hobsons Bay Yacht Club
• Martha Cove Harbour
• Mordialloc Motor Yacht Club
• Mornington Yacht Club
• Newhaven Yacht Squadron
• Patterson Lakes Marina
• Queenscliff Harbour
• Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club
• Royal Brighton Yacht Club
• Royal Geelong Yacht Club
• Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club
• Royal Yacht Club of Victoria
• Sandringham Yacht Club
• Savages Wharf
• St. Kilda Marina

DOCKLANDS (YARRA RIVER, CITY)

• d'Albora Victoria Harbour
• d'Albora Pier 35
• Melbourne Superyacht Marina
• New Quay Marina
• Waterfront City Marina
• Yarra's Edge Marina

Anchorages

• Port Phillip Bay is well protected from the elements and most places should provide a good anchorage. Just be sure not to drop the hook inside the shipping lanes and you'll be fine. It would be advisable to ensure you're not moored in an environmentally protected area as well, such as parts of Swan Bay.

Tourism & things to do ashore

• Melbourne is a cosmopolitan city of 4 million people with a temperate climate, if somewhat damp in winter. The city and inner northern suburbs furnish a wide variety of excellent restaurants and pubs catering for any taste including all European, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. We also have the usual complement of museums, art centres and tourist traps. Best seen during the daytime, as the city tends to become very quiet after hours during the week. Weekends are livelier, with the many clubs and Crown Casino attracting crowds.
  
  The inner suburb of St Kilda, a short ride by tram from the CBD, is the local "red light" district with entertainment and activities running into the wee hours of the morning. Further down the peninsula, the many bayside suburbs have their own measure of interest, although you may need to consult a local to find something to do at night.
  
  Melbourne is also renowned for its wide variety of music venues, where you'll find good jazz, blues and retro rock/pop cover bands as well as more modern "music" according to individual taste. There's something for everyone!
  
  For those staying more than a fortnight, the Yarra Valley wineries are worth a tour, as is the Grand Ridge Brewery at Mirboo North (try the Moonshine beer!). Also during winter the ski area near Mansfield (3hrs drive) is a good trip for a few days, although accomodation needs to be booked well in advance. --Haiqu 21:20, 25 May 2011 (BST)
  

Marine stores

• Whitworths Marine Supermarket
  556 Elizabeth St
  Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia
  Phone: (61 3) 9347-6511, Fax: (61 3) 9347-6702
  HOURS: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm, Sat 8.30am-12.30pm
  Whitworths Location Map
  Historical sidenote: Whitworths (originally Miller and Whitworth) was started as a Sydney sailmaking business in 1962 by Craig Whitworth and Bob Miller. The latter left for London in 1974 to be closer to the international yacht design scene, and went on to win the 1983 America's Cup with John Bertrand at the helm of his winged keel design "Australia II". By that time he had changed his name to Ben Lexcen.

Offshore Islands

• Mud Islands
• Swan Island

Routes/Passages to/from

Popular routes, timing, etc.

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

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

• Rob Judd Email — "haiqu"

Forum Discussions

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

External Links

• Map of Victorian Marinas

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• Living aboard is generally not acceptable on most of the marinas in Port Phillip Bay. This was discovered by a New Zealander who contacted all of the marinas within commuting distance from the Melbourne CBD. He did find that New Quay Marina accepts live-aboards but they charge around AU$10,000pa for the privelege. See Forum discussion.
  
  None of this may be applicable to international cruising yachts since their situation is different. In general, marinas will see a stay of a few days aboard as acceptable in any case, but facilities for long-term stays (showers, washing machines, pump-outs, etc) may be limited or non-existent unless one is a member of a local yacht club, or another club with reciprocal agreements. --Haiqu 02:25, 26 May 2011 (BST)

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