Newcastle
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====Grocery & Supply Stores==== | ====Grocery & Supply Stores==== | ||
| - | * | + | * The biggest shopping mall near the marina is [http://www.marketown.com.au/ Marketown] which has the usual range of supermarkets, specialty shops, and a small food court. It's about a 20 minute walk from the marina, head towards Wickham station and keep going until you reach King Street, the best entry is on the corner of King St and National Park St. |
| - | * | + | * Fresh fruit and vegetables are available at the Growers Best markets at the far side of Marketown along Parry St. They also carry a range of long life dry goods such as sprouting seeds, dried beans & lentils, etc. |
====Eateries==== | ====Eateries==== | ||
Revision as of 04:17, 16 September 2013
Newcastle (Port of entry)
 (Click links for more information)
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 | 32°55.2′S, 151°44.5′E |
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 | Local chartlet |
Newcastle, New South Wales is a former steel milling town which still has a big focus on heavy industry and engineering. Now quite a cosmopolitan city with waterfront cafes, luxury river-side real estate and all the services one could want, it still has a big blue-collar heart. Because of this there are several advantages for the long distance cruising sailor to visit Newcastle, and it's often cheaper and easier to have major boat refit and repair work done here rather than in Sydney or elsewhere in New South Wales.
For example, steel boat owners will find a range of services from steel milling, stainless steel manufacturing, welding and other related services available here with better quality workmanship and lower prices than would be found in Sydney.
Even without major refitting work required, berthing options in Newcastle are easily available, and Newcastle affords the visitor access to some of the best coastal and inland scenery in this part of the world -- not to mention access to the famous Hunter Valley wineries area where one could easily lose oneself for a weekend or longer.
Cruising the region
There probably isn't a whole lot of cruising around Newcastle to do, but a daylight sail or cruise around the Hunter River getting a good look at the associated historic buildings, engineering works and other activities along the shore line is certainly worthwhile.
A visit to nearby Port Stephens or Lake Macquarie (for shallower draft vessels) will provide you with a good cruising ground.
Local Weather
Sources for Weather forecasts:
- Hunter Region Weather
- Hunter Coast (offshore) weather forecast
- Seabreeze Wind & Wave Forecast for Newcastle
Charts
- Australian Hydrographic Service
- Chart AUS 809 - Port Jackson to Port Stephens
- Chart AUS 208 - Newcastle Harbour
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets.
Approach to Newcastle via the Hunter River entry is easy day or night. The things to be aware of are:
- Eddies and tidal rips associated with shoals to the south of the southern breakwater.
- The lights on the southern breakwater that can be confused with similar floating lights nearby. My recent entry indicated that both the C-Map and Navionics charts had these all in the correct location, however the "occulting" lights on the breakwater were only just occulting and were nearly isophase. The only issues this would cause would be at night, the breakwaters being easily visible for some distance away in daylight hours and well marked on all charts.
- Many big big big ships! Ships carry hundreds of tousands of tonnes of coal each year from Newcastle, with a large ship movement 1 1/2 times per day. Associated with each of the big ships are a plethora of tugs, lighters, pilot and other engineering vessels, all of which are mostly pretty well behaved and so it pays to correctly behave as well (keeping to starboard, carrying the correct lights, respecting the rights of vessels constrained by draft, etc).
Approaching from the south at night, here is what I would do:
- Attain a distance offshore at least as far as 2nm when heading north.
- At the end of the breakwater you will see a red occulting light. Be aware that this light is on dry land, do not try to round it.
- To starboard of the breakwater light you will see a red flashing light and a set of white flashing lights. Round the closest in white flashing light leaving it to port, and then round the closest red flashing light, leaving it to port by at least a boat length or two.
- By this stage observe that the breakwater light will have changed from red occulting to white occulting.
- You are now in the main Hunter River channel. Beware of ships and pay normal attention to the red and green marker buoys. Entry from here is easy following the lights even in conditions of poor visibility, the channel is wide enough and dredged to over 10 metres for its entire length.
Approach from the north is somewhat easier -- there are no rips or significant breaks present, just head for the lead lights and follow them in.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Newcastle is port of entry into Australia. Please submit details about facilities for checking in - location of immigration & customs, etc.
Berthing Options
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- The Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club is the premier boating location in Newcastle. Club facilities are second to none, with floating berths, shower/toilet/laundry facilities, 24/7 security card access, a club-house with restaurant and bar, as well as several other restaurants, cafes and bars nearby. Follow the link to the Marina web page and contact the dockmaster via email ([email protected]) or the phone numbers listed on the page to arrange berthing. According to the posters on the end of the docks, visitors arriving without prior arrangement or late at night are invited to tie up in any vacant berth on Wharf A and contact the dockmaster from there the next morning to arrange a suitable berth. There are no moorings available at the yacht club, only floating berths.
- Be aware that the large floating dock shown on most charts (as well as google maps) out the front of the Forgacs yard opposite the marina has been removed. This makes marina entry somewhat simpler.
- I am aware of a sailing club at Stockton. I do not think that they have anchoring space or moorings available. Recon shows a small marina alongside Fullerton St, near the corner of Hereford St. The berths look to be full, and the vessels there do not seem to be of the type that carry a keel. There is a launching ramp there that seems to be capable of taking dinghies only.
Anchorages
I am not aware of any available anchoring space in the lower reaches of the Hunter River (near Newcastle Port) however there may be some further up river.
Offshore Islands
None of any significance nearby. The entrance to Port Stephens, about half a day's sail up the coast, has some interesting islands but most are wildlife refuges and landing is prohibited without a permit.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
- Whitworths have a store at Unit 5, 31 Griffiths Rd, Lambton. This is about 4km from the NCYC marina.
- There is a small marine chandlery carrying a modest range of safety gear, sailboat hardware and assorted other needs at the commercial centre at the NCYC marina. Just walk around to the non-waterfront side of the building, they are easy to spot.
- For electrical and electronic parts I find it hard to get by without a trip to Jaycar -- there is a Jaycar store at 224 Maitland Rd, Islington, about 1.5km from the marina.
Repairs/Yards
- Midcoast Boatyard located at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club is the go-to place for servicing, anti-foul, repairs and maintenance. The hard stand area is available if you want to do your own work (an on-site induction is required, standard safety protocol), or the staff there can organise the work for you. Formerly part of the Noakes network it has been purchased by the new owner, Joe de Kock, the former (staff) manager.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- Fuel is available from 8am - 4pm 7 days, at the end of F arm at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club. Contact the dockmaster in advance for large fuel deliveries (5,000L or more).
- Water
- Water is available to all berths at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club marina and included with the berth rental.
- Electricity
- 240V AC is available to all berths at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club marina and included with the berth rental.
Things to do ashore
Tourism
List places of interest, tours, eateries, etc.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- The biggest shopping mall near the marina is Marketown which has the usual range of supermarkets, specialty shops, and a small food court. It's about a 20 minute walk from the marina, head towards Wickham station and keep going until you reach King Street, the best entry is on the corner of King St and National Park St.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables are available at the Growers Best markets at the far side of Marketown along Parry St. They also carry a range of long life dry goods such as sprouting seeds, dried beans & lentils, etc.
Eateries
At the yacht club itself there is a decent cafe and bar, as well as a Rocksalt restaurant (slightly more upmarket) in the adjoining commercial centre.
The best place to find a range of eateries, cafes, pubs as well as a place to sit and watch the world go by is on Honeysuckle. Exit the marina and walk east along the shoreline about 20 minutes. Currently the walk detours around some construction and a car park, but the local council is in the process of constructing a boardwalk that will run along the entire waterfront from the marina along to Honeysuckle and further. The area is not hard to spot. Some suggestions in that area include:
- Lobster House
- Hog's Breath Cafe
- Movenpick
- Cold Rock Ice Cream
- James Squire's tavern
- Subway
In addition, closer to the marina there is the Albion Hotel, just across the road. This serves quite good pub food at reasonable prices.
For anyone wishing to venture further afield, the Hunter Valley region boasts some of the best wineries in Australia, and at least for certain wine ranges produce wines that are highly rated on a world scale. The region is best accessed by car, simply pick up a rental in Newcastle, and head inland to the Cessnock region where you will see many roadside maps, be able to pick up free guide books, etc, to guide you around. Or simply follow the trail of other vehicles around to see what's on offer. The Hunter region is also known for dairy produce, olives and olive oils, etc. There are many restaurants, function centres and a range of accommodation on offer that make it particularly well known as a honeymoon destination.
Internet/WiFi
Free wifi is available at the yacht club, but it does not appear to extend out to the berths. Free wi-fi with purchase appears to be available at many of the cafes on Honeysuckle.
Laundry
There is a coin operated laundry with washing machines and dryers at the marina. Washing powder is available from the yacht club office (hours of which are 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday, so best bring your own for any out of hours washing).
Motorbike & Car Rentals
- Europcar is located almost directly across from the marina. The large green signage is hard to miss.
Garbage Disposal
There are green garbage bins at each arm of the marina, and large yellow recycling bins at the commercial centre at the yacht club.
Transportation
- Wickham train station is about 5 minutes walk from the marina, with regular connections to Sydney.
- There are some irregular bus services outside of the marina. Like in most Australian regional centres, the buses appear to be scared of the dark, especially on weekends.
Routes/Passages To/From
Use the "controls" (top L/H corner) to navigate and zoom around the map. You can also move the map by hovering the curser on the map
and then hold the left mouse button and "drag" the map. Click on the red markers for further links.
Newcastle to / from Sydney
This passage can be done most times of the year in a day sail. In the winter the prevailing winds are westerly to south-westerly, making a beam reach up or down the coast a possibility. In the summer months the winds turn northerly to north easterly, with an occasional swing to the north west then south (the "southerly buster" as it's known in the area) meaning that with a wait for the right weather window a reasonable tailwind can be expected to last for the duration of the trip.
See the notes above on Newcastle approaches from the south if you are travelling from Sydney to Newcastle.
Newcastle to / from Port Stephens
This should be a reasonably pleasant daylight hours sail given average weather conditions for most times of the year and a suitable weather window.
Newcastle to / from Lord Howe Island
Along with Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, Newcastle is one popular alternative jumping-off point for a crossing of the Tasman Sea, with the desired half-way point being Lord Howe Island. Once again waiting for a suitable weather window is preferable, especially in the summer months when this passage is most popular, as the prevailing north-easterly winds are not best suited for a crossing to Lord Howe Island. It's best to wait for a southerly change, especially if you can leave as the wind turns to the south-west, and use this to gain some northing before heading east across the sea.
There are two sea mounts approximately half way between Newcastle and the island, the vicinity of these is best avoided as they can produce some lumpy seas.
The crossing takes between 3 and 6 days depending on the speed of your boat (faster boats and multihulls will of course achieve better speeds), and you can expect some upwind sailing for part of that.
See the notes on the Lord Howe Island page about obtaining a mooring at the island, depending on the time of year reserving one in advance is best advised.
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
References & Publications
- Cruising the New South Wales Coast by Alan Lucas is available in most chandleries in New South Wales, marine book stores, or by mail order. It is the premier guide for cruising the coastal ports and regions of New South Wales.
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:
- Delatbabel, September 2013.
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Names: Haiqu, :Delatbabel |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Australia | New South Wales | Newcastle | |
