Sydney

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Revision as of 15:08, 17 June 2008

Sydney

Background

Sydney is Australia's largest city, and largest / principal sea port. It is the capital city of New South Wales, and located on the East Coast of Australia roughly half way between Brisbane to the north and Melbourne to the south. Other nearby ports include:

• Ballina
• Coffs Harbour
• Hawkesbury, approx 35nm north.
• Newcastle, approx 60nm north.
• Wollongong, approx 60nm south.
• Jervis Bay
• Eden

The best book for reference while sailing in the Sydney area is Cruising the NSW Coast by Alan Lucas. It contains details of all of the moorings, anchorages, and other facilities in Sydney Harbour as well as other ports up and down the NSW coast.

Phone numbers listed below are all Sydney local area numbers unless stated otherwise. These should be prefixed with 02 for calling from outside of NSW, and with +612 for calling internationally.

Charts

Charts of Sydney Harbour are readily available, but the harbour pilots contained in the cruising guide mentioned above, along with a depth sounder, are your best guides. Sydney Harbour is wide and deep throughout, and except at the far reaches of Middle Harbour or the Lane Cove River there is very little to hit.

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Sydney harbour is a busy place on the VHF channels, and the preponderence of tall masts (headland radio beacons), tall buildings, and tall cliffsides makes HF reception tricky at best, and HF transmission all but useless.

Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard can be reached easily on VHF channel 16 from anywhere in the harbour, and can provide assistance for yachties in trouble, and also broadcast regular weather reports and tide updates during the day and night. SeaTow provide a useful service for members at a competitive price, when all you need is a battery replaced or started, or possibly a short term fuel top-up.

Other than that, expect to hear a lot of vessel to vessel calling on VHF 16 as well as what amounts to probably far too much chatter for a calling/emergency channel.

Approach and Navigation

The mouth of Sydney Harbour is wide, deep, and well sheltered. The main channel (which splits into two as it turns south into the harbour proper, one either side of Sow and Pigs reef), is dredged to 13 metres deep. You will have no trouble approaching Sydney Harbour from any angle in any weather conditions.

The lighthouse at South Head is visible for some miles offshore. North Head itself is very hard to miss, and is well lit and signed. There are no significant reefs or shoals either at the harbour mouth or inside, except for Gowilland Bombora (off Middle Head) and Sow and Pigs Reef (just inside the main harbour), both of which are well marked. Even close to the headlands the waters are quite deep -- get well inside the harbour before attempting to drop anchor (and in any case most of the harbour mouth is a no-anchor zone)!

Obstructions and Restrictions

• Some overhead obstructions include the Spit Bridge (which can be passed only at opening times, and sails must be down to make the bridge passage), and some of the road bridges in the upper parts of Middle Harbour and the Lane Cove River.
• Be aware of no-anchor zones, there are many of these. The most prominent (and tempting) are the penguin colony areas inside North Head (which carry heavy fines for anchoring, and are regularly patrolled), the areas near the navy base at Garden Island (don't anchor near a boat with larger guns than yours), and in and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
• Be aware of the recent speed/zoning restrictions introduced around the Harbour Bridge -- 15 knot speed limit (not a concern to most yachties), and there is no drifting, anchoring, etc.
• The use of lights on the harbour at night is a must. Several incidents have occurred over the years with smaller boats being run down while travelling without lights, one high profile and tragic one in 2006 included.
• At all times be aware that Sydney Harbour is a busy place, and a careful watch must be maintained at all times. Sydney Harbour Ferries (carrying orange diamonds) and cargo / tanker vessels (restricted in their ability to maneuver, or restricted by their draft) must be given way to.
• There is also a large population of small stink-boats / pleasure craft, often piloted by inexperienced skippers who have chartered the boat for the day or are members of "walk-on/walk-off" boat ownership clubs (where they may get out on the water only once per year) who may not always obey all of the collision regulations, occasionally requiring evasive maneuvers by vessels that otherwise have right-of-way.

Check-in facilities

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

Marinas

Sydney Harbour is loosely divided into three separate areas. These are:

• North Harbour, the area north of a line drawn between, say, the southern tip of North Head, and the southern tip of Dobroyd Head (Grotto Point). This encompasses Manly, Fairlight, Seaforth, and the bays and anchorages on the western (inside) end of North Head.
• Middle Harbour. This is the area west and northwest of a line drawn between Grotto Point, and Middle Head. This includes Clontarf, the Spit, the Middle Harbour Yacht Club, and all of the area west and northwest of the Spit Bridge. It is also loosely divided into two areas, these being:
  • Outer Middle Harbour, including the area east of the Spit Bridge; and
  • Inner Middle Harbour, including the area west and northwest of the Spit Bridge. The Spit Bridge is an important dividing line because it is a lifting bridge with a low clearance when closed (lower than the masthead of most sailboats), and it opens only at certain times of the day (the latest opening being at 9:30pm). To get to the Inner Middle Harbour, you must pass the Spit Bridge, which you can only do at opening times.
• South Harbour, or the main harbour. This is all of the rest of Sydney Harbour, once you pass a line between Middle Head and South Head. This includes the outer harbour (east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge), and the inner harbour (west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge), however note that the Harbour Bridge clearance is over 30m, so even the tallest rigged boats can sail under it at any time. (there are 6 ocean going vessels world-wide that are known not to be able to get under the bridge).

North Harbour

• Davis Marina. Gourlay Ave, Balgowlah.
  • Marina berths and moorings are available, but usually booked out and casual berths or moorings are rarely available. Facilities are limited.
  • Google maps link: http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&ll=-33.799803,151.268392&spn=0.002434,0.003648&t=h&z=18
  • Mooring and berthing prices on this page: http://www.davismarina.com.au/moor_berth.htm Approx $500/month for a mooring, $1000/month for a berth, for a 42' yacht. 7 day tender service at extra cost.
• Manly Boatshed (Treharne's Marina), Bolingbroke Parade, Fairlight. Has a slipway (tonnage capacity unknown but it slipped my 38ft/14 tonne steel boat without difficulty), rigger, boatmaker, engine repair facility, water, and power. There are no permanent berths, only moorings, although boats may be brought alongside the wharf for short periods by arrangement with the Marina staff. The moorings are usually full and need to be booked in advance, there are rarely if ever any casual moorings available. The office is staffed Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm, and there is a tender service that runs Saturdays & Sundays 8am - 5pm, and also race day Fridays (during daylight savings hours in the summer) from 4pm - 9pm. Office staff are friendly and helpful, and the tradesmen are knowledgeable and highly skilled (being amongst the best known and best respected boatbuilders in Sydney Harbour, although slow to get around to tasks and often understaffed) but facilities are limited.
  • Google Maps link: Map
  • Mooring rates approx $400 / month for a 42' yacht. Berths not available. Weekends only tender service included in the price.
• Manly Yacht Club operates a drop-off facility only, but it is the only one within walking distance of the Manly town center. Racing is on Friday nights (twilights) during the summer, and Sundays all year round. Worth coming by after a race on Friday night for a good feed with fellow sailors at a reasonable price.
  • No moorings or berths available, no tender service.

Outer Middle Harbour

• Clontarf Marina. Fuel is available here, probably the best prices in the northern part of Sydney Harbour. Moorings are available at short notice, there are a limited number of marina berths that are rarely available. Has a slipway and other facilities but services are known to be expensive.
  • Google maps link: http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=-33.804465,151.252239&spn=0.002434,0.003648&z=18
  • Moorings available, around $500/month for a 42' yacht. Berths are shallow draft only and not suitable for keelboats. 7 day tender service available.
• Middle Harbour Yacht Club. This is one of the best respected (racing) yacht clubs in Sydney, but the marina is a members-only facility. It's worth stopping by if you are in the area for a feed, reasonably priced drinks (and a good range), and racing on Wednesdays and Saturdays .
  • Google maps link: http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=-33.806841,151.248098&spn=0.002434,0.003648&z=18
  • Moorings and berths available to members only, mostly occupied by race boats.
• Fergusons Boatshed, ph: 9968 3729
  • Google maps link: http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=-33.803734,151.247277&spn=0.002434,0.003648&z=18

Inner Middle Harbour

As noted above, these marinas can only be reached by passing the Spit Bridge, which can only be done at certain times of the day (opening times). The advantage is that mooring and berthing rates are generally lower than on the outer part of the harbour, and protection from the weather is generally better.

Near The Spit:

• D'Albora Marinas, Middle Harbour (the spit)]. Fuel is available here 24x7, however at probably higher prices than at Clontarf Marina.
  • Google maps link: http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=-33.804951,151.24489&spn=0.002434,0.003648&z=18
  • Berths and Moorings available, moorings around $500/month for a 42' yacht. 7 day tender service available. Quote available from this page: http://www.dalboramarinas.com.au/DALBORA_2008/client/onlineForms/c_berthingEquiry.jsp
  • Note that d'Albora Marinas have several locations around Sydney and elsewhere, and offer reciprocal berthing rights. Contact the marina directly for more information.
• Quakers Hat Bay
  • There are periodically moorings available here, usually advertised in AFLOAT magazine. I will try to find a copy with some advertised and put the details here.

Cammeray/Willoughby Bay:

• Cammeray Marina, ph: 9953 4761
  • Google maps link: http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&ll=-33.81847,151.222697&spn=0.002433,0.003648&t=h&z=18
  • Mooring prices for a 42' yacht are approx $330/month, berthing prices approx $900/month. Price list

Sailors Bay:

• Northbridge Marina, ph: 9958 1261 or 0419 207 883. Widgiewa Rd, Northbridge
  • Google maps link: http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=-33.806003,151.221716&spn=0.002434,0.003648&z=18
  • A phone enquiry gave me a rate of $210/month for mooring a 42ft yacht, or berthing for $890/month. The guys can often seem a little vague on the phone.
• Castlecrag Marine, ph: 9958 0425. Foot of Rockley Street Castlecrag 2068
• Northside Shipwrights, ph: 9958 4947
  • Google maps link: http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=-33.803525,151.225133&spn=0.009735,0.014591&z=16
  • Moorings only available.
• Sailors Bay Boatshed, ph: 9958 8869. End Sailors Bay Road Clive Park Northbridge
  • Google maps link: Map

Roseville Chase (upper reaches):

• Roseville Bridge Marina, ph: 9417 8222. 15 Normac Street, Roseville, NSW 2069
  • Google maps link: Map
  • Has a Leisure Boating Club: Club - (I wouldn't have included this but it's the only internet site I can find with any information about the marina itself).

Main Harbour, East of the Harbour Bridge

• http://www.dalboramarinas.com.au/DALBORA_2008/client/GeneralContent/c_dynamicContentPage.jsp?categoryName=Rushcutters%20Bay&elementID=15 d'Albora Marinas, Rushcutters' Bay], ph: 9328 7666
  • Google maps link: Map
  • Berthing rates for a 42' yacht approx $2000/month, and these are rarely available. Expect to pay top dollar for anything this end of Sydney.

Main Harbour, West of the Harbour Bridge

• Lavender Bay (Sailcorp)
  • Moorings approximately $330/month (up to 55ft). 7 day tender service included.
• Berrys Bay Marina, ph: 9929 5288. 1 Balls Head Road Waverton 2060
  • Google maps link: Map
• Woolwich Marina. 2 Margaret St, Woolwich
  • Google maps link: Map
  • Berthing rates for a 42' yacht approx $1044/month. Mooring rates approx $321/month. Tender service available but it's $15 each way each trip.
• Balmain Marina, ph: 9555 7049. 1 Phoebe St, Balmain
  • Google maps link: Map
  • Mooring rates approx $295/month.
  • Birchgrove Yacht Service operate from here, I have found them to be one of the better marine diesel service centers on Sydney Harbour, especially when it comes to uncommon / European engines. Ph: 9810 6267 ask for Alan Clark.
• Camerons Marina, ph: 9810 7808 fax 9810 7855. 5A Phoebe St, Balmain
  • Google maps link: Map
  • Full shipwright services.
• Birkenhead Point Marina
  • Google maps link: Map
• Gladesville Bridge Marina, ph: 9181 2014. 380 Victoria Place, Drummoyne
  • Google maps link: Map
• d'Albora Marinas, Cabarita Point
  • Google maps link: Map

Anchorages

Details of all safe anchorages in the area:

Note that Sydney Harbour has pretty good holding all around, but is quite deep. Typically 25 meters or so in the main channels, and can be up to 15 meters deep even quite close to shore. So you have to get well in and look around for anchoring spots. Sydney Harbour is littered with bays and small coves, so many that it's almost impossible to list them all here.

• I really like Watsons Bay. Deceptively sheltered for just inside the heads, and you can usually find an anchoring spot just outside the moorings or tie up to an unused mooring for a very short period of time (long enough to grab some fish and chips from Doyle's on the Wharf -- tell them I sent you, although don't tell them I told you to grab someone else's mooring).
• Farm Cove is OK for anchoring, good holding in sand/mud, nice and close to the city with plenty of places to pull up the dinghy alongside, and a 24 hour time limit. Don't overstay your welcome, you're between the water police and the naval base. Also don't be tempted to anchor too far out into the bay overnight as commercial harbour cruise boats do tend to circle the bay and some of them aren't very manouverable.
• If you miss Farm Cove, don't even think about anchoring in the next bay along -- Sydney Cove and Circular Quay, unless you happen to like the water police impounding your boat.

Tourism & things to do ashore

List places of interest, tours, eateries, etc.

Marine stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

• Whitworths is the best known marine chandlery in Sydney, and operates 5 stores.
• BIAS Boating Warehouse is also a good supplier of all marine equipment. Their showrooms are more widely distributed than those of Whitworths.
• Bargain Boat Bits sell boat bits, sometimes at a bargain price. Caveat: shop around, as the name of the store may not reflect any relation to having consistently the lowest prices.
• Aquatronics in Brookvale are probably the best suppliers / installers / repairers of anything electronic on your boat.

Offshore Islands

List Islands

Routes to/from Sydney

References & Publications

• AFLOAT Magazine.

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 the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

Sydney is a popular tourist, business, and cultural destination being the largest city in Australia and the largest in the region. There are a great many sites offering everything from a "quickie" to 5 star escourted tours of the city and hinterlands. Here is a small selection of the most appropriate sites:

• Sydney
• Sydney Australia
• Whats on

Personal Notes

Personal experiences:

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