Port Davey

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Revision as of 04:00, 13 October 2011

Port Davey, Tasmania

Port Davey - SW Tasmania
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	Local chartlet

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around Port Davey.

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 opportunites 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

Local weather conditions?

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

South West Cape
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There is no simple way to get to Port Davey.

Most Tasmanian cruisers start from Recherche Bay, from which it is a 65 nm trip into Port Davey. Although the prevailing winds here are SWly, a little patience is generally rewarded with a period of easterlies sufficient to make the day trip across the bottom of Tasmania. Local fisherman (& some sailors) know of anchorages on the south coast of Tasmania, but you need to be very aware of the dangers and pitfalls in using these and it is safer to make the full trip in one go. Swells along the south coast can be enormous, but generally die down to 1 or 2 metres after a spell of calm weather.

There are strong tide flows in the vicinity of De Witt Island and these could cause problems in heavy weather. The most direct route to South West Cape passes between Flat Witch Island and De Witt Island It is possible to pass north of De Witt Island, taking care to avoid Black Witch Reef, an obvious rock pinnacle, which is the only danger to the immediate north of the island.

All of the capes across the south coast should be given wide clearance. In particular, the rugged and spectacular South West Cape generates very nasty cross seas and it is worth standing off by several miles at least.

Approaching Port Davey from the south, stand well clear of the East Pyramids as this area is not well charted.

Big Caroline Rock
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Enter Port Davey to the north of Big Caroline Rock and head towards the south end of the Breaksea Islands, though initially head slightly north to avoid Nares Rock, which generally breaks in any swell. Enter South Passage between Breaksea Islands and Shanks Islands and head into Bramble Cove as a first anchorage.

Approaching Port Davey from off shore after a passage from the west is relatively straight forward as the entrance is deep and free of dangers.

Approaching from the north requires avoidance of a number of rocks and reefs, so that a good distance from the coast should be maintained.

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.

Spain Bay
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• Spain Bay

Spain Bay is on the south side of Port Davey. This is the first real anchorage reached when entering Port Davey. It is often subject to swell, so it it is not the most comfortable of anchorages. Entrance is to the west of the reef that extends across from the eastern side of the entrance. Anchorage is on a sand bottom in around 5 metres. There is a track through to the spectacular beach on Stephens Bay.

Hannant Inlet
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• Hannat Inlet

Hannant Inlet is in the SE corner of Port Davey. Most of the Inlet is very shallow, but anchorage can be found between Lourah Island and the shore to the west. Anchorage is in about 4 metres, sand bottom. Holding may not be all that great.

• Bond Bay

Bond Bay is on the western side of Payne Bay, near the entrance to Kelly Basin. It is the site of Clyde Clayton's original home. Anchor in about 4 metres, sand bottom.

Schist Cove
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• Schist Cove

Schist Cove, near the northern end of Payne Bay, is probably best treated as a day anchorage. Anchor in around 4 metres, sand bottom, on the western side of Payne Bay, close in towards the reef that extends out into the bay from near the mouth of the Davey River. This relatively exposed anchorage provides a base from which to explore the Davey River by dinghy. Note that the entrance to the Davey River is quite shallow and a swell can break across it. Once in the river, the area around Settlement Point requires some care as it is shallow and contains hidden snags. Once clear of this area, dinghy travel to the magnificent Davey Gorge, about 5 miles further on, is straight forward. Look for Huon Pine on the river banks.

Bramble Cove
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• Bramble Cove

This large bay has the benefit of being behind the Breaksea Islands. Apart from the obvious shallow beach, anchorage can be found in most parts of the bay to suit the conditions. Strong westerly swell, while reduced by Breaksea Islands, can sometimes be felt in the bay, but generally it is calm. Anchorage is on a white sand bottom, generally in 5 metres or less of water. The track to Mt Milner is at the L/H end of the shallow beach (Milner Cove). This short walk offers stunning views of Port Davey and into Bathurst Cahnnel. The track to Mt Stokes starts from the small beach below an obvious ridge that leads to the western side of the peak. The climb to the summit takes about two hours on a good track. Near the R/H edge of the Milner Cove beach, look for a monument to a number of square rigger sailors who were buried in this vicinty during the whaling days.

Yacht Repairs and Services

There are no repair facilities of any sort in the area. It may be possible to have spares flown into Melaleuca airstrip.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

None available

Water

Port Davey

Clean water (though with button grass staining) can be obtained from the waterfall in Waterfall Bay. It is possible to moor alongside the waterfall and a pipeline is in place to allow you to directly fill your tanks. If the colour of the water worries you (it has no effect on taste or quality), Claytons corner is the best alternative.

Bathurst Harbour

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 on demand.

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.

• Cruising Tasmania - J. Brettingham-Moore

• Tasmanian Anchorage Guide - Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania

The Anchorage guide is produced to enable passage planning and provides details of possible shelter available around the Tasmanian coast.

• Port Davey Marine Reserve Map and Notes - Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service (available from Service Tasmania).

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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