This leisurely meander up the east coast of Australia combines five ports and five sea days and provides a good study of OZ. Make sure to always check weather conditions and forecasts before you leave port. In Queensland, the trade winds blow an east-to-southeast direction from April to November. This was the only place I saw where they didn’t recommend swimming due to the threat of sharks. It is also the place that I was lucky enough to grow up. Beginning as far south as the Whitsundays are the relics of Australia’s once-booming island tourism industry. Remember to always consider the risk of having to pay for repairs. If you found the post helpful, or if you have any more tips or experiences you want to share, please drop a comment below. Every sailor knows that they can’t beat the sea. New ONLINE Reductions on European sailings! Cookies are used on this website. If conditions are bad, you’re going to regret leaving port as soon as you get out. The East Coast Trades, especially further up the coast are pretty reliable for running north. ALAN LUCAS – Cruising the New South Wales Coast. Browse through our selection of Australia cruises, and be sure to make note of Planet Cruise Weekly presenter Keith Maynard's top tips for cruising in Australia! Therefore I won’t go into detail about what kind of equipment you’re going to need. In Australia, the East Coast is the road well-travelled - and for good reason! During the early years, my family worked on a 10-year project of building a home-made, 15 m steel motor-sailor yacht from scratch. . About 90% of towns and people are located around the coastal edges. Book your tickets online for East Coast Cruises, Hobart: See 1,050 reviews, articles, and 583 photos of East Coast Cruises, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 158 attractions in Hobart. ‘Cruising the Coral Coast’ covers the whole of the east coast of Queensland, the Torres Strait and the Great Barrier Reef (including notes on the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Coral Sea). A Cocktail Lover's Guide to Cruising the World, Keith Maynard's top tips for cruising in Australia, Sydney Harbour Bridge – climb to dizzying heights for panoramic views of the city, Sydney Skyline – take in this astonishing site at sunset with an overnight onboard your ship, Cape Byron Lighthouse – explore the most eastern point of Australia at this historic site, St Kilda Botanical Gardens – see some stunning flora in Melbourne, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park – understand Australia’s aboriginal roots in Cairns. Cruises to Australia are a wonderful way to visit some of the most gorgeous parts of the country. Heading out into dangerous seas just for the sake of moving to the next destination is counterproductive, and dangerous. Subscribe to We Seek Travel for more free travel blogs and guides. Below are some links to my favourite islands on the East Coast of Australia, each with a guide and photos to inspire your sailing adventures. Great and useful blog (I don’t have Facebook so can’t leave a “like” there). Yorkeys Knob is a small beach community located in Queensland on the East coast of Australia. A real sailing treat to Australia's georgous East Coast anchorages. Unfortunately, the vast majority of island resorts that you’ll find sailing up the east coast of Australia are now abandoned. Sailing at night time can be risky, as the huge mammals sleep on the surface, completely oblivious to cruising vessels. The main daily costs will be diesel and food and amounts will vary depending on your appetite and how much you run your engine. Description. From the tropics of northern Queensland to the iconic landmarks of Sydney Harbour and the majesty of the Murray River, cruises to Australia are an unforgettable experience. When it comes to drinks on the other hand, one thing is for sure; wine tasting tours in the Hunter Valley are recommended by pretty much everyone - local’s included. … The best part of sailing the East coast of Australia is the places you stop. WIth this in mind, our cruise holidays in Australia are designed to show you the many treasures that exist in our own backyard. After 10 years of hard labour and dedication, my dad’s dream became a reality. On the New South Wales coast, the winds are fairly inconsistent. So, that’s a wrap for my quick guide and tips for sailing the East Coast of Australia. From the fabled beaches of the Gold Coast to the sizzling sands of Sydney’s Bondi Beach, the eastern coast is made up of 18,000km of rippling beaches. From the fabled beaches of the Gold Coast to the sizzling sands of Sydney’s Bondi Beach, the eastern coast is made up of 18,000km of rippling beaches. For that reason, I’ve updated this post as a quick guide that might hopefully help new cruisers and sailors wondering about what it’s like sailing up the East Coast of Australia. If you’re sailing up the East Coast of Australia during the whale migration, then you’ll almost certainly come across more than a few. We didn’t see too many when sailing up the East Coast, but they can be seen as far south at Gladstone. The best shops for food and provisions has to be Aldi. Here, they mate and nurture newborns in the warm tropical waters. If you’re running out of book space in the galley, I’d also recommend buying a Kindle, since you can save thousands of books, on the once device. It’s also a good idea to recheck just before you leave, as conditions could have changed since the forecast during the night before. Making it so easy, the new version of 'Rob's Passage Planner' is now out for the east coast of Australia, with many upgrades over the previous version. During this time, it’s a breeze sailing up the East Coast of Australia, as you’ll be running most of the time. ACCEPT READ MORE, If you're enjoying this post, why not say thanks by giving We Seek Travel a "like" on Facebook? It’s known as Australia’s Great Humpback Whale Migration. This website, like all other websites, uses cookies to improve your experience. In the Queensland region, tropical cyclones can form from lows within the monsoon trogh. 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For a more indepth guide, check out this PDF. 6 day or 12 day East Coast Sailing Adventure . This sixth edition of Cruising the NSW Coast comprehensively covers the NSW coast from Gabo Island to Tweed Heads, as well as inland waterways and rivers in detail, including significant detail of Sydney waterways: Port Jackson, Broken Bay and Port Hacking. Carnival Cruise Line offers everything from simple three-day getaway cruises that are ideal for first-time cruisers or those with limited time, through to 10-day adventures that will take you into open East Coast waters and north to the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll generally have better connection closer to land and closer to major cities. However, you’ll pay a premium for refueling at the dock. Watch feature films with a local twist – such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Piano – on deck at our Movies Under the Stars® outdoor theater. If it’s a dazzling nightlife you’re after, then you really can’t go wrong with the Las Vegas-style energy of the Gold Coast. This article is based on experience gained over a period of more than 30 years of racing and cruising on the east coast, including 8 years spent delivering yachts, and describes the weather conditions likely to be encountered by yachts cruising between southern NSW waters and far north Queensland. During this time, it’s a breeze sailing up the East Coast of Australia, as you’ll be running most of the time. Australian Sailing Guide Tasmania East Coast detailing anchorages, fishing, facilities and safety directions., The new version of 'Rob's Passage Planner' 4.0 is out for the east coast of Australia, Australian east coast and available cruising guides. Activities on Australia & New Zealand Cruises Day or night, you'll discover unique experiences that give you a new perspective on the region. While I’m not an expert sailor or cruiser by any means, these simple things can help a lot. There are plenty of regional beers to try too. 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Learn more. You’ll probably meet many pods along the way, however the highest concentration of dolphin populations tend to hang around the Newcastle Coast in NSW. This can be a blessing and a curse. Surf, swim, and suntan your way along Australia’s East Coast between Sydney and Arlie Beach. But, did you know that more people die each year in Australia from cows than sharks? Don't worry, I never spam! So this is a simple “thanks” message. Sadly, once you reach north of Gladstone, you’ll have to go to good old Woolies and Coles. I understand that this is appealing to many people, but still, you’re going to want to keep yourself busy somehow. You can read about it here. etc. If you're planning to day sail the east coast of Australia, then you're going to have cross river bars. Award winning Scenic Cruises & Wildlife Tours of Tasmania's stunning East Coast, Including Maria Island National Park, Ile Des Phoques and Schouten Island. For yachts cruising north from "the South", there is an entirely different world after Southport. Full-time cruising in Australia can get pretty expensive. In 2014, Malaika wet her keel for the first time in the channels of Gosford. In terms of docking and marina fees, expect to pay between $70 and $140 per night. You never realize just how big Australia is until you have to sail up the coast. There are no prevailing winds or trade winds to rely on. The Australian East Coast is one of the most scenic travel destinations in the world. On the New South Wales coast, the winds are fairly inconsistent. Beaches & Recreation. The saying goes: the sailor who claims to never have boat problems has never left the harbour. Sprawling beaches, native wildlife, and an incredible history certainly make this one for the bucket list. Hello Simon, Having sailed east to west before, we found January a good time to begin the voyage. Remember to plan ahead and get used to using the radio during this part of the sail. The main reason most people travel to Cairns is to explore The Great Barrier Reef and pristine white sand beaches.. Cairns doesn’t have a beach, but there is the Cairns Lagoon where you can relax, go for a swim, have a picnic or BBQ. For this reason, we stick to anchoring 99% of time time, since it’s completely free. ; Join the performers as you learn the legend of the haka, an ancient Māori war dance. Sailing teaches you patience. if If these books aren’t available on Amazon, try to find a second-hand copy of the latest edition at boating stores. Every boat has problems, from the engines to sails, to electronic equipment to leaks. Many full-time cruisers instead choose to head south to NSW during this time of the year. The only tours to combine viewing wild seals, dolphins, wombats, kangaroos, Cape Barren geese, eagles, wallabies, albatross and whales (during migration) with World famous landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage … These guys have been sailing for several years on their yacht and have now moved out of Australian waters with their dog. This blog post was originally an account of my initial sailing experience from New South Wales to Queensland. The books are a little hard to find online, but you’ll definitely want a copy onboard. However we caught plenty of Mackerel trolling with deep-diving lures, especially North of Brisbane. In Queensland, the trade winds blow an east-to-southeast direction from April to November. Australia’s east coast is home to some iconic sites - think Sydney’s sparkling Opera House or Brisbane’s Story Bridge. Remember to always be croc safe. Cruises from Sydney. Australia East Coast must-see places: The perfect East Coast of Australia itinerary for 4 weeks holiday Cairns – 4 day itinerary. A cruise along the eastern seaboard is perfect for those looking to explore several towns and cities in the region, with the ease having your home base in one space and without the hassle of having to constantly unpack. You can also download free PDF updates on his website. This is convenient because the south-easterly trades die off during this time, making sailing south much easier. I hope that this blog could help those considering making a lifestyle change or beginning the journey they’ve always dreamed off. This was born out of my dad’s crazy dream of truly self-sufficient sailing, we all surrendered to the cause and dedicated a lot of time into building Malaika. Snorkelling, diving, or boat trips are the best way to get up close with the tropical sea life that calls this reef home. Here are a few useful apps that you’ll want to have for sailing up the East Coast of Australia. Water-based excursions are plentiful, including whale watching and dolphin spotting in Port Stephens. If there’s saltwater, there’ll be sharks. There are plenty of good cruising books and online resources that go into detail about equipment. Alan Lucas, in his book, Cruising the NSW Coast, has excellent advice on tidal flow rates at river entrances. When sailing, you’ll probably see the occasional fin on the surface. One of the biggest tips is to plan your trip sailing up the East Coast of Australia, especially in Queensland, to run with the trades. Whether you’re looking to catch some waves or simply unwind there really is something for everyone. Passages to New Caledonia Cruising New Caledonia. Here are some general tips to help you out on your cruising journey. Therefore, this post is better aimed at rookies or those dreaming of a lifestyle change or just an epic coastal sailing adventure. Sailing in Far North Queensland during the months between November and April is generally discouraged. October 2017 From world-famous destinations to best-kept secrets that are loved by the locals, P&O cruise will help you discover a whole new world right on your doorstep. We had to have Malaika slipped for emergency mast repairs in Townsville, which wasn’t cheap. Water is generally free, and safe to drink from the docks. Sailing Up the East Coast of Australia: Weather and Prevailing Winds. From Fraser Island to Mackay is a huge section where you’ll get absolutely no service. Some of our favourites include: Australia’s varied and interesting history shines through in many areas, from native aboriginal history, to the convict stories that built many of the foundations of this region, to the 1850’s gold rush in Victoria, and much more. Whitsunday, Fraser Island, Tasmania etc. However, here are some things that you’ll definitely want to have. There are also plenty of reef sharks further up north on the reef that are epic to snorkel with. Below is a list of some of my favourite anchorages and mooring locations that we stopped at on the recent Queensland coast trip. Furthermore, wind patterns seem to change along the coast. With a keen interest in everything related to the ocean, I’ve always wondered what it would be like sailing up the East Coast of Australia. It’s the spectacular, kaleidoscopic colours of the Great Barrier Reef that make the coast of Queensland such a special place to visit. Part of the challenge for the recreational cruising sailor is the amount of necessary research to undertake a passage, whether it be a day sail or a six month sojourn. @2020 - WeSeekTravel.com. If you want to cruise the east coast, ports further south such as Brisbane, Southport or even Coffs Harbour are attractive. In saying that, it’s definitely going to be spotty. If you’re thinking about sailing up the East Coast of Australia, then you’ll have plenty of days doing absolutely nothing. So, tips and technicalities aside, here are some of the great things that you might experience sailing up the East Coast of Australia. You’ll often find them “playing” with your vessel by dancing and jumping along the wake and at the bow. In Brisbane you can get up close and personal with Australia’s well-loved little bears at the Koala Sanctuary, and admire all manner of species at Steve Irwin’s Zoo. After you read some of his guides, you’ll quickly understand why. It seems the further up the Aussie Coast you sail, the better the fishing gets. Cruising Victoria: a guide to cruising Victoria, the Bass Strait islands and Northern Tasmania $89.95 100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef: The Whitsunday Islands 13th Edition Revised $99.95 Cruising the Coral Coast $85.00 When we sail and cruise, we generally always have a trolling line out. Cruisin’ Motorhomes and Campervan Rentals is a family owned that provides the best campervan hire in Australia with a friendly reservations team dedicated to assisting you in choosing the perfect campervan, plus providing their expertise on customised travel itineraries for your ultimate Australian motorhome hire road trip! The other thing is scale. READ ABOUT MY FAVOURITE ABANDONED ISLAND IN THE WHITSUNDAYS: SOUTH MOLLE ISLAND. That’s not to mention the stunning Great Barrier Reef which lies just off the coast. Remember, I’m not a professional sailor, or have I done extensive cruising in Australia. 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