Port Stephens 7th to 9th September

The sail from Lake Macquarie to Port Stephens on Saturday was the best sail we have had for a long time. The wind was generally in the west at 10-15kn for most of the day and as the swell and seas were less than 1m we flew along at an average of 6 knots. Stockton Bight behaved and warnings from various people about how lumpy this patch of sea was did not eventuate, this time at least. We rounded Tomaree Head at 1.30pm and motored along the southern coast of Port Stephens. There are two main commercial operations here, tourism and oyster farming. As we motored along the white sandy beaches multi storey hotels and apartments dominated the waterfront. Shoal Bay, the first opportunity for anchoring, was rejected as there were many people, especially children, on the beach and there appeared to be no place to secure Lily when we went ashore. (Children cannot help themselves and play in the dinghy - sand everywhere, and potential loss of oars!)

The next bay, Nelson Bay, is the main tourist centre along with a very expensive marina. We later found out that this marina costs $90 per night. Alan Lucas, 'Cruising the NSW Coast', informed us that there were courtesy moorings to the east side of the marina. There wasn't any. They must have been removed for some reason. We motored on. This southern shore generally has water that is too deep to anchor in close to the beach so we kept going until we finally found an area just east of the Anchorage Resort Marina that had suitable depth and was reasonably protected close to the marina wall. There are several moored boats here and we spent a pleasant night there.

On Sunday we motored around Salamander Bay, where we did find a courtesy mooring in the south east corner, and on to Soldiers Point and into the western part of Port Stephens waterway. Tanilba Bay looked good so we anchored there in 3m of water a long way out from the shore. This bay is quite shallow so we set the anchor outside the moored boats. After lunch we took Lily ashore and walked several kms to Lemon Tree Passage. There is a small marina here, but we decided it didn't look like a good choice for an overnight stay. The water is muddy and shallow and the marina piles made of steel. We had a coffee then walked around the shore back to Tanilba Bay.

Interesting!! As we rounded the last stony point we realised the tide had gone out a seriously long way. By now the feet and legs were protesting, but when we looked at where we left Lily we thought a walk to the local shopping centre was a good option, while we waited for the tide to come in a little. Finally we gave up and staggered, hauling the dinghy over the sandy mud, weed and black snail shells to the waters edge. A lesson well learned!! Check the tide tables!!

'Oh s@#!! Where has the sea gone?'

This morning, Monday, we motored to the northern side of the waterway and had a quick look at the Northern Arm, which is an interesting bay - but not for a stay. Just around the corner is Fame Cove, a beautiful little secure anchorage with 6 courtesy moorings available to the public. We chose one and then took Lily up the creek as far as we could go, a couple of kms. Once the mangroves closed in we turned around and decided to row most of the way back to listen to the birdsong and creek noises. Lovely!

Tomorrow we will motor over to Soldiers Point Marina where we have booked two nights stay. It is also expensive at $75 per night, but we need ice, a shower, water, laundry etc. There are a few extras thrown is here, a complimentary bottle of wine, a courtesy car or drop off and pick up along with one or two other things I have forgotten. We plan to have them drop us off at Nelson Bay Jetty on Wednesday to take a ferry to Tea Gardens for the day. Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest townships are up the Myall River and it is too shallow to get Rene up there. It sounds like a great day out!