The options of extremes. The pace of city life meets wilderness and peace…
The New South Wales coastline of Australia has a diverse range of impressive scenery, including pristine beaches, rugged cliffs, tranquil bays, and lush hinterlands. It stretches over 2130km with many bays and harbours to explore and enjoy. Some of the options include Yamba, Lake Macquarie, and Port Stephens, but probably the most popular areas would be Broken Bay, which includes Pittwater, the Hawkesbury River, and Central Coast, and naturally, the world-famous Sydney Harbour.
Pittwater is located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches just over 26nm from Sydney, depending on where you start. It is one of Australia’s premier cruising locations, with a combination of stunning natural beauty, calm and sheltered waters, hidden beaches, and picturesque bays. There are also many coastal communities, each with their own character, offering restaurants, bars, and boutique shops. This unique mix of wilderness and luxury makes it a popular location for locals and visitors.
It was on these waters that Bill Barry-Cotter, founder of Maritimo, fell in love with the water and boats. He started his boat building apprenticeship at age 16 and at age 21 established Mariner Cruisers in Mona Vale.
Cam Wood from Maritimo said, “I think it’s a bit of a forgotten area for those cruising down the East Coast. One minute you feel like you’re so close to Sydney, and the next minute you feel like you’re in the wilderness. It’s such a beautiful place.”
Pittwater is bordered on Western side by the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park that features stunning bushland and rugged cliffs. There is over 28nm of coastline to explore, and so many secluded bays to enjoy, including The Basin, Lovett Bay and Morning Bay. Some of these bays are only accessible by boat, or by hiking, which just adds to the remote feel of the area.
These bays provide sheltered anchorage, protected from wind and waves, which makes them perfect for an overnight stay so you can enjoy the area completely. Some have public moorings, or you can drop an anchor in most locales.
The Eastern side of Pittwater has the populated areas. Towns including Newport, Church Point, Avalon Beach and Palm Beach have many restaurants, boutiques shops and hotels, waterfront pubs, beaches and luxury experiences to enjoy.
If you are wanting to explore more remote and isolated areas, then the Hawkesbury River, which is connected to Broken Bay, is another wonderful location to spend some time. This area also has many coves and bays to explore. Refuge Bay located at the entrance to Pittwater is renowned for its natural beauty and sheltered anchorage ideal for swimming, snorkelling, or just relaxing on your boat. It is also known for its stunning waterfall, adding to the overall ambiance and tranquillity of the cove.
Bar Point is another great place to anchor and enjoy the beauty of the river. This secluded area offers stunning scenery and many opportunities for swimming, kayaking, fishing and unwinding.
There are also several places to visit for some excellent seafood. The Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed at Brooklyn and the Boathouse Hotel Patonga at Patonga are definitely worth considering.
Navigating these areas is relatively easy with well-marked channels, sheltered waters and minimal tidal flow. Whilst generally calm, the afternoon winds can pick up, especially in the summer causing choppy waters. Weather needs to be monitored as things can change quickly, especially with summer storms. It is also important to keep an eye on the tides, as some areas like Lovett Bay or The Basin can get shallow at low tide.
Pittwater and surrounds offer numerous sheltered bays and coves with good holding ground for anchoring, just make sure you follow the guidelines to protect the environment, especially in the sensitive seagrass areas. There are also many public moorings available in the key locations such as The Basin, Refuge Bay and Coaster. These are free and operate on a first-come first-served basis, though most have a 24-hour limit.
There are also many marinas throughout the area offering a range of facilities and amenities. The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Motor yacht Club, and Newport Anchorage Marina are full-service marinas. You will need to book in advance, especially during the busy times.
The weather is generally mild and temperate, making it the ideal location to visit all year round. On average, the area enjoys 250 days of sunshine per year. Summer temperatures range from 18–30˚C, while winter ranges from 6–20˚C.
A short distance south of Pittwater is Sydney Harbour, which is one of the world’s most iconic waterways with its vibrant attractions, big city life, cultural history, stunning vistas and sheltered coves. The Harbour has so much on offer and so many places to visit and stay, it just depends on what you are looking for.
Some of the major attractions include Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, The Rocks, museums and galleries, five-star restaurants, and the beaches including Bondi, and Manly, are all a must see.
Darling Harbour, located in the heart of Sydney is a vibrant waterfront precinct with many restaurants, bars, live entertainment and numerous other attractions to enjoy. This location also provides easy access to the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the city. There are several marinas here to safely leave your boat for longer stays and explore what Sydney city has to offer, with Darling Harbour Marina being the most popular.
