Hawkesbury River Fiords
Well, never thought that the Hawkesbury River would have
Fiord-like creeks and bays. No way did I
realize what a big system this river is
and there are large parts where we cannot sail.
Ian sailed to Jervis Bay with mates and then to the
Hawkesbury in April. I went down to join
him on ANZAC day. ANZAC day is quite a
significant day, as one year ago we sailed out of the entrance to Lake Macquarie
after being farewelled by the RAAF, on our way to the Whitsundays Islands (over
a thousand nautical miles).
I drove to Brooklyn where I met Ian and Warren. Warren then disembarked and drove my car the
hour back to his home.
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| Refuge Bay - close to Brooklyn. Very busy on ANZAC night long, long weekend. Filled with club moorings. By Sunday there were only about four of us moored in here. Quiet and peaceful even with all the boats. |
A Thursday public
holiday is the best news to persons who can have the Friday off and make it a
very long weekend. I think half of
Sydney came out boating on the Hawkesbury as the last hurrah for summer. We anchored in Empire Bay that night – this bay
is called the best anchorage on the East coast of NSW by Allan Lucas. It is full of club moorings as is Refuge Bay
with a few courtesy moorings - if you can pick out the light pink mooring bouys
in amongst the yellow and red club moorings.
We anchored in Refuge Bay for the first night which was really lovely
and quiet despite the many boat owners enjoying the break.
26 April. We cleaned
up windChalmer both in and out and then motored over to Brooklyn to pick up our
friends Jo and Belton for a day on the briny.
These are just wonderful friends of whom we never tire for their great
conversation, interests, kindness and great sense of humour. Had a lovely fresh chicken and Quinoa salad
lunch with chocolate tart and coffee. At
about four we motored around a few bays and then back to Brooklyn for a walk
around the town, which is easily achieved.
We decided that we must get running lights on the RIB –
dangerous boating back to windChalmer in the dark. As we were anchored on moorings near the
railway line we pondered whether it would be wise to stay put. However, after a light supper we decided that
the trains were not too loud and stayed the night. Amazing how they didn’t disturb us as
all. Great night’s sleep.
27 April. I have
listed the weather as perfect for the whole week. Wonderful Autumn weather, warm days and nice
cool nights.
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| Hallets Cove - near Brooklyn has a lovely little waterfall and beach - on low tide. Lots of families brought their kids here to play. |
We found a free mooring in Hallets Cove just down from
Refuge Bay and decided to hang on to it for the day and night. We had a very relaxing day, fishing and
watching the boat show. The mooring next
to us had five changes through the day and evening. We were near a little waterfall and beach so
lots of boats with kids came to play.
A cruiser with a young couple towed their rubber ducky on a
long painter. They put the cruiser in
reverse and wound the painter rope around their propeller. He then spent ages diving under the cruiser
trying to free the rope. Finally a boat
from Hobart, Mistraal noticed them and had a airhose to loan. We had a bit of wake disturbance from boats going
up and down the river through the night, otherwise very still and quiet.
28 April.
Sunday. We spent most of the
morning fishing out of Little Patonga. No
Luck. At Patonga Ian caught a reasonable
sized flathead which made a very tasty dinner with fresh salad. I had caught a small whiting the previous
night, but nothing else. Then no one
else was catching anything of a keepable size either including the young sea eagle. I felt sad for him.
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| Fishing boats trying their luck just outside of Patonga. Lion Island in view. This is the mouth of the Hawkesbury River system. Great river. Wonderful holidays here. |
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| Patonga Beach - beautiful. |
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| Patonga Beach where Ian caught a good sized flathead. |
Our new sport was counting the boats headed towards
Pittwater or Sydney. Train after train
of them, looked like those joined together caterpillars marching onwards.
We easily found a mooring at Refuge Bay – lots of choice.
29 April.
Monday. More and more boats
leaving the Hawkesbury. We motored from
Refuge Bay to Yeoman Creek. Probably 25
mins of travelling. A young sea eagle
was fishing very close to us – his parents finally turned up and drove him
off. Forcing the teenager to find his
own way in life.
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| Yeoman's Creek Mooring, very picturesque |
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| Huge Rocks on most of the river banks - great art! |
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| Yeoman's creek - viewing the windChalmer from rocks |
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| Most of Cowan Creek or the Hawkesbury River System has this type of banks. |
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| Trees growing out of rocks on most banks |
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| If you look carefully, centre left you can see the young sea eagle, who was trying his luck at fishing in Yeoman's creek - as much luck as us I think. |
30 April.
Tuesday. Woke to spitting rain,
however it cleared up. We took the
rubber ducky (RIB) up to the creek head – amazing huge rocks and pools.
Yeoman Creek to Smiths Creek. Popped into Cottage Point which is a
millionaire’s paradise. We stopped in at
the small café for lunch. Made the
mistake of ordering flathead.
Stale. Smashed potatoes and
rocket was nice, but of course overpriced.
Walking was great on very steep
grades. Homes on very long piers.
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| Cafe at Cottage Point, very pretty little village. Need large bank account to acquire property in here |
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| Reflections in the river head - Smith's Creek |
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| Loved these pools and reflections. |
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| Just so clear and amazingly huge rocks |
1 May Tuesday. Smiths
Creek was again really lovely. One other
yacht on moorings near us. Tranquility
from Sydney.
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| Bobbin Head Board Walk |
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| Continuing on from the board walk |
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| Just as on Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, you can hire the Biplane to take you to the Cottage Point Restaurant |
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| Mooring in Smiths Creek |
2 May Wednesday we motored down
to Bobbin Head. Coffee and a good
walk. Lovely area with great board
walks. Surprised to find that we had
really good phone service here. We could
get fairly good service in the middle of the creek, but not in the bays where
we moored except for Smiths Creek.
Stayed in Empire Bay with one other
boat. Perfect night, very cool.
3 May Thursday – back to Brooklyn where Robyn was offloaded
and Warren and Dave C joined Ian for the evening and then they motor/sailed
back home. Managed to sail up to Bateau
Bay, then the winds died and they motored home to Lake Macquarie on the Friday,
catching the 2 pm Swansea Bridge opening.
HAWKESBURY -
recommend to anyone who wants a lovely, quiet stress-free holiday.
