After spending 20 days on anchor enjoying Camden Haven, we finally had a perfect weather window to head south. In summary, our trip from Camden Haven to Port Stephens involved three stages:
- Camden Haven to Crowdy Head for a 3-hour layover, then on to Forster
- Forster to Boat Beach
- Boat Beach to Soldiers Point Marina in Port Stephens
The following 3-minutes video shows you the route we took and key photos. If you want to read more, then keep scrolling!
Camden Haven to Forster (via Crowdy Head)
On Wednesday 3 May we left Camden Haven close to the high tide and headed to Forster. It’s about a 6-hour trip and we wanted to arrive close to the high tide at Forster to cross the bar. As I’ve said before, it’s considered the safest time. But of course, it’s about 12 hours between tides, so we ended up doing a 3-hour layover at Crowdy Head.
The bar crossing leaving Camden Haven was very calm, as was the trip down the coast to Crowdy Head. Here’s a short video to give you an idea!
We came screaming in across the bar at Forster, figuratively, with a speed of nearly 12 knots (24km/hour). This channel flows fast. Both courtesy moorings were taken and there was a yacht on anchor. Someone in a fishing boat, presumably a local, yelled to us that there were moorings on the Tuncurry side of the channel. I didn’t think this was true because of information I’d read, but we felt we should still go and look – he was a local after all – and maybe they’d been reinstated! But there were no moorings, so we headed back to the Forster side and nudged in beside the anchored yacht to drop our anchor.
On Thursday, we caught up with friends we’d met nearly three years earlier in Port Stephens. We had a lovely lunch with them at the Rockpool café before going for afternoon tea at their unit. Below are some photos and if you click them, you’ll see a description.
Forster to Boat Beach
On Friday 5 May, we left Forster in the morning with the plan to head to Broughton Island. But the swell was a bit uncomfortable, and since the next day indicated better conditions, we decided to stay at Boat Beach instead. This was about two-hours before Broughton Island, so it was only a short trip. The weather was beautiful and the water colours magical and so clear.
I kayaked to the beach, had a walk and then chatted to some locals who’d been swimming. They pointed to a couple of sharks in the shallow water. But they said, “they probably won’t hurt you”! I must say I did a very fast paddle back to the boat.
While conditions during the day were good where we tucked in, we still put out both flopper stoppers. I’m glad we did because when the tides changed it was quite rolly overnight.
Boat Beach to Soldiers Point Marina
We were awake early on Saturday 6 May and I took a couple of photos of the stunning sunrise. Then we packed away the flopper stoppers, lifted anchor and headed south in very calm conditions. Despite our rolly anchorage overnight at Boat Beach, it was worth it for the great conditions we had on our trip into Port Stephens.
Since we hadn’t been to Broughton Island, we went in to check out Providence Beach. This is definitely somewhere we’ll go another time.
We arrived close to midday to very calm conditions, but that was due to change over the next few days. I can’t believe it, but I actually felt seasick for a few hours despite being in a berth. This video gives you an idea of the westerly winds that came up and their effect on creating waves.
We’ve enjoyed our week at the marina, and catching up with friends Sonja and Gerry who also kindly took us out to enjoy lunch at Crest, Birubi Beach and joined us later in the week for a drink at Cheeky Dog. Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo with them, but below are some pics of our trip down the coat from Boat Beach.
The last time we were at Port Stephens, I put together a set of photos. If you’re interested take a look at my Port Stephens Pictorial.
Where to next?
We’ll be heading south to Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and then back to Broken Bay, where it all began!
7 Responses
Great to see you are still enjoying your adventures and life on the boat, look forward to your blogs. Safe travels, Pam and Graham
Wonderful photos of the pelican taking off.
Such beautiful photos, Pam. We have been to sport Stephens a free times and always enjoyed it there.
Thank you for sharing x
perfect info as per usual. I dont always say anything, but I do love following the adventure
Hi Pam & Robert
Pity it was so windy when you were in Soldiers Point. Again it was great to catch up. We hope you enjoy your time in Newcastle and your adventure further down the coast.
Your blog & your photos spectular.
Take care & safe travels
I loved your short-necked big-foot Pelicans!
Thanks for calling into Forster – it was great to catch up after 3 years.
We will continue to follow your wonderful journey.
Rob & Chicka