This is a summary of key events cruising on Poseidon, including a description of our travels from one place to another.
2020
20 January 2020
Poseidon ready for cruising.
25 March 2020
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all non-essential domestic travel has been banned in Australia.
30 March 2020
Staying in a berth in Brooklyn, NSW. There could be worse places to be stuck and hopefully we’ll be able to start our voyage up the east coast of Australia soon(ish).
07 April 2020
Due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, we’re currently staying at Fenwick’s Marina.
The quote ‘life is a journey, not a destination’ has become even more prominent in my mind. We still have lots we can do and are never bored (although somewhat unsettled at this time), but these times will pass and we’ll be moving on. In the meantime, we’re completing many projects and supporting local businesses buying coffees and take-away meals.
28 June 2020
Left Brooklyn NSW and motored to Lake Macquarie – see blog Brooklyn to Lake Macquarie – for details and photos.
Estimated distance: 40.1 nautical miles from first to last waypoint
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2365
- Starboard engine: 2334
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2372
- Starboard engine: 2341
9 July 2020
Left Lake Macquarie NSW and motored to Newcastle – see blog Lake Macquarie to Newcastle – for details and photos.
Estimated distance: 16.4 nautical miles from first to last waypoint
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2377
- Starboard engine: 2346
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2382
- Starboard engine: 2350
10 July 2020
Left Newcastle NSW and motored to Port Stephens – see blog Newcastle to Port Stephens – for details and photos.
Estimated distance: 36 nautical miles from first to last waypoint
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2382
- Starboard engine: 2350
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2387
- Starboard engine: 2356
2 August 2020
Left Port Stephens and motored to Boat Beach (Seal Rocks) – see blog Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour – for details and photos.
Estimated distance: 40 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2388
- Starboard engine: 2357
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2393
- Starboard engine: 2362
3 August 2020
Left Boat Beach (Seal Rocks) and motored to Crowdy Head – see blog Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour – for details and photos.
Estimated distance: 40 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2393
- Starboard engine: 2362
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2399
- Starboard engine: 2368
4 August 2020
Left Boat Beach Crowdy Head and motored to Trial Bay – see blog Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour – for details and photos.
Estimated distance: 66 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2399
- Starboard engine: 2368
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2408.6
- Starboard engine: 2377
5 August 2020
Left Trial Bay and motored to Coffs Harbour – see blog Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour – for details and photos.
Estimated distance: 37 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2408.6
- Starboard engine: 2377
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2414
- Starboard engine: 2382.5
20 November 2020
Left Coffs Harbour and motored to Iluka – see blog Coffs Harbour to Iluka – for details and photos.
Estimated distance: 59 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2416
- Starboard engine: 2385
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2424
- Starboard engine: 2393
Note: Engine hours for Clarence River cruise – see blog River Ramblings for details and photos – were not recorded.
10-11 Dec 2020
10 December left Iluka Bay and motored to Wave Break Island. Estimated distance: 97 nautical miles
11 December left Wave Break Island and motored to Hope Harbour Marina. Estimated distance: 6 nautical miles
See blog – Iluka/Yamba to Queensland (Hope Harbour) – for details and photos.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2435
- Starboard engine: 2404
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2449
- Starboard engine: 2418
2021
4-5 Jan 2021
4 January left Hope Harbour Marina and motored to Horseshoe Bay, Peel Island. Estimated distance: 30 nautical miles
5 January left Horseshoe Bay and motored to Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club Marina, Manly. Estimated distance: 12 nautical miles
See blog – Isn’t it ironic…don’t you think? – for details and photos.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2450
- Starboard engine: 2419
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2455
- Starboard engine: 2424
4-7 Feb 2021
Left Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club Marina (MBTBC) at Manly. Spent a few days in Moreton Bay and then motored to Mooloolaba. See blog – Manly to Mooloolaba – for details and photos.
Estimated distance from Sandhills to Mooloolaba: 46 nautical miles
Engine hours at start (leaving MBTBC):
- Port engine: 2456
- Starboard engine: 2425
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2468
- Starboard engine: 2437
28 Feb-2 Mar 2021
Left Mooloolaba Marina for a 2-night transit to Hervey Bay. See blog – Two bars in two days, and not a drop to drink – for details and photos.
- Estimated distance from Mooloolaba to Double Island Point: 50 nautical miles
- Estimated distance from Double Island Point to Garry’s Anchorage: 27 nautical miles
- Estimated distance from Garry’s Anchorage to Urangan: 35 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2468
- Starboard engine: 2437
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2485
- Starboard engine: 2452
29 Apr -30 Apr 2021
Left Fisherman’s Wharf Marina at Hervey Bay for one night at Rooney Point and then into Bundaberg Port Marina. See blog – Hervey Bay to Bundaberg, via Rooney Point – for details and photos.
- Estimated distance from Fisherman’s Wharf to Rooney Point: 30 nautical miles
- Estimated distance from Rooney Point to Bundaberg Port Marina: 44 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2491
- Starboard engine: 2458
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2503
- Starboard engine: 2470
5 May – 8 May 2021
Left Bundaberg Marina for 3 nights at Pancake Creek and then into Gladstone. See blog – Bundaberg to Gladstone, via Pancake Creek – for details and photos.
- Estimated distance from Bundaberg to Pancake Creek: 64 nautical miles
- Estimated distance from Pancake Creek to Gladstone: 22 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2503
- Starboard engine: 2470
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2519
- Starboard engine: 2487
14 May – 15 May 2021
Left Gladstone Marina for 1 night at Hummocky Island and then into Keppel Bay Marina. See blog – We’ve reached the tropics – for details and photos.
- Estimated distance from Gladstone to Hummocky Island: 64 nautical miles
- Estimated distance from Hummocky Island to Keppel Bay Marina: 22 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2519
- Starboard engine: 2487
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2528
- Starboard engine: 2495
26 May – 4 June 2021
Left Keppel Bay Marina for an epic, 9 nights on anchor, cruise to Mackay. See these blogs for details and photos: Keppel Bay to Mackay – Part 1 and Keppel Bay to Mackay – Part 2
- Estimated distance from Keppel Bay Marina to Mackay via Port Clinton, Island Head Creek, Hexam Island, Middle Percy Island and Curlew Island: 193 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2528
- Starboard engine: 2495
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2556
- Starboard engine: 2524
10 – 16 June 2021
Left Mackay to island hop around the Whitsundays before arriving at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. See blog – Too many islands, too little time! – for details and photos.
- Estimated distance from Mackay to Airlie Beach via a number of islands: 106 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2557
- Starboard engine: 2525
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2574
- Starboard engine: 2542
23 – 28 June 2021
Left Airlie Beach to cruise to Townsville, via a number of overnight anchorages. See blog – Pinch me – we’re in Townsville – for details and photos.
- Estimated distance from Airlie Beach to Townsville via a number of anchorages: 145 nautical miles
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2574
- Starboard engine: 2542
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2596
- Starboard engine: 2564
28 Jun – 4 Jan 2022
Stayed in Townsville during this time, but with cruises to Magnetic Island and a short cruise north to Dunk Island. See blog – Should you serve bolognaise with rice? – for details and photos of our cruise north.
2022
4 Jan – 16 Jan
We cruised south from Townsville to Airlie Beach with a short detour via Bowen. See blog – Townsville to Airlie Beach (or, how slow can we go!) – for details and photos.
We then spent two months in Airlie Beach so we could explore the Whitsundays. See blog – Whitsundays Pictorial – for photos.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2654
- Starboard engine: 2617
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2693
- Starboard engine: 2660
12 Mar – 17 Mar
We cruised south from Airlie Beach to Mackay. See blog – Sometimes I don’t like the journey… – for details and photos.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2693
- Starboard engine: 2660
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2704
- Starboard engine: 2671
23 Mar – 2 Apr
We cruised south from Mackay to Keppel Bay Marina. See blog – Mackay to Keppel Bay (over 10 days) – for details and photos.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2705
- Starboard engine: 2672
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2731
- Starboard engine: 2698
13 Apr – 18 Apr
We cruised south from Keppel Bay to Gladstone. See blog – Cruising The Narrows (Keppel Bay to Gladstone) – for details and photos.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2732
- Starboard engine: 2699
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2740
- Starboard engine: 2707
1 May – 30 Jun
We cruised south from Gladstone to Hervey Bay and spending time at Urangan and local waterways. See blog – Gladstone to Hervey Bay (and it’s getting colder) – for details and photos.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2741
- Starboard engine: 2708
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2761
- Starboard engine: 2728
30 Jun – 7 July
We cruised south from Hervey Bay to Scarborough, crossing Wide Bay Bar and travelling at night. See blog – This blog is brought to you by the letter T (Hervey Bay to Scarborough) – for details and photos.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2768
- Starboard engine: 2732
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2790
- Starboard engine: 2756
14 July – 08 Aug
After a very enjoyable week at Scarborough, we cruised slowly south to be at Gold Coast City Marina on Monday 8 August. This is where we had a lot of work done. See blog, 2022 – that’s a wrap, for details and photos.
During this time, we didn’t track the engine hours.
27 Aug – end of 2022
After a very busy time with Poseidon on the hard stand, we were happy to move to our new berth at Hope Island Marina. During the approximate four months we’ve been here, we have explored the Broadwater around South Stradbroke Island as well as venturing north to explore areas around North Stradbroke Island.
During this time, we didn’t track the engine hours.
2023
25 Jan – 28 Jan
We cruised from Hope Island Marina to Iluka Bay in NSW. See blog – So long Queensland – for details and photos.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2843
- Starboard engine: 2809
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2860
- Starboard engine: 2826
1 Feb – 8 Feb
We cruised the Clarence River from Iluka to Grafton and return. See blog – Clarence River do-over – for details and photos.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2860
- Starboard engine: 2826
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2870
- Starboard engine: 2836
17 February
After waiting for the swell to subside following Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle, we were off to Coffs Harbour. See blog – Back in Coffs Harbour – for details.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2871
- Starboard engine: 2837
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2878
- Starboard engine: 2844
30 March – 2 April
After spending six weeks in Coffs Harbour, to have solar installed – see blog Power to Poseidon – it was time to continue south to Port Macquarie, with a couple of nights at Trial Bay.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2879
- Starboard engine: 2845
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2896
- Starboard engine: 2862
13 April – 3 May
We cruised south from Port Macquarie to Camden Haven where we planned to stay for 3 nights, but due to adverse weather conditions (and a great anchorage) we stayed for nearly 3 weeks! See blog Pelican Paradise for details.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2896
- Starboard engine: 2862
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2901
- Starboard engine: 2867
3 May – 6 May
We cruised south from Camden Haven to Port Stephens, with a couple of nights at Forster. See blog Camden Haven to Port Stephens for details.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2901
- Starboard engine: 2867
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2915
- Starboard engine: 2881
13 May – 13 June
We cruised south from Port Stephens to Broken Bay, stopping in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. After nearly 3 years, we’re Back to where it all began!
From 29 May to 13 June we cruised on Lake Macquarie. It’s a fantastic cruising ground if you can access the area because the channels from Swansea into the lake are very shallow. See blog Cruising Lake Macquarie for details.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2915
- Starboard engine: 2881
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2939
- Starboard engine: 2904
13 June – 7 July
We spent this time cruising around areas we hadn’t been before. See blog Cruising around Broken Bay for details.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2939
- Starboard engine: 2904
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2959
- Starboard engine: 2925
7 July – 21 August
We spent this time cruising around Sydney Harbour. See blog Six weeks in Sydney Harbour for details.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2959
- Starboard engine: 2925
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 2988
- Starboard engine: 2953
22 – 30 August
We cruised south, as described in my blog Sydney Harbour to Shellharbour.
During our stay at Shellharbour, we also spent time preparing for our trip to Tasmania.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 2988
- Starboard engine: 2953
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3000
- Starboard engine: 2965
12 – 23 October
We cruised south, as described in my blog Biding our time in Bermagui.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3000
- Starboard engine: 2965
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3022
- Starboard engine: 2988
4 – 9 November
We left Bermagui and headed south, then west until we reached Lakes Entrance. This trip is described in my blog, We’ve reached Victoria.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3022
- Starboard engine: 2988
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3047
- Starboard engine: 3013
10 – 22 November
We explored the Gippsland Lakes region as described in my blog, Silt jetties, swans, sunsets, and then some!
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3048
- Starboard engine: 3014
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3058
- Starboard engine: 3024
22 November –
7 December
We left the Gippsland Lakes and made our way to Melbourne as described in my blog, They take their rowing very seriously in Melbourne!
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3058
- Starboard engine: 3024
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3099
- Starboard engine: 3066
2024
7 December ’23 –
20 February ’24
We enjoyed about 2.5 months in Melbourne and gave Poseidon a mini-makeover.
21 February – 13 March
We have started our cruise to Tasmania. In fact, you might say we ‘danced across Bass Strait‘!
We also enjoyed Exploring the Tamar River Region.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3099
- Starboard engine: 3066
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3162
- Starboard engine: 3122
5 – 14 April
We left the Tamar River and arrived at St Helens, as described in my blog, From Beauty Point to Beauty Bay (St Helens).
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3162
- Starboard engine: 3122
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3184
- Starboard engine: 3144
27 April – 10 May
We left St Helens and arrived at Triabunna, as described in my blog, St Helens to Triabunna.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3184
- Starboard engine: 3144
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3205
- Starboard engine: 3165
15 May – 31 May
We left Triabunna and made our way to Hobart, as described in my blog, Two cat nights in Hobart.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3205
- Starboard engine: 3165
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3225
- Starboard engine: 3185
30 Jun – 31 May
After enjoying being tourists in and around Hobart, we made our way to Oyster Cove Marina, Kettering for some scheduled boat maintenance.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3225
- Starboard engine: 3185
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3237
- Starboard engine: 3197
30 Jun – 9 Aug
After enjoying being tourists in and around Hobart, and staying at Prince of Wales Marina for a few weeks, we made our way to Oyster Cove Marina, Kettering for some scheduled boat maintenance.
After two weeks on the hard stand, we returned to the iconic Constitution Dock.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3225
- Starboard engine: 3185
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3237
- Starboard engine: 3197
8 Oct – 17 Oct
It was time to start heading south, as described in my blog 43° 26′ 56.7″ South.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3242
- Starboard engine: 3202
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3256
- Starboard engine: 3216
18 Oct – 25 Oct
After waiting out some windy conditions, it was time to head north. This took us back through the Denison Canal and up the east coast of Tasmania to St Helens. This trip was covered in the following blogs:
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3256
- Starboard engine: 3216
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3283
- Starboard engine: 3243
30 Oct – 4 Nov
We continued in a northly direction towards Flinders Island, preparing to cross Bass Strait. This was an interesting trip as the forecast weather didn’t match reality. It’s all covered in our blog, Plan A to Plan B to Plan C…and then this happened.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3283
- Starboard engine: 3243
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3300
- Starboard engine: 3260
5 Nov – 18 Nov
Our patience paid off and we commenced crossing Bass Strait and heading to Melbourne. Read this blog, Crossing Bass Strait again, then on to Melbourne, for details of our trip. Since our plan is to stay in Melbourne into 2025, this wraps up the year of 2024.
Engine hours at start:
- Port engine: 3283
- Starboard engine: 3243
Engine hours at end:
- Port engine: 3300
- Starboard engine: 3260
2025
Coming soon!