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.

Middle Harbour is a hidden gem within Sydney’s waterways. This stunning inlet is surrounded by lush natural bushland, and residential areas. Much of the densely forested area is protected as part of the Garigal National Park and Sydney Harbour National Park.

It is located about 8nm north from the Sydney Harbor Bridge. This is a very popular boating location with its crystal clear and protected waterways. Ideal for cruising, kayaking or paddleboarding. The area is also a popular fishing location with Bream, Tailor and Flathead on offer.

Middle Harbour has several marinas including D’Albora Marinas, The Spit, and Middle Harbour Yacht Club. The area also has many sheltered bays and coves which make excellent anchorages.

Some of these coves include Sugarloaf Bay, Bantry Bay, Castle Cove and Sailors Bay just to name a few. They are a perfect spot for overnight stays, anchoring to enjoy the tranquil bushland surroundings and the variety of wildlife including kookaburras and cockatoos, you might even see some dolphins.

To get to Middle Harbour you will need to pass under the Spit Bridge, a notable landmark that connects the northern suburbs of Mosman and Seaforth. This bridge has an air draft (clearance height) of approximately 6.5 metres at high tide, but at different times during the day it opens allowing larger vessels to pass through. Opening schedules are available online (https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/using-waterways-boating-and-transport-information/navigation-communication-maps-times-and-restrictions/spit-bridge-openings#toc-bridge-opening-times).

On the other side of the Harbour is Watsons Bay, located on the Southeast shore just inside Sydney Heads. It offers stunning views of South Head’s rugged cliffs and the magnificent Sydney Harbour. There is a beautiful beach where you can enjoy fish and chips from the famous, Doyles on the Beach.

There is an abundance of marine life in the area due to the clear waters, making it the perfect location for fishing or snorkelling. Some the species you might find include Bream, Flathead, Whiting, Snapper, and Kingfish.

There are many small beaches to enjoy along this section of coastline where you can anchor and enjoy a swim or just relax on the beach. Shark Beach with its calm waters and safe swimming area is one of the most popular locations.

Just around the corner from Watson Bay is the picturesque Nielson Park. Forming part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, you can enjoy the stunning views of the Harbour whilst enjoying a picnic or taking a stroll on the walking trails along the coast.

Sydney Harbour is a very popular and busy working Harbour with ferries and commercial vessels travelling from the Heads and between different locations on the Harbour. These vessels can travel quickly and have right of way, so it is important to keep a look out for them, and make sure you don’t get in their path. You will know by the frequency and energy of horn soundings if you or others stray into their path.

It is important to appreciate the different speed limits on the Harbour. For example, it is often 4-8 knots near moorings, marinas and ferry terminals, and there are no wash zones near sensitive ecosystems. Probably the most notable is the 15-knot limit near and under the bridge, with the no stopping zone from the Opera House to Kirribilli House being one of the most notable and enforced.

Broken Bay with Pittwater and the Hawksbury River, along with Sydney Harbour offer a huge variety of things to do and experiences to enjoy. They provide the perfect mix of peace and tranquillity, and city life to ensure that everyone has a memorable time on and off the water. They also provide the perfect jumping off point for exploring further South.

To get in contact with our Maritimo sales team in Sydney click here.