These last five days in the Rubicon Estuary at Port Sorell have been a complete change of pace and weather conditions. With settled easterlies, we have been unable to proceed further along the Tasmanian North coast. But it is without begrudging as we have enjoyed what the region has to offer and the sunny, warm weather.
Christmas Eve Sunset at Port Sorrell
The relaxed unhurried pace, without a need to be anywhere in particular, and with time on our hands, has been different from any previous cruise – a taste of things to come when work is no longer imposing a schedule.
From the perspective of a trial run for living aboard, all our systems are working very well: power production from the solar panels and wind turbine, use of the inverter for running the on board washing machine, wireless hub for internet, Raymarine instruments for navigation… so life afloat is comfortable and can be relatively independent of land facilities.
Sunset over Mt Roland last night, from our Squeaking Point Anchorage
Our estuarine wanderings have taken us to the historical mud berths on the Panatana Rivulet and to Squeaking Point further up the Rubicon River. We have gone for scenic walks along the muddy shores and sandbanks. When the weather allows, in a day or two, we will resume our sail to the north east end of the coast. For now, here is a gallery showing you what we have enjoyed seeing: a mix of landscapes, birds, wildflowers and some stunning sunsets.
Sv-Anui 
A beautiful collection of wild shores, birds and sights. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy the slow pace, it is what fills us up and sets us free!
Hi Carrie – it certainly replenishes the batteries! No stress this time, which is really what we needed😊.
Such beautiful views! Jealous! 💕❤
Thanks John, these last few days have been stunning. Glad you like the photos.
Beautiful
Thanks Phil! The views aren’t too shabby and the sunsets are to die for.😊
Beautiful photos Chris – I really like how you have put them into the gallery. Glad the systems are working well 🙂 Just a question – what do you mean by your “wireless hub?”
Hi Nat, it’s a Telstra wireless hub which acts as a modem so our computers and phones connect to the internet.
Thanks Chris – have sent you an email 🙂
Beautiful photos. Keep them coming. It gives us land-lubbers something to dream about.
Good to hear you enjoy them Craig!
Really interesting to see your perspective on views we know so well Chris. We are currently living next to the Patanana Rivulet so we spend a lot of time wondering around the old boats there. The history of Pt Sorell has largely been forgotten as it was overtaken by Devonport, but we have been fascinated to learn that it is in-fact one of the oldest settlements on the NW coast, having one of the few natural harbours. Big ships were built at Mary’s creek and Green Point, further up the Rubicon. Bush rangers and shipwrecks as well. In its prime there were three shops and a hotel along that sleepy esplanade. Then history overtook it, and it became a holiday shack village, and the working harbour a recreation waterway. I recon you can feel the history when you wonder around the old mud moorings.
We were thinking of you when we were there, wondering where you live. The stream is so tiny at low tide, but we might go back to see the little harbour at high water. It is hard to imagine intensive ship building there in the 1800s. It certainly is well sheltered, tucked away behind the headland. You live in a ver scenic spot😊
Apparently everything was deeper in the past. Like a lot of Tasmanian estuaries it became silted as the surrounding areas were cleared for agriculture. A few of the old timers have visited our build site and talk of the old days. They are pleased another “ship” is being built in the area. They love to see visiting yachts in the harbour. Someone sent me photos of T.I.E and I was able to tell them she’s the predecessor of our boat.
Ah excellent! We certainly haven’t seen any visiting yachts around here so we get noticed sitting in the river! We saw the lovely gaff rigged yacht that berths in the rivulet come out and sail past us when we were anchored opposite the public jetty before Christmas. He seemed to use a mooring there when the tide was low.
The bigger ships were built at Marys Rivulet, which is just around the corner from Patanana, towards the main beach. It’s mostly silted up now, presumably due to the trees being cut to build the ships; ironically. There is a timber walkway across it now, although there is talk of dredging and building a marina.
We’ll have to check this out. We are here for a few more days.
Some stunners there Chris.
Which ones do you like? My favourite is the sunset from last night over Mt Roland!
That blue wren is so cute! Would be so special to hear him sing.
He had his harem around him so was calling out!
Back home now, and catching up. Hope Christmas was good for you and Santa found you. You seem to have captured the spirit of the NW. The photos are lovely.
Just a few nicknacks for Christmas … Big spend on the boat instead! The NW was wild and beautiful.