Some days are memorable and the last few days stand out as highlights! What made it so was a relaxed pace, the abundance of wildlife and turning the corner into New South Wales!
We managed to finally leave the Gippsland Lakes on Sunday 13 August before dawn and motor-sailed in light winds. We got gentle enough conditions to stay overnight at the Skerries, a group of small rocky islets just off Wingan Inlet. You get some protection from the islets, and although it is never totally calm in there, this little known spot can allow you to break the long journey to Eden and avoid an overnight sail. But if there is swell or strong wind, it is untenable.
TIE backing on to the seal colony
Anchoring at the Skerries
The only scary thing about the Skerries is the Australian Fur Seal colony. It can be a bit on the nose when you are sitting downwind of them and they are a noisy lot: a mix of cattle bellowing and dogs barking. A small huddle came to visit us while we were still at anchor having breakfast. They were a bit nervous the night we arrived, but were a little braver in the morning. I had to hide to get the photo so as not to spook them. Aren’t they funny looking with their little ears and inquisitive faces!
Australian Fur Seals investigating the boat
And then there were the humpback whales. It is migration season. We saw quite a few at a distance. We would notice the blow or the splashes from them breaching and tail slapping, too far to photograph but exciting nevertheless. But one surfaced so close to us that we were thrilled and scared at the same time. It was nearly as big as the boat and at 40 tons, 10 times the weight! No zoom required for that photo!
Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale
The birdlife was great also: gannets, terns, albatrosses, even white-bellied sea eagles. They were busy fishing and were spectacular when diving for their feed! We were lucky enough to see a beautiful Yellow-nosed Albatross, a rare thing since it is endangered. The last time we had seen one was four years ago! They are the smallest of albatrosses but distinctive with their glossy black bill edged with yellow.
Endangered Yellow-nosed Albatross
Yeah, crossing into NSW!
We had a quiet day on Tuesday – and a bit of internet detox since there is no service inside the cove. We went for a walk ashore, then the rain set in. It was a good excuse for a laze around and a good day not to be sailing.
Wednesday, as we post this, we are bypassing Eden and heading for the fishing port of Bermagui.It is a bit blowy from the West but we are confident we will make it. We will be there till probably Friday.
As well as the wildlife photos, let us show you around this last stretch of coast. We went from cape to cape, lighthouse to lighthouse. So we are including here a few panoramic images of those rugged shores.
Somewhere between Cape Conrad and Point Higgs
Point Higgs
Iconic Gabo Island and its red granite lighthouse
Cape Howe and its sand dunes, marking the border between VIC and NSW
Hills overlooking Disaster Bay, just south of Green Cape
Green Cape
Sv-Anui 
Awesome to have the whale so close
Yes it was!, a bit daunting!
Loving following your trip north , vicariously enjoying the warming weather and wild life. Learning lots about birds too.
Thanks Sue – always great to hear!
The wind in Sydney is cold and strong today, hope it is better where you are. Love the pics. Stay safe. I wonder if you will have to tie up to a fishing boat at Bermagui.
Probably will! It’s a very tough passage – 40 knots on the deck – hugging the coast!
It’s interesting watching you on MarineTraffic. If you’re doing around 6 knots you’re motoring. Under 6 you’ve got a headwind or current. Over 7 knots is sailing time. It’s good that there’s lots of traffic to relay your position. It’s almost like a video game. Have fun.
Very strong wind – 40knots + when passing large bays, like Eden and Merimbula. We have two reefs in the main and a tiny bit of staysail (the middle one) with the engine ticking along to help! Wild ride!
Wonderful wildlife! Sounds like a wild ride in places….
Just a bit! But all good now. Tucked in against a fishing boat at the fishing harbour of Bermagui. The wildlife has been amazing! Glad you like some of the photos!
Thanks for sharing your journey experiences and lovely photos. The cat I am skippering had a long day today; 6am depart Maloolaba, anchored in the Great Sandy Straits 9pm tonight ! Windward work all the way, several times with motor assistance. 12-26kts northerly to N.W. wind.
Hard yakka Doug! We had a tough day to Bermagui too as you will see in the next post! Seems to be a lot of strong conditions… that’s winter for you!
Your sailing is so interesting as you meet all kind of animals and so many amazing coastal ports… Good winds comfort your journey my friends! 🙂
Thanks so much HJ! Glad you enjoy the read. It makes our day when we get feedback like yours.