We seem to be destined to wait, but this time it is for the weather, which is part and parcel of cruising. At least we are now on our way, after spending a few days at the fishing harbour of Apollo Bay.
We left Queenscliff as planned on Tuesday and had a beautiful sail to Apollo Bay. The wind was changeable, a challenge to set our sails, but an opportunity to try them all! It was a kind of shake down passage, when we tested all the new gear: engines, navigation instruments and sails. And we are pleased to say it all worked!
Just out of Port Phillip Bay and passing the Heads at Point Lonsdale
Look at all this orangeness!
We were lucky to get in to the Apollo Bay harbour as it had been closed for days due to a large sandbank right across the entrance. But the dredge got to work during our passage and we entered the harbour at the end of the day on high tide with 3 meters under the hulls. We were the first boat to be allowed in for a while, since the entrance depth had been only a measly one meter at high tide for days, locking in the normally active fishing fleet. It pays to call the harbourmaster when you sail to these parts.
The dredge at work for several days to re-open Apollo Bay’s harbour
The very next day saw a strong southwest change with a breathtaking dawn. The sky was on fire, the wind was blowing and we were glad to be sheltered. We stayed put till today, Saturday, waiting for the next short window to dash across Bass Strait to King Island.
Sunrise at Apollo Bay
We left at the ungodly hour of 2.00am this morning to take advantage of a short spell of NE breeze, before another wind change. We are bound for Grassy on King Island. It’s a long 90 mile passage. We will then hop to the Hunter Group on Sunday and expect to stay there for a few days while the SW returns. It feels good to be in the deep blue sea again, and hopefully the marina life is over for a while. Here is to beautiful secluded anchorages and wild places!
Sv-Anui 
So happy for you guys that you are finally Cruising and everything is working well! Bon chance.
Thanks Jim! Out in the big blue, sailing well – just reached the top of King Island, a few albatrosses are out.
You are being tested for patience my dear…The weather is very unpredictable lately, the wind patterns are changing constantly all over.
The picture of sunrise at Apollo Bay is amazing! What colors! Take care my friends. 🙂
Thanks HJ – got off during the night and have been sailing well since 2am 😊
Great news, you guys finally broke free! Must have been a bad storm to block a harbour entrance.
Hi John, slow build and an unwinnable battle against the elements!
I was thinking of you on Wednesday. It was blowing a gale here. Blew all the water up in to Lake Alexandrina and Juanita (my Boat) was sitting high and dry. I thought you would stay in the bay.
Yes it was a big blow. We even parked our wind generator just in case!
Chris and Wade, we love and follow your blogs, we are about to do the same crossing only leaving from the Heads. We have never sailed to King Island,any thoughts or guidance on times etc. would really appreciate your feed back. Happy sailing. John & Janne on Chi
Hi you two, you are in for a treat.
You know us, we try and avoid overnighters. So if you want to do it the easier way, sail to Apollo Bay on a NE. Don’t follow the leads when you near the port entrance as they take you to a sand bank. Best to ring the Harbour Master on 0418 320 441. When the conditions are right head for King Island. You can sometimes anchor along the beach on the Eastern side, at Point Lavinia, but we have tended to go on a northerly all the way to Grassy. Talk to KI Ports on 0364611155. They will email you information as to who to talk to for a mooring. There really is not enough space in there to anchor. Have fun and call us if you need.
Thanks heaps guys, we certainly keep in touch. We have been itching to do Tassie and islands particularly the East side. Would be great to feel as comfortable as you do to venture back many times, to see it all. We are also heading north this year, maybe when the deluge stops. Thanks again, we will keep waiting and watching your adventures happy sailing
The East side is beautiful and varied and the. Ass Strait islands in the Furneaux are favourites of ours. Check out a couple of articles we wrote in previous years. You will find them on our Published page.