This week as we have started heading north, we share with you some of the treasures of the southeastern waters: the spectacular seabirds and special hideaways.
This part of the ocean is the domain of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels and gannets. They are breathtaking to watch as they soar, weave their way through the swell lines, fish. Although feeling a bit rusty with capturing birds in flight from the moving deck, here are a few images that pass muster.
East Gippsland and the south of New South Wales have rugged coastlines, with exposed bays, prominent headlands and conspicuous lighthouses.
In the midst of this weather-beaten coastline, there are some hideaways and we are taking you to two of these.
The Skerries
We have often mentioned the Skerries. Most cruisers have never been there and think we mean “the scarries”…. We guess they could be to some! These are a group of three rocky islets 100m offshore of Wingan Inlet. With some 14,000 fur seals calling The Skerries home, you can imagine the sounds and smells… The seals bellow and bark day and night, it is a bit woofy when you first get there and the anchorage is jiggly even in light winds, but for us it beats doing an overnighter to get around the corner into NSW!
We have never stayed there longer than a night so have not had a chance to explore the inlet by dinghy or kayak. Having seen what it looks like from the air, courtesy of our drone, we might have to next time!
Bittangabee
Our next treasured hideaway is not a straight forward place to get into and not always accessible because of the swell. But this tiny, picturesque bay on the rugged stretch of coast south of Eden is our all-time favourite anchorage so when possible we make a stop there.
We tend to stay for a few days to relish the remoteness and solitude. It is lovely to wake up to the sound of bell birds and the smell of eucalyptus trees. There are beautiful walks south to Green Cape or north to Saltwater Creek and beyond.
We lazed around, went for bushwalks, took a bird’s eye view of our surroundings and as usual had a serene time there even though we were at times facing the wrong way, stern or beam to the beach!
And now we have moved on 140nm further north. We left Bittangabee early this week, spurred along by a developing East Coast Low! We are hiding safely in Jervis Bay but it has been a wild ride. More on this in our next post!
Sv-Anui 
Beautiful photos, guys! The inlet looks inviting with its rocky coast then the sand beach. Safe travels! 🇦🇺
Hi John, yes the inlet is the mouth of the Wingan River so you could paddle up and explore on a calm day.
looks like the drone is getting a bit of a workout. beautiful images Chris.
Hiya Henry- yes trying to get used to it before we get back to the reef!
I don’t like to query you, but the light labelled “Conran” appears to me to be Pt Hicks !
Ooh good spotting! Thanks for that – Caption changed.
Lovely places, that inlet looks so interesting to go and explore. You both are looking good. Take care. 🙂
Thanks HJ – lots more to see… there is always next time!
Beautiful coastline down there ….your aerials show off some of that stunning remote wildness. Near my old stamping ground of Bega Merimbula … good memories….happy sailing guys, here’s hoping for some balmy southerlies!
Hi Elgar, We wish we could have stayed longer and explored more, but the conditions did not allow. We have southerlies, 40-50 knots of them, so definitely not balmy!
Even here we can see reported wild weather north of Sydney at the moment …. hope you have a nice bolt hole!
Still happening … the East Coast Low has moved south. More on this in the next post.
Sth coast looking good, pleased you enjoyed it. Have a good sail north. C u soon
Hiya Sue. We’ve had a nice time. Would have loved a bit more time at both the Skerries and Bittangabee, but had to make a call about the coming weather. It leaves more for next time. A bientôt!
Hi guys have been enjoying your journey. If you are looking for shelter in Jervis Bay you can enter Currambene Creek at Huskisson west side of JB motor up past Woollamia boat ramp up to Myola drop anchor west of Myola channel.
Medina use to be moored near Woollamia boat ramp.
Cheers Mick & Lyn
Thanks Mick & Lyn – thinking of you… We are at Hole in the Wall on anchor, safe: 100m of chain out in 10-12m of water over sand in flat water. It is blowing hard, 30+ inside the walls, a lot more outside, but we are good, just boat bound for a few days.
Shhh, don’t tell everyone about Bittangabee, it’s one of my favorites too 🙂 Was there a small white buoy attached to an anchor near the beach? It was there for ages and I always wanted to know its story.
I love your photos, you got some great ones of the birds.
There was. We saw a fishing cruiser anchor fore and aft to it to keep bow to the swell.
I love your action shots of the birds, Chris–your skills certainly don’t look rusty to me. Were you shooting them with your Tamron 18-400mm lens? I seem to recall that you have that lens. I have one too and have not used it much, but am thinking of trying it out this spring as I search for dragonflies. I really like the way that you have composed so many of your landscape shots, like the one of the Anui anchored at the Skerries. You manage to pack so much visual interest into a shot like that, really giving us viewers a feel for the beauty of the surroundings. All too often I am tempted to zoom in really tight on the main subject and it sometimes looses its context. The lighthouses were a real treat for me. I love the way they show so prominently, each one a bit different from the others.
Hi Mike – always looking forward to your reactions to the posts! The Tamron 18-400mm is nearly always the lens I use. It gives me the flexibility in shots without needing to change lens and risk getting salt or dust on the sensor. So I can go wide with the lighthouses or zoom in for the birds in flight. The drawback is the weight which is an issue only if we are walking ashore. Wade often ends up carrying it on the return trip I’m afraid!
The aerials at the Skerries and Bittangabee – still learning about at what height to go, what angle to tilt the camera, and pre-planning the shots I want. it is a treat for us to see the the bird’s eye view of where we are anchored!