We last left you at Jervis Bay. Since then we have covered a lot of sea miles along the NSW Coast and are about to cross the border into Queensland.
Here is our orange track north since leaving the Gippsland Lakes… Only one more hop to go!
All the way we hugged the coast to try and avoid the worst of the East Australian Current which flows south at sometimes up to 3 knots. The giant conveyer belt transporting millions of cubic meters of water per second has a significant impact on boat speed as you sail north.
Our progress has been steady. Most mornings we start with a land breeze from the west, then the wind gradually switches to the SW and SE. We had a couple of great sails when we were reefed down and speeding along in smooth seas which brought a smile to our face. Our run up to Broughton then Port Macquarie were highlights. As we got closer to our Gold Coast destination, we could see we’d get the weather to easily make it back in time for our appointments, so we were able to relax a bit. However it is still hard work, with dawn rises and long passages most days, just no overnighters. We have also done more motoring than we’d like, when the breeze was just too light and we did not want to crawl. The run from Coffs Harbour to Yamba was an example of that!
Overall it has been a long, rather boring trip along the East Coast. We had hoped to do a few scuba dives to see the Grey Nurse Sharks and Fur Seals, a great way to break the monotony, but the weather did not cooperate. Being on a schedule, when the forecast is favourable, you use it! So yet again, the dive project is postponed. You really need to be patient and flexible when cruising and not fixate on things so you are not too disappointed when they don’t eventuate. The only bit of exercise in nearly three weeks has been a brief snorkel at Jervis Bay before the East Coast Low, a short walk there once the weather eased, then a longer snorkel at Broughton Island. You can guess the state of Chris’s back!
Our photo gallery includes sailing, aerials and underwater images taken along the way. Swipe left to see each image in full screen and click the i button on and off for the location and caption.
As we post this, we are on our last hop: 100nm from Yamba to Southport in SE Queensland. We started at an ungodly hour and will be there in the early evening!
Sv-Anui 
Hi Chris, Congratulations on such good progress! In the “Arrival at Port Macquarie” photo, what’s the black strap near Wade’s elbow?
Support for threatening tennis elbow which tends to flare up when he does lots of hand trimming of the sails instead of using Sir Walter!
Morning. See, I said we would catch up with you on the Gold Coast! You are going to beat us! Stay safe.
Hi Trish, we decided we’d get this over and done with, so no stop at Byron Bay this time!
Fair point.. as I see the weather is potentially going to get a bit frisky over the next couple of days.
Yes, it would not have been comfortable at Byron anyway. Long day but we’ll get in with the right tide at the Seaway.
Good oh. Well timed. I think we will sit out the grump at Yamba…
Wow, so many beautiful photos! ❤️ I’m glad that you had a good trip up to QLD!
Hi John, yes we will make it with a week to spare, but it has been a bit dull and hard work.
Oh, I see, better early than late!
Perchance a pedestrian but ‘workwise’ successful week for you – but you must be happy with the progress as we are with that group of very interesting photos especially of the kelp and the tunicates. The Coast again may not bring ‘excitement plus’ ere your then slow journey to your winter wonderlands – but, as long as nought negative comes about > clap, clap 🙂 !!!
Morning Eha, as you say a work task just about done with a week to spare. A few catch ups with local friends to look forward to, some small boat maintenance then two weeks of medical stuff.
Glad you found the tunicates interesting, they were a bit urn like. Loved the different colours there with oranges, purples and greens, warm hues all around in temperate waters.
What a quick bit of ‘cruising’ sailing! Almost a reverse Sydney to Hobart race 😉
A lot of those harbours and aerial pics brought a bit of nostalgia for me, camping surfing, boating ….. sigh ….
Hope your medicals go well, enjoy your last leg!
Glad the photos brought back memories, Elgar. Coffs has not been the same since you two left.
Had to laugh at the reverse Sydney to Hobart race… we would have been well and truly disqualified after today’s significant amount of cheating with the iron headsail! We are so over it that we have both engines on to get this last leg over and done with… still looking like a sailing cat with the jib on… but… 😉
That’s a good line, ‘iron headsail’, hadn’t heard that one …. your invention?
Coffs Harbour? Mixed blessings, we were so overwhelmed on our recent week there, with hospitality from our friends, so many rich dinners and lunches …. ‘another, steak …. more cake … red or white? …. yes please!’
I could write a book, how to gain 5kg without really trying!
Anyway, back in Glasgow and the sun is shining!
Ah you’ll just have to work it off with your house renovation!
And no the iron headsail isn’t our invention.
“Better get used to that bar”??? What does this mean??? Does this mean a Yamba land destination.
Well hello! That got you to comment! Yes, likely. But first, six months back south in December.
Looking forward to catching up when you’re back in the southern state. There will be lots of sorting out to be done.
You’ve had a stellar run up the coast!
We’re sorting through boat jobs in POW marina, with a planned departure sometime after Easter if the weather is kind! Look forward to catching up with you in the warmth ❤️
It has been reasonably quick except for the East Coast Low which cost us a week and no diving with Grey Nurse Sharks. We are tired but have a week to spare for a few boat jobs before two weeks of medicals then we’ll see! Hope you get a good run up. 🥰