Seasoned sailors share their favourite Australian cruising spots

Australia is home to a remarkable range of cruising grounds — from the secret havens of the Hawkesbury River and Sydney Harbour, to the islands of Queensland and rugged coastline of Tasmania. We really do have it all.

With so many options to choose from, how do you land on a destination? Offshore Online has insider knowledge of the best spots to drop anchor for the adventure of a lifetime or a chilled out holiday.

We spoke to three CYCA members, seasoned cruisers all, about their favourite cruising destinations in Australia.

Pete and Deb Franki – owners of Sydney 36 Salt Shaker and Grand Banks Oasis

Pete:

Favourite cruising destinations? There are so many to choose from, with different options for all.

In no particular order, I have selected the following destinations for their seclusion, natural beauty, rugged and remote, challenging passage, cosmopolitan, fishing, diving and a host of other attractions.

• Lord Howe Island, a volcanic remnant island between Australia and New Zealand

The trip out to and arrival at Lord Howe Island are special. The island itself is a remote tropical hideaway, albeit somewhat changed from my visits as a lad last century. The kingfish is still exquisite, the waters pristine, the locals look the same. 

• Gippsland Lakes, a network of coastal lakes, marshes and lagoons in East Gippsland, Victoria

We spent a few days at Gippsland Lakes on our way to Tassie in 2024. My clearest memory is of a balmy January evening, late sunset, with Oasis moored at Metung public jetty. An Aussie rock band was playing at the nearby pub, young people cruised back and forth in runabouts from nearby islands – très romantique, like Swallows and Amazons,a beloved British children’s book series by Arthur Ransome. Also, there are lots of free public docks and moorings, same in Tassie. 

• Macquarie and Bathurst Harbours, southwest Tasmania

A truly awesome and remote destination. Miles and miles of uninhabited wilderness. It’s a bit of a mission to get there but well worth the effort. Superb hiking and dinghy exploration up the rivers.

Deb:

I have two favourite and very different cruising grounds.

• Tasmania

Circumnavigating Tasmania was spectacular and memorable. We joined 25 other boats doing the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania’s Van Diemen’s Land Circumnavigation Cruise. But this voyage could be undertaken by experienced boaties with time to wait for weather windows.

Port Davey, an inlet located in the southwest region of Tasmania, to Bathurst Harbour, a bay located in the southwest region of Tasmania, were the highlights. See Ian Johnston’s book The Shank for inspiration.

• Port Douglas on the Coral Sea in Far North Queensland

We also loved Port Douglas. Islands, reefs and sand cays galore to explore, many with public moorings. Clear, warm water with loads of marine life from inquisitive batfish and their mates the reefies (Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Sweetlip, Nannygai, Cod, etc.) to families of clown fish frolicking in the soft coral. Port Douglas has a charming village feel, with great restaurants.

Arthur Lane – former CYCA Commodore (2022–2024) and owner of yachts ranging from 34 to 52 feet over the years

• Sugarloaf Bay, off Castlecrag

You cannot believe that above you are millions of people, because in Sugarloaf Bay you’re surrounded by bush.

You can paddle or kayak up the creeks, a long way up, and it’s green, there’s very little else. It’s just lovely. Go up there and just enjoy it, you’re in the absolute wild.

• Bantry Bay, off Killarney Heights

The Bantry Bay Explosives Depot in Sydney’s Middle Harbour was an Allied forces storage, sorting, and testing hub for military explosives during World War II.

There’s a number of moorings there or you can anchor. There’s a walkway all the way to the top of the hill through beautiful bush – you have no idea that there’s civilization around. Go for a couple of days with friends, it doesn’t get crowded at all.

It’s not really cruising but it’s good for a weekend or mid-week, there’s just no one around.

• The Hawkesbury River

As soon as you get past America Bay, on the northern side of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, you’re in a different world. It’s just magical.

Top places to go:

• Patonga, near the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. In the right weather it’s really nice.
• Jerusalem Bay, in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park area. At Ku-ring-gai there’s a proper restaurant with lovely food.
• Castle Bay, a small bay just to the north of Yeomans Bay, to Yeomans Bay in the lower reaches of the Hawkesbury River, west of Berowra Waters – three or four moorings. It’s a hidden, beautiful space. But a bit full at Christmas.
• Bobbin Head, a point on Cowan Creek, North Turramurra, is quite civilised. There are restaurants, fuel and you can stay overnight there. But it’s not crowded in any way. It’s deep water up that way. You get 100-footers up there. Depth has never been a problem.
• Once you get past Cottage Point in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park at the confluence of Cowan Creek and Coal and Candle Creek, and continue to Smiths Creek, there are three or four moorings. Or you can drop an anchor. There are estuaries you can paddle up that go for miles and miles with no houses in sight.

Things to keep in mind:

• There’s minimal swell in Jerusalem Bay and the waters around Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. It’s a bit iffy to sail up there as there’s a lot of different breezes. But you can certainly sail up them.
• Sailing yachts can’t go under Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge near Dangar Island.
• For yachts, Dangar Island is quite shallow.
• I wouldn’t stay overnight in Patonga as you can get a lot of swell overnight.
• Sydney à Queensland (and return)
• Yamba, in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, at the mouth of the Clarence River

There are two towns on each side of the Clarence River, Yamba and Iluka. Illuka is also a great place to explore. People would argue with me about this – but the river is a very good place to go into.

The Clarence River is a winding river that goes all the way up to Grafton. Our yacht drew 2.6 metres and we went all the way up. There’s a bridge at Grafton, so yachts can’t go under.

People are frightened of the river but there’s nothing to be afraid of. We made lots of stops at lovely pubs with good food. And the Jacaranda trees are stunning in September and October. It’s a good stopping off place if you’re continuing up the coast. It’s deep and good.

• Byron Bay

We’ve stopped outside Byron because we were tired. There is a bit of swell, weather dependent, but it wasn’t too bad. Don’t leave the boat because it’s wavy, but it’s fine to anchor.

• Richmond River in the Northern Rivers region of NSW

Once you get past the entrance, you’re fine and then there’s lots of places to stay after that – it’s endless. You can just hop and skip all the way up the river in the daytime.

• Hervey Bay in southern Queensland, to the west of K’gari

Hervey Bay is a lovely town. The mothers of whale calves go there in September- October to teach their calves how to do things. You can hear them singing while at anchor – it’s stunning. You’re not going to get that at many places.

• Bundaberg, around a 4.5 hour car drive from Brisbane

It’s 10 nautical miles inland up the Burnett River. It’s a lovely town and fine for depth.

Featured image: Schooner Cove Bathurst Harbour – Deb Franki pic.