Circumnavigation of OZ??

[shadow]

Hi all, I was just curious if anyone has had the chance or time to sail around OZ?? I know that the main parts of OZ that is well exploited are on the QLD coast all the way down to past melbourne.

There is the whole other half of OZ that I think would be absolutely gorgeous as well. I know that there are those spots near Perth that have those sheer walls of rock, etc.. As well as the top end.

Let me know if you've done it and how was it sailing wise, easy, crazy winds and currents, etc..

Cheers

[Kanani]

Originally Posted by shadow

Hi all, I was just curious if anyone has had the chance or time to sail around OZ?? I know that the main parts of OZ that is well exploited are on the QLD coast all the way down to past melbourne.

There is the whole other half of OZ that I think would be absolutely gorgeous as well. I know that there are those spots near Perth that have those sheer walls of rock, etc.. As well as the top end.

Let me know if you've done it and how was it sailing wise, easy, crazy winds and currents, etc..

Cheers

I've done the barrier reef and Torres Straight twice. The Northern Territory is quite desolate and has an abundance of anchorages (and Crocks). The West Coast is pretty desolate down to Perth. I bought a car in Darwin and drove to Perth. That was an experience.

[44'cruisingcat]

The great thing about much of north west Australia is that it's innaccessible by road. So there are some pristine areas, with very few visitors. A good guide to the area: The 2008 Kimberley Cruising Site

[MarkJ]

I've always wanted to do it but I think its a little tricky.
One would think its best to go anti-clockwise.
I've sailed Cairns to Darwin and after Cape York is not spectacular as the reef.
I havent been past Darwin but we've all heard the stories of the huge tides and narrow passes of the Kimberleys and the over supply of crocs making swiming a hassle. On the balance though is whats meant to be unforgettable sceenry.

Of course provisioning would be fun as you would need a fair deal of time to do it well.

SW WA would be great and I love Perth and Albany.

Then theres the bight....
Esperence to Ceduna is 500 miles that I think freaks some people out to get too clost to the coast as its nearly 100nm off the rhumb line on a lee shore.

But then Ceduna, Streaky Bay, Venus bay and coffin bay and round to Port Lincon all Blue Fin country and you'd have to read the Colin Thiele book while you sail it! That would all be sensational (in summer!) and then Kangarro Island etc...

Into the Coomera and read Thieles other one, Storm Boy? LOL

what a great circumnavigation!!!!

[cooper]

...coffin bay has beautiful surroundings (a lot of national park) but is shallow and sandy unfortunately the bottom is a bit of a desert due to shell fish dredging.

[shadow]

Nice inputs, thanks!!

[Weyalan]

Bear in mind that you will have to duck around the bottom of Tasmania too

[nils]

Hi Shadow,
I have lived for over five years in the Kimberley and had a powerboat and later a catmaran there. I sailed from Darwin to Broome. Now I am living and cruising in the Whitsunday/East coast area. Although I am a converted sailor I must say that in the Kimberley having an aluminium powerboat with lots of HP towards a fibreglass boat with a diesel makes navigating a lot easier. The tides are huge, lots of areas are uncharted and the reports of cruisers and even locals - the famous Kimberley Exlorer Malcolm Douglas-running aground are getting more. Having said that: the Kimberley are a magnificint area to cruise in. It is big, beautiful, vastly unexplored, the fishing is fantastic and the wildlife abundant but unfortunately it gets more and more commercialised by tour operators. It is still nothing compared to the East coast but the area is also threatened by mining and gas developments. Go there NOW if you can. I agree with 44'Cruisincat about the website and with Weyalan about the bottom of Australia - large stretches without shelter and sometimes unfriendly seas. This comment is not backed up with personal experience. Nevertheless I am considering the circumnavigation but the comfort seeking half of me wants to go down to Sydney and then back and over the top.
Nils

[shadow]

Thanks everyone again. Nils, it really seems that by the time I get my boat, everything will be gone by way of raw natural beauty, abundant fishing and unspoilt anchorages!! Everything seems to be way over commercialized or over explored!

I really hope to get out there ASAP! Also, if you are in the Sydney area, look us up and we will have a pint!!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Weyalan

Bear in mind that you will have to duck around the bottom of Tasmania too

Wouldn't forget Tassie!
And King Island on the way there!

I heard there is a seafood resturant there without fish.
You have to go catch your own and take it with you!

Heres another resturant where they churn their own butter and their website says:
Local produce on the menu

Sea Elephant River oysters & gummy shark
Beetroot, carrots, zucchini, coriander, spinach & snow peas from Camp Creek
Rhubarb from Old Grassy Rd
Steaks from Great Southern at Reekara
Cherry tomatos, roma tomatos & capsicum from Camp Creek
Redcurrants & berries from millwood rd
Dutch cream & up to date spuds from Millwood Rd & Camp Creek
Honey is gathered from all over the island
Oysters
Octopus
Crayfish (pre order)

Kings Cuisine

But what about the cheese? I'd need an extra inch or 2 of anti fouling for the amount of Roaring Forties Blue I'd load up