Fish and Chips on Sydney Harbour?

[Boracay]

Does anyone know where one can anchor and dinghy in to get some good fish and chips on Sydney Harbour?

My favourite fish and chippery, Doyles at Watsons Bay, is just too hard to anchor near (too many boats, too far to row) the Fish Markets would be doable if we had an outboard but I just cannot think of anywhere anchorable and rowable.

Any suggestions?

[ausieman]

You could try Balmoral but it's expensive from memory.

[Jim Cate]

G'Day Mate,

Don't understand why you can't use the fishmarket venue. Anchor in Blackwattle (carefully surveying to be sure that you are not, god forbid, swinging out of the rediculous anchoring zone) and you are within a couple of hundred metres of the dinghy landing at the Fishmarket. We've certainly done it many times in the past -- have they changed things?

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Church Point NSW Oz

[Masquerade]

Boracay,
I don't often get the time but Sydney Fish Markets on almost any week day before about 11:30 is an absolute doddle. Have been there about 20 times in the last five years on a weekday. No fee, no cue, easy access to the berths and the food... well you would know... Weekend, forget it. Doyles is a hassle unless you drop someone off and circle around. But you are right... would be interesting to have something set up at possibly Cockatoo Island... Maybe a sort of 'float through'... just joking...
Colin

[Boracay]

On checking my trusty government issue map it looks like one couuld anchor on the northern side of Blackwattle Bay, and near the Balmoral baths.

Anyone have any experience there?

I hesitate to take 15 tonnes of steel into any marina, but the Fish markets do look well protected from a nor'easter. Anyone tried it?

And any idea what the fish'n chips are like at Balmoral (and where are they)?

[Kiwikat]

And any idea what the fish'n chips are like at Balmoral (and where are they)?[/QUOTE]

Bottom of the Harbour Restaurant on the esplanade itself - we were down there only 3 weeks ago. We did not have the fish and chips as we needed an "all day breakfast" recovery type dish. The food all looked great, as was ours delicious. Highly recommended. More to the left hand end of the beach if facing from the sea (bathers more to the right). Across the road from beach but still a great outlook.

Cheers
Lisa

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Boracay

On checking my trusty government issue map it looks like one couuld anchor on the northern side of Blackwattle Bay, and near the Balmoral baths.

Yes to both, and add just around the corner from Blackwattle in Rozelle Bay if Blackwattle is full

Anyone have any experience there?

At Balmoral, anchoring just outside the mooring field is good except in strong N'ly quadrant winds.

I hesitate to take 15 tonnes of steel into any marina, but the Fish markets do look well protected from a nor'easter. Anyone tried it?

Unless recently improved, the "marina" at the fishmarket is fairly delapidated, but ok for a quick lunch. The protection is essentially 360*.

And any idea what the fish'n chips are like at Balmoral (and where are they)?

Nope, not a clue, but then I'm just a visiting Yank!

Cheers,

Jim

[Boracay]

I've copied a couple of maps from Google earth to give a few clues as to what I'm talking about.

Blackwattle Bay and Balmoral Beach...

[TOM]

What about trying to catch a fish, could be something different .

www.byamee.com

[Boracay]

I thought fish caught in Sydney Harbour had so much heavy metal and dioxin that eating them was strongly not recommended.

Of course there's a few more sharks these days. I never did find how to bleed them proper though.

[ausieman]

There is a small kiosk at Balmoral baths but unsure of the availability chips there. Futher north and across the road is a shop that sell fish and chips but my wallet is still quite thin after that experience which occurred about 5 years ago. Anchoring in Blackwattle Bay and rowing across to the Fish Markets is quite easy as is anchoring off the baths at Manly (Ocean World end) and taking a walk down the corso.

[SurferShane]

A bit off the Sydney topic, but further north my favourite is always to drop in and get some fish and chips at the Fisherman’s Co-op at Coffs Harbour. Always pretty good using fresh local fish. I will have to call in in a few weeks as I cruise back down the East Coast so I will see what the mooring situation is like.

Then if you are thinking of doing the Sydney to Hobart, Muirs at the wharf at Hobart is always spot on – dig the local trevalla and always pick up some smoked fish for provisions (usually bushwalking).

Next choice for me would be to anchor off Byron Bay and row into Fish Heads – not really a proper fish and chip shop anymore, however a good view and worth a coffee.

Newcastle has a fish and chip shop at Mangrove Jacks, which was once good, but I can’t make a recent review. At least the place is adjacent the Cruising Yacht Club and Fish Co-op.

Last decent fish and chips I had was at the outlet adjoining the pub at Mackay Marina. The spotted mackerel is great battered or crumbed. Before that I discovered most of the fish and chip shops in Airlie Beach including the Rum Bar do a good fish and chips. All a good cheap feed.

Better get packing for my next cruise – will drop a line if I find any good fish and chip shops

(Maybe we should start an Aussie fish and chip lovers group or even thread?)

[goboatingnow]

bless the power of the Internet, here I am more then 10,000 miles away reading a discussion about chippers in Sydney harbour. mmmm must be off to the local chipper.

[wildebeest3]

Can you grab a mooring off of Doyles?

[MarkJ]

Hey Chris,

The Fish Markets have a little Marina which you can go tie up at. We were in it for 2 or 3 days and didnt have a thing! Speak to the management office on the first floor entry from the north end of the main building.
To pay for a casual berth for an hour is about $15 but thats only on the weeksend at lunch time.
Going midweek for an hour at lunch is free!!
The smell at the fishmarket marina is a bit much, so you might wat to grab and go... but we liked sitting on the deck face stuffing

Mark