Is it OK to stop at Middleton or Elizabeth Reefs?

[fxykty]

We’re going to be sailing between New Zealand and Queensland in a couple of months and our route will be up towards Norfolk Island then west to Southport. Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs are pretty much on the course.

Firstly, is it allowed to stop at these reefs?

If so, what are the rules for stopping there?

[GordMay]

Users can access the Middleton Reef Sanctuary zone without a permit in accordance with the Management Plan and the EPBC Act.
Entry into the Elizabeth Reef Habitat Protection zone without a permit is prohibited. Permits will be issued by the Director of National Parks in accordance with EPBC Act regulations.
More ➥ https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine...n-brochure.pdf

[ChrisJHC]

Stopped for a few days at Middleton Reef in Jan.
Had the entire place to ourselves.

We had 4-5 (small) sharks around the boat most of the time.

Nice place for a stopover.

[StuM]

I'd check with Border Force since they are Australian territory and you will not have clearance to enter Australia at that stage.

[jmh2002]

@fxykty

Have you also considered a stop at Lord Howe Island? Or have you visited already?

I think it's worth seeing. It's also somewhat on your way too, but not really on the way to anywhere else so you probably won't visit another time or make a special trip there.

I've been lucky enough to go there several times in the past and really enjoyed it.

[chrisr]

if stopping at lord howe, don't forget to book a mooring in advance.

they're expensive but anchoring in the lagoon is not permitted

cheers,

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by jmh2002

@fxykty

Have you also considered a stop at Lord Howe Island? Or have you visited already?

I think it's worth seeing. It's also somewhat on your way too, but not really on the way to anywhere else so you probably won't visit another time or make a special trip there.

I've been lucky enough to go there several times in the past and really enjoyed it.

Did a Lord Howe Island race in the early 90s and due to the Bundy and Cokes I don’t remember much.

We considered stopping there on our way to Australia but the hoops to jump through and cost are both prohibitive for a maximum 3 day stay.

Also, slightly further north is a better route when heading for Queensland. Hence my question about Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs.

Middleton seems like a nice way to break up the passage, similar I suppose to Minerva Reefs when heading for Tonga or Savusavu.

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by fxykty

We considered stopping there on our way to Australia but the hoops to jump through and cost are both prohibitive for a maximum 3 day stay.

Also, slightly further north is a better route when heading for Queensland. Hence my question about Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs.

Fair enough

[fxykty]

At Middleton Reef, the only legal place to stop without a permit, the anchorage looks like it’s in the bight on the NW side. Fairly deep, but looks blue in the satellite photos so likely sand. Has anyone gone inside the lagoon?

[Fore and Aft]

Hot Cat, there is a DVD put out by a guy in his Riviera fly bridge cruiser. He cruised to Middleton reef and then Lord Howe island. Well worth watching, I tried to find it on the net but couldn't. But it looks like there is some shorter YouTube video of other Rivieras at the reef.
Cheers

[Boatguy30]

Did you end up stopping? It is no longer possible to call at Lord Howe before clearing on mainland.