Possible to anchor upper Sydney Harbour?

[fxykty]

Hey Sydney-siders, we’re looking to meet up with friends that live in Rhodes, just past the Ryde Bridge. That bridge is too low so we’re looking to anchor as close down river from there as possible.

Looking at Google Maps, the bay immediately west of Mortlake Point looks like it has sufficient depth (we need 1.2m) and no moored boats. Is it possible to anchor there, just south of the main channel?

If not, any other spots where we could anchor west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

We are currently at Montague Island and plan to ride the forecast easterly up to Sydney tomorrow, arriving on Wednesday.

Or is it a bad idea given the recent rains and flooding to come up the river at all and we should just stick to the main harbour?

[Takamoana]

We have anchored in Five Dock Bay, easy dinghy access to the boat ramp pontoon to pick up. Good holding in mud. Also Hen and Chicken Bay has free 24 hour moorings and it is ok to anchor clear of the submarine cable. We have used the rear of the ferry pontoons at Abbotsford Point to leave our dinghy for a few hours.

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by Takamoana

We have anchored in Five Dock Bay, easy dinghy access to the boat ramp pontoon to pick up. Good holding in mud. Also Hen and Chicken Bay has free 24 hour moorings and it is ok to anchor clear of the submarine cable. We have used the rear of the ferry pontoons at Abbotsford Point to leave our dinghy for a few hours.

Thanks!

Hen and Chicken Bay looks good on a chart and Google Maps. How are the 24 hour moorings identified?

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by fxykty

Thanks!

Hen and Chicken Bay looks good on a chart and Google Maps. How are the 24 hour moorings identified?

They are the pink ones, not the red ones, they are commercial.

[Curmugeon]

We anchored in Blackwattle Bay at various times in 2000-2003. You can dingy to the Fish Market... but don't swing into the rowing lanes. The local enforcement officials gave us a hard time when the wind changed,

[grahamb]

....there is a wharf at the extreme end of Punt Road, Gladesville.....just past the Banjo Patterson Restaraunt.....that is not used by ferries.....or anything else much really.......there is plenty of parking just 50 m distant.......barge board recommended.......could possibly lay off......or room to anchor in vicinity........or over off the beach at the old quarantine.....or plenty of other local spots in sight of that wharf........

[CAVOK]

Might be of help.
There is a network of courtesy moorings throughout the harbour. There may be better links, but check this link.
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappvi...37c52500960af7

[fxykty]

Thanks all. We’ve picked up one of the two NSW courtesy moorings in Hen and Chicken Bay just south of Cabarita Marina. Both of the moorings look like they’ve been unused for quite some time as the ropes are absolutely foul. We’ll see if we get hassled about staying more than 24 hours - if so I guess we’ll just move back and forth between the two. The dock master at Cabarita Marina gave us a gate key while we’re here and is letting us park our dinghy on their dock near the Go Boats for no charge. Very nice.

The Sydney Harbour Destinations Map from Transport NSW is very useful. When we arrived in Sydney late last night we picked up the courtesy mooring in Camp Cove - first left after coming around South Head. Very pleasant little bay, some ferry wash, and a good swimming spot with relatively clean water (given all the flooding and resulting sediment).

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by fxykty

Thanks all. We’ve picked up one of the two NSW courtesy moorings in Hen and Chicken Bay just south of Cabarita Marina. Both of the moorings look like they’ve been unused for quite some time as the ropes are absolutely foul. We’ll see if we get hassled about staying more than 24 hours - if so I guess we’ll just move back and forth between the two. The dock master at Cabarita Marina gave us a gate key while we’re here and is letting us park our dinghy on their dock near the Go Boats for no charge. Very nice.

The Sydney Harbour Destinations Map from Transport NSW is very useful. When we arrived in Sydney late last night we picked up the courtesy mooring in Camp Cove - first left after coming around South Head. Very pleasant little bay, some ferry wash, and a good swimming spot with relatively clean water (given all the flooding and resulting sediment).

Yeah, it's really not such part of the world.

[workmaster2n]

Originally Posted by fxykty

We’ll see if we get hassled about staying more than 24 hours

I'm yet to see someone moved off a public mooring after 24 hours. You are absolutely right, somebody could throw a stink, but that is the exception, rather than the rule.

Especially with this lovely weather we are having and are going to continue to have, I'd be surprised if anybody even comes and joins you on the second mooring.