Noosa Anchorage ?

[FraidNot]

Hello all,
are there any decent anchorages near Noosa?

[Boracay]

My old copy of "Cruising the coral Coast Third Edition (1976) - Alan Lucas" states that the author has not entered the Noosa River for 10 years (that would put his entry around 1966) but goes on, with the qualification that he is being "irresponsible" to describe how an entry might be made.

If you are considering this the latest edition of Alan Lucas' book, together with the necessary charts, a good depth sounder (with experience in it's use), the latest weather forecasts, a reliable compass and a GPS unit may be considered necessary.

The Noosa Coast Guard may have up to date information and should be contacted before attempting any entry.

Lucas has indicated in my copy that Mooloolaba and Wide Bay are "Best Anchorages", he has not done so for the Noosa River. My recollection from may years ago is that "yachties" preferred Mooloolaba.

There is a brief mention on this page under "Noosa Heads"

Other members may have better information than me.

[Factor]

Give it a miss - Mooloolaba or Double Island Point are better bets. I would stop there for lunch but not overnight

[Wotname]

I'm with Factor, Mooloolaba or Double Island Point depending if you S or N bound. Double Island Point not suitable for N'ly weather IIRC.

[FraidNot]

thanks - thought so - appreciate the help.
Mooloolaba over Xmas it is

Anyone know how busy the free anchorage there gets?

[cat man do]

Pretty busy, but its been a few years since there and not at xmas

have a look at this map

Mooloolaba QLD - Google Maps

I have been chased away by water nazis when anchored opposite Mantra Zanzibar (rich wankers dont like boats anchored out front)

Also note the bank opposite River Esp., it almost dries at low

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by FraidNot

thanks - thought so - appreciate the help.
Mooloolaba over Xmas it is

Anyone know how busy the free anchorage there gets?

G'Day, Mate,

Moo'ba at Xmas is a zoo ashore, and the waters are crowded too. The official anchorage seems always to be jammed, often with rather "casual" anchorers, so beware of your neighbors if you can even find a spot! And teh above mentioned water Nazis are alive and aggressive with citations for real or imagined offenses. They delight in ticketing dinghies for exceeding the 4 or 6 knot llimit in the harbour. What a paradise...

Oh yeah, the entrance often silts up, so if you decide to go there ask the local VMR about current depths in the channel.

On the other hand, Noosa is worse: you could never get your Bendy in there!

Cheers, and Merry Christmas!

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Gladstone Qld Oz

[rusky]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

G'Day, Mate,

Moo'ba at Xmas is a zoo ashore, and the waters are crowded too. The official anchorage seems always to be jammed, often with rather "casual" anchorers, so beware of your neighbors if you can even find a spot! And teh above mentioned water Nazis are alive and aggressive with citations for real or imagined offenses. They delight in ticketing dinghies for exceeding the 4 or 6 knot llimit in the harbour. What a paradise...

Oh yeah, the entrance often silts up, so if you decide to go there ask the local VMR about current depths in the channel.

On the other hand, Noosa is worse: you could never get your Bendy in there!

Cheers, and Merry Christmas!

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Gladstone Qld Oz

Dont bother asking the local Coast guard, I did. They were too busy starching their uniform and polishing their braid to actually get out of the building - or to answer the VHF. Fact. They suggested I ask the ship pilot as the pilot boat goes out of the river and knew the entrance.

Forget Noosa. Tin Can Bay/ Havery Bay or in MOreton Bay is the go.
Happy Christmas

[Blongsea]

I'm OK with walking, but it would be so convenient if I could use and PARK my dingy for some heavy Mooloolaba shopping. Not an option unfortunately for us boat-people but for automobile-people much free parking room is set aside seaside. Me no understand?!

[Blongsea]

Look at this picture I snapped when walking back from shopping. Behind these water-front houses are no similar dingy-parking facilities whatsoever. Me no understand?!

[Jim Cate]

G'Day Blongsea,

Actually, Moo'ba has an excellent dingy/shopping relatonship. If you take the dink up the canal development to Lawries (oops, now Kawana Waters) marina, you can leave it there (it's a good idea to ask in the office, but permission is always granted) and then a two block walk brings you to a gynormous shopping center. It has the usual Aussie mix of shops, but does include Bi-Lo and Woolies and a host of other folks who will take your money. But the really good thing is that the big grocery and booze stores are happy for you to take a shopping cart back to the marina with your stuff, and then LEAVE it there! How cool is that? They send a truck down about once a week to retrieve them, and everyone is happy.

We've always thought that this was one of the reasons to go to Moo'ba!

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Gladstone Qld Oz

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by rusky

Dont bother asking the local Coast guard, I did. They were too busy starching their uniform and polishing their braid to actually get out of the building - or to answer the VHF. Fact. They suggested I ask the ship pilot as the pilot boat goes out of the river and knew the entrance.

Forget Noosa. Tin Can Bay/ Havery Bay or in MOreton Bay is the go.
Happy Christmas

G'Day Rusky,

Actually I reckon that advice wasn't bad... the chaps in the pilot boats are professionals, and are MUCH more likely to know what the depths are in the entrance. Why didn't I think of that???

Ya know, the folks in the various VMR's range from useless to fairly competant... the hard thing is to tell one from the other over the VHF when things are getting exciting.

Anyhow, Ihope that you have managed to get your provisions aboard and are enjoying the ambiance and the fish and chips at the Fishermans co-op.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Gladstone, Qld Oz

[rusky]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

G'Day Rusky,

Ya know, the folks in the various VMR's range from useless to fairly competant... the hard thing is to tell one from the other over the VHF when things are getting exciting.

Anyhow, Ihope that you have managed to get your provisions aboard and are enjoying the ambiance and the fish and chips at the Fishermans co-op.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Gladstone, Qld Oz

Well, thanks for that.

It occurred early 04', so we have done some shopping since. For example;

[Blongsea]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

G'Day Blongsea,

Actually, Moo'ba has an excellent dingy/shopping relatonship. If you take the dink up the canal development to Lawries (oops, now Kawana Waters) marina, you can leave it there (it's a good idea to ask in the office, but permission is always granted) and then a two block walk brings you to a gynormous shopping center. Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Gladstone Qld Oz

Yes, people everywhere are NICE when they smell money in your immediate vicinity. Luckily in Australia local folks (more often then not...) are very civil to anyone regardless.
Yes, people are OK, but you still must beg (so it feels like, so..) but no such bother when you arrive to the same jetty by car. No need to say "please sir, can I leave my transport here again..." (shuffling feet with a friendly smile...waiting for the approving nod...)

So, if you are on the water you may feel reluctant to approach those tempting waterside shopping areas.
It would be nice (one day maybe...) to come putt-putting in a dink and spot a big square blue P-sign on a jetty. Maybe with a notice "Welcome, please tie up visiting small boats here".
I be doing a beeline in a flash!

[Blongsea]

These signs are all from Mooloolaba waters... So far I have never spotted a welcoming square blue P-sign towards the water. On land, no worries mate.(if you arrive in a car, that is)