Hi All.
Looking for tips/advice on the coastland around from East Gippsland, specifically lakes Entrance, around past Mallacoota and up to the south coats NSW. What is the sailing like? Are there any bays to stop in or is that coastline too rugged and exposed for a leisurely cruise?
Cheers
JAck
They had issues with winter weather moving the sand around, but the dredger is back: www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au/notice-alerts/notice-to-mariners-and-warnings/
This website has 2 cameras and waves/tides/wind/ etc info in real-time, so you can assess conditions before you go out, or before you come back in - very handy for nervous solo sailors. www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au/boating/waves-tides-and-weather/lakes-entrance-waves-tides-and-weather/
There is no real shelter east of LE until Gabo. Mallacoota has a small jetty and bay but not fantastic for yachts, and I've never been in close there. I've anchored behind Gabo, but had a swell, but a poor sleep was better than no sleep. There might be shelter at Bittangabee Creek, depending on your draft, otherwise several spots near Eden are much more secure. Be prepared for a 100 mile sail - so you need to be equipped and trained, but it's quite doable in good weather. And the coastal scenery along the Croajingolong coast is fantastic. Just steer clear of Beware Reef.
I'll send you a pdf if I can.
+1 for Phil's comments. Gabo and Bittangabee are the only possible shelter but neither is recommended. Also, pull into Flagsraff Jetty before going out so you can wander over the dunes and have a look at the conditions over the bar before you commit.
We did Bermagui to Paynesville in one hop in March 2021 in a Currawong 30, 187 nm in 34 hours. We were lucky and got a good weather window of 20 to 25 kts easterly except for overnight when it died to almost nothing. If you pick the weather window it will be fun. A pod of dolphins, glowing and leaving a green trail in the phosphorescence, joined us around 0130. These moments tend to make up for everything else.
Cheers,
Kinora
