Westward crossing of the Great Australian Bight

1 year ago
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scruzin
scruzin
SA
562 posts
SA, 562 posts
8 Dec 2024 10:10am
In a few weeks, I'll be setting out on a westward crossing of the Great Australian Bight (from Kangaroo Island). Our plan is to coastal hop as far as Fowlers Bay, SA, before heading for Daw Island or Middle Island, WA. If the conditions are suitable, we might put in at Eucla.

From what I've learned, November thru March is the best time as the prevailing winds are moderate with an easterly component., i.e., what we're seeing now (below).

Any tips from sailors who have made this crossing would be appreciated.

scruzin
scruzin
SA
562 posts
SA, 562 posts
30 Dec 2024 3:22pm
The first leg of our Bight crossing, to Eyre Peninsula:

blog.arribasail.com/2024/12/cruise-upwind-to-eyre-peninsula.html
scruzin
scruzin
SA
562 posts
SA, 562 posts
4 Jan 2025 2:11pm
If you wanted to another reason to sail across the Bight, this is it!



scruzin
scruzin
SA
562 posts
SA, 562 posts
7 Jan 2025 2:39pm
The second leg of our Bight crossing, to Eucla.

blog.arribasail.com/2025/01/cruise-first-bite-of-the-bight.html
Seadevil
Seadevil
24 posts
24 posts
8 Jan 2025 6:07am
Looks good Scruzin, looking forward to your next post about Eucla,
We will be doing the trip West to East again leaving SW of WA in February and definitely want to sail by the Bunda Cliffs with a possible overnight stop at Eucla if conditions allow.
Did Starlink work on "roam" close to the Bunda cliff's?
scruzin
scruzin
SA
562 posts
SA, 562 posts
28 Apr 2025 4:05pm
Final (belated) write-up of my east-to-west crossing of the Bight (from Eucla to Daw Island).

blog.arribasail.com/2025/04/cruise-final-bite-of-bight.html

PS I've since returned to SA and crossed west-to-east, but that will be another post.
scruzin
scruzin
SA
562 posts
SA, 562 posts
2 May 2025 8:12am
Seadevil said..
Looks good Scruzin, looking forward to your next post about Eucla,
We will be doing the trip West to East again leaving SW of WA in February and definitely want to sail by the Bunda Cliffs with a possible overnight stop at Eucla if conditions allow.
Did Starlink work on "roam" close to the Bunda cliff's?


Yes, the basic Starlink roam $80/month plan worked close to shore everywhere. We tended to lose it at around 12 nm offshore, although not always.
scruzin
scruzin
SA
562 posts
SA, 562 posts
11 May 2025 3:56pm
scruzin said..

Seadevil said..
Looks good Scruzin, looking forward to your next post about Eucla,
We will be doing the trip West to East again leaving SW of WA in February and definitely want to sail by the Bunda Cliffs with a possible overnight stop at Eucla if conditions allow.
Did Starlink work on "roam" close to the Bunda cliff's?



Yes, the basic Starlink roam $80/month plan worked close to shore everywhere. We tended to lose it at around 12 nm offshore, although not always.


BTW, there is a $15/month "weekend plan" with limited data too.
Seadevil
Seadevil
24 posts
24 posts
12 May 2025 6:43am
Thanks Scruzin,
We spent 2 nights up at Eucla had 15-20 KN Easterly winds at the anchorage but they eased overnight and it was quiet comfortable
Holding was very good. We then sailed east along the Bunda cliffs till sunset , great views from the ocean.
Telstra 4G reception at Eucla was good, Starlink no problem.
scruzin
scruzin
SA
562 posts
SA, 562 posts
28 Jun 2025 6:30pm
The final instalment of my westward crossing of the Bight, from Daw Island to Fremantle:

blog.arribasail.com/2025/06/cruise-cape-leeuwin-and-beyond.html
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