Since we were barely one week beyond the winter solstice - the shortest day of the year, we were endeavouring to keep our day-hops short. From Port Stephens onward, traveling north needed both swell height and the tides to be factored in. In order to access safe harbours such as Laurieton/Camden Haven or Port Macquarie we required low swell, and even then wouldn’t be able to enter any of those destinations until at least 2-3 hours into the making tide. We had already ruled out re-visiting Forster -Tuncurry. The tidal rip there making anchoring, with a decent rode paid out, very awkward and the mini-jetties, we found last time, a nightmare to lasso. Laurieton was our target to sit out 3 days of northerlies.
Our anchorage at Wanda Beach was great for southerly conditions.
Departing Wanda Beach heading for the exit/entrance to Port Stephens.
We were just one of 3 boats heading out.
On the solstice, sunset was 4:48pm so with the shortened days we planned to leave Port Stephens and 'steal a base" by anchoring at Broughton Island. It offers a good range of anchorages. However when it came to it, the Bloke decided that we'd continue on a bit further to Seal Rocks. Why pull up at midday when we could keep going for another 3 hours? Although known to be swell prone, we thought we might get a bit of kip there before moving on.
We rather liked the look of Seal Rocks. The holding was excellent in sand and the anchor snatched in very positively. We imagine that it must be a popular spot in the summer.
The swell does sneak in through this gap, but less so at low tide.
Definitely a gently shoaling surge beach at the throat of the bay.
Cheerful bird outside the laundry at Nelson Bay marina.
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