We had arrived in Macquarie Harbour on the 29th of June, anchoring outside the only town of Strahan which is located in the north east corner. Before exploring the local area we needed to restock the boat and we had a parcel to pick up. Cara is a keen paddle boarder, where as I used…

In the previous episode we were on anchor in Recherche Bay, supposedly relaxing before heading out to sea at midnight for the trip to Port Davey. Then the bilge alarm went off. A quick inspection revealed a startling amount of water in the bilge — perhaps 2-300 litres. Taurus‘ bilge can be measured in feet,…

After two months in the Prince of Wales Bay Marina it was time to go. Screwing our courage to the sticking place, we tossed off our mooring lines and left the security of our berth. Sailing under the Tasman Bridge we headed downriver, back to the public jetties at Sullivans Cove for some last minute…

The incredible sailing in Tasmania, and innumerable bays and anchorages, naturally means that sailing is a popular pastime. This, in turn, means that there are a number of marinas. An incomplete list of those in Hobart includes Bellerive, Derwent, Kings Pier, Margate, Lindisfarne, Oyster Cove, Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, and Prince of Wales Bay.…

After a couple of days hanging out in Jetty Bay it was time to move on. We left Bruny Island, again, and sailed across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel in freshening conditions that peaked slightly north of thirty knots. The challenging sail was yet another reminder that you can never take conditions for granted in these waters.…

My father was fond of quoting Harry Day, a World War I, Royal Flying Corps ace, who apparently said, “Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools.” It was, therefore, perhaps their fault that Cara and I were playing fast and loose with the rules in Hobart. You are only…

Built in 1845, the largest Port Arthur building was originally intended as a flour mill and granary, but by 1857 it had been converted into a prison. One hundred and thirty six cells were available on the bottom two floors, designed to cater for “prisoners of bad character under heavy sentence.” The third floor was…

Having arrived in Tasmania it felt like we should take some time to relax and smell the roses a little. Bryans Beach is part of the Frecyinet National Park, the oldest national park in Tasmania having been created in 1916. The name of the park harks back to the early explorers of Australia. Louis Claude…

Eden is the southernmost town in New South Wales, sitting at the south east corner of the Australian mainland. This quiet, provincial town of some three thousand souls is the jumping off point for small boats intending to travel to Tasmania. Here they wait for a kindly weather window for the almost three day passage…

We arrived at Batemans Bay Marina a little after midday on Monday the 3rd of February. Owen, one of the marina staff, and his wife and two children met us at the jetty to take our lines, give us keys, and tell us where the showers and toilets were. We later met the manager, Mitch,…