On the other side
That, and this makes you wish you lived two generations ago rather than today.
Awesome Blog entry, If you guys would like any advice about sailing Australia feel free to ask, I live just below the barrier reef in Brisbane Cruisej@live.com.au
Australia is beautiful, my second home so to speak. However, go to New Zealand on the way! It is still my ultimate favorite and the most beautiful country. I have been there three times now.
Visit places like Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mt Cook, the glaciers on the West coast of South Island and when it comes North Island the tiny Whangaroa harbour is a must.
Dunedin and Raglan for instance are good for surfing.
After crossing the Pacific, most everyone I know is dissapointed with Australia. Here are the main reasons: 1) Too many laws, 2) The most expensive place in the world to live, 3)Water clarity for diving is poor due to so many rivers running off into GBR, 4)New Zealand set the bar REALLY REALLY high. Be sure to spend at least 6 months in New Zealand...4 on the South Island.
...Tahiti and Fiji rock. Teahupoo if you think you're good enough, and Cloud Break fiji if you want to surf all day and anchor your boat yards away.
Interestingly whilst sailing around Turkey this year with my wife we met a lovely Australian couple who were living aboard their 50ft yacht. He had retired early as a Airline Pilot with Quantas and they kept their yacht in Greece all year and sailed aboard it for six months of the summer and returned to Melbourne during our winter. We mentioned to them that Australia was on our wish list of places to sail to however, I was surprised when he said 'Don't bother! - you have the best sailing in the world here in the Aegean with a wonderful choice of countries and cultures, with a long and interesting history to visit, great sailing and facilities everywhere (particularly around the Greek Islands), relatively inexpensive and absolutely nothing in the water that will kill you. It didn't stop us from wanting to visit but it made me realise that perhaps we do have some of the best sailing in the world on our doorstep here in Europe.
I've been following your blog since almost your first post several years ago. As a sailor and an engineer (nuclear and electrical) I'd like to provide a little reassurance that the fear mongering over Fukushima is ridiculously overblown! A few hundred tons of contaminated water leaking into a body of water as vast as the pacific ocean (700 quadrillion tons of water) will result in a level of radiation increase so slight as to be beyond our ability to measure.
For a detailed analysis see this blog by a fellow nuclear engineer http://atomicinsights.com/fear-mongering-over-water-leaks-at-fukushima-dai-ichi/
australia or not, I just hope you leave my home of New England soon so that we can get back to seeing you in a bikini and less. Please head to where ever there are the most topless or nude beaches. Love the posts and love following you both around the world via internet
New Zealand blows Australia out of the water. I would recommend landing in Australia first before making your way to New Zealand, otherwise you'll be terribly disappointed in Australia.
very well written! Thanx for such an interesting post and this is really helpful for all traveler
I live in Cairns and far north Australia. People saying they are dissointed are obviously not being told where to go by locals who know the best places to go. I a,m a sailor , a diver and explorer the GBR is amazing. When you come gere let me know as I would love to help you out.
Yes, New Zealand is beautiful - amazing scenery, but oh my god it is COLD. Nobody goes on surfing holidays to New Zealand. You go there to ski! I live in Queensland, we sail all year round, live in shorts. Love it. And when you've been to places in Queensland like Whitehaven Beach, you will be blown away! And surfing in places like Byron Bay and the Southern Gold Coast is brilliant. Also avoid Melbourne if you don't like cold.
New Zealand is definitely on the list too, have heard so much good about it. And I think Australia might be interesting for many other reasons besides sailing so looking forward to visit nonetheless.
Hello Taru!
Firstly want to say how much I LOVE your blog, insights and photography, have been following you for over a year now as you've provided much inspiration for our own sailing travels.
We are an Australian/Canadian family - my father bought a yacht in Croatia and along with my parents and husband have been sailing the Med since March. We will return here next summer and eventually across the Atlantic, Pacific and back to Australia. Well that's the (big) plan - hope it evolves as we dream it will. The places you have been visiting this past year are high on MY bucket list, so your posts are very relevant and inspiring!
I am new to sailing this year so can not speak from experience of sailing in Australia, though knowing the geography I would expect there are little in the way of protected anchorages along the exposed coast like we see here in the Med. Though there are plenty of marinas - which kinda sucks as I dislike sleeping in marinas! I believe a popular port of entry is Gladstone in QLD, and there are many gorgeous places to visit north of there (Mackay, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Cairns, Port Douglas, The Daintree rainforest). The Whitsunday Islands are the biggest cruising ground in Oz as the largest concentration of islands. You won't get any surfing until you are south of the Barrier Reef as it blocks the swell to the coast. First places for surfing are Agnes Waters and south - Sunshine and Gold Coasts etc. Byron Bay is a must visit - I'd love to live there one day. Tidal ranges in Australia are also large - about six metres in QLD. Whilst I grew up in QLD we live in Sydney when we are home - the harbour is one of the world's most beautiful - very popular with recreational/weekend sailors. Look up a marina 'Middle Harbour Marina' in Sydney. I imagine it's expensive but if you approached them about including it in your blog... or Pittwater for cruising. If you have any questions would be more than happy to help! Or ask other friends who are Oz sailors.
If you have a minute, please take a look at our blog - I too love to share photography from our adventure: www.finallymydarling.com
I am taking note that you have 35,000 photos to sort through and I need to be ruthless when culling/sorting them as I go! My mac is overloaded! Thanks again for sharing your adventures, photography and thoughts with us on this journey. Hope your time on land is reflective and productive and you are on your way again soon. x
Regards, Brooke Darling
S/Y finally my darling
that was so beautiful.. so relaxing..
The Australian pilot is only negative because of the taxman who will hit him on arrival for 15% of the boat's value.
New Zealand is prettier than Australia but it is much colder even in summer. You won't get too many bikini days on the South Island.
Go to the north half of Australia and have a great time. You should be able to get a 6 month visa. With almost no effort at all you can get 90 days over the net.
A word of caution about D'Albora - their high quality is matched by a high price.