trip to port stephens / myall lakes n. s. w.

[uncle trev]

proposed trip to port stephens / myall lakes area in april 09. looking for lauching ramp details, secure parking for car& trailer. any other information on this area would be helpful

[The Mutt]

When we sailed Myall Lakes we launched at Violet Hill, Violet hill when we were there last was a bush camp with a toilet (Porta-Potty empty point for us), the only problem we had with leaving the 4WD and trailer was that some-one knocked the lens from one of our clearence lights and pinched the bulb, that was during the Christmas New Year Period. Great sailing on Myall Lake (the upper-most lake), if you sail down to Broadwater (the lowest lake) the channel is on the Eastern side, the Western side when we were ther was being used by the Black swan as a breading ground and us very shallow.

When we sail Port Stevens we launch at Soldiers Point, never had a problem with leaving the 4WD and trailer there, Fame Cove is a nice place to spend the night off-season, Tea Gardens has great Pies, I liked the Oyster Pie. At Nelson's Bay Marina there were aprox 4-6 Public Berth free to stay on for up to 3 nights, turn Port as soon as you enter the marina, the Public Berths were located behind and to both sides of the Ferry Jetty, if you anchor to the beach be careful the tide can leave you on the hard, the same for Soldiers Point.

Take your crab traps the West of Port Stevens can delivery a very nice feed.


We enjoyed sailing this area, at one point one the the locals and her young swam 6-10 foot off our Port side for almost half an hour till one of the Dolphin Watch tours noticed and made a beeline to our position forcing us to take evasive action by stopping directly in front of us. and scaring off our new friends.

Vehicle Security.
We will leave our vehicle in most places, we first look around to get a gut feeling about the area, I can't discribe the feeling, I just get it, we also don't leave anything on show that might be of interest to those that might be interested, we have left a Pajero, Hilux and our current vehicle a Range Rover fitted out for touring with a secret disable and alarmed.

Having the bulb stolen from the trailer at Violet Hill has been the only problem we have ever had when leaving our vehicle anywhere, that includes bushwalking, snorkeling, etc.

Glenn

[uncle trev]

thanks for your reply. we are heading up to tea gardens in april for 18 days; have found a security car/trailer storage there at $35/week,it is central to the rivers ,lakes,& the port. your info is a great help thanks again uncle trev

[The Mutt]

G'Day UncleTrev

Enjoy your trip, it really is beautiful on the lakes, if you like crab try on the western areas of Port Stevens and Tea Gardens, also the higher up you get on the Lakes the less salt content is in the water, I still wouldn't drink it.

We just got the corrected paperwork today from Dept of Infrastructure and Transport, we now have a registered trailer, (imported our from the US late last year) after I finish re-doing the dual battery system (need higher rated cable for our 2 X 6V Deep Cycle batteries) we will have our Engel fridge going, install a radio/CD we shall be off for a few days to the Hawkesbury River, looking forward to some time on the water, we haven't had a Christmas break yet.


Glenn

[swede]

Hi uncle trev

I intend travelling up the east coast (heading to the Whitsundays Sep/Oct) and plan to spend some time on the Myall Lakes. Could you let me know where the secure car/trailer parking is.

Also, does anyone know of any secure parking around Airlie Beach.
Much appreciated.
Kevin.

[uncle trev]

hi kevin we are heading up to tea gardens in a couple days for a 14 day cruise of the myall lake & port stephens area.tea gardens is reasonabley central to these water ways,and has a good ramp [i,m told ] its not far of the pacific highway. we were going to leave today ,but put it back a few days because of weather will send you a more up to date info on our return regards uncle trev

[uncle trev]

Hi Kevin,
I see from your postings you are still planning to head up the coast in Sept/Oct. It depends how much time you are going to spend in the Myall Lakes/Pt Stephens area. We ended up spending 11 days on the water & covered from Tea Gardens to Neranie as far Nth east that you can go, back to Nerong then down to Nelson Bay marina " 3 nights due to bad weater". Then up to Lemon Tree Passage, on to Karuah, then up the river to Allworth, back to Shoul Bay, then back to Tea Gardens.
We motered a lot & aslo sailed. We spent $110.00 on fuel, $60.00 per night at Nelson BAy Marina, Tea Gardens Garage & marine centre stored car & trailer for $37.00 per week. We fueled the boat & had breakfast at The Boat Shed Marina & Cafe Tea Gardens.
If you only want to do Myall Lakes ther is a good ramp at Nerong right on the Pacific H'Way. There are public moorings all over the Lake & Port waterways. NSW Maratine Services have a good map of the lake which you can buy on line.

Any other information you would like please ask & I will reply.

Kind Regards
Uncle Trev