We're planning a cruise from Brisbane down to Sydney, and will be in the Sydney area for around Christmas and NYE. I'm hoping some of you Sydney-based forumites might have suggestions about good places for short-term casual berthing (12m mono, one or two days at a time).

We'll be moving around and although we're intending to spend quite a few nights on the pick, we will also need a few shore bases handy to shops and transport. We're particularly interested in Pittwater or Middle Harbour (we're spending Christmas day on land at Narrabeen), but for the rest of the time I'd be interested in recommendations anywhere in the greater Sydney area.

I'm sure it will be busy and that short-term accommodation will be hard to find - so, any suggestions?

Thanks Southace, sounds very useful. Is there someplace handy to chain your dinghy up?

Yes, Morningbird is right about the southern end of Pittwater, except that there's a Coles opened up in Newport now so if you stay at the RPAYC and to a lesser extent the RMYC you can walk into town for shopping. You could also consider a mooring from Heron Cove Marina, just under the Newport Arms hotel, but it'll be pretty bust that time of year. The RPA will (probably) have berths available after the 2nd of Jan as the fleet heads up to Coff Harbour for about a week. I'm not sure if the PAC has casual spaces available.

If you intend moving around then the CYCA marina between Boxing day and New Years usually has some spots because a number of regulars are away on the Sydney Hobart. For a swing mooring try the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club in Mosman Bay. Great access there for dinghy and you can bring your boat alongside the club jetty and pontoon to clean, provision etc. Ferry service at the club's doorstep. West of the harbour bridge the private marinas, especially Woolwich Marina should be able to accommodate you but you may want to restrict the private marina stays due to higher cost. Plenty of anchorages in Sydney Harbour.

Great information, thanks so much - I knew you guys would come up with the goods!

Ramona, I was hoping we could get down to Port Hacking for a day or two, as I grew up there and have many fond memories of sailing and fishing in those waters during the 50s and 60s. But it all looks terribly shallow now. We draw 2m, so is there any chance we'd get much further in than Jibbon Beach? (picking the tides of course).

Any more suggestions for the Harbour and Hawkesbury?

Pittwater -
Royal Prince Alfred or Royal Motor Yacht clubs will have spare berths, or swing moorings, just call ahead and book one for your time there. They should be no more expensive than staying in an overnight van at a caravan park. Walk or a 5 minute cab ride to Newport shopping centre.
Careel Bay has a quaint little working boasted, with swing moorings, but no berthing. They have a slip, and all shipwrtight services. They also have a tender service and it's a 5 minute cab ride to Avalon, where you'll find a Woolworths, Shell servo and a lovely seaside shopping village, plus an RSL club and quite a few good restaurants. You could walk it in about 20 minutes if you need the exercise. From Avalon or Newport main streets, there are buses to Narrabeen. It's about 15 minutes by car from Avalon and 10 from Newport. In most of the bays in Pittwater, it's acceptable to pick up someone else's mooring, so long as you don't leave the boat for more than say half an hour, and if the owner returns, to leave immediately.

Harbour -
Middle Harbour is great, the Middle Harbour Yacht Club may have berthing spare, or at least a swing. There are facilities a short cab/bus ride at either Seaforth or Mosman.
Little Manly Cove, or Quarantine are good overnighters unless there is a southerly, but no facilities close. Manly Cove, next to the ferry wharf is great to anchor and row in to sample the restaurants of the Manly strip. There is also a Coles and a few pubs. People often spend a day or two there.
Balgowlah Marina may also have some berthing, but there are no good facilities close, although its great in a Southerly.
The Royal Sydney Yacht Sqadron may have some swings available, and it's a good place to sit for the NYE fireworks, as is Athol Bay near the zoo, or Farm Cover, but make sure you get there early and be sure you're on your spot before they close the channel at 4pm.
The Cruising Yacht Club may have spare berths, but it's bedlam up until Boxing Day with the Sydney Hobart race. Once they've gone however it might be OK.
Further up the channel, Gladesville Bridge Marina has all shiprights services, but not much in shopping, they'll have berths and it's not a bad part of the river to explore if you have the time.

I haven't been to Port Hacking in the boat, but a couple from tophatyachts.org.au have their boats moored there. Apparently it's still pretty good, depending on tides of course.

Hope that helps, but send a PM if you want more info and again, check out http://eastcoastcruising.com.au/

I can't remember exactly where I tied the tender up .... But it was a plesent place to spend the week a few liveaboards,cruisers and international yachts shared the bay while I was there.

The Hawksberry river marina is reasonable and again the train station is right at your doorstep. There is a bottle shop and groceries shop. There are a few public moorings out the front of the old oyster lease with a short tender ride into the marina.

I anchored a few days at church point in pittwater. Again a bottle shop and groceries can be collected from the shore here. Can be a busy place but that's pittwater !

Thanks again for all the replies. I have plenty to look at now when planning our trip!

Cheers,
Chris.