Hello all,
Any tips on sailing south from Manly in February, through to South Australia, are very welcome. Relative beginner sailors, have bought an older but solid 34' grp yacht, with auto pilot, new rigging & sails, diesel in good condition, new anchor winch, inflatable, safety gear, etc. Two of us aboard. Have copy of Rob's Passage Planner. Wondering what what weather to expect late summer south of Manly?

Thank you rumblefish, advice noted. Have done Manly to Peel o/n return OK. Strong NE on way back. Columbia 34 did well, had all sails up, lots fun. Rob (husband) has done some offshore cruising years ago, to Vanuatu with experienced sailors. My experience consists of Bruni Island, Derwent sailing on my Grandpop's 33' welded in front yard temptress class, as a kid. Not afraid of strong blows
Keen to know which anchorages are the good ones, south of Manly, in one day sensible sails, at roughly 5 knts to Refuge Cove. If there are any gems. Gathering that the winds are mainly NE to NNE along s qld coast late summer with some shocker S to SW too? We aren't cruising way off the coast, not enough experience for that yet.