NSW
702 posts
Hi
Has anyone had any experience taking their boat to the harbour for the fireworks. Farm Cove would be a great spot but I imagine very crowded. Maybe there are less crowded spots which are less likely to lead to your boat getting trashed.
WA
855 posts
A few things I don't like about Farm Cove. It can get very choppy as it is surrounded by a sea wall that rebounds chop, there is a lot of traffic passing by with lots of boat wash, predominant north easterly breeze in summer makes it unpleasant all afternoon, the opera house blocks most of the view of the bridge and being tucked in the cove means you only get to see pretty much straight out and not up and down the harbour.
Personally I much prefer Athol Bay, get a nice view down the harbour and there are a couple of little beaches you can take a shore trip to during your stay. Can get a bit of wash near the Bradley's Head end but that end is best for harbour bridge views. The fireworks usually extend to barges off Athol Bay.
Just spent the weekend there for the Fleet Review, we spent Friday moving about and lunch in Farm Cove as it was a southerly. Saturday we headed out early to Athol Bay, get in early to grab a good spot, by early afternoon it gets quite full and can be difficult to find a space. Very social with lots of boats about and people buzzing around in their tenders. Only issue we saw nearby was a huge stink boat that came in late afternoon and blocked the view right at the front of the exclusion zone, a few boats that had been there all day raised objections and he moved away.
QLD
160 posts
+1 for Athol Bay. We sailed from Brisbane to Sydney for Christmas/NY last year, and the NYE fireworks were the highlight of the trip. Boats were starting to set up in Athol Bay a few days before NYE, but because of other commitments we didn't arrive till about 1pm on the day. It was already pretty full but we found a good spot. As it was blowing about 25kt at the time, there was lots of drama with other boats dragging, late arrivals trying to anchor too close, and of course there was alcohol involved. But the mood was happy and festive, and we didn't feel threatened or uncomfortable at any time. Instead, all the action kept us entertained while waiting for the main event! When it all finally started we had an excellent view down the harbour to the bridge, and there was also a barge fairly close. It was a great experience, and I'm looking forward to doing it again (not this year unfortunately).
NSW
2711 posts
Only done it once about 12 years ago, the only time the 9.00pm fireworks were cancelled because of the wind. 70 knots recorded at Fort Denison during the evening.
We were in Camp Cove having got there in our Duncanson 26 about midday so had a really good spot. As the sun set the drunk young blokes in daddy's boats started arriving. One anchored on our anchor despite being yelled at by all and sundry. We then had to re anchor. The large Halvorsen style cruiser anchored next to us then had the same boat drift back onto him when they couldn't/didn't get their engines started. The cruiser owner warned them numerous times to get the engines going until they bounced off his anchor rode and stem. He finally appeared on deck with a rifle and they moved off very quickly to bounce off a few other boats.
Our side of the cove was the good side. As the wind increased a large property developers stink boat tried to anchor in the front of the other boats. They moved him on quick smart but he couldn't get her going so bounced off boats until he ended up on the sea wall at the head of the bay. The yelling from the other side of the cove could be heard in the rising wind.
The wind quickly dropped and a pleasant night was had by most.
As we left at 1.00am we were rounding the Opera House in still conditions. The boat was running well but we weren't moving. I then had a swim to get the table cloth off my propeller. Must have blown off a boat in the wind.
Go with a very open mind, be prepared for all eventualities and do all you can to stop late arrivers anchoring in front of you. Carrying a rifle might be a bit over the top, but it did work.
Camp Cove is an excellent spot provided you get near the front, but the nor-easters can be a problem as noted above.
This year I am going to anchor near Woolwich to see it from the west.
NSW
201 posts
There are heaps of boats out on New Years, so the few replies to your question suggests most are reluctant to disclose their secret spot. You might consider not anchoring all day (you will need to if you want to get close to the Opera House) but rather anchoring or pulling up on a vacant mooring in one of the bays ( alot of boats are away at this time of year, including the Sydney Hobart Fleet) and then motoring out for the fireworks. I do this and it has worked well for a number of years. You should have a look at the winds on the day. If the wind will be from the north east then head for the northern side of the harbour and if the wind is from the south then pick a spot on the southern side. Otherwise shortly after the fun starts you will be peering through thick smoke.
NSW
28 posts
Hi keen sailor,
I've done New Year's Eve a few times and Athol bay is the gun spot. Be there by 4ish to get a good spot. If you intend to stay all night make sure you are out of the sea lane or waterways will make you move at about 1.30. (The yellow buoys mark the no go zones,not the sea lanes) probably 80% of the spectators will shoot through by 1.30 and you'll have the place to yourself
