Moved to Athol Bay in preparation for the viewing of the renown Sydney Harbour New Years eve fireworks and other entertainment. Apparently not to be missed. We are not the only ones here!!! Far removed from the rural islands in Vanuatu!!

This mornings passage entailed weighing the anchor and heading south-east by approximately 200 metres to pick up an available 24 hour visitors mooring next to the gorgeous Quarantine beach with cold rinse off shower. Temperature forecast is a high of 35 degrees today!

Back in Manly after a day's "harbour cruise" with Nelson friends to the opera house and bridge.

Anchored next to the "Opera House" for lunch. Not sure our "cracker biscuit" lunch matches the ambience!!!

Twenty three nautical miles from Refuge Bay to Manly in Sydney Harbour. Pleasant light wind sail along golden sand beaches and housing.

75 nautical miles from Port Stephens to Refuge Bay, Hawkesbury River Mouth. Non descript sail with its lack of wind and swells but what an ending. This is Australia's answer to NZ's Marlborough Sounds with its labrynth of waterways penetrating into the native bush. The NSW Alan Lucas Guide Book states ""Described by some long distance sailors as the finest anchorage in the world". The anchorage is engulfed by Ku-ring-gai - Chase National Park. Suppose there will be a bit of exploration tomorrow!

Departed from Dunbogan in Camden Haven at 0330 wearing jacket and beanie!!! Arrived in Shoal Bay in Port Stephens at 1630. Light northerlies but picked up as we approached Port Stephens. A skipjack tuna struck the line and was successfully decked.

Crossed the bar into Camden Haven at first light this morning. Haven is very apt. Two milestones while sailing here. Crossed into the 30 degree latitudes and transited from the Coral Sea into the Tasman Sea,. On a mooring at Dunbogan and will probably be here exploring through to Monday next week.

Fifty seven nautical miles to run for Camden Haven. Excellent sailing at the moment with north-east wind and sitting on the East Australian conveyor belt adding about two knots to our speed. Currently pacing along at eight knots. Will arrive too early at this rate!! High tide at the bar is 0830.

Moved back to Iluka late this afternoon ready for an early start for Camden Haven 140 NM away. Had a fantastic time over two days exploring Yamba by mountain bikes. Visited the excellent Yamba museum as well.

Moved 2 Nautical miles from iluka to Yamba marina. It is so cute and snug here. Unbagged the mountain bikes and had a good look around Yamba including Yuraygir Nation Park.

Peter didn't let us through the "Pearly Gates" (Harwood Bridge lift) this morning as planned so anchored next to Uigundai Island for 6pm when he will hopefully remember this time. Maybe the real Messiah has informed Peter not to let Brian's through the Pearly Gate subsequent to Monty Pythons "Life of Brian" because they are "nothing but naughty boys". If this is the case then he needs to "look on the bright side of life" and just open the bridge when planned!! Will anchor at Iluka after passing through the bridge this evening.

Seven more miles downstream and we are back at the delightful Scottish Heritage settlement at MacLean. On pontoon berth with yacht Zefr 1(video technology company) from Coffs Harbour. Have organised for the "Pearly Gates" (Harwood lifting bridge) to open for us at 0630 tomorrow. Will then be in Yamba for a few days.

Further down river and now on the seaward side of the shallowest area we are anchored at Lawrence.

Approximately 6 nautical miles down river from Grafton is the quaint little settlement of Ulmarra. Taranui lies alongside a newly established (2011) floating dock provided by the NSW Government's Better Boating Program. 24 hour free berthage and is right by the main centre of Ulmarra.There are a few of these along the river's edge. Temperature in the relative coolness inside Taranui is 35 degrees!!

Same position as last night but start heading slowly back down the river tomorrow. Grafton is renown for its beautiful big bushy trees (a lot of fig trees) and old buildings and we can confirm that after an explore through the town with a population of 17 000. Very hot today (mid thirties) but easy to slip off Taranui's boarding platform into the 26 degree fresh water to cool off.

Twenty three more nautical miles upstream from MacLean on the Clarence River and we have arrived at Grafton. Tall mast yachts can go no further as we are anchored next to a combo road and train bridge with no budging bridge part to allow us through. Trip up the river was absolutely beautiful but Grafton doesn't compare with MacLean.

left Iluka in good time to be at the organized 1030 lifting of Harwood bridge so we could continue up the Clarence River as far as Grafton. Have anchored on-route at the Scottish Heritage town MacLean.

Haven't moved today cause we only just arrived here. Went to bed for a few hours after anchoring at 5am. Woke gently with late good breakfast and coffee before adjusting all clocks, watches and GPS for NSW daylight saving. Reconnaissance on shore before purchasing our $5.50 fish (mullet) and chips and ate them from the shore while watching all the prawn boats leave for their all night fishing.

Anchored in Iluka in the Clarence River just on first light. Clear crisp sky post thunderstorms last night.

2300hrs NSW Australia Daylight saving time. Overnighter to Iluka opposite Yamba in Clarence River. Just experienced an incredible two hour lightning storm!!! We are now on the East Australian Current pushing us along at between 2 to 4 knots so will be arriving before light so have slowed Taranui down.

In "Bums Bay" next to the Gold Coast Seaway from where we will leave late tomorrow for the 100 NM sail to Yamba.

Another early start to sync in with high tide to pass over more shoals and head a short distance south through the Canaipa Passage to anchor at Junpiun Pin along the northwest tip of South Stradbroke Island.

Early morning start (0500) to catch the height of tide over very shallow shoals. Anchored at Slipping Sand.

Another night at Canaipa Point although we have moved approximately 200 metres into a better spot after a yacht left this morning.

Twelve nautical miles from Peel Island to further into the depths towards the Gold Coast seaway. Minding our feet and heads as Taranui weaved amongst the shallow shoals and passed under one overhead power cable 20 metres above MHWS. We took the liberty to recheck the height of our mast above water level prior to departure finding we have approximately three metres of leeway depending on height of tide. Delightful anchorage at Canaipa Point in the Canaipa Passage.

From Tangalooma to north side of Peel Island, Moreton Bay - 21.8 NM. SE wind 15 to 20 knots.

Another night at Tangalooma on Moreton Island. Can see the lights of Brisbane to the west. Snorkeled the thirteen ex harbor board wrecks deliberately put here between 1964 and 1984 as a protective reef from westerly's. Apparently it doesn't work as they offer no protection at all. So!! that was a good idea. However they do provide interesting easy wreck snorkeling.

39 nm sail from Mooloolaba toTangalona on west side of Moreton Island in Moreton Bay. Cruise ship anchored out from us.

No big mileage today. Shifted from the indifferent anchorage in the river at Mooloolaba to just downriver to the marina. Very cozy!! Will be in marina till at least Saturday.

Left Pelican Bay 0530 today to pass safely through Wide Bar and 62 nautical miles on to Mooloolaba. Anchored in river at 0530. Very pleasant days sail.

In Pelican Bay next to Inskip from where a vehicular ferry is continuously ferrying people and vehicles to and from Fraser island. A gorgeous sand cay is only metres away where pelicans chill out. Pelican Bay is also popular as a "holding pen" for boats readying to cross the nearby notorious Wide Bar to the open sea which is the main reason we are here. Four other yachts also anchored here. Plan to cross the bar early morning and head to Mooloolabar

approximately 56nm south.

Weaved our way 18nm around shoals from Garry's anchorage to Tin Can Bay on the mainland but still in the Great Sandy Strait.

Yep!! In Garry's Anchorage again tonight. Caught up on a few tasks and went kayaking around Stewart Island this afternoon. Delightful; returning on sunset.

In Garry's anchorage again this evening. Gusting 30 knots northerly at the moment. Took a walk through the enchanted forest on Fraser Island this morning. Heard Dingoes in the distance.

Interesting and enjoyable navigation through the shallow shoals in Great Sandy Strait to end up at Garry's anchorage in the narrows between Fraser and Stewart Island.

Anchored at southern end of Booker Island in the Great Sandy Strait. Sheltering from a "sporty" northerly wind. South white cliffs on Fraser island to our east.

Another night at Kingfisher Bay before heading into the shallows of Garry's anchorage tomorrow.

Overnight sail (100NM) from Lady Musgrave reef lagoon at the very south of the Great barrier Reef to Kingfisher on the inland passage between Fraser Island and the mainland. Fraser island is the largest sand island in the world (120km by 15km) and the only place where rainforest grows on sand. Most of the area is National Park and in 2004 the 90km Fraser Island Great Walk was opened.

An overnighter from Middle Percy Island to Musgrave Reef. Love it here. The lagoon is full of turtles copulating and females egg laying on the beach at night. Many fish and turtles when snorkeling.

Excellent day! Sailed 65 NM to Curlew Island which is absolutely beautiful. Only ones here. Had one hour before dark to go ashore. Pulled the tender onto the beach just where a turtle had waddled up the beach, did its thing with the eggs and waddled back down again. Hence two tracks. To top the day off we hooked a Mackerel.

Gathered in approximately 40 NM of south today and anchored at Goldsmith Island for the night ready for another early departure in the morning. Sailing today was "dreamy".

Heading south 7 knots in 15 knot easterly. Tidal stream assisting.

Had our fill of Airlie Bay. Refueled and watered in the marina this morning before sailing around to Moonlight Bay on the South Molle Island ready for a departure south around Sunday. Northerlies predicted starting Monday.

Anchored out from Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays. Walked up to Honeyeater lookout for magnificent outlook over some of the islands.

ETA Mackay early Sunday evening

will have pretty much the same conditions all the way to Mackay so they are cheerful with the very pleasant sailing

ETA Sunday. Report via Blowin Bubbles. Thanks Kyle

What great conditions to meander home in.

LOOKS LIKE AN ETA OF LATE SATURDAY

good progress and great to talk to as they have a strong radio to go with Hillary's good clear voice. ETA Sunday which Brian is happy with as good wind direction then

they are about 20m NW of top of espiritu Santo. beautiful conditions. Great clear signal from Hilary this morning. We wont be on the radio tomorrow so next update will be Monday

Anchored in Sola, Vanua Lava, Banks, Vanuatu