I have been poring over weather charts and forecasts all morning. We are heading south, towards Tasmania and Hobart in particular. We departed Sydney yesterday evening (11th) and now I write on the 12th.
As is the norm we berthed at White Bay Cruise terminal; the days of being able to berth at Circular Quay are long past. The ‘explosion’ of larger cruise ships homeported here results in larger ships, unable to fit under the harbour bridge, using the prime berth in Sydney.
The reason I have been absorbed in the weather is that the Tasman Sea is about to live up to its reputation; a depression to the west is moving in, a very large swell and high winds on Tasmania’s west coast are expected and we are, (were) due to sail into it. Instead I have shortened our Hobart call by 5 hours and cancelled a tender-port call at Port Arthur, I am going to try to “get out of Dodge” before the worst of it comes in. I intend to sail north, staying near Tasmania’s east coast and then steam ‘over the top’ of the worst weather. That’s plan A anyway, time will tell.
In the outer harbour, having just entered through the ‘Heads’
Sydney appears through the gloom; Fort Denison, the Opera House and the Bridge
Tops of skyscrapers hidden in low cloud, Fort Denison foreground
Back to Sydney, a wonderful arrival, albeit the early morning was dull and cloudy. The sun soon came out and temperatures soared. Although I took a video of our arrival and several photographs, a quick ferry trip enabled me to take some satisfying shots of the goings-on around the harbour.
Fort Denison was once a small, rocky island. After the British arrived in 1788 it was renamed Rock Island. In 1796 the Governor installed a gibbet and a convict was hanged there; his skeleton was still hanging 4 years later, a warning to all entering Sydney.
The Governors mansion
Approaching the Bridge
Seen from the ferry, us moored in White Bay
The National Maritime museum in Darling Harbour
A ‘breezy’ Darling Harbour
Sailing is a national past-time. In the background, old wharves converted to apartments
Circular Quay and the Carnival Spirit berthed near the ferry terminal
Walking the Bridge is a popular tour
Our view at night
We are scheduled to dock in Hobart by 8 a.m. tomorrow morning and depart at 9 p.m. There will be more poring over weather charts tomorrow, I’m sure.
Loved the video as you cruised in with dark cloudy skies. Glad the sun came out. Sounds like exciting weather times ahead. We here in Arizona are praying for rain!! Ha ha. Send us some of yours. Safe travels.
Beautiful pics! Praying the weather and seas are not too rough!
Sydney is such a great port to sail into. This blog brings back happy memories. Xx
Beautiful pictures of one of my favorite cities. Brought back memories of our visit to Sydney 3 years ago. We did a 14 day R/T to New Zealand on the MS Oosterdam, under the command of Captain Peter Bos. We were fortunate enough to embark at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on a beautiful. sunny day. Still love looking back at the pictures of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from that day. We then disembarked 2 weeks later at White Bay. Enjoying following along on your voyage.