Hardys Bay is located on the central coast of New South Wales, It is a charming anchorage situated in Brisbane Waters, just before the Spit Bridge. The shoreline is lined with waterfront homes, and the surrounding hills are part of Bouddi National Park. We were looking forward to catching up with our friends Garth and Alison after our long journey from Coffs Harbour.
For vessels:
The entrance starts from Lilktle Box Head and is well marked. However, it is subject to strong tidal flow, so there is no time to linger around. The channel follows the contour of the land, and the tide flow increases at half-tide rocks, so don’t hug the green buoys too closely, just in case the tide pushes you into them. After the last green buoy, there is a tight turn to starboard, so make sure you plan ahead and have the red buoy in sight at Half Tide Rocks. Follow the channel around to the southern cardinal and green beacon; this is the entrance into Hardy’s Bay & Killcare. You can anchor or pick up a pink public beehive mooring for 24 hours. Holding is very good in mud, it’s sometimes hard to bring up the anchor up it likes to dig into the mud. The anchorage may experience swell during a southerly change, but it wasn’t an issue for us in the catamaran as they passed through quickly.
Supplies:
There is a liquor shop and local store for basic supplies and bins near the jetty. Killcare has a marina for smaller vessels and moorings. Booker Bay also has a marina (across from Hardy’s Bay).
Things to do:
If you feel like stretching your legs, there are numerous walks in Bouddi National Park. Take some mosquito repellant; they love new visitors. You can access the Bouddi coastal walk from Putty Beach.
Lobster Beach as well as Half Tide Rocks it is good for fishing snorkelling and exploring the tidal pools.
We had breakfast on the waterfront at at the Fat Goose Killcare, excellent location. Keep an eye out for those pesky rainbow lorikeets, they love pinching the sugar sachets from the table.
The best time to go ashore is half tide and rising. You can tie your dinghy up at the jetty (be careful your dinghy doesn’t get caught under the jetty as the tide rises). Tie bow and stern so it doesn’t move around.
If you walk up the Killcare Road then down Beach Road this will take you to Putty Beach you can get meals at the Surf Club/Kiosk and have swim at the beach. If you managed to climb Killcare Road hill, consider taking Nukara Ave (accessible from the stairs on Araluen Drive). You’ll get super fit tackling these hills!
If your feeling adventurous take a dinghy ride to Ettalong Beach. There are numerous shops and an IGA. (Note: there is a public mooring in front of Ettalong Beach, it is more exposed subject to swell at times.
We really enjoyed our stay at Hardys Bay, it is an excellent place to anchor.
Things to watch out for:
Sea planes bring visitors from Sydney, mainly on weekends and holidays, landing in the channel. Be sure to watch the sea planes take off; they it’s looks like they barely clear the Spit Bridge.
Spit Bridge has height restrictions for yachts.
Oyster beds are close to the anchorage area
Swelly conditions in Broken Bay can cause breaking waves at the entrance of the channel.
Ferries run each day to Pittwater, watch out for them in the channel. They have a habit of sneaking up behind you.
