Phillip Island to Wilsons Promontory
In May 2019, dad and I completed this leg over 2 days/1 night, having sailed from Hastings to Cleeland Bight the previous day. We sailed for about 10 hours each day, anchoring in Waratah Bay off Walkerville South, then Refuge Cove on the East side of Wilsons Prom. Over the two days we covered about 80 nautical miles or 148 km.
Cape Woolamai, from the South
Blustery North Westerlies and a decent swell, we accidently gybed a couple of times. Heart of Gold would roll over the swell, in doing so the wind would catch the opposite side of the sail meaning the boom and mainsail swings to the opposite side of the boat. It can be dangerous as it’s often unexpected and the boom can hit you in the head as it swings across. Also quite hard on gear. It happened later in the trip and the force broke a shackle on the mainsail traveller.
This shy Albatross came in close for a look. Identified by neat narrow black margins on the underside of the wings, dark tab at shoulder intruding onto underside of wing. They can have a wingspan up to 2.5m and weigh up to 5kg. They are endemic breeders to Australia and only breed on 3 islands in Bass Strait and South of Tasmania. They are threatened by marine pollution, fishing by-catch, and changes in climate. Estimated population in wild is only 15,350 breeding pairs.
When sitting in the cockpit underneath the dodger it’s quite sheltered, but visibility is limited. We find ourselves standing on the lockers holding onto the dodger much of the time. Quite the workout holding on after a full day sailing.
White horses
Shy Albatross
Short beaked Common Dolphins. Super playful.
A scrap of headsail poled out. The pole helps maintain the sail shape when the wind is coming from behind. The headsail is on a furler mounted on the forestay. Sail area can be adjusted by furling the sail in out out.
Waratah Bay anchorage
Dad slept in the pilot berth / couch. There’s a cupboard / sail locker that you put your feet into. It’s tight but cosy. There’s a lee cloth to the right to hold everything in and prevent you falling out of bed while sleeping as the boat rocks around.
Sunrise at Waratah Bay looking east to the Prom
Fluttering Shearwater. I had a little trouble identifying this one as his beak is crossed over. The ‘Seabirds and Pelagics’ page on Facebook helped with the I.D. - the beak just seems to be damaged.
Norman Island, Wilsons Prom.
Patterned vegetation of another island off the prom.
Cleft Island or ‘Skull Rock’ in the Anser Group of Islands. The hollowed out cave is 130m wide and 60m tall. Rumours on the internet talk of cannonballs being found in the cave from by-gone ships using it as target practice…
South East Point, Wilson’s Promontory. The Southernmost point of mainland Australia. The lighthouse was completed in 1859. This place would have seen some weather.
Rounding South East Point, lighthouse in the distance.
Arrived. Refuge Cove, Wilson’s Prom