Dallas & Selina O’Brien (video by Niclas/Sanna)
Four boats made their way from Middle Harbour to Shell Harbour’s new marina complex for our Easter Cruise this year.
With absolutely gorgeous weather, Argenta, Eternity, Ra Ra & Kai Rani spent the first evening anchored in Botany Bay at a location called Frenchmans Cove, before an 0800 departure the next morning, bound for Shell Harbour. Sundowners were enjoyed on Ra Ra, followed by dinner onboard Kai Rani. A special thank you to Niclas, who was our Uber/tender driver for the evening.
A <10kt southerly breeze meant It had to be a motor-sail to arrive before sunset, but we were greeted along the way by a pod of 50 dolphins. I have never seen so many at one time! Along the way, Selina remarked several times on just how beautiful our coastline is. The flotilla arrived at Shell Harbour at approx. 16:00 to be warmly greeted by the marina dock crew.
The new break wall made it a very easy and safe entry. Greg & Karen hosted evening drinks and nibbles on Argenta with a magnificent full moon as backdrop. A dinner followed at the tavern which overlooks the marina. For a nightcap onboard Eternity, the group was serenaded with an impromptu performance by Dallas on guitar. The new marina development features a tavern, cafes, restaurants, pharmacy and a supermarket, all within easy walking distance. A 20 minute walk takes one to a charming village, ocean baths and a number of cafes and shops. We were recommended to sail a little further south, around Bass Point, to a beach called Killalea Beach, and so the next day, we did just that, and were not disappointed. We anchored and watched the local surfers surf a small break over a glass of wine on Kai Rani. The weather was conducive to a few of us having a swim.
Argenta and Eternity were able to wait an extra two days for a following breeze, and were rewarded with a beautiful sail home, Argenta choosing to head home to Clontarf, and Eternity stopping in Port Hacking overnight to break the journey.
We would rate the new marina development as the best development on the east
coast. It was built by the local council, and the concept was initially proposed 30 years ago. A long time in the making, but well worth the wait, the development will ultimately feature a slipway as well.
Shell Harbour proved to be an ideal cruising destination, and Eternity is already planning her next trip to revisit.
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