The logical accompaniment to his Queensland guide Cruising the Coral Coast, Alan Lucas continues to produce essential guides for cruising the Australian east coast. Cruising the NSW Coast was first published in 1976, filling a desperate gap ever since for cruisers lingering to explore this part of the east coast. According to Lucas, this book was the first of its kind to canvas the potential of recreational craft crossing bars into the many rivers along the coast. Subsequently, with the release of the first edition, cruising the coast of NSW became a destination in itself, rather than merely a route to the tropical cruising grounds of QLD. Previously, charts of this somewhat exposed coast simply showed the entrance to major rivers with little detail. Similarly, pilot books simply issued warnings to mariners making bar crossings. Currently in its fifth edition, updates were released for download in May 2008.

Cruising the NSW Coast comprehensively covers the coastal routes as well as inland waterways and rivers in detail. But Lucas also includes interesting facts, historical information and a few thoughts and observations of his own along the way.Known affectionately amongst the cruising fraternity as 'uncle Alan' for his wealth of knowledge and conservative advice, he has a dedicated following. Deservedly so, as he has spent seemingly a lifetime exploring the waters he talks of. While naturally, safe navigation relies on the Skippers own calculations and observations, cruisers who consider Lucas' advice when approaching an anchorage, bar or harbour are unlikely to find themselves encountering trouble.

Good detail is included in individual large-scale anchorage maps, as well as many overview maps, which break up the coast into sections. Other sections cover prevailing weather, tides and current. Perhaps most importantly for cruisers exploring this exposed coastline is the section discussing river geographic characteristics and bar crossings. Cruisers who haven't experienced bar crossing before need not be intimidated if they take note of Lucas's sensible discussion (and read Marine Safety Qld' advice here). As with any judicious cruising guide layout, it is chronicled in a logical route, in this case from south to north. It is natural some passage makers will travel in the reverse direction, making it slightly confusing working from the back of the book to the front. But it's a minute inconvenience that is unavoidable, and more than compensated for with tough binding and an easy to read layout.

Lucas' attention to detail on the entire coast is to be admired, and the guide is well indexed at the back. Plus there are ports and anchorages listings at the front. Consideration is often given to alternative anchorages wherever possible. On the treacherous south coast, where facilities are few, safe harbours, which are predominantly fishing vessel anchorages, are noted. Even Lord Howe Island rates a mention for those hardy souls that take on the challenge of venturing offshore to Australia's answer to Bora Bora.