Anchorage: Queenscliff VIC
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| Imposing turrets, bizarrely shaped lighthouses, an ancient pier and majestic Norfolk pines all meld to provide the charisma that is Queenscliff. Street corners seem to be dominated by either churches or grand hotels. These impressive 19th century hotels were designed to catch the cooling summer sea breezes. Suitably grand, they became the fashionable holiday destination for Melbourne's elite in the late 1800s, who travelled down by paddle steamer. Todays Visitor Centre is housed in the oldest municipal building still in use. Unassuming fishermen's cottages are interspersed amongst these grand old buildings. Like many older Australian communities, when life was short, before the Queenscliff Cemetery opened in 1856, the dead were buried somewhat unceremoniously, in graves in the dunes at the end of Learmonth St.Confusingly for town planners and visitors alike, the two spellings of Queensliff/e are historically based. Queenscliff refers to the town, while Queenslciffe refers to the Borough, which includes Point Lonsdale. |  | ||||||||||||||||
| Queenscliff Yacht Club was established in 1963, after members of the Royal Brighton Yacht Club voiced a desire for a club on the western side of Port Phillip Bay. The area near Queenscliff Spit was soon identified to be a suitable location for the new yacht club.Visitors today are warmly welcomed to the club at Swan Bay, which operates all year round. But check with the club first if intending to visit during winter. As it's run by volunteers, it may well be closed. Queenscliff Harbour (click on Port Phillip Bay) is undergoing a massive redevelopment process by Parks Victoria, with completion planned for 2009. The plans include a 290 berth (up from the current 150 berths) all weather harbour, restaurants and retail precinct, marine workshops and a straddle lift with adjacent boatyard. But for now the harbour has much of the ageing charm of yesteryear, with timber boardwalks and many pile moorings.Limited space is available to visitors. The charismatic Couta boat is indigenous to Queenscliff. These elegant boats with their expansive sail area are often seen racing and cruising the waters of southern Port Phillip Bay. They even have their own annual regatta each summer. Sea pilots also have an engaging history, operating out of Queenscliff to guide large ships through narrow entrance to Port Phillip, known as The Rip. The courage of these brave seafarers is recognised in the annual Sea Pilots Race, organised by the Hobsons Bay Yacht Club. Check out the Events Calendar to find out when the next Sea Pilots Race is on. |
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| Anchorage Approach to the Queenscliff anchorage is via the dredged channel (with lateral beacons and leads onshore) that leads into the Queenscliff Harbour. Shallow water exists either side of the channel, which is dredged to 3m. The Searoad Queenscliff to Sorento terminal, with its massive car carrying ferries, sits at the southern entrance to 'the cut'. Avoid entering the channel if this ferry is manoeuvring. Tidal stream can be strong, both running across the channel, then either running swiftly in or out of the harbour. Visiting vessels should motor straight ahead, past the harbour on the left filled with fishing and commercial boats, until they reach the end of 'the cut' which then opens out into large Swan Bay. Much of this bay dries at low tide; the only suitable anchorage is near the end of the cut, south of the yacht club buildings. Many boats are permanently moored in this area. The traffic bridge to the west prevents any further penetration for anything but small vessels wanting to access the boat ramp. Anchor over mud in approx 3m. Anchorage location: Lat 38 deg 15.7S Long 144 deg 40.0E |
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Checklist Cruising Guide | |||||||||||||||||
| Updated March 2009 | |||||||||||||||||
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