The entrance to the narrow channel between Violet Hill and Sheep Island which leads to this anchorage point was a little hard to discern, but we eventurally found it.
We tied to the trees on the eastern shore and at dusk enjoyed watching friendly kookaburras, 3 or 4 at a time, being hand-fed on the bow rails of a couple of boats anchored nearby. A very picturesque spot.
Our plan next day was to proceed into the main Myall Lake, but due to a storm with gale force winds predicted for later in the day, we decided to return post-haste to the Myall River for shelter. Once we reached the river entrance at Tamboy it was a 3 hour motor down-stream to Tea Gardens, where we called for a weather update and were advised that the wind in open waters was only 5 kn, so we proceeded to Port Stephens. The storm passed by in the distance and the strong wind didn't arrive, in fact when we reached Port Stephens the water was a mill pond. And so we sailed on, past our Corrie Island paradise, and all the way to Fame Cove for overnight. Once again we were visited by the dolphins in the evening and again in the morning. They accompanied us on our sail back to Lemon Tree Passage along Soldiers Point, darting beneath the bow. On arrival at Lemon Tree Passage we went for a walk along the shoreline boardwalk, wandering through a very pretty rainforest area overlooking the water and the moored boats.
Our last night at Port Stephens was spent here on a swing mooring, watching small swallows circling the boat amidst a beautiful sunset, all whilst cooking our BBQ tea. There was no wind and the water was like glass, a perfect way to end our 2 plus weeks on the water. We will return!!
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