Camping Broughton Island - How to get there?
Submitted: Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 02:17
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Dos P
Hi everyone,
So, a large group of my friends and I are heading to Broughton soon, which we are so pumped about. The question I have involves what the best way to get there is.
We figured the easiest would be to drive up to Myall and charter a boat/yacht/houseboat but the prices vary so drastically for what seem like such small statistical differences. Does anyone have experiences camping there and if so, what company would you recommend as the best (and most affordable) way to get there that doesn't involve kayaking 20km.
Ta!
Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 11:34
Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 11:34
Houseboats and most of the charter boats in the Myal lakes system would not be allowed out there. Here is what the
National Parks site says:
Getting there:
Little Poverty Beach, Broughton Island, is part of
Myall Lakes National Park. Access is by vessel only. If travelling by private vessel, you'll need to register your movements with Marine Rescue Port Stephens on marine radio prior to travel, or you can organise transport with a tour operator. Please be advised that tour operator schedules and prices vary, so it’s recommended that you contact the tour operator before booking your
campsite to ensure that ferry times and costs suit your requirements.
Guided tours and ferry
services run to the island by the following tour operators:
Moonshadow Cruises (guided tours only)
Lets Go Adventures (pre-arranged transfer
services only)
Tamboi Queen Cruises (guided tours and pre-arranged transfer
services)
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Dos P - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 16:07
Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 16:07
Cheers. Do you know for certain if most of the houseboats and charter boats are now allowed out there, or are you assuming based on the nat. park website? From that, I gather that as long as we pre-register our movements with the marine rescue unit radio, we'd be fine to go in a private vessel, meaning a hired boat or yacht would be doable..
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 16:52
Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 16:52
Houseboats are not deep sea vessels. I doubt they would be allowed on water outside of Port Stephens. I would not be on one out there either. You could try them -
Link No doubt there would be larger hire boats that may be able to get you out over ocean waters, you will have to do your own research for them.
You mentioned Myall, there is no such town. When you said house boats and Myall, most of the houseboats on Myall Lakes seem to come from
Bulahdelah.
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Follow Up By: philip t jones - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 17:56
Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 17:56
or tea gardens but I doubt house boats go out there
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 18:26
Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 18:26
Dos if you think houseboats are ocean going then maybe you should not even be considering getting yourself out to the island. Disaster waiting to happen.
Get someone to take you and pick you up.
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Follow Up By: Dos P - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 18:54
Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 18:54
Ah, I think we have a different idea of what houseboats are, apologies for the miscommunication. Just googled it and saw what came up.. I meant larger yachts that people often do take on long sailing journeys (thereby living on it) that would fit and transport all of us at once.
The cruising companies that offer transfers seem reasonably priced though, so we'll probably end up doing that. Would just have been nice to have a vessel on hand (A couple of the campers have boat licenses) in case of emergency, etc.
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Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 20:00
Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 20:00
To charter a boat ( bareboat) will cost you a couple of thousand dollars plus a hefty bond of at least a similar amount , further to this you will need to demonstrate that you have the necessary experience to handle a vessel in open waters
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Follow Up By: Gronk - Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 14:27
Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 at 14:27
Don't forget, even with a boat on hand, people have been stuck on the island at times because of bad weather, so these waters are not to be taken lightly, even if the island is only just off shore..
I know a bloke who has been over there many times in his 18ft tinny, but has also recounted the very hairy trips back in thru the heads in bad weather..
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Reply By: duck - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 20:21
Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 20:21
If you contact me thru member msg I can give you a contact that often takes groups he use to have a hut out there, both dive shops at tee gardens & port Stephens also use to do drop offs you could try them as we'll.
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Follow Up By: Dos P - Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 20:34
Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 at 20:34
I'm not a member, unfortunately, and so can't utilise Member message as far as I'm aware..
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Follow Up By: duck - Sunday, Oct 27, 2013 at 18:24
Sunday, Oct 27, 2013 at 18:24
Talk to the dive
shop at hawks nest & ask about the one legged guy who takes campers & gear out has a large surveyed inflatable
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Reply By: Member - Trouper (NSW) - Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 17:42
Friday, Oct 25, 2013 at 17:42
So become one!!!!
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Reply By: ray s6 - Sunday, Oct 27, 2013 at 19:38
Sunday, Oct 27, 2013 at 19:38
peter is correct in almost all I have been staying on broughton 12to 13 times per year for the last 40 years there is a charter boat that departs
nelson bay and is called fullstick charters great mob of blokes they can get you out and back in most wheather but be shaw of one thing this is 16 klms out to the island all be it only 2ks out from the mainland it is still 16ks from a port so you are at the mercy of the weather which can and dose change so be prepaid to stay extra time and take supplys to be shaw
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