Superyacht Captain Peter Dodson talks about how the Hawkesbury River region lured him into superyachting…
Over 1.34 million Australian’s enjoy cruising each year and most of that cruising is actually done around Australia on mega cruise ships. One place that has always been popular is the Murray River on a paddle steamer but now we have the Hawkesbury River as a rising star and an exciting new cruising destination with a more fancy style of accommodation on a superyacht.
Read these passionate passages from one of our YOTSPACE superyacht Captains as he talks about the Hawkesbury River region in New South Wales that offers visitors so much more of a rich and immersive experience on our luxury superyacht voyages and watch the interview here.
Captain Peter Dodson from Superyacht Corroboree provides a fascinating insight into why the Hawkesbury River region is one of his favourite cruising destinations in Australia.
I’ve continued to explore exotic locations throughout the Pacific on a number of Superyachts, but always find comfort in returning to what I consider to be Sydney’s Jewel in The Crown, the Hawkesbury region.
Captain Peter Dodson
Hawkesbury River History
The Hawkesbury region was the third settlement of the British Colony in 1794 following Sydney and Parramatta and became the primary source of produce due to the location of the river and its fertile banks which contrasted with the brackish, tidal waters of the Parramatta River. Today the area is still used extensively for Market Farmers around the town of Windsor and continues to feed the population of Sydney.
During colonial settlement, those who were fortunate enough to be free of shackles were awarded land claims and worked under extremely hard conditions to clear impenetrable bushland and make a home for themselves, however they were not alone. The indigenous Darug Tribe of the Hawkesbury and Gurungai Tribe of Broken Bay had been habituating the area for thousands of years prior to the arrival of the British which presented challenges often resulting in conflict, bloodshed and fatality.
World Heritage Listed Ku ring gai Chase is one of the oldest National Parks in Australia, covering 150 sq km. It is rugged, fertile and hauntingly beautiful with immense diversity in both Australian Flora and Fauna. It encompasses a jagged coastline, pockets of rainforest, prolific bushland and aboriginal heritage as well as colonial history.
Many of the tributaries and creeks have been carved from ancient sandstone, leaving spectacular gorges and tranquil deep anchorages which are easy to navigate and afford the greatest protection from the elements for any seafarer.
How I was lured into the Maritime Industry
In 1994 I was employed as the mate on board the replica of William Bligh’s ship HMAV Bounty and we were fortunate enough to sail up into Broken Bay and anchor in Coal and Candle Creek. I was suddenly awe struck by the Historical spectacle from the shoreline where seeing the ship reflected in the water against a backdrop of Australian bushland and early morning mist transported me back to 1788. My passion for Australian Maritime History was ignited.
In 1996 I decided that the Northern Beaches of Sydney and Pittwater were to become my home and springboard into the Maritime Industry. It was also the gateway to Broken Bay and the Hawksbury River. I became immersed in a tight-knit, colourful community of 1000 people who inhabited water-access only homes on the shores of Pittwater, flanked by Ku Rin Gai Chase National Park.
My first command was Ferry Master on one of the oldest commercially surveyed ferries in Australia, transporting the kids from the community to and from school.
In 2004 I decided to expand my career horizons and travelled to Europe. Having 10 years’ experience on traditional sailing ships under the belt I was soon recruited by the Fife Ship Moonbeam IV as 1st Mate in the Mediterranean.
However, it wasn’t long before I was lured by what my sailing comrades referred to as the ‘Dark Side’ and began taking command positions on luxury Superyachts. 20,000 nautical miles later had me return to Australia after 5 years. Since then, I’ve continued to explore exotic locations throughout the Pacific on a number of superyachts, but always find comfort in returning to what I consider to be Sydney’s Jewel in The Crown, the Hawkesbury region.
Hawkesbury River reigns supreme as a destination for YOTSPACE superyacht charters.
The Shoreline communities of Pittwater is full of colourful, friendly people. Many of whom are talented and successful artists, architects and writers living in beautifully designed homes.
Coasters Retreat – The Basin which is a tranquil parkland surrounded by towering hoop-pines with soft grass and picture-perfect tidal lagoon for swimming. (‘Coasters’ were traditional sailing vessels crafted from the local timber and used to transport fresh produce from the Hawkesbury River to the Colony in Sydney. They would often wait for favorable conditions in Coasters Retreat before heading to sea – hence the name. It was also the place where the Australian Constitution began drafting – on a boat!).
Palm Beach – Barrenjoey with it’s soft sandy beaches and spectacular light-housed headland. protected swimming on one side of the peninsula and surfing on the other. The colonial architecture of Barrenjoey House has been meticulously restored into a fine dining restaurant and can be accessed from the water.)
Broken Bay has a myriad of sandstone gorges and protected anchorages to explore, flanked by the untamed bushland of Ku Rin Gai Chase National Park and spectacular Lion Island backdrop. Jerusalem Bay and Americas Bay have waterfalls (season dependent) and many bushwalks.
The small Bar Island on the Hawkesbury River captures the colonial history with a convict graveyard and church. Peats Bite close by is an intimate style resort accessed by the water where guests can visit for sun-downers and look back to their superyacht Corroboree on anchor.
Book your YOTSPACE superyacht charter on the Hawkesbury River with Captain Peter Dodson or speak with your luxury travel agent about our book luxury yacht charters in Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef.
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Images : Destination NSW | Broken Bay Pearl Farm | Corroboree superyacht