We did'nt quite expect our trip heading west under the Sydney harbour bridge once the exclusion zone was lifted on NYE to be soo wild!
We motored slowly from Bradley's Head shortly after the fireworks finished at midnight, heading for our destination of Black Wattle Bay. We had to stop near Kirribilli House and wait until the exclusion zone was lifted. Initially I noticed a few boats building up, then a few minutes later when the exclusion was lifted we found ourselves in a race for the bridge with a large number of boats.
By the time we got directly under the bridge we were probably sharing the channel with 5 or 6 other boats, directly behind us were 3 large cruise boats heading in the same direction. We just had to go flat out and make a path west. It was pretty hairy although I have never been out on boxing day for the Sydney to hobart.
Don't think we will attempt that again ;-))
Yep keensailor, that just about confirms every rumour I've heard about Sydney harbour. Glad to hear you and your crew came through with a complete toe count. Cheers 
My one NYE experience meant I'd not do it again. Drunk teenagers anchoring on my anchor, ramming the boat next to me at which point he aimed a rifle at them. Too many drunk non boating idiots in charge of boats for me.
Select to expand quoteMorningBird said..
My one NYE experience meant I'd not do it again. Drunk teenagers anchoring on my anchor, ramming the boat next to me at which point he aimed a rifle at them. Too many drunk non boating idiots in charge of boats for me.
I always wanted to do the NYE on the harbour, but maybe not.
Select to expand quoteSectorsteve said..
yeah i couldnt imagine it would be good. dark too, lotsa wake, lotsa idiots.
Same here on the Swan for Australia Day. Did it once and I'll never do it again. If you got in early and were able to stay anchored for the night then maybe it'll be better.
I guess the ideal solution is to find a spot where you can stay put for the night so you don't have to weigh anchor after the fireworks. I did this when I watched the Sydney Harbour fireworks in 2009, but even then it was uncomfortable to to be such close proximity to so many other vessels - many of whom don't seem to know how to properly set their anchor.
I've done it a few times. It's like any crowd. At the front is the mosh pit and I'm chillin in the middle. Just be prepared with fenders.
I did it a year ago. It was fine and kinda fun. Anchored in Athol Bay with everyone else at 10am, swam, ate, laughed at people, fended off a cat, happy when the bogans in the fishing boat beside us moved, and enjoyed the show. But I would only do it staying the night on the pick rather than do that running with the bulls experience.
