New Caledonia to Australia

The passage from New Caledonia to QLD, Australia is a common route for westbound cruisers completing a South Pacific season and heading to Australia for cyclone season. Below is an overview covering route options, timing, weather patterns, entry procedures, and navigational notes.

๐Ÿงญ General Passage Overview
โ€ข Route: Noumรฉa (New Caledonia) to Bundaberg (Queensland, Australia)
โ€ข Distance: ~820 to 900 nautical miles depending on departure and arrival points
โ€ข Direction: West-southwest
โ€ข Time at sea: 5 to 7 days for most cruising yachts (avg. speed 5-7 knots)
โ€ข Destination port of entry: Bundaberg Port Marina (Port of Bundaberg โ€“ Biosecurity and Customs clearance available)

โ›ต Recommended Timing
โ€ข Best Season: Late October to mid-November
โ€ข Why: This window is after the South Pacific cruising season and before cyclone risk increases. Weather is more stable and frontal systems in the Coral Sea are less frequent.
โ€ข Avoid: December onward due to increasing cyclone activity; also avoid departing during strong SE tradewinds or when a Tasman low is active.

๐ŸŒฆ Weather & Routing Considerations
โ€ข Prevailing winds: SE tradewinds (10-25 knots)
โ€ข Typical pattern: Start with E-SE winds, often light near New Caledonia and building mid-passage; expect more variable winds approaching the Queensland coast.
โ€ข Troughs & Fronts: Watch for cold fronts sweeping up from the Tasman Sea. These can bring strong SW to NW winds and squalls.
โ€ข Recommended Routing Tool: Use Weather Routing plugin in OpenCPN or services like PredictWind or FastSeas. GRIB files essential.

๐Ÿ—บ Navigational Notes
โ€ข Departure Point: Noumรฉa (Port Moselle Marina) or Baie de Prony for a better jump-off
โ€ข Arrival Waypoint: Bundaberg Fairway Buoy (then follow river channel to marina)
โ€ข Hazards:
โ—ฆ Coral Sea can become rough with wind-over-current conditions.
โ—ฆ Avoid lingering in the Capricorn Channel in a strong southerly.
โ—ฆ Stay alert for commercial shipping lanes and fishing buoys closer to Australia.

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Arrival in Australia – Border Procedures
โ€ข Biosecurity: Australian Border Force and Biosecurity (DAFF) require advance notification.
โ€ข Notice of Arrival: Must be submitted 96 hours before ETA (Australian Border Force Yacht Arrival Info)
โ€ข Prohibited Items: Fresh produce, untreated wood, animal products, seeds, etc.
โ€ข First Port of Entry: You must check in at an official port โ€” Bundaberg is one of the most cruiser-friendly with a smooth process and marina support.

โš“ Bundaberg Port
โ€ข Coordinates: 24ยฐ45.802โ€ฒ S 152ยฐ23.426โ€ฒ E
โ€ข Services:
โ—ฆ Biosecurity & customs clearance on-site
โ—ฆ Friendly staff accustomed to international arrivals
โ—ฆ Fuel, haul-out, chandlery, provisioning
โ€ข Nearby town: Bundaberg (short taxi ride) for groceries, banks, travel services

WEATHER FORECAST

Swell

 


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