Explore Pittwater & The Hawkesbury
Our Explorer guides are designed to help you plan your time, discover new spots, and feel confident about where you can go and what you can enjoy during your charter.
Dining by Boat: Lunch Stops and Waterfront Venues
Planning lunch during your charter? This guide shares waterfront dining ideas around Newport, Palm Beach, Patonga, Cottage Point, Bobbin Head, Akuna Bay and the Lower Hawkesbury, with tips for moorings, tenders, water taxis and approved access.
Guest Transfers During Your Charter
If friends or family are joining part-way through your charter, a little planning goes a long way. This guide explains water taxis, tender transfers, The Basin ferry, Cottage Point, Bobbin Head, resupply options and safe daylight transfer planning.
Groceries, Alcohol, Ice & Supplies for Your Boat Charter
Make provisioning easy before your charter. This guide covers local grocery, bottle shop, ice and delivery options near Princes Street Marina, Newport, plus tips for packing food, drinks and supplies for your time on the water.
Charter area explained: Exploring Pittwater & the Hawkesbury by boat
Explore the wider Church Point Charter cruising area from Newport, including Pittwater, Cowan Creek and the Lower Hawkesbury. This guide explains how the area fits together, where guests can go, how moorings work, and why this part of Sydney is best enjoyed slowly from the water.
First-time boating: What to expect
New to boating? You are not alone. This guide explains what to expect on your first self-drive charter, including the briefing, driving the boat, using moorings, planning a simple route and feeling confident on Pittwater.
Refuge Bay & America Bay: Calm Hawkesbury favourites
Refuge Bay and America Bay are peaceful Hawkesbury favourites for swimming, overnight stays and slow days surrounded by bushland. This guide explains what makes each bay special, how to use authorised moorings, and what to bring before heading in.
Pittwater & Barrenjoey: A natural harbour shaped by history
Pittwater is calm, sheltered and full of beautiful places to explore by boat. From Newport to Palm Beach, Barrenjoey, The Basin and Coasters Retreat, this guide shows why Pittwater is ideal for relaxed cruising, first-time boaters and easy days on the water.
Patonga Village by boat: A waterfront escape
Patonga is a relaxed coastal village that feels like a proper little escape by boat. Learn how to plan a visit, enjoy lunch ashore, allow for West Head and Broken Bay conditions, and make the most of this memorable Hawkesbury stop.
How to spend a day on Pittwater
One of the great pleasures of boating on Pittwater is how much you can experience in a single day.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park: Wildlife & nature from the water
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is one of the most beautiful parts of the charter area, with sandstone cliffs, bushland, wildlife and quiet coves best experienced from the water. This guide helps guests enjoy the park gently and responsibly by boat.
Practical guide for a relaxed charter
A relaxed charter starts with simple planning. These practical tips cover food, ice, moorings, daylight timing, guest transfers, what to bring and how to keep your day on Pittwater easy, safe and enjoyable.
Cowan Creek: a quieter world beyond Pittwater
Cowan Creek offers calm water, bushland, sandstone cliffs and peaceful overnight moorings beyond Pittwater. This guide covers favourite areas including Refuge Bay, America Bay, Cottage Point, Bobbin Head and Akuna Bay, with practical tips for planning your charter.
Cottage Point by boat: a waterside gathering place
Cottage Point is a beautiful Cowan Creek stop with calm water, bushland and waterside dining. This guide explains how to plan a visit, arrange access, use authorised moorings and enjoy the area without rushing.