South of Outer Harbour
Whether it’s a day sail, overnighter or longer, there are a number of beaches along the Adelaide metropolitan coastline that offer good anchoring options for day trips. North Haven, Largs, Semaphore, Grange, Henley Beach, West Beach, Glenelg and Brighton.
Semaphore, West Beach and Glenelg are favourites of ours particularly when taking family and friends out for a day sail and a swim or snorkel off the back of the catamaran. Semaphore, West Beach, Glenelg and Brighton are also great spots to watch the fireworks on New Years Eve or Australia Day. Friends of ours have even anchored off Glenelg to listen to outdoor concerts, and depending how close you get you can even see the stage.
Not too much further south are a couple of other beaches worth visiting, Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga. Bank on about 4 – 4 ½ hours from Outer Harbour, wind and sea conditions dependent. Both of these locations have reefs, and you can anchor beach side the reefs though it can be lumpy at high tide. Avoid these locations in south – south westerly winds, and also in a south – south westerly swell.
North of Outer Harbour
During our stay in Adelaide we only ventured north once, to Middle Beach for an overnight stay. Quite shallow and weed on sand bottom. The ‘beach’ is basically mangroves, so not somewhere we would recommend to take the dinghy and go for a stroll. The mozzies will find you there and believe us when we say they will find you two miles out to sea.
Port River
A jaunt down the Port River from Outer Harbour towards Port Adelaide is worthwhile. Once you enter the channel via the breakwater you might be fortunate enough to see a cruise ship, cargo ship and/or container cranes in operation at Outer Harbour terminal. The entrance to the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron is via this channel, so depending on the day of the week and time of day it can be busy. Further down the channel to port is a nature reserve with lots of bird life as well as a number of old dwellings and jetties as far as the quarantine station. The starboard side is really interesting with a mix of industrial complexes; Australian defence ship building works; fuel terminal; bulk handling facilities; Port Adelaide Sailing Club; Marina Adelaide, commercial shipyards and haul out facilities.
When we made our way down the river towards the Port River Expressway Bridge (also known as Tom Diver Derrick Bridge) there were several huge wind farm structures on the dock waiting for transportation. The river has two bridges, one which is mentioned above and the Birkenhead Bridge. Both bridges open for tall vessels but you will need to plan ahead as opening times are restricted to certain times of the day on certain days of the week. Both bridges stay closed by default and are only opened on request, 2 hours notice is required. For specific details of bridge opening times and restrictions check out http://sa.gov.au>Boating+and+Marine.>+Licences+and+Permits>+Opening+Port+River+Bridges
