Bathurst Narrows Crossing.

[Mechanic-AL]

I love doing walks that have strong a connection to the early pioneers and settlers of the state so I don't really know why the Port Davey Track hasn't been on my radar before now. But I have decided to give it a crack this summer and hopefully spend a few days exploring the habitat of the early piners down that way.
I have been through the Bathurst Narrows a few times on the Par Avion boats and my memories of the boat crossing channel are that it is considerably more of an undertaking than the Prion Crossing. I would imagine that anything more than a light breeze would make it a bit of a mission, especially with a bit of tidal flow factored into the equation.
Any advice (or horror stories from those who tried and failed) would be appreciated.

AL

[whynotwalk]

Aerial view of the Bathurst Narrows

I haven't done it myself AL - but here's an aerial photo of the crossing. It's between the two long peninsulas, and there's a boat left at each side. On the "South Coast Walks Map & Notes" they say:

Warning: Extreme caution is needed when making these crossings, particularly in windy weather. At Bathurst Narrows, do not cross when wind and/or tidal surges make seas rough.

The crossing is around 200m. I'm sure others will have stories,

cheers

Peter

[north-north-west]

I don't want to remember. The only good thing about that part of the walk was Deny King showing up after I'd taken the first halfwit in the group across (the best anyone else was capable of doing with any sort of watercraft was sitting in it without throwing up) and ferrying everyone and all the gear across in his boat, then offering us a home-cooked meal.

The tidal currents are bad enough on their own, but even the mildest chop turns the Narrows into a nautical nightmare.

[Mechanic-AL]

Pity Deny wasn't still around now. But I'm sure he must have gotten sick of seeing nautically challenged bushwalkers attempting the narrows. I remember waiting patiently at Prion crossing while a French dude and his German mate rowed round and around in circles trying to reach the other side. The water was sheet glass and if there had been a bit of breeze I reckon they'd still be out there spinning donuts now!
I'm comfortable enough in a boat (even one without an outboard!) but the chances of a bit of breeze in that neck of the woods has to be pretty good at any time of the year. Bit like a creek crossing really. By the time you are out in the middle and your legs are about to go from under you it a bit late to say maybe we should've given it a bit longer!!

Hopefully the weather gods will be smiling on me.

AL

( I read in Deny Kings biography he once walked from Malleluca to Cockle Creek in 2 days. I'm sure he would have been travelling light but thats still a pretty impressive effort. )

[icefest]

I still think the best way to use those boats is like a canadian canoe.

[tassie walker]

We have done the crossing several times. The first (in the early 80's) was the worst as the 3 dinghies were all on the other side. So it meant a swim as the track was very quiet in those days. We waited until the conditions were calm and the current had dropped and the strongest swimmer swam to the other side. That wasn't me!! But you need to be a good strong swimmer to do this as even with a small amount of current you will be swept along with it. On other occasions it has been OK as long as you allow for the current as you row across.

We now usually go to Port Davey by boat and on one occasion went to the rescue of a walker who had tried to row the 'newer' dinghy across in rough conditions. He ended up at the base of Mt Rugby and was going to camp there and try again in the morning until we rescued him - an outboard makes all the difference. The best dinghies to row are the older two dinghies and tow the newer one if you can (that is, unless things have changed since March).

So, if in any doubt wait until the wind drops (or is in the direction you want to go) and check the current before heading across. The camp sites on both sides are good. And in the summer there are plenty of yachts around so if you end up where you are not meant to be there is a good chance someone will come to your rescue.

Enjoy the trip.

[wander]

I have done it twice that I can remember (I do forget wanders that I have been on) and paddle a pack raft through the area.

2nd time using the boats to make a South to North crossing I was by myself. I did the crossing and got the boat and rowed back to deliver it to the South boat tie up, then rowed back to the North. I was 1/2 way thru securing the boat when I figured there was not going to be any oars at the South shore. So a pair of oars into the boat and into the water, back to the South, sure enough I had done the right thing, there would not have been any oars on the South side. And then rowed back to the North only to meet a bloke who was heading South when I pulled in. So I did the row 5 times by myself (and there was a good breeze blowin and a good tide running) when I could have done it just 1 way if our mutual timing had been better. I slept very well on the North side.

[Eljimberino]

Have done the crossing twice. The first time was the most memorable. I did the Western Arthurs solo and as I left Junction creek ran into two middle aged men heading out to do the Port Davey-South coast. I was in a hurry because I wanted to ring my friend who was meeting me at Scott's Peak to tell her to come a day earlier and bring more food. We were going to do the Port Davey-South coast too, but by my calculations needed more time. I asked the guys if they had a phone and one of them said "here's 40 cents, ring someone who cares."

I spent two nights at Scott's peak and my friend arrived and we started the Port Davey. To make up time we made it to Crossing River on the first night having left Scott peak at about 2-3pm. A day later we caught the guys just before the harbour and we kind of separated and I ended up walking with the retired Parks and Wildlife guy and my friend ended up walking with the bus driver Pete from Canberra. I was really fit and the walking didn't feel like anything but the guy I was with showed no sign of struggling.

He and I reached the harbour and decided to cross before the others arrived so that the other two could jump in on the return trip.

The guy insisted on rowing and it was calm. We reached the other side and he started vomiting and shivering and then started setting his tent up. I pulled the boat out and simply assumed I could row. For some reason it didnt occur to me to paddle like a canoe because I am a good paddler. I tied the second boat on and set out. I got about 10 metres from the shore hopelessly trying to row and failed miserably. The wind was really picking up and there were white caps. The guy jumped in and took off and I was left standing on the shore watching.

Once he got out of the shelter of the bay he was blown about 200m to the east and I stood watching one of the most amazing feats of strength I've ever seen. He was rowing like the lifesavers do, standing up when he pulled on the oars. Eventually he found shelter from the wind on the other side and adjusted his bearings and made it to the others who had no idea because you can't see from the northern landing. Apparently the first thing he said to the others was: "your mate can walk like hell, but he cant row for *&%$#!."

I stressed that they needed to fill up on water because they isn't much on the south shore but they forgot.

They rowed back and he was in the zone by then because he made it look easy the third time. Perhaps more weight in the boat meant they didnt get blow off course so easily.




The second time I crossed was with my girlfriend and two Germans we met on the track. One of their names was Axle and I though it was funny when he rowed. Axle Rows.

[blackforest oli]

Hello,
i walked in November 2013 from cockle Creek the south coast track and the port davey track, from east to west. The first 8 days with two friends and the rest (ports davey track) alone. When I came to bathurst habour in the afternoon there was a strong current from east to west ( ~5-10 km/h). For me it was to risky to cross and therefore I waited some ours, because I thought, that when the flood will come in, the current must be like eliminated. In the evening the current was still in the same direction to west and the water Level was still the same. I dreamed about this track more than 25 years ago and now there was the current and I would have to skip my dream to Combine both tracks. In the morning was the current still in the same direction. At 12 am I decided to try the crossing, because current was a little bit less (or I was used to see this current). Die to the reason, that 2 boats were in the south I had to padlle only once. After 10 to 15 minutes and very high heart beat, I arrived the other side, but 100 to 150 m west of the correct Point. First I brought the backpack to the boat ramp and than I pulled the boat through the water to the boat ramp. It takes me totally 2 hours and I was powered out. (later on I went still 5 hours in rain to North and had to cross the collapsed log as the river crossing )
best regards Oliver / germany

[Graham51]

I went across with my wife about 13 years ago. The water was glassy but when she wanted to have a row she wasn't strong enough to row against the current.

[Porter Ricks]

PWS replaced the old fibreglass Purdon dinghies at Bathurst Narrows with new alloy boats. They look good! Lifejackets on both sides and new plastic covers for the slipway at Farrell Point! Sweeeeeet!

[davidf]

wow, I was there a year ago and there was talk. If you can row, row, do the hard yards and save the grief of watch your mates drift into hell in weird circles only Samuel Becket could envisage. when I did it we got there late afternoon and it was blowing a gale. we were ready at dawn and it was smooth. Then a mate who cannot row took hold, it was not pretty. Ask on this site or parks about oarlocks and check they reckon they are there. having a roped up oar sucks

[pazzar]

I still think the best way to use those boats is like a canadian canoe.

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