Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving Web Site
Home · Contact Me · Sydney Reef Dive Sites · Sydney Shipwrecks · NSW Dive Sites · Australian Dive Sites · Overseas Dive Sites · Dive Accidents and Incidents · My Yachting Adventures · 4WD Trips · Weather · Search 03 December 2024 07:58
Navigation
Home

General
About Me
My Diving
FAQ
Downloads
Web Links - Dive Clubs
St George Scuba Club
Some of my Best Photos
Contact Me

Dive Sites
Sydney Reef Dive Sites
Sydney Shipwrecks
Sydney Dive Visibility, Swell and Temps
Kelly Talking on ABC Sydney about Shipwrecks
NSW Dive Sites
Sydney Shipwreck Summary
NSW Shipwreck GPS/Marks
Australian Dive Sites
Overseas Dive Sites
Aircraft I have Dived
Old Bottles
Free Shipwreck Books

Dive Related Equipment
Shearwater Predator and Heinrichs Weikamp OSTC 2N
Uwatec Aladin Dive Computers
Apollo AV1 Underwater Scooter
Bauer Compressor
DIY Oxygen Stick - Nitrox
GoPro HD Hero Video Camera
My Camera Setup
Purchase of New Dive Boat
My Dive Boat - Mak Cat
My Old Dive Boat - Le Scat
My Dive Gear
GPS and Diving
Make Your Own Car Tank Rack

Marine Life
Rarer Sydney Marine Life
Bare Island Pygmy Pipe Horses
Bare Island Sea Horses
Bare Island Nudibranchs
Bare Island Marine Life
Encounter with Southern Right Whale and Calf

Other Dive Info
How Weather Affects Diving in Sydney
Visibility and Wave Averages in Sydney
Waves and Diving
Diving Weather and Sea Conditions
Tide Tables
Dive Accidents and Incidents
Dive Book Reviews
Site Map
Noel Hitchins 1951-2005
Lloyd Bridges - Mike Nelson in Sea Hunt
My Yachting Adventures
Below is a list of links to the main pages about my yacht, Catlypso and My Yachting Adventures:
  • Purchase of Catlypso
  • Details about Catlypso
  • Cleaning/Repairing Catlypso
  • My Yachting Adventures.
  • Login
    Username

    Password



    Forgotten your password?
    Request a new one here.
    Michael's 4WD Trips
    Click here for a list of my Four Wheel Drive and Camping Trips.
    Home Brewing
    Click here for an article about Home Brewing.
    Sydney Dive Site Hints
    "Pygmy pipehorses can be seen at Bare Island at various places"
    Government Wharf, Fingal Head
    Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving - Government Wharf, Fingal Head Fingal Head is really an island that is sometimes connected to the mainland by a sand spit. It is located about three kilometres south of the entry to Port Stephens. On the north side of the island was the old government wharf which was presumably used to reprovision the Point Stephens Lighthouse which is on Fingal Head. It is located in a small bay to the west of the main head.

    From Port Stephens head to the south to GPS Reading of 32° 44' 31.6"S 152° 11' 38.5"E (using datum AUS66 - see my GPS Page for more details). Run in towards the shore till you pick up the reef on your depth sounder. Drop anchor here.

    You will see that you are in a sort of small bay. The wharf used to run from the head of the bay out into the sea. Drop to the bottom of the anchor where the depth will be about 9 to 10 metres. From the anchor, head east along the reef edge. Along here you will see a number of huge timber piles from the old wharf. In spring, you will also see dozens of Port Jackson sharks in this area (and elsewhere on the dive). You will also see dozens of Port Jackson eggs, more than I have ever seen at any location.

    After about 20 metres the reef turns north for about 30 metres and then it turns east again. All along this section look for flatheads on the sand and if you are lucky, you may see a red indianfish. I saw one here in October 2006. The depth increases to about 12 and then almost 14 metres.

    Timber pileNudibranch
    One of the timber piles from the old wharfA nudibranch I found at this site

    You may also see fiddler rays (I have seen three) and wobbegongs.

    Head back along your outward path back to the anchor. On the reef you may also see moray eels. Go past the anchor to the west and look for more of the same species. The rocks are also home to lots of interesting nudibranchs. The depth will come up to about eight metres.

    Red indianfishMoray eel
    A red indianfish I found here in October 2006One of the numerous moray eels seen here

    When you are running short of bottom time or air, return to the anchor. Once there, head south onto the reef and spend at least 10 minutes in the four to five metres area. There is excellent fishlife here, lots of luderick, bream, ladder-finned pomfret, butterfish and more.

    Due to the shallow nature of the site, you can spend a long time diving here, even as a second dive. Worth doing.

    Copyright © Michael McFadyen 1990 to 2024
    Non-commercial use of an article or photograph is permitted with appropriate URL reference to this site.
    Dive shops, dive operators, publications and government departments cannot use anything without first seeking and receiving approval from Michael McFadyen.
    This web site has been wholly thought up, designed, constructed and funded for almost 30 years by Michael McFadyen without any help from the Australian Dive Industry.
    Website created 1996!