Navigation
The Port Davey Marine Reserve boundary is North Head Latitude 43° 18.883’S Longitude (high water mark?) Hilliard Head 43° 22.875’S HWM. The land adjoining the marine reserve is the Southwest National Park.
These notes are for information purposes only. For any navigation you must use Nautical Charts AUS 176 and 793.
There are a number of navigational restrictions in place to help protect the fragile environment both above and below the water.
No motorised vessels
- Upstream of 145° 56.411’E
- West of 43° 15.948' S
- West of 45° 54.282'E
- South of 43° 22.788'S
- East of 146° 03.718'E
- Upstream of 146° 16.474'E
- North of 43° 19.184' S and 43° 19.618' S
- South of 43 °of 22.854’S
- North of 146 °of 09.147’E and 146 North of 10.597’E
- South of 43° 22.788’S
5 knot speed limit
- Upstream of 43° 11.300’S
- Upstream of 43 ° of 19.413’S – for maximum boat length of 6 metres only
- South of 43 ° of 24.496’S up to 146°of 09.525’E only
No vessels
No diving or anchoring
Munday Island
- 43° 20.116'S 146° 00.612'E
- 43° 20.116'S 146° 00.446'E
- 43° 20.339'S 146° 00.446'E
- 43° 20.339'S 146°00.871'E
- 43.20.070'S 146° 00.871'E
Little Louisa Islet
- 43° 20.212'S 146° 02.814E
- 43° 20.410'S 146° 02.814'E
- 43° 20.410'S 146° 03.117'E
- 43° 20.173'S 146° 03.117'E
- 43° 20.173'S 146° 03.080'E
Farrell Point
- 43° 20.326'S 146° 04.885'E
- 43° 20.469'S 146°04.885'E
- 43° 20.469'S 146° 05.220'E
- 43° 20.469'S 146°.05.220'E
- 43° 20.249'S 146° 05.148'E
Vessel access to Melaleuca
Access to Melaleuca is by dinghy only, via Melaleuca Creek. Short-term pile mooring in available at Deep Water Landing.
Limited temporary dinghy tie-up is available at the pontoon near the airstrip.
Help protect the unique and spectacular environment you came to see.
Sewerage discharge
The unique and spectacular marine invertebrate communities in Bathurst Channel and Bathurst Harbour are reliant on a low nutrient environment. The release of sewerage increases the nutrient load and puts this fragile ecosystem at great risk.
Sewerage is can not be discharged:
- East of a line between Hammon Point and Forrester Point
- North of a line between Curtis Point and Woody Point
- In James Kelly Basin, southwest of a line between Garden point and Larsens Rocks
- Macerated discharge is permitted in Port Davey and Payne Bay provided that:
- Vessels with less than 16 people discharge more than 120 metres from any land and in waters greater than 5 metres deep.
- Vessels of 16 people or more, discharge more than one nautical mile from any land.
Come in clean
Introduced marine pests present the greatest threat to the Port Davey Marine Reserve.
Before going into the reserve flush your bilge with freshwater and do not discharge bilge water in the marine reserve.
Ensure you have cleaned your boat hull and all fishing and diving gear you may use while in the marine reserve.
If you are going on land, scrub the soles of your shoes. This reduces the risk of root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomic) spreading. Once root rot infects an area, it cannot be removed.
Watch your drag
To avoid anchor drag within sensitive areas, live dive (with the boat operator remaining aboard without using an anchor). This is to prevent strong currents dragging across colonies of sea pens and other fragile invertebrates.
Watch your speed
Travelling at speed through dark shallow waters in dangerous for your and your boat. Speed also erodes creek banks, disturbs breeding birds and mixes up the fresh and saltwater layers (halocline) distributing the marine invertebrates.
Other considerations
Permit requirements
A permit is required if you are:
- Operating a commercial tour or
- If your vessel is 35 metres or more in length or
- For scientific research of any kind or
- For collection of plant or animal specimens.
Dogs
Domestic pets are not allowed in the marine reserve.
Domestic pets such as dogs, cats and birds are not allowed in the marine reserve or national park unless the owner has an authority. More information about authorities can be found on our dogs in parks webpage.