Further up Sadgroves Creek, between the Duck Pond and Tipperary Waters Marina, is an all-tide dinghy pontoon and ramp. It’s a short walk to Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association (DBCYA) with a rare old-Darwin style open-air bar and restaurant.
Formed in 1982, the club has a colourful history. It offers a laundry, hardstand, careening poles, workshop and dinghy racks. Visitors are welcome. While the club doesn’t offer repair or maintenance services, there’s always someone who knows someone (including a few Mick Dundee types) who can help you.
There is a wet season yacht race series with five classes. DBCYA is the main coordinating body for the annual Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race and Rally. www.dbcya.com.au +61 8 8981 7816
Outside, and half a mile north on the opposite side of Sadgroves Creek at the turn, are a few dozen government-managed fore-and-aft moorings at 12°26.725S, 130°51.376E. They’re well made with three rows of thick braided line, buoyed at regular intervals by large yellow-painted tires.
A convenient anchorage to wait out the tide, or if you’re on a budget, is south at the wide creek mouth a few hundred metres off the north of Stokes Hill Wharf at 12°28.099S, 130°51.244E. This spot, in 8-11 metres on mud, is open to the southeast and fishing boats’ wake to and from the Duck Pond. Here, and up at the north moorings, is popular with the local liveaboard characters because it’s cheap and close to Darwin CBD. It’s a far easier option to transit shore near here than lug your dinghy up and down the beach around at Fanny Bay.
