Last researched: September 2026
Sydney boaters have access to 134 public courtesy and visitor swing moorings across Sydney Harbour, Pittwater and the Hawkesbury–Broken Bay system. They offer a convenient place to pause, enjoy a sheltered bay or stay overnight without dropping an anchor, but only when they are used correctly and within the conditions displayed on the buoy.
Boat Wise reviewed the current Transport for NSW public-mooring register, official NSW boating maps and National Parks information to produce this complete, practical guide.
Find a public mooring on the official map
Use the official Transport for NSW interactive map to check the locations of public courtesy and emergency moorings before you head out.
How many public swing moorings are there around Sydney?
Across the three waterways covered in this guide, there are:
| Waterway | Public moorings |
|---|---|
| Sydney Harbour and its tributaries | 52 |
| Pittwater | 5 |
| Hawkesbury and Broken Bay system | 77 |
| Total | 134 |
The Hawkesbury figure includes 23 pink Transport for NSW courtesy moorings and 54 yellow NSW National Parks visitor moorings in Cowan Waters. This count does not include private moorings, club or commercial moorings, emergency moorings or casual marina berths.
What is a public swing mooring?
A public swing mooring is a permanent mooring available for temporary use by recreational boaters. Rather than deploying your own anchor, you secure the bow of your vessel to the mooring’s pickup line. The boat can then swing naturally around the fixed mooring in response to wind and current.
Transport for NSW public courtesy moorings are normally identified by a pink buoy. They are free and generally available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cowan Waters is an important exception. Inside Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, NSW National Parks manages 54 visitor moorings marked by yellow buoys carrying the National Parks logo. A normal yellow buoy elsewhere in NSW usually identifies a private mooring, so always check the markings before attaching your boat.
Why public moorings are good for boaters and the harbour
They help protect seagrass and the seabed
Repeated anchoring can damage seagrass beds and disturb sensitive marine habitat. Courtesy moorings give boaters an alternative in environmentally sensitive bays, reducing the need to drop and retrieve an anchor.
They can make arrival simpler
Picking up a suitable mooring avoids estimating anchor scope and waiting for the anchor to set. This can be especially helpful in a busy or deep anchorage, provided the skipper still checks the weather, vessel limits, surrounding traffic and the buoy’s condition.
They create useful stopovers
Public moorings make it easier to stop for lunch, swim, explore a beach or enjoy a night aboard. The network connects city anchorages, Pittwater beaches, Cowan Creek and destinations far upriver.
They reduce anchor-dragging risk
A suitable, serviceable mooring used within its stated limits can remove the risk of a poorly set anchor. It does not remove the skipper’s responsibility: public moorings are used at your own risk, and you must continue monitoring your boat, the weather and nearby vessels.
Public mooring rules in NSW
For Transport for NSW courtesy moorings, the general rules are:
- Use is free and temporary.
- Only one vessel may be attached. Rafting another boat alongside is not permitted.
- The vessel must not be left unattended.
- The usual maximum stay is 24 hours, unless the buoy displays a shorter limit.
- The usual maximum vessel displacement is 20 tonnes.
- You must comply with every condition displayed on the buoy.
- Check the apparatus before relying on it and use the mooring at your own risk.
Some buoys carry additional conditions. The buoy photographed for this guide states a 20-tonne maximum, a maximum wind strength of 25 knots, one vessel, a 24-hour limit and a minimum 24-hour interval before reuse. Those conditions apply to that buoy; they should not be assumed for every public mooring.
There are also location-specific restrictions. The Pearl Bay and Fisher Bay moorings in Middle Harbour are for sailing vessels and have a two-hour limit. Always let the plate on the buoy, rather than an old online list, be your final authority.
Special rules for National Parks moorings in Cowan Waters
The yellow NSW National Parks visitor moorings in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park are also free and do not require a booking. Their principal conditions are:
- Maximum vessel length of 14 metres.
- One vessel per mooring, with no rafting.
- Maximum stay of 24 hours.
- The vessel must not be left unattended.
- Use is first-come, first-served.
- The buoy must display the NSW National Parks logo.
Complete list of public moorings by location
Sydney Harbour and tributaries: 52 public moorings
The Sydney Harbour total includes Port Jackson, Middle Harbour, North Harbour and the Parramatta River.
| Location | Moorings |
|---|---|
| Bantry Bay | 8 |
| Sugarloaf Bay | 4 |
| Pearl Bay | 2 |
| Fisher Bay | 2 |
| Chinamans Beach | 5 |
| Manly Cove | 5 |
| Quarantine Beach | 3 |
| Hunter Bay | 3 |
| Camp Cove | 1 |
| Watsons Bay | 1 |
| Vaucluse Bay | 1 |
| Shark Bay | 1 |
| Hermit Bay | 2 |
| Rose Bay | 4 |
| Taylors Bay | 1 |
| Chowder Bay | 1 |
| Athol Bay | 5 |
| McMahons Point | 1 |
| Cabarita | 2 |
| Sydney Harbour total | 52 |
From city views at Athol Bay to the quieter reaches of Bantry Bay, this is the largest and most varied part of the public-mooring network. Remember that Sydney Harbour carries ferries, commercial shipping, seaplanes and high-speed recreational traffic. Maintain a proper lookout and never stop in a navigation or transit zone.
Pittwater: 5 public moorings
| Location | Moorings |
|---|---|
| Morning Bay | 2 |
| Currawong | 3 |
| Pittwater total | 5 |
Pittwater has a relatively small number of public courtesy moorings compared with its extensive private-mooring fields. Do not assume an empty yellow private mooring is available. Look specifically for the pink Transport for NSW public-mooring buoy.
Hawkesbury and Broken Bay: 23 Transport for NSW moorings
| Location | Moorings |
|---|---|
| Refuge Bay | 2 |
| America Bay | 4 |
| Fishermans Beach | 2 |
| Joe Crafts Bay | 2 |
| Deep Bay | 4 |
| Neverfail Bay | 1 |
| Gunyah Beach | 1 |
| Trollope Reach | 1 |
| Wisemans Ferry | 1 |
| Del Rio Riverside Resort | 1 |
| Off Windsor Public Wharf | 2 |
| Colo | 2 |
| Transport for NSW total | 23 |
These locations stretch from the sheltered bays near Broken Bay to Wisemans Ferry, Windsor and the Colo River. River conditions, debris, current and visibility can change after rain, so a mooring does not replace careful passage planning.
Cowan Waters: 54 NSW National Parks visitor moorings
| Location | Moorings |
|---|---|
| Waratah Bay | 4 |
| Lords Bay | 2 |
| Cotton Tree Bay | 2 |
| Houseboat Bay | 2 |
| Bobbin Head | 2 |
| Stingray Bay | 3 |
| Twilight Inlet | 3 |
| Kindred Bay | 4 |
| Cottage Point Inn | 2 |
| Pinta Bay | 3 |
| Little Jerusalem Bay | 3 |
| Unnamed anchorage immediately east of Cowan Point | 3 |
| Unnamed bay beside Little Shark Rock Point | 4 |
| Castle Bay | 4 |
| Yeomans Bay | 5 |
| Cottage Rock | 3 |
| Hallets Beach | 5 |
| National Parks total | 54 |
The Cowan Waters network is one of the best collections of public visitor moorings close to Sydney. The bays range from developed destinations such as Bobbin Head and Cottage Point to secluded national-park anchorages surrounded by bushland.
How to pick up a swing mooring safely
Keep the process slow and simple. The skipper controls the boat while a crew member works from the bow with a boat hook.
- Get ready at the bow. Have a crew member at the bow with the boat hook. Make sure the bow cleat is clear and ready.
- Approach slowly. Point the bow towards the mooring and approach into the stronger of the wind or current. Keep your speed and wash as low as possible.
- Stop beside the pickup line. Use a short burst of reverse to stop just before the bow reaches the buoy, then put the engine into neutral.
- Lift the line with the boat hook. From the bow, use the boat hook to pick up the mooring pickup line. Bring it aboard and secure it firmly to a suitable bow cleat.
- Check everything. Make sure the mooring line is secure, clear of the propeller and able to move freely. Check that the boat has enough room to swing without contacting another vessel or hazard.
When leaving, start the engine and let it idle before releasing the mooring. Check for nearby traffic, release the line from the bow and lower it gently back into the water. Make sure the line is clear of the propeller before engaging gear.
What if every public mooring is occupied?
Public moorings cannot be reserved and availability is never guaranteed. Have a backup destination and be prepared to anchor legally and safely outside restricted or environmentally sensitive areas.
Never attach your vessel to a private, club, commercial or emergency mooring simply because it appears vacant. Mooring colour and signage matter, and penalties can apply for unauthorised use.
Frequently asked questions
Are public moorings free in NSW?
Yes. Transport for NSW courtesy moorings and the NSW National Parks visitor moorings covered in this guide are free to use, subject to their conditions.
What colour are public moorings in Sydney?
Transport for NSW public courtesy moorings are pink. National Parks visitor moorings in Cowan Waters are yellow and display an NPWS logo. Ordinary yellow moorings elsewhere are generally private.
How long can I stay on a public mooring?
The general maximum is 24 hours, but some locations have shorter limits or other restrictions. Read the plate attached to the buoy every time.
Can I leave my boat unattended?
No. Both Transport for NSW and National Parks rules state that vessels must not be left unattended on courtesy moorings.
Can two boats share or raft up?
No. Only one vessel may be attached, and another vessel cannot be secured alongside the moored boat.
Can large boats use public moorings?
Transport for NSW courtesy moorings generally have a maximum displacement of 20 tonnes. National Parks visitor moorings in Cowan Waters have a maximum vessel length of 14 metres. Individual buoy conditions still apply.
Where can I check current information?
Before departure, check the Transport for NSW Public Moorings Interactive Map, the relevant NSW boating map, current marine notices, weather and National Parks information. Once on the water, follow the conditions displayed on the actual buoy.
Build the skills to handle your boat with confidence
Picking up a mooring looks straightforward, but doing it smoothly in wind, current or a crowded bay takes judgement, preparation and good communication onboard.
Boat Wise practical boat-handling training helps Sydney boaters build real confidence with slow-speed control, close-quarters manoeuvring, wind and current, berthing, anchoring and mooring techniques. Whether you have recently gained your NSW boat licence or want private training aboard your own vessel, practical time at the helm can make every trip safer and more enjoyable.
Explore the Boat Wise practical powerboat handling course or choose private boat tuition aboard your own vessel.
Important: This guide was researched in September 2026. Moorings may be added, removed, temporarily unavailable or subject to changed conditions. Always check official information and the buoy itself before use.
