royal sydney yacht club rushcutters bay

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA)

Top ways to experience Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) and nearby attractions

• Edgecliff • 9 min walk

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Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.04 mi) Luxury Harbour and City Skyline Views
• (0.17 mi) PARKSIDE PERFECTION- LUXURY EXEC STYLE RESIDENCE
• (0.20 mi) Edgecliff Lodge Motel
• (0.65 mi) Spicers Potts Point
• (0.57 mi) Macleay Hotel
• (0.01 mi) Café 44
• (0.28 mi) Flavour of India
• (0.17 mi) bei amici
• (0.16 mi) Rushcutters Bay Kiosk
• (0.20 mi) Cafe On Mona

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Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Over the past 77 years, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has become an icon of Australia's summer sport, ranking in public interest with such

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1 New Beach Road, Darling Point NSW 2027

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2019, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

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Yacht Dreaming

Yacht Clubs in Sydney: A Comprehensive Guide

The History of Yacht Clubs in Sydney

Yachting has a rich history in Sydney, Australia, dating back to the early 1800s when ship captains would race their boats for sport. The first organized yacht race was held in 1858, and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron was established in 1862. Today, Sydney is home to many prestigious yacht clubs, each with its unique history and culture.

The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron

The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron is one of the oldest and most prestigious yacht clubs in Australia. Established in 1862, the club has a long history of hosting international regattas and events. The club’s stunning clubhouse is situated on the shores of Sydney Harbour, providing members with stunning views of the city skyline.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia was established in 1944 and is located in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney. The club is best known for hosting the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, one of the world’s most challenging offshore race s. Members of the club are active in cruising, racing, and social events, making it a popular choice for yachting enthusiasts.

The Benefits of Joining a Yacht Club

Yacht clubs offer many benefits to members, both on and off the water. Here are just a few of the advantages of joining a yacht club in Sydney:

Access to Facilities and Equipment

Most yacht clubs provide members with access to a range of facilities and equipment, including boat storage, maintenance services, and training. This can be particularly beneficial for new yachting enthusiasts who may not have access to their equipment or expertise.

Networking Opportunities

Yacht clubs provide an excellent opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals who share a passion for yachting. Members of yacht clubs often form close bonds and friendships, both on and off the water.

Social Events

Yacht clubs are not just about racing and sailing. They also provide members with access to a range of social events, from formal dinners to casual barbecues. These events are a great way to meet new people and expand your social circle.

Choosing the Right Yacht Club in Sydney

With so many yacht clubs to choose from in Sydney, it can be challenging to decide which one is right for you. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a yacht club:

The location of the yacht club is an essential factor to consider, particularly if you plan to sail regularly. Look for a club that is close to your home or workplace and has easy access to the water.

The facilities offered by the yacht club should also be a consideration. Look for a club that provides members with access to boat storage, maintenance services, and training.

Every yacht club has its unique culture and atmosphere. Some clubs are more focused on racing, while others are more social. Consider what type of club culture will suit you best.

Yacht Club Membership Fees

Membership fees for yacht clubs in Sydney can vary significantly, depending on the club’s facilities and services. Some clubs offer different levels of membership, with varying fees and benefits. It is essential to review a club’s fee structure carefully before joining to ensure that it is within your budget.

Joining a yacht club in Sydney can be an excellent way to connect with like-minded individuals and explore your passion for yachting. With so many clubs to choose from, it’s important to consider the location, facilities, and culture of each club before making a decision. Whether you are a seasoned sailor or new to the world of yachting, there is sure to be a yacht club in Sydney that is perfect for you.

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Royal Motor Yacht Club Point Piper

Royal Motor Yacht Club of NSW

The Royal Motor Yacht Club Point Piper, offers a world-class marina facility with permanent and casual berths available. 

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The Royal Motor Yacht Club Point Piper is the perfect waterfront venue for lunch or dinner, and to celebrate a special occasion, from Wednesday to Sunday.

The Royal Motor Yacht Club’s Members-only, personalised gym offers a welcoming, friendly environment where you’ll feel confident and supported. The Gym is staffed with trained fitness instructors and offers the best equipment to help achieve your wellbeing, health and fitness goals.

Function Rooms

The Beachouse function rooms at Point Piper combines stylish Hamptons luxury with beach chic: bright, limewash timber floors and elegant oyster shell feature walls; and a multi award winning catering team.

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Naval Historical Society of Australia

Preserving Australia's Naval History

HMAS Rushcutter

· Feb 24, 2023 ·

Use of the Rushcutters Bay Park by the Navy dates to 1901. The site was chosen for the NSW Naval Brigade (formed under the Volunteer Force Regulation Act of 1867). A requirement was for a waterfront site within marching distance from Victoria Barracks in Paddington, so the location chosen was the nearest Sydney Harbour Bay to the barracks. Nevertheless, the base was not a reality until the Federation of Australia.

Rushcutters Bay Park and Yarranabbe Park are both parks on reclaimed land from the 1880s. This was a major public work requiring reclamation of a large area of marsh, channelling the creek and constructing a ballast dyke sea wall. Reclamation works were completed in 1883.

Sir David Martin Reserve (within Yarranabbe Park) includes the former HMAS Rushcutter, comprising the Sayonara slipway, ramps, sea wall, parade ground, drill hall and extension, sail loft, cottage and garden, Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association (RANSA) boatshed and slipway, flagpole, memorial, plantation reserve, all building interiors and grounds.

Prior to Federation, several Australian colonies had their own Naval Brigades with NSW also having separate Naval Artillery Volunteers who manned coastal artillery. These NSW Naval forces were based at Fort Macquarie on Bennelong Point. With Federation the NSW naval forces became part of the new Commonwealth Naval Forces (CNF) and the government relocated these forces in March 1901 to Rushcutters Bay.

The NSW Naval forces took with them the old wooden Drill Hall and the attached office building to the new site, subsequently adding a boatshed, cottage and a storeroom (Sail Loft).

The RAN left Rushcutters Bay in 1984 but the Drill Hall and attached office, the cottage and the sail loft remained and are now used by community groups for a variety of activities. The boatshed is used by the RANSA that was set up in 1966 to promote sailing in the RAN.

The following four photos, taken in 2022, are of the buildings left at the reserve by the Royal Australian Navy when they departed from Rushcutters Bay in 1984.

Two important events occurred in 1911, the renaming of the Commonwealth Naval Force (CNF) as the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and legislation which established compulsory naval or military training for all Australian males between the ages of 18 and 60. The naval training group became known as the RAN Reserve (RANR).

After the 1911 formation of the RAN the Rushcutters Bay site became the Sydney Naval Depot. The site was used as an administrative depot for the compulsory peacetime training from 1911-1929. The site also housed the Sydney District Naval Office.

In 1912 the Commonwealth Government applied to acquire an area north of the Naval Depot for Naval purposes. The state government refused the request but gave approval for the use of the area as a ‘parade ground’.

Compulsory training was suspended in 1929 but the Naval Reserve Depot continued, largely for volunteers. A Naval Recruiting Office for the RAN was also established on the site.

With the fear of possible war in Europe the Australian Government decided to build up sea-going forces and naval training facilities. In 1937 the Rushcutters site was chosen for the building of an Anti- Submarine School. The Anti-Submarine (A/S) School became operational on 13th February 1939. After 1939 the Naval use of the Rushcutters Bay site greatly expanded and on 1 August 1940, the depot was commissioned as HMAS Rushcutter.

The early 1940s saw a large increase in A/S and Radar training staff. The A/S School became involved in fitting out auxiliary escort ships and Bathurst Class Corvettes with A/S equipment and training the men to operate it. The A/S school is said to have trained so many officers and operators who fought in the battle of the Atlantic, that it played an important part in turning the tide against German U-boats.

Vice Admiral Russell Edward Shalders in his speech given at the Australian War Memorial Plaque Dedication of HMAS Rushcutter on 24 March 2006 said “Australia stands proud for our contribution of anti-submarine officers and men from HMAS Rushcutter, loaned for service in the Royal Navy during WWII. Many of Rushcutter’s people served with distinction in the Battle of the Atlantic in many and different roles over the long and hard years of the Second World War.”

The Vice Admiral also gave special mention to the inspired leadership of Commander Harvey Newcomb (RN) the Officer in Charge of the A/S School at HMAS Rushcutter.

The Fairmile vessel School was established 1 June 1942 at HMAS Rushcutter. The Fairmile School required additional facilities. Two blocks of offices and a classroom were erected north- west of the A/S School and were two of the many timber buildings to be added to the original cream brick A/S School. Berthing facilities were required for a maximum of twelve vessels. Three wooden jetties, of 150 feet (45.72 meters) each, were constructed from the parade ground into Rushcutters Bay, and the waters in and around the area were dredged to a depth of nine feet.

Fairmile vessel tasks included convoy escort, servicing and supporting advancing troops, landing and recovering commandos and coastwatchers, rescuing civilians from enemy occupied territories, and invasion escort. These craft were maids of all work and a generation of Australian sailors learned their intricacies at Rushcutter.

Expansion continued during World War 2 and the site eventually housed the A/S School, the Radar School and the Gunnery Instruction School. It also served as a base for the mosquito fleet, comprising the Harbour Defence Motor Launches, the Fairmile patrol vessels and the Naval Auxiliary Patrol Boats.

The cottage (see photo) was utilised as the first recruitment centre and on 18 November 1942 the first women to carry out administrative duties at HMAS Rushcutter began serving as WRANS. The cottage provided accommodation for the WRANS.

With the end of World War 2, training was greatly reduced and the main role became providing medical, clerical and pay facilities for the many men and women to be demobilised. Demobilisation continued as the primary function in 1946. The cottage continued to be used as a recruitment centre for the defence forces generally.

In 1947 the A/S School lost responsibility for equipment maintenance and hence their space requirements were reduced. In 1947 the Australian Naval Sailing Association, later to become RANSA, was founded in the boatshed. The Torpedo Anti-Submarine (TAS) School and its Mining Section was transferred to Rushcutter in 1948. Also transferred at that time was the Diving School. RANR training resumed in 1950 and was strongly supported by men with war service.

In 1956 the RAN Experimental Laboratory (RANEL) was established at Rushcutter, with citizen scientists and a Naval Superintendent.

In 1959 it was agreed that RANEL would do all RAN scientific work. This would require expansion in staffing and accommodation. So, in 1968 the Diving School and related activities were moved to another Sydney base, HMAS Penguin. When HMAS Rushcutter was finally paid off on 29 July 1968, RANEL remained.

RANEL changed its name to the Royal Australian Navy Research Laboratory (RANRL) in 1969. The RANRL and RANSA were the sole occupants of the Rushcutter site until 1984 when the RANRL was transferred to Pyrmont, leaving only the RANSA in the boatshed. RANSA were given a special lease to keep using the boatshed.

The name of the Reserve on which the base sits was changed to Sir David Martin Reserve in 1991 in honour of the former NSW Governor and Rear-Admiral.

The Reserve was used, in conjunction with Rushcutters Bay Park and Yarranabbe Park, as the Olympic Sailing Shore Base for The Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Woollahra Council was granted control of the site in July 2001.

Much of the RAN’s former site is now the centre of civilian sailing activities including the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYC); RANSA; the d’Albora Marina; and ship chandlers and associated services. The number of yachts moored in the Bay has increased over the years and each Boxing Day it is the focal point of the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

References:

“Contact! HMAS Rushcutter and Australia’s Submarine Hunters 1936-1946” Edited by G R Worledge Published 1994 by the Anti-Submarine Officers Association.

https://navyhistory.au/naval-heritage-sites/ https://navyhistory.au/new-south-wales-naval-forces/ https://navyhistory.au/new-south-wales-naval-forces-in-1901/ A brief history of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve | Royal Australian Navy Universal Service Scheme, 1911–1929 | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au) https://www.hms.heritage.nsw.gov.au/App/Item/ViewItem?itemId=5067067 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Rushcutter_(naval_base) Public Exhibition 2004 (nsw.gov.au)

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Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA)

Top ways to experience Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) and nearby attractions

• Edgecliff • 9 min walk

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.06 km) Luxury Harbour and City Skyline Views
• (0.27 km) PARKSIDE PERFECTION- LUXURY EXEC STYLE RESIDENCE
• (0.33 km) Edgecliff Lodge Motel
• (1.03 km) Spicers Potts Point
• (0.91 km) Macleay Hotel
• (0.02 km) Café 44
• (0.44 km) Flavour of India
• (0.27 km) bei amici
• (0.25 km) Rushcutters Bay Kiosk
• (0.32 km) Cafe On Mona

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• Cruising Yacht Club of Australia at Rushcutters...

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

Cruising yacht club of australia at rushcutters bay, c1980.

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The Boathouse CYCA

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1 New Beach Road Darling Point , 2027 NSW Show on map

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• Child Friendly
• Function Space
• Good for Groups
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• Outdoor Seating

Ahead of its 80th anniversary in 2024, Rushcutters Bay’s Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (the home of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race) has introduced a waterfront venue by The Boathouse Group.

The Boathouse CYCA kicks things off with simple satisfying breakfasts, followed by a Mediterranean-influenced lunch and dinner menu with calamari fritti, orecchiette with crab and chilli, and taramasalata with charred flatbreads fresh from the pizza oven.

Crowd-pleasing staples like burgers, fish and chips, steaks, and Boathouse’s beloved prawns with seafood sauce and fish tacos also feature.

A perfect spot to watch the sun set over the bay, The Boathouse CYCA’s drinks menu covers a diverse wine list with local and international producers, Boathouse’s signature coastal cocktails and a wide range of tap beers.

The Boathouse Group’s signature coastal-chic styling flows throughout the 300-person space, with lobster pot pendant lights, natural seashell elements, and plenty of sailing memorabilia.

Under the Registered Clubs Act, The Boathouse CYCA is open to members, guests of members, and non-members who reside five kilometres or more from the club.

Image credit: The Boathouse CYCA (Jessie Ann Harris)

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Corporate Sailing

An exciting unique experience awaits you at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. With a rich sailing history, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is regarded as one of the world’s premier yacht clubs and is located in the heart of Sydney.

Nestled along the beautiful Rushcutters Bay foreshore, each sailing experience can be tailored to your specific needs and can include function space at the Club prior or following your on-water experience.

The Club owns a fleet of ten identical 7m Elliott 7 keel boats which can accommodate up to four guests per yacht. These yachts are fast, stable and fun, with an open skiff style cockpit meaning they are easy to sail and great for teamwork development. For pricing and a sample run sheet, view our brochure below.

Please note there is no availability for corporate sailing till April 2024

Corporate Sailing is offered from October to April and can be tailored with food and beverage packages from award-winning cuisine company The Boathouse Group.

CYCA Principal Sponsor

Cyca official sponsors, helly hansen, club marine, income asset management, sydney brewery, lgt crestone, the luxury collection, winnings appliances, roads and maritime services, cyca youth sailing academy sponsors and supporters, helly hansen, forecasts.global, vibe hotels, network marine, sun foundation.