Sailing Australia

Australia is a sailing country with a coastline that spans two oceans and a climate that ranges from tropical to cool temperate. Most charterers start at one of the major hubs, and the choice of base shapes the whole trip. On the east coast, Coral Sea Marina (Abell Point Marina) and Port of Airlie Marina sit at the gateway to the Whitsundays, while Hamilton Island Marina is a well-known stop for crews working through the islands. Further north, Cairns Marlin Marina gives access to the Great Barrier Reef, and Mackay Marina offers a quieter starting point for the same region.

Sydney is the other major charter region, and the harbour is busy for good reason. Rushcutters Bay Marina and Rose Bay and Point Piper Marinas put you close to the city and the heads, while Sydney Superyacht Marina handles larger vessels. For a longer coastal passage, Cockle Bay Marina (Darling Harbour) is central, and Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Marina is a good choice if you want club facilities before heading offshore.

On the west coast, Fremantle Sailing Club Marina is the base for sailing around Rottnest Island and the Swan River. In the south, Holdfast Quays Marina (Glenelg Marina) and Port Lincoln Marina serve the Spencer Gulf and the Eyre Peninsula. Tasmania's Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (RYCT) is the natural starting point for the Derwent River and the east coast. Each region has its own weather windows, so the best season depends on where you plan to sail.

Charter companies are spread across these marinas, and most offer bareboat or skippered yachts. The busiest season runs from June to October in the tropics, when the trade winds are steady and the rain has eased. In the south, summer from December to February is the most reliable time for settled conditions. Book well ahead for the Whitsundays and Sydney during school holidays, and check the cyclone season if you plan to sail north of Mackay between November and April.