Overview
Australia is a destination in its own right, and home to the biggest superyacht support industry in the southern hemisphere. Marine maintenance, shipyards, refit and berthing run the length of the eastern seaboard from Cairns to Melbourne, so a yacht can cruise and refit in the same season.
It is a cruising coast like few others. The Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays sit off Queensland; for a more adventurous itinerary there is the far north of the Northern Territory, the spectacular Kimberley Coast of Western Australia, and the untouched wilderness of Tasmania's west coast.
And the great cosmopolitan centres of Sydney and Melbourne need no introduction, with world-class marinas, provisioning and crew on hand. Australia is both a working base and a cruising ground that spans the tropics to the temperate south.
Marinas & Map
Map Key - Marina Hubs
- Cairns Marlin Marina (QLD)
- Hamilton Island Marina (QLD)
- Mackay Marina (QLD)
- Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (QLD)
- Rivergate Marina, Brisbane (QLD)
- Sydney Superyacht Marina (NSW)
- Anchorage Marina, Port Stephens (NSW)
- Melbourne Superyacht Marina (VIC)
- Hobart Marina (TAS)
- Christmas Cove, Kangaroo Island (SA)
- Echo Marine, Henderson (WA)
Sydney and the Gold Coast each have several marinas; the map shows one hub marker per region.
Getting There & Clearance
Clearance
Clearance is handled by the Australian Border Force. Ports of entry span every state, including Sydney, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour and Eden (NSW); Brisbane, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay and Southport (QLD); Darwin and Gove (NT); Hobart, Devonport and Launceston (TAS); Melbourne and Geelong (VIC); and Fremantle, Broome and Dampier (WA).
Government Contacts
Immigration & Customs: Australian Border Force · abf.gov.au
International Airports
Sydney · Melbourne · Brisbane · Perth · Adelaide · Gold Coast · Cairns · Canberra · Darwin · Townsville · Hobart · Sunshine Coast · Newcastle · Broome.
Cruising Grounds
The Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays (QLD), the Kimberley (WA), and Tasmania's wild south, plus Sydney and Melbourne.
Local Services
Agents
SYL Australia · Australian Superyacht Services · Carter Marine · Major Yacht Services
Shipyards & Refit
Gold Coast City Marina · Rivergate · The Boat Works · Austal · Echo Marine
Brokerage & Charter
Ahoy Club · Fraser Yachts Australia · Ocean Alliance · Simpson Marine
Management & Legal
Hill Robinson · Chapman Yachting · HFW · Pacific Maritime Lawyers
Associations
Superyacht Australia · Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef
Events
Rolex Sydney Hobart · Hamilton Island Race Week · Sanctuary Cove Boat Show
APSA Grand Tour: Australia
David Good of Superyacht Australia leads APSA's Grand Tour of Australia, from the Great Barrier Reef and the eastern seaboard's refit yards to Sydney, Melbourne and the wild south.
APSA Members in Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to cruise Australia by superyacht?
The tropical north (Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays) is best from November to March, while the temperate south around Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania is best from spring to autumn. Somewhere in Australia is in season year-round.
Where can superyachts refit in Australia?
Australia has the largest superyacht refit industry in the southern hemisphere, concentrated along the Queensland coast (Gold Coast City Marina, Rivergate, The Boat Works) and in Cairns, with further yards in Sydney and Western Australia.
What are Australia's main cruising grounds?
The Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays off Queensland, the Kimberley Coast of Western Australia, Tasmania's wild south, and the harbours of Sydney and Melbourne.
How do superyachts clear into Australia?
Clearance is handled by the Australian Border Force, with ports of entry in every state from Cairns and Brisbane to Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Darwin and Fremantle.
Which APSA members are based in Australia?
Australia's APSA members are Australian Superyacht Conference, Echo Yachts, Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, HFW Australia, Melanesian Luxury Yachts, Pacific Maritime Lawyers & Notaries, Pantaenius Sail & Motor Yacht Insurance, Quality Marine Clothing, Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, Simpson Marine Australia, Southern Sky AI, Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef, Superyacht Australia, Superyacht Crew Academy, Sydney Charter Show and Walcon Marine Australia. See each in the directory above.