Yacht Charter Australia - Where will You Explore?

For me the draw of Australia is her stunning natural beauty.

Everywhere you go there's a fabulous beach, bay, harbour or cruising ground.

And as a sailor I'm totally spoiled because...

Australia is so huge that whatever time of year you visit... you can find gorgeous, warm conditions for yacht sailing somewhere.

I hope you enjoy my guide to yacht charter in Australia.

The Whitsunday Islands are Australia's most popular yacht charter destination

If you're down-under between March and October I'd say they Whitsundays would be a fabulous choice for your charter.

Located off the mid-Queensland Coast the Whitsundays are 74 largely unspoiled islands, with heaps of fantastic anchorages and good cruising grounds in between.

Most of the islands have great fringing reefs with spectacular corals.

Add into the mix some fabulous resorts, the breath-taking Hill Inlet and easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and you have the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable holiday.

In fact there's so much to say about yacht charters in the Whitsundays that I've dedicated a whole section of the site to it.

And the rest of Queensland?

If you head North from the Whitsundays you come to Tropical North Queensland.

Charter here is skippered only because navigation is tricky and there aren't many refuge spots.

This is another great area to see the Barrier Reef. Take a look at yacht charter in Cairns and Port Douglas.

And for information about yacht charter in Brisbane and around Fraser Island take a look at my guide to Queensland yacht charters.

Yacht Charter in Australia - Sydney and Pittwater

If you're considering a yacht charter in Australia in the Summer I'd suggest you're better off heading further south.

Sydney Harbour is a spectacular location for a day or overnight yacht charter in Summer (November through February).

It's one of the world's finest natural harbours...

...and there's something very magical about cruising past the Sydney Opera House and under the towering Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Here's my guide to Sydney Yacht Charters - I include advice on spending Boxing Day or New Year's Eve on the harbour.

If you're in Sydney and want to get away from it all the relatively undiscovered secret of Pittwater is just fabulous.

(I guess I'm biased because this is my home sailing ground!).

Just 45 minutes from Sydney's CBD, Pittwater and Broken Bay is a world class cruising ground surrounded by towering National Park.

You'll find countless secluded bays and beaches to choose from and you can enjoy incredibly still nights at anchor in the narrow, deep creeks and rivers.

There's more information here in my Pittwater yacht charter guide.

Yacht Charter in Australia - Victoria

If you charter a yacht on Port Philip Bay you can enjoy a day looking at Melbourne's expensive waterfront properties. There are heaps of options for skippered and bareboat charter here.

If you're looking for a quieter option in Victoria take a look at the Gippsland Lakes. You'll find safe sailing, deserted beaches, port side cafes, and abundant wildlife. This is a great place for an inexperienced yachtsman to have a go at bareboat charter for the first time.

Yacht Charter from Western Australia

Fremantle, Perth is a perfect summer sailing area. Clear waters, reliable breeze and little swell make it a sailor's dream.

A trip to 'Rotto' and watching the sun set into the Indian Ocean are great draws.

You can also take the trip of a lifetime North to Broome, and see some breathtaking natural beauty.

Here's my guide to Perth yacht charter.

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