 The Gold Coast Broadwater stretches
north from Southport past Labrador, Biggera Waters, Anglers
Paradise, Runaway Bay, Hollywell and Paradise Point up to
Moreton Bay and Brisbane... this is a distance of some 80kms
with a total area of hundreds of square kms. of protected
waterways containing many islands. The Broadwater is protected
by The Spit (to the South) and South Stradbroke Island (to
the North)... The Island was separated from North Stradbroke
Island by a cyclone in 1896... Mostly uninhabited the island
makes a perfect picnic spot for "boaties" and
tour craft. There is a hotel at Tipplers and a small ferry
runs from
Runaway Bay Marina. Native wildlife such as wallabies, goannas
and
birds are abundant.
The Broadwater is also a popular area for bare boat charters,
due to its calm waters. The Broadwater also offers a safe
access to the Pacific Ocean through the Gold Coast seaway
(at the end of The Spit)... and while a "skipper-yourself"
motor yacht charter would not be permitted to access the
open ocean you could charter a "skippered" sportfishing
boat. Read more
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Fishing
Fishing is a popular sport on the Broadwater. You can either
fish from the shore, or hire a bare boat to explore the
Broadwater waters. Alternatively you can take part in a
Broadwater or deep sea fishing charter, many of which depart
from the Broadwater. There are also a number of watersports
that you can enjoy including parasailing, windsurfing, kite
surfing and speed boating.
"Play it Safe on the Water" is a Queensland Transport
Department initiative. It encourages everyone to use our
waterways sensibly. Some suggestions for anyone considering
bare boat charters are:
- Licences are required for the majority of speed boats
and jetboats used on the Gold Coast waterways... Speed
boat licences are required in Queensland for all vessels
fitted with motors over 6hp. and capable of a speed of
10 knots and over, with a planning hull... as this does
not apply to bare boat charters or the hire of a 'skipper-yourself'
motor yacht charter you can legally hire a bare boat without
having a licence.
- All coastal bars require local knowledge to be crossed
to avoid the hazards. Currumbin and Tallebudgera in particular
are extremely shallow and should not be crossed on an
outgoing or low tide.
- Any bare boat hired by us for a bare boat charter needs
to have a certificate of survey (having met certain safety
guidelines) ask the operator or locate the certificate
which should be posted in a visible position on the vessel
when you go on-board at the commencement of your charter.
- Water ski areas are marked throughout the Gold Coast
waterways.
- Marine rescue groups are active on the Gold Coast: Air
Sea Rescue and the Australian Volunteer Coast Gaurd. Radio
rooms are constantly manned so when out on a bare boat
you can always contact them in an emergency.
- Safety equipment will be aboard all bare boats and you
always need to be aware of the weather conditions.
For the Latest Bureau of Meteorology Weather see Coastal
waters forecast
Beach fishing is popular particularly in winter when the
tailor are running. Other fish to be caught on a regular
basis are bream, flathead, whiting, dart. It is ILLEGAL
to keep
undersize fish as this keeps stocks from being replenished
by normal reproduction. Note: There is a bag limit on fish which applies to any
combination of reef fish ie. estuary cod, potato cod, coral
trout, red emperor, spangled emperor, spotted/ black jewfish,
black kingfish, mulloway, maori wrasse, nannygai, pearl
perch, Queensland groper, rosy jobfish, snapper terraglin
jewfish, all tusk fish, wahoo and all of the mackeral species
except for the shark mackeral.
Offshore fishing
Offshore and game fishing catches include snapper, trag-jew,
trevally, kingfish, mackerel, tuna, pearl perch, marlin, dolphin
fish and some coral species. Valuable research data is supplied
by the Game and Sport Fishing Associations through their involvement
in the voluntary "Tag and Release" program. Most game fish
are released on the fishing grounds after being tagged, with
very few fish being brought to the scales.
Bare boat anchorage options
Biggera Waters... located on the attractive Gold Coast
Broadwater... Biggera Creek flows through Biggera Waters
reaching the
Broadwater at Lands End. Just off the shores of Biggera
Waters is Wave
Break Island, which marks the entrance/ exit of the Gold
Coast Seaway.
Biggera Waters is surrounded by several fantastic shopping
centres, including Australia Fair in Southport, Harbour
Town in Labrador and Runaway Bay Shopping Centre. There are
also a number of dining areas located within the shopping
centre and along the Broadwater... A range of accommodation
is located along the waterfront or just a short walking
distance from the Broadwater.
Coochiemudlo Island... Visit Coochiemudlo Island, a beautiful
sub-tropical island boasting golden beaches, calm waters and
a laidback atmosphere.
South Stradbroke Island... Cruise the narrow waterways
and call into Couran Cove, a eco tourism resort on South Stradbroke
Island. Activities include kayaking, basketball, rockclimbing
and parasailing or test your skills on the resort's bowling
green or tennis court. Or curl up with a good book by the
pool or on the beach before enjoying an evening meal at the
Poolside café or the main restaurant.
Southport or Sanctuary Cove... Spend the day sailing the
Broadwater and overnight at either the Southport or Sanctuary
Cove Marinas. Southport is part of the Gold Coast , a holiday
destination of wonderful contrasts - from the sophistication
of Main Beach, the glamour of Surfers Paradise, action packed
theme parks and wildlife sanctuaries to championship golf
courses and fabulous shopping.
A sweeping 70 kilometre coastline offers some 35 patrolled
beaches that are among the best in the world.
The beach front esplanades of vibrant centres like Main
Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Palm
Beach and Coolangatta, invite you to sit back, relax and soak
up the fun and holiday atmosphere. Main Beach is an
easy walk from the Southport Marina, informal by day,
the area comes to life at night with chic outdoor dining.
You'll find Thai, Japanese and Italian restaurants to tempt
you for dinner, as well as plenty of cafés serving
coffee and delicious deserts until late. If you wish to spend
more time indulging in your bare boat or motor yacht charter
experience, you may choose to have an evening meal at the
nearby Southport Yacht Club.
Sanctuary Cove is a beautiful waterfront harbour village,
residential resort and village style-shopping complex with
80 specialty stores, cafés, restaurants and a local
movie theatre and brewery. |
Oceanic
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