Directory of Boating Holidays Australia

If skippering a skipper-yourself bareboat yacht charter seems a little daunting, paid guides can come along to show you the ropes. Or organise a private crewed yacht charter and have a professional skipper and hostess do all that sailing and cooking while you sip cocktails on deck... or simpler still, join one of the day trip charter yachts or specialised dive boats cruising the islands and reefs off the Queensland coast... or you may just want to lay back on a rental houseboat.

If none of the above suits, a smart compromise would be to look at 3-6 night excursion on a skippered yacht charter offered by a number of yachts, maxi's, tall ships and dive boats...

Select from over 300 skipper-yourself bareboat yacht charter boats located in some of the best sailing waters in the world. The range of bareboat charters available to you is enormous... from small 26 ft sloops to large comfortable 50 ft sailing catamarans or yachts.

For those who like boats with motors, bareboat charter a cruiser or power catamaran...then enjoy boating holidays in any one of seven Great Barrier Reef locations along Queensland's Coast.

Bareboat yacht charter is one of Australia's mythic experiences and rites of passage... At the end of the day, as you weigh anchor in a secluded bay, you'll experience the sense of complete freedom, relaxation and accomplishment that bareboating is known for.

Select from over 150 Queensland houseboats for rent in seven locations... Cruise protected waters from the lakes of tropical North Queensland then go south to the Sunshine Coast waterways, Gold Coast, and northern NSW.

Houseboat rentals are concentrated in the south east of the state near the capital, Brisbane... Houseboats can be found in the sheltered waters of Tin Can Bay, on the coast near Gympie... the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane... Brisbane's Moreton bay as well as the Gold Coast waterways and all the way down to the New South Wales border.

Some of the entries for houseboat rentals under Queensland include the Tweed River valley just over the border in New South Wales, as the Tweed fits logically, if not administratively, with the adjacent Gold Coast.

These will be 3-7 night first class Luxury Australia cruises catering for those dedicated to relaxation, and the enjoyment of an ever changing water view of islands and tropical beaches...

Life on board a cruise holiday is to the standard of a 4-5 star luxury resort, with sundecks for reading or napping. By night, you'll enjoy fine dining, entertainment and shipboard elegance.

These fully crewed boating or cruise holidays in Australia are designed for singles, couples, small groups and families to join others on fully crewed and skippered sail or cruise boating holidays. There are no age restrictions and among the large fleet of vessels available to you... you'll find the boating holiday to suit, whether it's to sail, dive, snorkel, explore, party or simply relax.

Most cruises are for 3 days and 2 nights or 3 days and 3 nights with some offering up to 6 days. Guest numbers will vary from 8 to 20 depending on the type and size of the vessel you choose... to get the most from your crewed yacht charter experience it's important that you choose the right vessel to match your expectations.

These boating holidays are all inclusive with all meals catered... including morning and afternoon tea... alcohol may be BYO (Bring Your Own) or you might book on a fully licensed boat.

Snorkeling equipment, bed linen and towels etc are generally included in the quoted charter rates which can vary widely depending on the individual vessel and accommodation offered.

Private and corporate yacht charter

Take your boating holidays in style on a private crewed charter yacht. Round up your family or friends and get together for a unique experience.

Your group will have run of the vessel and there will generally be two or three crew aboard to take care of you... The cost of your Australia yacht charter is usually "all inclusive", covering linen, meals while on board and use of most equipment (snorkeling and fishing gear, dinghy with outboard and water sports equipment.

And when you divide the cost of the yacht charter among your group, you'll see private charter boats are surprisingly affordable boating holidays... but with the benefit of a private adventure filled with pampering and personalized touches. Itineraries are very flexible - your experienced crew will have lots of great ideas about the places to visit. Scuba diving can also be arranged.

Alternatively, the crew can tailor an itinerary to suit the special interests of your group. You can help run the boat, or you can lie back, enjoy the sights and let someone else take care of things.

These overnight and extended big game fishing charters generally require the private charter of the whole charter boat... but given enough notice it is often possible the charter boat operator will find others to share...

The operators of the Australian fishing charters we feature are totally professional, use modern and reliable equipment and you'll find the vessels are practical, comfortable and safe.