Sailing on azure seas with the wind in your hair or lounging on the deck at a secluded anchorage with a good book. Genteelly cruising amongst tropical islands or gazing up at majestic fiords – this is the life ! Both bare boating and chartered sailing options, in addition to a long list of luxury cruises are available across the region.
Relive the excitement of the America’s Cup aboard one of the previous challengers on Auckland Harbour, the “City of Sails”. Cruise white sandy beaches and unspoiled bays in the Coromandel Peninsula, the Bay of Islands or the stunning Marlborough Sounds cruising grounds. Sip champagne on the deck of the Milford Mariner and marvel up at the mile high peaks.
Across the Tasman, no visit to Sydney would be complete without taking to the harbour – learn to sail on a luxury yacht, dance the night away on a dinner cruise or be transported back to the convict days aboard a replica of the HMS Bounty tall ship.
Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands are perhaps one of nature’s finest gifts to sailors: 74 islands (only 8 of which are inhabited) rimmed by white sandy beaches and protected smooth seas. The warm tropical waters are perfect for swimming and snorkelling; whilst the islands offer the choice of sheltered anchorages and luxurious resort marinas.
A luxury wilderness cruise along the rugged Kimberley Coast where the outback meets the sea, treats passengers to some of Mother Nature’s most spectacular works.
No visitor Down Under – from the experienced sea adventurer to the timid land lover – should miss the unique perspective that a trip on these waters provides.
The islands of the South Pacific are no exception: sip cocktails on a sunset cruise in the Cook Islands, sail bareboat through tranquil Vava’u waters in the Kingdom of Tonga, hop from one idyllic Fijian island to another or cruise in luxury through French Polynesia’s turquoise lagoons.
New Zealanders are passionate about sailing and with so much coastline to explore, it’s little wonder!
On Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, the opportunity to relive the world’s oldest and most prestigious sailing trophy is provided with two ex America Cup yachts, NZL 40 and NZL 41. They offer the unique opportunity to participate sailing on these grand prix racing machines.
Passengers become the crew and are encouraged to take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the action sailing down the Auckland Harbour. The trip suits people of all experiences and abilities.
The Northland region offers spectacular coastal scenery and a relaxed ambience. No trip to the region would be complete without experiencing a water based excursion. Explore the magical Bay of Islands and Northland coast aboard a luxury motor launch or sailing yacht, guided by professional and knowledgeable crew. This aquatic paradise boasts over 144 islands creating secluded bays and coves and playing host to prolific marine life and a colourful history.
The Nelson and Marlborough Sounds region at the top of the South Island provides for stunning natural beauty and tranquillity. Explore the famous Able Tasman National Park near Nelson or Pelorus Sound in the Marlborough Sounds with the latter being a truly unique area, distinctively different from the Queen Charlotte Sound that most visitors get to see while travelling on the Interisland Ferry.
Enjoy the opportunity to visit a Greenshell Mussel farm, learn the intricacies of growing this delicacy in the Sounds and the history of aquaculture in the area as well as the history of the pioneers who created the industry.
Further south, Stewart Island can offer a remote and rewarding experience exploring Patersons inlet area, old whaling bases and the Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary which is well known for it's native bird life. The Fiordland Sounds offer stunning cruises from Dusky Sounds to the famous Doubtful and Milford Sounds.
Surrounded by more than 30,000km of coastline, its perimeter dotted with thousands of beautiful islands. A continent traversed by hundreds of rivers and inland waterways. Hardly surprising therefore that Australia boasts scores of spectacular cruising options.
Whether it’s a luxury wilderness cruise along the rugged Kimberley coast or a paddlewheeler winding its way along the mighty Murray River. Whether it’s a whale watching cruise off Fraser Island or jetboating on Tasmania’s Gordon River. Sailing with dolphins in the Whitsundays or cruising with crocs through Kakadu’s wetlands. From an afternoon coffee cruise on Sydney Harbour to a full day snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, or a fortnight touring the spectacular Top End in style; no visitor should miss this unique perspective of Australia.
Help hoist the sails, take the helm and grind the winches or just sit back and relax on a luxury yacht. Spend the afternoon learning to sail on Sydney’s sparkling waterways or a week in the hands of a very capable crew cruising the idyllic island studded Whitsundays.
Alternatively, a collection of multi-day luxury cruises showcases remote places of otherwise inaccessible beauty:
Fish for prize Marlin, watch rare turtles waddle remote sands, snorkel with brightly coloured fish by day or dive the reef by night. Enjoy a chilled champagne in the spa or simply relax in a deckchair in the sun as you cruise from one spectacular Great Barrier Reef location to the next.
Watch for whales (in season), swim with turtles, comb endless white sands, climb forested volcanic peaks to spectacular lookouts and sip sunset cocktails as you cruise through the protected waters and pristine islands of the idyllic Whitsunday archipelago.
Visit ancient aboriginal rock art, hook yourself a barramundi, marvel at the breathtaking Horizontal Falls and ‘heli picnic’ beside spectacular gorges as you cruise the secluded waterways and breathtaking splendours of Australia’s wild and remote Kimberley Coast.
There is no parallel for the unforgettable experiences these journeys afford and no compromising of comforts on board. Luxury appointed vessels are more like floating hotels boasting a range of comforts which may include gourmet dining, heated spas, helipads and marble clad bathrooms; comfortable king-size beds and unbeatable waterfront views.
Note: No official qualifications or licences are required to charter a yacht in the Whitsundays, however most companies will insist that at least one member of your party has substantial sailing experience. Alternatively most also offer the option of taking a skipper onboard for some or all of your charter.