The capital of New South Wales, Sydney is a buzzing cosmopolitan city with a temperate climate that draws visitors to its international events year-round. A great starting point for a superyacht charter, Sydney has a fantastic restaurant scene and proximity to some truly spectacular cruising grounds.
Chartering a yacht from Sydney is both convenient and exciting, with many yachts available for a day charter around the famous harbour while others offer the possibility to cruise further along the coast. A number of superyacht-ready marinas are available as a point of embarkation, from which you can explore the cultural attractions of the city, then head out to the secluded bays and safe cruising areas along the New South Wales coastline.
There is an abundance of wildlife and outdoor activities, as well as some of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious wineries just a short drive – or shorter helicopter ride – from the city in Hunter Valley. Yachting in Sydney reaches its zenith each Christmas and New Year, with the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and spectacular fireworks displays over Sydney Harbour for New Year’s.
Head north from Sydney and skyscrapers are quickly replaced by dramatic cliffs leading into lush green hills and beautiful bays ripe for exploring by kayak. Head in past Broken Bay just 20 kilometres north of Sydney and anchor in the picturesque estuaries of Pittwater, Hawkesbury River and Brisbane Waters.
From here you can set off to explore the surrounding national parks with their network of hiking trails, or jump in a helicopter for a private tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Blue Mountains. This 18 million-year-old mountain range features dramatic plateaus dropping down to undulating lush hills shrouded in the blue haze of eucalyptus vapour.
Yachting activity in Sydney reaches its peak around the Christmas holidays, with the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race setting off on Boxing Day each year, attracting both participants and spectators for the world-famous race.
Of course, Sydney also plays host to hundreds of boats and yachts both large and small heading into the harbour for the world-famous New Year’s Eve celebrations each year, with an unrivalled fireworks display you’ll never forget. Chartering a superyacht for this occasion provides a unique and spectacular view of the celebrations and a perfect venue to entertain friends and family.
Each year there are fantastic opportunities to watch the whale migrations, heading north to breeding grounds in the Coral Sea between April and August, then returning south from September to November. Although the graceful mammals can be seen from ashore, one of the best vantage points is from the water on a yacht.
The best time of day to spot these enigmatic creatures is late morning or early afternoon, when there is less glare on the water, though morning sightings of whale ‘blows’ lit up by the early morning sun are spectacular. Be sure to keep a safe distance and consider taking a guide to help with your spotting.
Over on north-west coast, the vast Kimberley offers some of the most staggering scenery on the planet. This is where Outback Australia meets the sea, a place of stark jagged cliffs, semi-arid savannah, towering gorges and waterfalls. Explore the Mitchell River and waterfalls and take a breathtaking scenic helicopter flight over the elevated Mitchell Plateau.
At the same latitude as Tahiti, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef boasts a sun kissed climate and is one of the world’s most unique travel destinations. Stretching for thousands of kilometres down the north Queensland coast, many charters will start and end in Cairns taking in a loop of the Ribbon Reefs and up to Stanley Island and Bathurst Island.
In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, in central Queensland, lie the 74 volcanic landmasses that make up the magical Whitsunday Islands. With a devoted following of fans who fall in love with the pristine natural beauty, big-sky sunsets and unrivalled diving, it’s easy to see why a Whitsunday Islands yacht charter is on the Bucket List of the elite.