Mention Australia to those who have never been there and, chances are, they’ll think outback, or Sydney Harbour’s

internationally recognizable bridge and opera house or putting shrimp on the barbie, mate. But as a cruising destination, Australia has vastly more to offer than the standard Down Under stereotype suggests, as an increasing number of Northern Hemisphere superyacht owners are discovering.

Australia’s coastline is varied, vast and spec-tacular. With numerous iconic marine locations such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Kimberley Coast and the Whitsunday Islands, combined with a wide range of international attractions and events such as the Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix, the Gold Coast Indy 300, the Melbourne Cup, Hervey Bay whale watching and New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour, it’s hardly surprising that Australia is fast becoming the new mecca for large-yacht owners from all over the world. »

Cruising in the Land of OZWorld-class destinations and

expanding facilities attract superyachts to Australia.

Story by MArk CAirney

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Combine this with the equally superb cruising to be found across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand along the Coromandel Coast, in Auckland Harbour and in the Bay of Islands, and Down Under makes for an extremely attractive alternative to the more crowded locations in the Mediter-ranean and Caribbean.

When Australia’s Alan Bond defeated Dennis Conner to win the America’s Cup in 1983, and then lost it back to Conner in 1987, the world’s yachting community began to turn its attention to this part of the Southern Hemisphere. Slowly, superyachts began appearing in local waters. When the 2000 Sydney Olympics closely followed the Louis Vuitton Cup regatta and the New Zealand America’s Cup defenses in Auckland, an unprecedented number of vessels larger than 100 feet made their way to the region and word began to spread north.

Still, an estimated 95 percent or more of the recreational vessels in excess of 100 feet worldwide have never ventured south of the equator, with the main obstacles being the travel distance and corresponding cost and the lack of internation-ally standard facilities for yachts over 100 feet. But some of those obstacles are falling away.

Accompanying the growth in large-yacht visitors in the nineties was the acknowledgement of the need for an infrastructure upgrade to accommodate those vessels. Both the private sector and the state and federal governments of Australia have subsequently made substantial investments. A recent audit of superyacht-oriented facilities either completed or under construction in Australia showed an asset value well in excess of $1 billion nationwide.

An industry representative body, Superyacht Base Austra-lia, was formed in 1999 to develop, promote and facilitate the Australian region as a desirable and easy destination for superyacht owners and skippers alike. A private-sector initiative known as the Great Southern Route is expected to be launched this year, offering a one-stop shop for skippers needing berthing, service and provisions information for travel en route to and around Australia. It includes transit information and information on cruising in other locations such as the Galapagos Islands, the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Fiji, the Maldives and Southeast Asia.

An estimated 95 percent of the recreational vessels in the world in excess of 100 feet have never

ventured south of the equator.

The New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s finest.

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a long list of spectacular superyachts manufactured by Australian companies is testament to the long history of world-class boatbuilding that has been driven by the quality of the waterways surround-ing Australia. Among Australia’s premier yachtbuilders are:

AustAl (www.austal.com). Austal is widely known for manufacturing large alloy ves-sels such as high-speed commercial cats and offshore naval vessels, but the corpo-rate group has also been recognized as the builder of many larger recreational cruis-ing yachts in Western Australia, including Greg norman’s well-known Aussie Rules.

AzzurA YAchts (www.azzurayachts.com). Azzura yachts is best known in Australia for being the manufacturer of not only some very high-quality, largely classic-style motor yachts up to 100 feet, but also now for its involvement with high-performance yacht racing from its headquarters in Coomera, Queensland. Well-known yachtsman iain Murray leads the company.

Evolution YAchts (www.evolution yachts.com). Another product of the West-ern Australian influence in the Australian market, evolution yachts builds high-cali-ber composite motor yachts, pioneering many developments in resin-infusion tech-nology for large composite motor yachts. yachts and designs in process are available from 24 to 50 meters.

north WEst BAY ships (nWbS) (www.yachts.nwbs.com.au). nWbS specializes in custom superyachts and megayachts from

30 to 100 meters from its manufacturing headquarters in Margate, tasmania. the most recent and revolutionary build to emerge from its past high-speed, multi-hull experience is the tri-hull superyacht and 2006 Showboats international Most innovative Motor yacht award-winner White Rabbit.

sEnsAtion YAchts (www.sensation.co.nz). Sensation yachts has a long history of building superyachts from its origins in Auckland, new Zealand. offering an inno-vative range of custom and semi-custom motor and sailing yachts, including past

examples such as the 147-foot Mari Cha lll and the 174-foot Noble House, Sensation now operates from a new facility in newcastle, northern new South Wales.

WArrEn YAchts (www.warrenyachts.com). Warren yachts has been present-ing an impressive range of top-notch, large fiberglass sport motor yachts from its manufacturing base in brisbane, Queensland. the Warren S87 took the 2006 Showboats international best Semi-Production yacht award. Warren is planning similar models up to 120 feet during 2007. »

A vessel-exchange option has also recently become available through fractional exchange network Global Boating Limited, which provides reciprocal access to yachts in cruising grounds around Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Fiji.

Simultaneously, the increased interest in the Australasian region and demand for more affordable ways to transport yachts from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere has resulted in the introduction of a regular Fort Lauderdale–to-Brisbane transportation service by the float-on, float-off shipping com-pany Dockwise Yacht Transport in August 2003, and a new

Europe-to-Cairns service via Southeast Asia, due to commence in May of this year.

With more than 7,000 superyachts over 24 meters cur-rently cruising the Northern Hemisphere’s waterways, and another 700-plus under construction or in the planning stage, the shortage and unreliability of berthing and marina facili-ties in the traditional European and North American cruising regions is not likely to improve any time soon. The Southern Hemisphere is poised to become the largest destination growth market for superyacht owners over the next 10 years.

A tradition of Fine Yachtbuilding

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1. Darwin, northern territorySituated at the most central, northerly location in Australia and on a natural har-bor twice the size of Sydney Harbour, the Darwin, northern territory, superyacht facility provides owners of yachts up to 65 meters with a comprehensive mainte-nance and provisions service to support the spectacular cruising destinations of the kimberley Coast region and World Heritage site kakadu national Park. Darwin is Australia’s northernmost capital city with a population of just more than 100,000 and features a superb range of restaurants, fresh seafood and fine shopping including the world-renowned Paspaley Pearls.

2. cairns, tropical north Queensland and the Great Barrier reefLocated “where the rainforest meets the reef,” the northern Queensland cruising grounds center around the world-famous, 1,200-mile-long Great barrier reef. Cairns Marlin Marina is home base to the Super yacht Group—Great barrier reef, a consortium of more than 70 organizations servicing yachts up to 80 meters long and up to six meters draft. Cairns is a vibrant city of 123,000 that offers a lively contrast of restaurants, theaters, galleries, night-clubs and the reef Hotel Casino.

3. Whitsunday islands and the Great Barrier reef Within easy cruising distance of the

marine facilities at Airlie beach and Mackay lie the gorgeous Whitsunday islands and the central/southern end of the Great barrier reef. Abel Point Marina and the nearby Mackay Marina and Hamilton island Marina offer a full range of support ser-vices for yachts up to 70 meters and four meters draft. the Whitsundays are known as the heart of the Great barrier reef and offer deepwater cruising among 74 tropical

islands. Most are listed as national parks, notably Hamilton island, which is home to many international yachting regattas and events each year.

4. Brisbane and the Gold coast known around the world as an interna-tional playground, Queensland’s capital city brisbane and the Gold Coast region have been particularly well supported by a booming local marine industry in recent years. the brisbane Marine industry Park and Superyacht base brisbane and the brand-new rivergate Marina support a cluster of almost 50 businesses for yachts

up to 60 meters, serving as the home port for international yacht-transport company Dockwise yacht transport. the Gold Coast City Marina and Superyacht base is a top-notch facility occupying more than 30 acres. it offers 18 berths up to 50 meters and incorporates comprehensive refit, construction and repaint factories. Marina oceanus also offers a number of berths up to 70 meters. referred to as the Fort Lauderdale of Australia, the Gold Coast plays host to one round of the international indy motor races every october/november and attracts over 10 million visitors each year who come to »

superyacht Destination clustersAustralia has now developed seven “destination clusters” of superyacht marina locations, all supported by extensive new or near-new service and support facilities. one is located in the far north, one on the west coast and five on the east coast.

AUSTRALIA

Australia’s extensive coastline and offshore islands offer diverse cruising opportunities.

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Australian Superyacht Industry BodyContact : Superyacht Base Australia Ltd.Tel.: +61 7 5577 9797 Fax: +61 7 5577 9669E-mail: info@superyachtbase.com Website: www.superyachtbase.com

Southern Hemisphere Cruising InformationContact: The Cruising Club InternationalTel. : +61 2 9130 2420 E-mail: mark@thecruisingclub.comWebsite: www.thecruisingclub.com

Superyacht Base BrisbaneContact: Superyacht Base BrisbaneTel.: +61 7 3213 7141 Fax: +61 7 3348 6500E-mail: info@brisbanemarine.com.au

Superyacht Base CairnsContact : Super Yacht Group—Great Barrier ReefTel.: +61 7 4051 2166 Fax: +61 7 4051 2966 E-mail: info@superyachtgroup.comWebsite: www.superyachtgroup.com

Superyacht Base DarwinContact: Darwin Ship Repair and Engineering Pty. Ltd.Tel.: +61 8 8981 4244 Fax: +61 8 8981 8729E-mail: admin@dsre.com.au Website: www.darwinshiprepair.com.au

Superyacht Base Gold CoastContact: Superyacht Base Gold Coast CityTel.: +61 7 5591 3500 Fax: +61 7 5532 7507E-mail: marina1@southportyachtclub.com.au

Superyacht Base MelbourneContact: Melbourne Superyacht Marina at DocklandsTel.: +61 3 8317 3838 Fax: +61 3 8317 3839E-mail: superyacht@docklands.comWebsite: www.docklands.com/superyachts

Superyacht Base SydneyContact: NSW Superyacht Industry Association Inc.Tel.: +61 2 9338 6780 Fax: +61 2 9338 6676E-mail: info@superyachtsydney.com.auWebsite: www.superyachtsydney.com.au

Superyacht Base Western AustraliaContact: Superyacht Base Western AustraliaTel.: +61 8 9316 2995 Fax: +61 8 9364 7557E-mail: info@armada.net.au

enjoy the white sand beaches, more than 40 premier golf courses and an extensive range of cultural and enter-tainment activities.

5. sydney—the harbor city Surrounded by numerous private, pic-turesque cruising waterways from the Hawkesbury river to the north, to Port botany in the south, Sydney Harbour is one of the most desirable cruis-ing destinations in the world. Home to the challenging Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race every year, and showcas-ing the iconic Sydney Harbour bridge and opera house within hundreds of yards of each other, Sydney Harbour is instantly recognizable to people all over the world. the rozelle bay Superyacht Marina supplies berthing up to 100 meters and eight meters draft, plus a comprehensive refit and provisions service from 46 member companies located just minutes from the city cen-ter. Sydney offers excellent cultural, entertainment and business activities and is surrounded by scenic and winery regions that are second to none. the new year’s eve fireworks display, centering on the Sydney Harbour bridge, is also reputed to be the best year-end celebration in the world.

6. Melbourne and tasmaniaMelbourne is Australia’s newest supery-acht destination. the Melbourne Dock-lands Marina at Waterfront City offers deepwater berthing for vessels up to

100 meters and provides the perfect location to enjoy Australia’s finest shopping, cultural and sporting events, including the Australian open, the For-mula one Grand Prix and “the horse race that stops a nation”—the Mel-bourne Cup. A short cruise across the 150-mile-wide bass Strait brings you to the island state of tasmania and its justly deserved reputation as Australia’s Wilderness State. Hobart, the finish of the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race, is the gateway to a natural paradise of ancient rainforests, mountain peaks and thou-sands of miles of rugged coastline.

7. perth and Fremantle, Western Australia Western Australia’s capital city Perth, and its neighboring port city of Fremantle, sit beside the Swan river, which flows into the indian ocean, and are the near-est major population centers to the emerging yachting locations in Southeast Asia and Asia proper. the southern launching point for a cruise north to the kimberley Coast region, the southwest corner of the state is known for its dazzling beaches, spectacular winemak-ing regions and presence of enormous whale sharks and schools of dolphins. Superyacht base Western Australia, located on the coast near Fremantle, boasts a skilled yachting support net-work that draws on a long history of marine manufacturing that has supplied superyachts to Australian celebrities such as sporting legend Greg norman.

AUSTRALIA

The Sydney Opera House is a landmark of the harbor city.

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