Australia

Discover Australia on a Luxury Yacht Charter

Australia is an island continent bordered by the Indian, Pacific and Southern oceans, with a mainland coastline of around thirty five thousand kilometres and close to sixty thousand kilometres when its islands are included. This is a true sea facing nation, where reef systems, estuaries and working ports sit alongside some of the most recognisable beaches and coastal cities in the world.

From the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef and the sheltered Whitsundays to the sandstone headlands of Sydney Harbour, the remote Kimberley and the cool temperate shores of Tasmania, Australia offers a wide spectrum of cruising styles. With decades of charter experience in complex cruising grounds, Polaris helps clients navigate distances, seasons and local regulations so that every passage between reef, harbour and open water feels measured, safe and effortless.

Top Yacht Charter Destinations in Australia

Australia’s coast divides naturally into distinct cruising regions, each with its own climate, underwater landscape and maritime culture.

The Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef

Off the Queensland coast, the Whitsunday Islands form a protected archipelago set in the lee of the Great Barrier Reef, with white silica beaches, shallow anchorages and clear lagoon-like waters. The reef itself is the largest coral reef system on earth, recognised by UNESCO for its ecological significance and extensive marine biodiversity. Deep water marinas around Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island support a mature charter infrastructure, making it straightforward to pair reef exploration, island hiking and resort dining within a single itinerary.

Sydney Harbour and the New South Wales coast

Sydney’s drowned river valley coastline offers a combination of sheltered waterways and exposed ocean headlands, framed by sandstone cliffs, surf beaches and the city skyline. Well serviced marinas in Sydney Harbour provide secure berths with direct access to waterfront dining, while nearby cruising grounds such as Pittwater and Port Stephens offer quieter anchorages, national park scenery and relaxed coastal towns within comfortable day passages.

The Kimberley and the north west

The Kimberley coastline in Western Australia is defined by red sandstone escarpments, tidal rivers and dramatic waterfalls that spill directly into the sea, including tidal phenomena such as the Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay. This is expedition style cruising in largely roadless country, where small ships and charter yachts use tenders and helicopters to access gorges, reefs and traditional cultural sites, with anchorages chosen for shelter from strong tidal ranges and prevailing conditions.

Western Australia and the Ningaloo coast

Further south and west, the Ningaloo Coast presents one of the world’s largest fringing coral reef systems, lying unusually close to shore along a remote stretch of Western Australia. Yachts can anchor behind the reef line and tender directly to snorkelling sites where whale sharks, manta rays and migrating humpback whales gather in season. Around Perth, Rottnest Island adds an accessible, resort style contrast, with a string of sheltered bays, beaches and moorings within a short passage of the mainland marinas.

Tasmania and the southern coasts

Tasmania and the southern mainland coasts sit within the temperate zone of the Great Southern Reef, where kelp forests, granite headlands and cooler waters create a different aesthetic to the tropics. Harbours such as Hobart and cruising regions like the D Entrecasteaux Channel and the east coast offer sheltered passages, small fishing ports and national park anchorages suited to longer, more exploratory itineraries in the austral summer.

Best Time to Visit Australia by Yacht

Because Australia spans tropical, subtropical and temperate zones, charter seasons are regional.

Peak season (April to October in the tropical north, December to February in the south)

• Warm, generally stable conditions on the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, Ningaloo and the Kimberley during the dry months
• Long settled summer days around Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart, ideal for harbour cruising and coastal passages
• Full marina services, resort operations and tourism infrastructure across principal charter hubs
• A calendar of sailing regattas, food and wine events and cultural festivals in major coastal cities

Shoulder season (March and November)

• Quieter marinas and anchorages, with more flexible itinerary planning and easier last minute arrangements
• Slightly cooler or more humid conditions depending on region, but with largely reliable cruising weather
• Attractive for guests seeking a more private experience while still enjoying good access to reef, islands and coastal towns

Off season (January to February in the cyclone belt of the far north, June to August for exposed southern routes)

• In the tropical north, higher humidity, increased rainfall and a greater risk of cyclonic systems, requiring careful planning and conservative routing
• In the deep south, stronger systems in the Southern Ocean can produce heavier swells and more demanding conditions on open stretches
• Some remote marinas, resorts or tour operators may run reduced services outside their primary season

Planning Your Charter in Australia

Chartering in Australia begins with an honest assessment of the regions you wish to explore, the distances you are comfortable covering and the season in which you plan to travel. The choice between a motor yacht for range and comfort, a sailing yacht for engagement with the elements, or a catamaran for space and shoal draft access to reef anchorages is guided by both your party and the waters on your route.

At Polaris, itineraries are assembled with local knowledge of weather patterns, marina capacities and sensitive marine environments, from outer reef platforms and remote Kimberley anchorages to city harbours and discreet island resorts.

Explore charter yachts and bespoke itineraries for Australia with Polaris team, who translate complex geography into clear, elegant cruising plans.