australian tall ship cruises - whitsundays yacht charter companies
Location Direction:
Travel to Whitsundays
Airlie Beach is located 1150kms north of Brisbane & 630kms south of Cairns.
By ROAD – follow the Bruce Highway. The turn off to Airlie Beach is at Proserpine. Express Coach services are available with Greyhound or Premier. All major Car Hire companies have agencies in Airlie Beach.
By PLANE – flights are available from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Whitsunday Coast Airport (near Proserpine), or Hamilton Island Airport.
TRANSFERS – Whitsunday Coast Airport. Coach, Shuttle, or Taxi services meet each flight, and it takes approximately 35 minutes to get to Airlie Beach. From Hamilton Island Airport transfers to Shute Harbour are available with Blue Ferries, or via a light plane to the mainland with Island Air Taxis. Then transfer to Airlie Beach via Coach or Taxi.
Operator profile
The Operator is an owner-operated company with 20 years of chartering experience. The professional crew will safely navigate the vessel to beautiful islands, anchorages and coral reefs. You will visit unforgettably pristine locations. The magical Whitsunday Islands have many smooth-water bays and coves, so overnight anchorages are calm and pleasant for sleeping.
Each day will offer new and exciting experiences ... there is time to SNORKEL coral reefs, visit stunning BEACHES including br /> the world famous Whitehaven Beach, and go for island bush WALKS. For those guests wishing to SCUBA DIVE, the Operator will meet with a Dive Boat and introductory or certified dives are available.
While underway, sit back and take in the extraordinary scenery and, if you feel inclined, help the crew… pull the lines … trim the sails … and learn about sailing.
The philosophy is to keep it casual so your tour is relaxing and memorable.The Operator takes pride in making the guest's sailing holiday in the Whitsundays just perfect. The Operator has a world class fleet of yachts, that are well maintained, crews who are great with people, plus extremely competent sailors.
Commenced operations in 1985 - Longest established Fully Crewed Live-aboard Sailing Operator in The Whitsundays, carrying approximately 16,000 guests per year.
The company is owner operated & has two operating divisions.
Sailing & Accommodation Ideas
Whether your preferred stye of accommodation is an Island Resort, or on the mainland, in 3 or 4 star Hotels, Apartments, B&B or Backpackers, there are sailing and accommodation options available. Why not spend a week or longer in Airlie Beach & The Whitsundays … the Operator is sure you will appreciate how relaxing and beautiful the area is.
The following ideas can be tailored to suit your needs, extended or reduced depending on your holiday plans.
9 Nights – Whitsunday Magic . Fly to Proserpine on Friday morning, arrive in Airlie Beach at 1pm and check in for sailing. At 3pm the Courtesy Bus will take you to Whitsunday Magic for a 6 night deluxe cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef and around the islands, returning to Airlie Beach Thursday at 11am. Spend three nights in Airlie Beach before flying home Sunday. This option can be adjusted slightly, the Operator can drop you at Daydream Island at 9am on Thursday and you spend three nights on the resort. Sunday, take a ferry to Hamilton Island or Shute Harbour for your flight home.
6 Nights – Solway Lass. Fly to Proserpine on Saturday morning, arrive in Airlie Beach at 1pm and check in for sailing. Leave your luggage in the office, and go for a swim at the lagoon or take a walk around Airlie Beach. At 6pm the Courtesy Bus will transfer you to Solway Lass for a 3 night cruise around the Whitsunday islands, returning Tuesday at 4.30pm. Then spend three nights in Airlie Beach with a day relaxing at the tropical lagoon; a visit to Cedar Creek Falls; or just enjoying the wonderful friendly village atmosphere. Fly home Friday.
Week-end Escape – Whitsunday Magic. Fly to Proserpine on Friday morning, arrive in Airlie Beach at 1pm and check in for briefing. At 3pm the Courtesy Bus will transfer you to Whitsunday Magic for a 3 night deluxe cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef & Whitehaven Beach. Monday morning at 11am, the Operator calls into Hamilton Island Marina, and you can choose to fly home today, or extend your week-end by spending a night or two on Hamilton Island before flying home.
Honeymoon – Whitsunday Magic. Fly to Hamilton Island on Sunday; overnight on the island and at 11am on Monday morning board Whitsunday Magic at Hamilton Island Marina for a deluxe cruise around the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach. At 9am on Thursday transfer to Daydream Island; spend two nights at the resort. Saturday take a ferry to Hamilton Island or Shute Harbour for your flight home. Alternatively, on Thursday morning, hop off at Daydream Island, and catch a ferry to Hamilton Island and spend two nights on the island before flying home.
GROUP OR PRIVATE CHARTERS - SAIL THE WHITSUNDAYS
the Operator can accommodate day sailing or overnight sailing charters for any corporate event or special function.
Group sizes can be as small as 6 guests, up to 200.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS - You may have a party or another special function that you would like to have on the water in the Whitsundays. Whether its a sailing day out on any of the vessels, or a WEDDING on the Tall Ship Solway Lass or Deluxe Schooner Whitsunday Magic.
CORPORATE SAILING - Many companies charter the racing yachts (Southern Cross Sailing Adventures - Racing & Adventures Division) and place teams of people on each yacht. Then its up to the teams to assist the crews sail the yachts to their best performance. This is a great team building activity and is also wonderful for stress relief.
EDUCATION GROUPS - The Operator specialise in carrying large groups on educational tours. The Operator has worked for Groups like:
* Queensland Scouts
* Scripture Union of Queensland
* Kings College - Sydney
* All Saints College - Gold Coast
* Extreme Adventures - USA University Student Groups
* James Cook University Townsville - Reef Research Charter
GUEST NUMBERS - Each boat has a surveyed number of guests for day use, and a separate survey number for Overnight use.
When it comes to private charters the Operator can accommodate more guests than the Operator normally carry on Overnight Charters. eg. Boomerang & British Defender have bunks in the Saloon area, that the Operator doesn't normally use, however, for private charters these are available if the group wants to carry extra guests.
| GUEST NUMBERS | Southern Cross | Maxi Siska | British Defender | Boomerang | Solway Lass | Whitsunday Magic |
| Normal number overnight | 14 | 22 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 32 |
| Maximum number overnight | 14 | 22 | 30 | 30 | 37 | 36 |
| Day Trip Charter | 49 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 75 | 100 |
The Operator can issue a Gift Certificate on any of the tours around the Whitsunday Islands.
* Wedding Presents
* Birthday Gift
* Christmas Gift
* Thank you Gift
* Valentines Day Gift
* Corporate Gifts
Gift Certificates can be open dated so the lucky recipient can choose a date suitable to their calendar.
What to Pack: The Operator appreciates that you limit the amount of luggage you take on board, and recommend soft sided luggage. The Operator suggests: swimmers, beach towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, camera, spare film / batteries, sandals or joggers for island bush walk, favourite music CDs/Ipods, a sweater for cooler evenings. If you have larger luggage that you would like to store, storage facilities are available at most accommodation houses in Airlie Beach, or there is a store across the road from the check in office.
For guests travelling on Whitsunday Magic, the Operator is able to accommodate larger bags on board.
The Whitsundays
The Whitsundaysare part of the Cumberland Group, which forms the largest group of Coastal Islands on the Australian Coast. In total there are 74 islands located right in the centre of the Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The Whitsunday group consists of 22 islands, that were named by Captain Cook on his voyage on the Endeavour in 1770. The Islands became islands around 10,000 years ago when the Ice Caps melted and the sea level rose around 100 metres. The islands are in fact mountain tops.
Today the islands remain relatively unspoilt, with only six of the islands having resort style development. The island resorts include Daydream, Hayman, Hamilton, South Molle, Long & Hook.
The Whitsundays provide terrific sailing conditions, with consistent South Easterly breezes and many calm water anchorages nestled among the islands, making overnight stopovers exceptionally comfortable. Each August, many famous yachts make their way to the Whitsunday's to race in the Hamilton Island Race Week and Hoggs Breath Regatta.
WHALES VISIT - Humpback Whales visit the Whitsundays from July to Sept each year. During their stay calves are born. Prosail Whitsunday
Other marine life that we regularly see throughout the year include: Turtles, Dugong, Dolphins, Mantaray, Maori Wrasse and hundreds of different Reef Fish.
Plus we will see Bird Life such as Kites and Sea Eagles.
The Operator works in a partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure that the Tours minimise ecological risk while sustaining the future of the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands, so for years to come, visitors may appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Weather
Weather: We can control many things, however unfortunately we cannot control the weather. It's hard to predict when the weather will be terrific and when it will be rainy/overcast. Be assured, that most of the year the weather is warm, and it is not normal to feel cold during the day, even if it is raining. Summer evenings are sultry, while in Winter evenings can cool down to 12c, so you will need a jacket or sweater.
Average Temperatures: Jan 31c, Feb 30c, Mar 29c, Apr 28c, May 26c, June 24c, July 23c, Aug 25c, Sept 26c, Oct 28c, Nov 31c, Dec 31c.
Guests origins are: UK 40%, European Countries 28%, US/Canada 11%, Nordic 7%, Australian domestic is approx 8%.
Every guest is comprehensively exit surveyed, this help the Operator continuously improve.
The Operator employs 40 staff, involved in all aspects of the business from food provisioning through to maintenance of the fleet.
The Whitsunday Islands offer a treasure-trove of colourful sights, scenes and activities, nestled right in the centre of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The marine park is home to 1500 species of fish, 400 species of corals, 6 species of turtles and 215 species of birds. Between July and October, Humpback Whales make the Whitsunday Islands home.
1) Southern Cross Sailing Adventures.
Which includes the Racing Yachts and is predominantly 18 to 35 age group, and independent travellers on a 2 to 12 month tour around Australia. Some group market, eg. educational groups, drug & alcohol free schoolies weeks. Tour durations are 2 & 3 days or tailored as required.
2) The Operator.
Solway Lass, and the new Schooner, Whitsunday Magic. This division appeals to a much broader market, both domestic and international customers. Increasingly older guests seeking a soft adventure holiday are travelling on the tall ship tours. Tour durations are 3 & 6 days. This product allows guests to experience small ship cruising, under the romance of sail.
Australian Tall Ship Cruises Insurance
TRAVEL INSURANCE The Operator strongly recommends that guests take out their own travel insurance to cover valuable items, eg. Cameras, and to protect themselves against unforseen last minute cancellations, caused by weather, flight delays or any reason out of the control of the Operator. Further any medical conditions that may occur during carriage, and the associated extra costs of accessing medical care around the islands.
