Reasonable Cost Hardstand or Berthing - Whitsundays

[neilrob]

Does anyone know of a reasonably priced marina or boatyard in the mackay to bowen area to leave a 52 ft ketch in for a couple of months?

[svstrider]

I can tell you where NOT to try for reasonable prices - Airlie Beach Marina & Hamilton Island. I don't know about Mackay, I try & avoid the place. It has a big marina & hard stand. It was expensive in the marina in 2001.

Shute harbour has swing moorings & ?haul out - no idea of cost. Probably expensive like everything in the Whitsundays.

Bowen has pile moorings & some swing moorings & is cheap but finding a spare one might be a problem. No hard stands

Laguna Quays is a cheaper marina on the mainland south of Airlie & Proserpine airport & well run but isolated from anything else. Popular with some southern Oz owners for long term storage.

Yepoon has a big marina and hard stand - moderately expensive.

Lots of overseas boats haul out at Bundaberg Port Marina for extended periods - moderately expensive but well run organisation. Up the river in Bundaberg City reach, there is a cheap marina with swing moorings where two boats I know have been left for long periods without hassle. Pay a little extra and they will check your boat daily & start engines etc.

My choice would be swing mooring in Bundaberg city reach or Bowen piles.

Good luck & let me know what you decide and the prices for my information.
Dr P