Casual Queensland Moorings

[Dragon Lady]

Hi,

I'm hopping to bring my boat into Bundaberg late July then move her up to Airlie Beach then take her home to Sydney in October.
Can anyone recomend good places for me to moor her along the way so I can leave for a while while I go back and forth from Sydney?

[foamcore]

I left my boat for six months in Yeppoon. A bit dear but no real complaints. Watch out for Richard!

[44'cruisingcat]

Never stopped there, but I've heard good things about Gladstone marina. Price seems to be much better than a lot on the Qld coast.

You can get moorings at Airlie through some of the charter companies, seem reasonably priced, and have a tender service too.

[foamcore]

Gladstone is a great place. If I had to leave a boat again, I'd take it there.

[Hotboy]

Originally Posted by foamcore

Gladstone is a great place. If I had to leave a boat again, I'd take it there.

I agree with these sentiments. The marina was friendly. Just be aware the nearby coal loading terminal can share its dust with your boat. Nothing major but still a clean up may be required when you come back.

[foamcore]

There is another place that comes to mind,bit of a trip to get there but great people. Laguna Quays.

[Dragon Lady]

Yeah Gladstone marina looks good will cost about $22 a day for a swing mooring, which seems a bit expensive considering I'm paying $40 a week in St Martin.

Is Airlie Beach the best place to leave a boat for a few months if you want explore the Whitsundays and fly in and out?

[DevoDave]

Originally Posted by Dragon Lady

Is Airlie Beach the best place to leave a boat for a few months if you want explore the Whitsundays and fly in and out?

Proserpine Airport is close to Airlie and you can get transfers to/from Airlie without much hassle. Hamilton Island has more flights, but you are looking at $50 per person to get to/from Airlie by the ferry.

Mackay is the other airport in the area, but getting to/from Airlie is a struggle from there as it's a 2 hour car trip. Maybe Mackay to Laguna is possible?

[foamcore]

As I remember I payed about that for a berth in Laguna Quays. Now that was a while ago, in 2003 I think.

[foamcore]

I think Laguna to Mackay is quite a run. When I was there, there was an old car at Laguna that berthers could use to drive to Proserpine to shop and such.

[foamcore]

You could use the swimming pool at the resort too!

[Dragon Lady]

Thanks, does anyone know if you can take your boat to Heron Island?

[Jim Cate]

FWIW,

I believe that Laguna Keys was badly trashed in the past cyclone season.

Cheers,

Jim

[Dragon Lady]

I only want a swing mooring so hopefully they can be fixed by July?

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Dragon Lady

I only want a swing mooring so hopefully they can be fixed by July?

At the time of our last visit to Laguna, there were no swing moorings... only floating pens.

There are "swingers" at Gladstone, though. They are not much less expensive than regular berths in the marina, and are often booked out. A call ahead would be useful if you really want to use only swing moorings.

We like Gladstone, and have used their facilities for years. It is located in a large and pleasant park (good news) but is adjacent to immense coal loading docks, and coal dust can be a real problem when the wind is from the NE. The staff are uniformly pleasant, the amenities are newly renovated, live-aboards are welcomed, and the rates are relatively low.

If you are considering "commuting" to the Whitsundays the obvious route is via the Narrows. This passage has a section which dries about 2 metres at LWS, so for deeper draft boats spring tides are required for passage (see Lucas's cruising guide for details). Further, as of a few months ago, there was a rumour that access via that channel would be prohibited to accommodate further industrial development on Curtis island. Don't know how that has evolved.

In Airlie, there are some swing moorings that I think are owned by the Able Point marina. However, they are very exposed, and I wouldn't consider leaving a boat unattended there. And of course, that marina would be a place to leave your boat in a pen. Just see your bank manager before making your reservation!! Too, I think you can arrange long term berthing at Hamilton island marina. Very handy to the airport there, but again also very pricey.

Hope that this helps.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Towlers Bay, NSW, Oz