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Old 16-01-2019, 06:37   #1
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Marinas in Queensland Australia

Hi everyone,
I'm looking at sailing from Honolulu to Cairns during March/April this year. I've looked at marina sites around Cairns on the web but only found four in the area. I need to be near Cairns to fly out from there, so although there are lots of marinas South of Cairns (Townsville, Airlie etc), they are some 5 to 7 hours drive to Cairns.


any suggestions - other than Bluewater/Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron/Crystalbrooke or Yorkeys Knob - I'd really appreciate it!

Many thanks in advance
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Old 16-01-2019, 14:06   #2
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

You are aware that cyclone season is still going strong in March and April?
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Old 16-01-2019, 14:07   #3
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

That's a long run without any stops....

Yorkey's has a reputation for being quite friendly, but never been in personally. The Marlin Marina has quite acceptable attributes, and it is a short cab ride to the airport. Cairns is not a huge town, and the cab ride will be short from Yorkey's, too.

Further south, Gladstone can also offer good protection and a short airport ride.

Even further south, Brisbane can offer a choice of marinas, and train service to the airport. One upside is that Brisbane's airport has direct flights to almost everywhere, and saves the international traveller costly in country flights.

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Old 16-01-2019, 14:21   #4
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

If you are willing to go further south as Ann said then Bundaberg has storage on the hard as well as slips. You take the train to Brisbane for flights. Its also a clearance port.
Scarborough near Brisbane also has reasonable wet rates.
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Old 16-01-2019, 14:52   #5
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

Yorkers Knob or Port Douglas (about an hour away) would be the best choices. Both are smallish marinas so check availability. It is cyclone season as mentioned above so beware of that. An alternative is to park in Brisbane and fly to Cairns.
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Old 16-01-2019, 14:54   #6
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

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You are aware that cyclone season is still going strong in March and April?
I'd like to add to this graph, some anecdotal evidence for "out of season" cyclones....It was on the 15th of May, that we were overtaken by a fortunately fast moving cyclone near the Kermadec Is. -- long after "tourist cyclone season" is supposed to be over in March, but Nature's variety lasts longer.

Paul's graph, and my paragraph are intended as a head's up. Key is when JacquieO actually plans to arrive in Australia.

Public transport from as far as Southport to the Brisbane airport is eminently doable. A little harder, but doable from Scarborough, imo, but shorter from the latter.

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Old 17-01-2019, 05:15   #7
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

Thank you so much guys. Really appreciate the constructive feedback. Have a lot to think about... I knew about the cyclones but then, I suppose like most, if I'm not near them, I don't think about them! However, that said, I'll review the plans.

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Old 17-01-2019, 09:20   #8
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

I don’t ever consider the cyclone season over until May.
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Old 17-01-2019, 09:33   #9
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

As you will see I am British but my wife is from Townsville so I know the area as we have been there a few times (land side). There is a nice but small marina at Port Douglas just about 40 miles north of Cairns. Also a choice of Marina or Ross River berths in Townsville & you can get cheap local flights up to Cairns (small commuter plane though so baggage allowance is tight), or drive (about 180 miles). Nice stop offs on the way though - Mission Beach - so could break the journey in a motel. There is the Breakwater Marina at Townsville or up the river might be better if you can get a berth. Try: http://www.townsvilleyachtclub.com.a...na-information - they boast about offering a safe haven.

Hope that helps.
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Old 17-01-2019, 09:53   #10
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

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I don’t ever consider the cyclone season over until May.
Totally in agreement, plus the storms that don't check the calendar.
The Queens Birthday storm of 1994 was 4-6 June.
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Old 17-01-2019, 11:41   #11
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

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Totally in agreement, plus the storms that don't check the calendar.
The Queens Birthday storm of 1994 was 4-6 June.
True, but that was not a tropical cyclone at all.

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Old 17-01-2019, 11:46   #12
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

It has been a while since I've been in the Marlin Marina in Cairns, but at that time, if there was a cyclone approaching you were required to leave the marina and go to a designated spot in one of the mangrove creeks... no exceptions. Don't know if that would fit in with your proposed plans, nor do I know what they do if an owner is absent. You would need to resolve that issue before committing, for cyclones are not rare around there!

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Old 17-01-2019, 12:20   #13
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

There has been 3 named storms already this season. This was projected to be a light year for cyclones. Having been here since November I would say not very light at all. Sure as hell would not think having a boat up near Cairns would be a good idea. Let alone leaving one unattended.
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Old 17-01-2019, 12:25   #14
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

Marlin Marina will tow your boat and send you the bill if you don’t move it in a declared Cyclone! Great spot to stay otherwise with the huge pool, great bars and restaurants all a short walk away.
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Old 17-01-2019, 12:31   #15
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Re: Marinas in Queensland Australia

^^^Thank you for that, Hickers. It would be something for JacquieO to check out. And, no irukanji or crocs in the pool, either!

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