In a Queensland first, Langford Reef in the Whitsunday Islands will become home to a new installation of underwater and inter-tidal art.
A trial installation of the artwork is being funded through the Queensland Government and Federal Government’s $7 million Tourism Recovery Fund to assist the Whitsundays tourism industry post Cyclone Debbie.
Four sculptures by local artist Adriaan Vanderlugt were unveiled at the annual Whitsunday Reef Festival (2 - 5 Aug, 2018), which will provide a new experience for people travelling to the Whitsundays and help the marine tourism sector recover after Cyclone Debbie.
The artwork includes sculptures of fish, a nudibranch and a crab, all varying in size and weighing up to 300 kilograms with one already located at Langford Island near Hayman.
Bareboat charterers can visit the locations and see the artwork first hand with each piece being moved from the beach to intertidal to underwater environments a month at a time and the artworks will be secured and monitored to prevent interference and damage.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said to lure more visitors to the Whitsundays, we need to invest in new tourism product. Around the world - from the Caribbean, to the Maldives, Spain, Bali and Australia’s west coast, underwater art has been used to lure visitors.
Virgin announces three new flights in to the Whitsundays
Virgin Australia announced they will be adding additional Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) to Brisbane return flights during the week on Monday's, Thursday's and Friday's, utilising their B737-800 aircraft, adding 54,000 seats annually in to the region and bringing in more than $30 million in tourism expenditure.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox and CEO Barry Omundson recently joined Whitsunday Coast Airport (WCA) general manager Brian Joiner to initiate rounds of talks with all airlines to boost passenger seat numbers for the airport, off the back of Tigerair ceasing their flights on the same route back in February this year.
"We are catering for further growth with a recent runway upgrade and terminal expansion ensuring visitors to our region enjoy a positive experience when transiting,” Cr Willcox said.
"These record numbers are even more impressive when you consider the challenging period our community endured in the wake of the impacts of Cyclone Debbie.”
"I am grateful for the support and confidence Virgin has shown in the ability of our region to continue to grow.
"Our airport team is also exploring options with airlines for commencement of a Whitsundays-Cairns direct flight to link with international services,” he said
It is yet to be confirmed when the additional flights will commence. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with new announcements of the flights when they begin.
Ready to enquire about a luxury bareboat or crewed charter?
Queensland bans the single use plastic bag
On July 1, retailers in Queensland were banned by the state government from providing shoppers with single use lightweight plastic bags, in an effort to protect our marine and wildlife in sunny Queensland.
The problem with plastic bags is that they pollute the waterways and litter streets and parks, endanger marine and other wildlife, which can swallow and become entangled in them and costs millions of dollars each year in litter clean up costs.
If you choose to do your provisioning yourself, by click and collect or at the supermarket, please be aware that you will be charged a minimum of 15 cents for each heavy duty bag supplied to carry your groceries. Alternatively, if you have the choice of bringing your own re-usable bags from home, this will be a saving to you.
ECO-ACCREDITED COMPANY
Luxury Yachts Whitsundays are an Eco-accredited company certified by Ecotourism Australia, meaning we are an ecologically sustainable tourism company with a primary focus on inviting our guests to experience the natural area of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef, fostering environmental understanding, appreciation and conservation.
We do our best to minimize any impact that we as a business may have on the environment and encourage our guests to adopt the same when chartering a bareboat in the Whitsundays.
RESPONSIBLE REEF PRACTICES
On board each vessel and available for download on our website, is our Guide to Responsible Reef Practices; 8 ways that you, as a guest and visitor to the Whitsundays, can help minimize your interaction with the environment when on charter:
#1 Anchoring and Mooring
#2 Diving and Snorkeling
#3 Waste and Litter
#4 Around turtles
#5 Around Whales and Dolphins
#6 When visiting islands and beaches
#7 Bird Watching
#8 Fishing
ECO-BARGE CLEAN SEAS
Eco-barge Clean Seas is a not-for-profit environmental organisation in Airlie Beach, who engage the community to protect the marine life and aquatic environment of the Whitsunday region by removing marine debris to reduce its impacts, reduce land-based litter and littering behaviour to prevent occurrance of local marine debris and provide care for sick and injured marine turtles.
Luxury Yachts Whitsundays proudly support Eco-barge Clean Seas by sponsoring marine debris collection days around the Whitsunday islands, having staff recently volunteered on the collection day, picking up 245kg of debris!
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
1. Familiarise yourself with our Guide to Responsible Reef Practices before your charter and adopt best practices where you can
2. Bring re-usable heavy duty shopping bags from home if you are provisioning for your charter yourself
3. Pick up an Eco-Barge Clean Seas marine debris pick up bag from our office and take it with you on charter, collecting any rubbish you see and bring it back to the office. We will take it to the depot for inclusion in the debris count
4. Make a donation to Eco-barge Clean Seas
Luxury Yachts Whitsundays Partners with MarineMax Vacations
Cumberland Charter Yachts, the parent company to Luxury Yachts Whitsundays announced today that they are joining forces with MarineMax Vacations as a preferred partner. Meeting stringent criteria to be invited into the Preferred Partner Program, MarineMax Vacations matches the best charter operations around the world with those desiring an uncompromising adventure aboard a luxury charter yacht.
MarineMax Vacations are the number one charter company in the British Virgin Islands offering uncompromised chartering experiences with over 50 vessels including the Aquila power catamarans; two of which are in the Cumberland Charter Yachts and Luxury Yachts Whitsundays fleet in Queensland Australia.
“We are excited about our partnering with Cumberland Charter Yachts and Luxury Yachts Whitsundays. Now our loyal customers have a reliable opportunity to charter a boat in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands from an operation that has the same focus of luxury, quality and customer service that has become expected from MarineMax Vacations,” said Raul Bermudez Vice President, Charter Division of MarineMax Vacations.
General Manager and Director of Cumberland Charter Yachts and Luxury Yachts Whitsundays, Sharon McNally said how privileged she feels to have our business invited into the MarineMax Vacations Preferred Partner Program.
“MarineMax Vacations customers now have a reliable business to charter a boat in the beautiful Whitsundays from a bareboat company that has the same level of luxury and quality customer service they’ve become accustomed to.” Said Mrs McNally
Cumberland Charter Yachts and Luxury Yachts Whitsundays are a multi award-winning company and have been operating for more than 30 years from Abell Point Marina in the Whitsundays, with a fleet of 28 sailing yachts, sailing catamarans and power catamarans.
Lindeman Island Embarks on a $583mil Development
The resort on Lindeman Island, which was shut down by Cyclone Yasi in 2011, was thrown a life-line in the form of an approved environmental impact statement, signed off by the State Government on March 27.
The upgrade project, spearheaded by Whitehorse Australia Lindeman, is worth $583million and once operational in 2022 will be able to accommodate 550 visitors each night and create hundreds of jobs for the Whitsundays.
Minister for state development and planning Cameron Dick said the state's independent co-ordinator general approved the redevelopment project expected to attract 200,000 visitors each year.
"During construction the development will create 300 direct full-time equivalent jobs on average on Lindeman Island and up to 420 direct jobs in the broader Mackay region," Mr Dick said.
Questions about a proposal to annexe the surrounding national park, proposed by the company in July last year, were raised with Mr Dick who said the green light to Whitehorse's plans didn't include the rezoning of 37 hectares of national park.
"There has been a lot of work done around the environmental impact of this project," he said.
"And I am pleased to say there will be no need now for any revocation of the national park.
"So the original proposal included revoking part of the national park and using that for the resort.
"About 35 hectares, that is no longer required."
"The resort will now be built on the current resort footprint.
"There will be limited impact on the reef, on coral, so there won't need to be a new harbour, so the proponent has scaled that back as well."
"This is an old resort that's currently not being used so we want to revitalise but we also want to make sure the environmental impact is limited," Mr Dick said.
Whitsunday Regional Council mayor Andrew Willcox said the announcement was "really good".
"This is is very important for our tourism as we are a tourism Mecca."
Cr Willcox said the island upgrade would be serviced from Shute Harbour and three new wharfs would be built as part of the harbour's redevelopment.
Luxury Yachts Whitsundays allow charterers to sail to the south of the Whitsunday Group to Lindeman Island and are expected to still be welcome to use the resort facilities once it reopens in 2022.
Contact us today about chartering a bareboat or luxury crewed charter in the Whitsundays.
Aquila 44's take the Whitsundays by storm
In as little as 12 months, Cumberland Charter Yachts, the parent company to Luxury Yachts Whitsundays, have welcomed their second Aquila 44 power catamaran into their fleet this week, making them the only bareboat company in the country that holidaymakers can charter one through.
The Aquila 44 was first launched at the Miami Boat Show in America in 2014 and went on to win the Active Interest Media (AIM) Editor’s Choice Award for ‘Best Multihull’ in the same year, highlighting boatbuilding achievements, innovative technology, and design.
Working closely with Multihull Central, Cumberland Charter Yachts welcomed their first Aquila 44 into the fleet in February 2017 and has been well received by people looking for large, luxurious vessels of choice to experience whilst bareboating in the Whitsundays.
General Manager, Sharon McNally said demand for the Aquila 44 was strong therefore a second Aquila 44 was required. It offers customers a whole new level of luxury, space, and comfort. It also provides more choice through our Luxury Yachts Whitsundays’ brand.
“Having the only two Aquila 44’s in the country available for charter positions Cumberland Charter Yachts as industry leaders providing a unique luxury offering to those who are new or seasoned bareboat charterers.” Said Sharon.
“It’s a brilliant addition to our luxury yacht fleet. They’re extremely popular charter vessels in the Caribbean and we hope to keep expanding the fleet to meet the needs of those looking for premium choices”
Brent Vaughan from Multihull Central is very pleased to see yet another Aquila 44 in the Whitsundays with Cumberland Charter Yachts, reflecting the brand’s position as the world leader in power catamaran production.
“The Aquila represents the absolute ultimate in luxury bareboating holidays and the design lends itself perfectly to the cruising waters of the Whitsundays,” said Brent.
“It has three large entertaining areas and very spacious accommodation, something that you would normally only see on a 60-foot motor cruiser, but with more stability”
Cumberland Charter Yachts are a multi award-winning company and have been operating for 30 years from Abell Point Marina in the Whitsundays, offering bareboat holidays on sailing yachts, sailing catamarans and power catamarans across a fleet of 28 vessels.
Funding for new Whitsunday tourism projects announced
Six new tourism projects across the Whitsundays will provide exciting new experiences for visitors to the region.
The projects were announced today by Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones while on a visit to the region.
Ms Jones announced that $2 million would be available to fund the six projects, in Bowen, Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island.
The funding is part of a $7 million joint State and Federal government funding package set up to help the tourism industry bounce back following Tropical Cyclone Debbie, last March.
Ms Jones said the Whitsundays’ tourism industry had shown great resilience in the last year.
“We always knew we needed to support the industry by giving visitors to this beautiful part of the world new ways to experience its many attractions,” she said.
“Grants were awarded to projects that will drive tourism demand and increase visitation and expenditure in the Whitsundays and surrounding region.”
Tourism Whitsundays CEO Craig Turner said he was excited about the announcement and eager to see how the projects would enhance tourism in the region.
"These projects will help take tourism in the Whitsundays to another level,” he said.
“We are already an idyllic place for visitation to the Great Barrier Reef and islands, and this funding will help develop mainland tourism.”
The six projects to receive funding are:
· Hamilton Island Enterprises Limited – for the construction of an auditorium to attract large expo and conference events at Bougainvillea Marquee, Hamilton Island
· Reef Ecologic – for the design, creation and installation of underwater and inter-tidal interpretive art pieces across the Whitsunday region
· Catalina Flying Memorial Limited – for a feasibility study into the restoration and relocation of a Catalina flying aircraft to Bowen for static and flying display as a tourist and educational attraction
· Bowen Tourism and Enterprise – for the creation and installation of a digital interpretive space, featuring CGI virtual reality, at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre
· Jimmy Crow Limited – for a feasibility study for an ecotourism development including an interpretive centre and café, hiking and cycling tracks and adrenaline activities located both near and within Conway National Park, overlooking Airlie Beach
· Queens Beach Tourist Village Pty Ltd – for the construction of an inclusive family water play attraction at Queens Beach Tourist Village, Queens Beach.
Daydream Island set to reopen after an $86m refurbishment
One of the Whitsundays' most iconic island resorts is on the mend after sustaining significant damage during Cyclone Debbie in March last year. Boring the brunt of the storm with wind gusts of up to 260km/h the tidal surge was the cause and result of the resorts temporary closure.
But owner China Capital Investment Group has pumped $86 million into repair and redevelopment works to have the luxury island resort reopened to guests by the end of September.
Head of sales and marketing for Daydream Island, Jayson Heron, said refurbishments included new rooms, bars, restaurants, swimming pools and an improved outdoor interactive reef, which guests could use for snorkelling or marine-life feeding
The island's iconic mermaid statues were washed away during the storm surge, and a decision had not been made on whether they would feature in the resort's new design.
The island's beaches and surrounding corals were also impacted by the cyclone, with the shoreline slowly recovering.
Whitsunday dive operator Tony Fonts said tourism operators diversified the experiences they offered and were offering more onshore activities like island bushwalks and beach day trips.
"The tourism industry is resilient here, and we're lucky we have the islands and have different options," Mr Fontes said.
Luxury Yachts Whitsundays attends Australian Boat Shows
Each year, Cumberland Charter Yachts; the parent company of Luxury Yachts Whitsundays attends various boat shows around the country and 2018 will be no different. Arranged by the Boating Industry Association (BIA), each boat show displays a variety of recreational outdoor activities and is a fantastic way for you to discover new and exciting ways to enjoy the aquatic coastline and waterways we have in Australia.
The stand out difference this year is that we will also be showcasing the luxury bareboats we have in our Luxury Yachts Whitsundays fleet in addition to all our Cumberland Charter Yachts' vessels. Find out below which boat shows we'll be attending and come and see us to discuss chartering your own boat in the Whitsundays or discuss investment opportunities.
Melbourne Boat Show - Completed
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
When: 10am - 8pm | Thursday 28 June - Sunday 1 July, 2018
Stand: A25
Melbourne Boat Show - Stand A25
Sydney International Boat Show - Completed
Where: International Convention, Sydney
When: 10am - 8pm | Friday 2 - Monday 6 August, 2018
Stand: #33 Cockle Bay
Sydney International Boat Show - Stand: #33
Perth International Boat Show
Where: Elizabeth Quay and Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
When: 10am - 6pm | Friday 21 - Monday 24 September, 2018
Stand: Booth #77
Club Marine International Boat Show - Stand: #77
Who from Luxury Yachts Whitsundays will be attending?
Managing Director, Charlie Preen
Sharon McNally, General Manager
Mercedes Ireland, Marketing Manager
Feel free to come by any of our stands and be sure to follow us on Facebook for the latest updates and news leading up to each boat show.
We hope to see you there!
Taste your way around the Whitsundays
Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays is surrounded by fertile land, bringing fresh local produce to the kitchens and tables of local restaurants. Many proprietors strive to source local produce because they believe that visitors should experience the exquisite mouthwatering food that goes hand in hand with such an idyllic holiday destination. Here we've picked our top 5 restaurants that you should try before or after your charter.
Hemingway's Restaurant
A short walk from the Luxury Yachts Whitsundays office at Abell Point Marina South, Hemingways is perched on the water's edge overlooking the marina serving delectable food and equally impressive cocktails. The contemporary Australian cuisine matched with a stylish and chic coastal design allows you to unwind at the end of the day or celebrate a special occasion with friends and family. It has also recently been awarded a Chef Hat by the Australian Good Food Guide so this is not one to be missed.
Hemingway's Airlie Beach - Abell Point Marina South
Walter's Lounge
Located at the opposite end of town at Port of Airlie, is Walter's Lounge. Also been awarded a Chef Hat in 2017 and 2018 by the Australian Good Food Guide, it offers up delicious fresh food and outstanding cocktails, as well as a hand, picked boutique wine list. If the full menu of nibbles, share plates and side dishes is too much, try your hand at the Chef's shared tasting menu or catch their weekly special on a Wednesday.
Walters Lounge - Port of Airlie
Coca Chu
Located on Hamilton Island, nestled in tranquil tropical gardens overlooking the white sands of Catseye Beach, Coco Chu is an eclectic mix of hawker-style street food of South Asia with a modern twist. It is the third restaurant in the Whitsundays to be awarded a Chef Hat by the Australian Good Food Guide, with entree's starting from $6, mains from $20 and desserts from $15. On your bareboat or luxury crewed charter, be sure to stop into Hamilton Island and make a reservation at this beautiful seaside restaurant.
Coca Chu - Hamilton Island
Clipper Restaurant & Lounge
Only a 4-minute walk from Abell Point Marina at Coral Sea Resort is the Clipper Restuarant. Offering all-day alfresco dining poolside on the waters edge, this award winning restaurant can also offer private dining in the oceanfront gazebo or a private function on the 'Jetty', jutting out from the shoreline and overlooking the Coral Sea.
Clipper Restaurant & Lounge - Coral Sea Resort
Shuckz Oyster Bar & Champagne Lounge
Conveniently located in the main street of Airlie Beach, Shuckz Oyster Bar & Champagne Lounge specialises in fresh oysters shucked to order with a wide selection of champagnes, beers and top-shelf spirits and liqueurs. Oysters served with locally grown mango, lime and chilli or smoked salmon, creme fraiche and caviar, this is certainly a place you need to stop by and try.
Shuckz Oyster & Champagne Bar
Cumberland Charter Yachts Win National Tourism Award
Cumberland Charter Yachts is the parent company of Luxury Yachts Whitsundays, who took out the silver award for Unique Accommodation at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held at the Perth Optus Stadium on Friday night.
They were one out of ten winners from Queensland and is the third accolade won by Cumberland Charter Yachts in 2017 after winning silver at the Whitsunday Tourism Awards and gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards.
Being able to skipper your own boat in the best cruising area on the planet is a truly memorable experience and Cumberland Charter Yachts has proven to be a leader in the bareboating industry.
Managing Director Charlie Preen and General Manager Sharon McNally celebrated alongside BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday, Abell Point Marina, Island Jetboating and Ocean Rafting all representing the Whitsundays after winning gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards in their respective categories.
"Receiving this award is an absolute honour," said Sharon.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank my amazing team who have worked tirelessly over the past 12 months whilst recovering from Cyclone Debbie and getting on with the general day to day business. We also could not have done this without each and every one of our boat owners. Investing their boats with Cumberland Charter Yachts helps us make the magic happen. This accolade goes out to them".
Charlie Preen stood proudly on the night and was ecstatic at winning silver after being up against six finalists from other states and territories who were all winners at their state tourism awards in the same category.
"Winning gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards was something special but winning silver at the Australian Tourism Awards is simply amazing." Said Charlie.
"We'd also like to congratulate Ocean Rafting for winning gold in the Major Tour and Transport Operator category, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday for winning bronze in the Caravan and Holiday Parks category and of course Abell Point Marina and Island Jetboating for being finalists at national level".
Luxury Yachts Whitsundays was created in 2017 after Cumberland Charter Yachts started seeing an increase in demand for larger and more luxurious vessels. Their pride and excellence in customer service and tourism is carried through to the Luxury Yachts Whitsundays brand and are proud to be able to offer luxurious experiences whilst bareboating in the Whitsundays.
General Manager Sharon McNally and Managing Director Charlie Preen accepting the silver award for Unique Accommodation at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards at the Perth Optus Stadium on Friday evening.
Accommodation within walking distance to Luxury Yachts Whitsundays
So you've finally landed at the airport and made your way to Airlie Beach. Whether it be by ferry from Hamilton Island Airport with Cruise Whitsundays, by coach transfer with Whitsundays 2 Everywhere, or by helicopter with Helireef Whitsundays, walking through the front door of your accommodation brings on a sigh of relief.
If you're looking for accommodation near the Luxury Yachts Whitsundays office, here are a selection of resorts within walking distance.
Coral Sea Resort
Located a short 4 minute walk along the Bicentennial Boardwalk, Coral Sea Resort is certainly the pick of the bunch when it comes to finding the closest resort to stay at pre or post your charter. Boasting uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea, this 4.5 star resort offers a variety of accommodation from Garden View Rooms to top floor penthouses, 24-hour reception, pool and an award-winning restaurant.
Coral Sea Resort
Shingley Beach Resort
Located at Shingley Beach, a short 6 minute walk from Abell Point Marina, Shingley Beach Resort offers affordable accommodation nestled in a natural amphitheatre of trees and parklands adjacent to Abell Point Marina. Offering a range of accommodation from studio apartments to three bedroom apartments, 2 swimming pools and a selection of boutique shops underneath, Shingley Beach Resort is another great option for consideration.
Shingley Beach Resort
Airlie Waterfront Bed & Breakfast
Airlie Waterfront Bed and Breakfast is centrally located right on the waters edge just a 20m stroll to the beach, 200m to the all year swimming lagoons, shops and restaurants and a 5 minute walk to Abell Point Marina. With a homely feel to it, all rooms are serviced daily and include a continental breakfast each day, ensuring you're relaxed and refreshed pre or post charter.
Airlie Waterfront Bed & Breakfast
at Marina Shores
Parallel to the Bicentennial Boardwalk and waterfront to the Coral Sea, Marina Shores exudes luxury in their 1 to 4 bedroom apartments and penthouses. Boasting a 30m pool and tropical gardens, this quiet and picturesque resort is a short 9-minute walk to the Luxury Yachts Whitsundays office and a great choice if you're looking for somewhere to indulge the sences.
at Marina Shores
Peninsula Airlie Beach
Across the road and perched on the edge of a point, looking across all the vessels in Abell Point Marina and a short leisurely 14min walk to your charter check-in, Peninsula Airlie Beach offers 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom apartments and penthouses. Expansive views of the marina and waterfront position will make it irresistible to leave.
Peninsula Airlie Beach
Chartering a Luxury Bareboat or Crewed Charter with Kids
Taking your kids on board a luxury bareboat or crewed charter can certainly be a rewarding and memorable experience. They learn new skills, discover another beautiful part of the country, jump off the back of the boat into azure waters, climb hills to spectacular views and discover marine life like they've never seen before.
A memorable experience could turn out to be one all for the wrong reasons if the children aren't prepared for what life is like living on a boat and what to expect. With a little forward thinking and preparation before your charter, you can help ensure it's an enjoyable experience not only for them but for the parents as well.
Prepare them for life on a boat
Start using boating terminology when speaking to them, and around them, about the holiday. Get them use to words such as 'port', 'starboard', 'tender' 'galley' so that when you are on board the boat it'll become 2nd nature to them and understand various aspects and parts of a boat and understand what you are talking about.
Get them involved
If they're not already seasoned sailors, get them use to being out on the water. Take them to a local sailing club and see if you can get them on board for a twilight sail, or if you have a friend with a small tender with an outboard, take them cruising on local waterways. This will help them feel comfortable once on the charter.
Onboard safety
A thorough briefing on the area and any hazards, as well as onboard safety, is provided before you depart the marina on your first day. It is important to run those details over with the rest of the crew including the children so that everyone is aware and can help keep an eye on each other.
Drinks and snacks
Be sure to take plenty of snacks and drinks on board. Being out in the sun and wind, swimming, snorkelling and sailing, works up quite an appetite for both adults and kids. Think muesli bars, fruit, crackers and dips and plenty of water. Have them fill up their water bottles and keep them handy at all times.
Entertainment
There will be times when cruising, swimming and snorkelling have come to an end for the day and you may find them looking for things to do before or after dinner. Pack some travelling board games, books and playing cards so they can entertain themselves and give the adults some peace and quiet.
Island Resort Activities
Getting them off the boat and on to dry land helps break the charter up a little and gives everyone a chance to stretch their legs. There are many island resorts in the Whitsundays that you can berth at or pull up a mooring, and head ashore and take part in the many activities (most a free) the resort offers.
At the end of the day, you want everyone to enjoy their charter holiday and there's nothing worse than having bored children or don't understand the hazards of being on a boat. Educate them before the charter which will make it so much easier once you step on board.
Fine Food and Music this Australia Day in Airlie Beach
Tasty food fare and live entertainment are on the menu this Australia Day as part of the Great Australian Bites Festival at Fairy Tree Park - Airlie Beach Foreshore.
The full day of festivities includes pop-up food stalls from local restaurants, live music by home-grown performers and iconic Aussie-themed activities.
The Great Australian Bites Festival was first launched in Brisbane in 2014 to celebrate Australia Day and has now grown into a series of regional events that champion local talent and produce.
In 2018, Airlie Beach, Charters Towers, Longreach and Rockhampton will host Great Australian Bites events.
This year, guests will be assured a warm North Queensland welcome with modern tasting items from salmon tartare from Walters Lounge, roast lamb on the spit from Fussea Buggers, crumbed calamari from Fish D'vine, vegetarian arancini from Treehouse, pork belly tacos from Denmans Cellars and traditional Italian tiramisu from La'Tabella with ice cream for those who want a cold treat on a hot summer day.
Whitsunday Regional Council Acting Mayor John Collins said the Great Australian Bites festival was a family-friendly event that would bring together locals in celebration of the Whitsunday community, regional produce and way of life.
"Great Australian Bites offers something for all ages and is a great way to celebrate our local lifestyle this Australia Day," Cr Collins said.
"The festival promises a great range of local produce and dishes with a focus on showcasing regional produce.
"There is a comprehensive entertainment program featuring Dazeychains, Kieran McCarthy, Getting Didge With It and Cactus so pack a picnic blanket and enjoy a great day out with friends and family."
Great Australian Bites Airlie Beach is delivered by Whitsunday Regional Council in partnership with the State Government.
Cruising the Whitsundays in Style (Sample 5 Day Itinerary)
Once you have arrived in Airlie Beach, completed your bareboat briefing, arranged your provisioning and organised your crew it's time to set off for a memorable holiday on your luxury bareboat or crewed charter. If you have decided to let someone else captain the vessel, your experienced and local helmsman will take you to the best snorkelling and anchorage spots suitable to the prevailing wind and sea conditions allowing you to sit back and relax into holiday mode. If you have decided to be the master of your own destiny and skipper the boat yourself, your bareboat briefer will give you a suggested itinerary which may look a little like this: (Itinerary based on 10-15kts South Easterly Conditions)
Day 1
Depart Abell Point Marina and head to Nara Inlet, a fjord-like inlet located on the south-east side of Hook Island. Surrounded either side by towering pines that juxtapose the hard rock meeting the turquoise water, the holding ground for anchors are excellent in this scenic inlet. Discover the ancient Ngaro Aboriginal Cultural Site found at the far end of the inlet. Learn about the Ngaro people from the interpretive signage along the well marked and easy track to the caves.
Nara Inlet, Hook Island Whitsundays
Day 2
After a delectable breakfast on the aft deck of your luxury vessel, make your way back out of Nara Inlet, through Hook Passage and follow the western side of Whitsunday Island south to Tongue Bay. A large bay with 14 moorings, it's the perfect place to pack a light bag and take the tender ashore. Follow the short well-marked track to the Hill Inlet lookout where the champagne sands and aqua blue shift and swirl with the changing tide. Follow the path back down to the inlet side of Tongue Point and frolick in the azure waters of Whitehaven Beach. Spend the night in Tongue Bay or make your way to the southern end of Whitehaven Beach for an equally impressive overnight anchor.
Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Island
Day 3
See a different perspective of Whitehaven Beach and take the Solway Circuit walk climbing through grass trees and cycads to the lookout. Arriving back on board, navigate the boat making your way north towards Hook Island. You could easily spend a whole day exploring the many bays that sit side by side starting at Mantaray Bay, then Luncheon Bay, Maureen Cove and finally Butterfly Bay. Each bay is unique in it;s own way and offer snorkelling spots and coral beaches to explore.
Butterfly Bay, Hook Island Whitsundays
Day 4
Make the most of your time at Hook Island and take the morning at a leisurely pace. Enjoy some time out on deck reading a book and enjoy a late breakfast or, if lucky, understand why Butterfly Bay got its name as you watch hundreds of butterflies flutter by. Then, drop your mooring and make your way around to Langford Reef - a sandspit with a small rocky island at one end with another short bushwalk to another impressive lookout overlooking the length of the spit. Enjoy a BBQ lunch on the back deck before moving back across to the eastern side of Hook Island to Stonehaven for the night.
Langford Island, Whitsundays
Day 5
Relax on the last day and take in the surrounds on the last morning of your memorable holiday. You need to arrive back into Abell Point Marina by 10am so give yourself approximately 2 hours from this point to get back in time for your debrief and departure from the boat. Cumberland Charter Yachts can book and arrange your airport transfers or perhaps a nice meal at either Sorento's or Hemingways Restaurants at Abell Point Marina.
*Luxury Yachts Whitsundays offer 3 night minimum charters but recommend 5+ night charters to really experience the true essence of a unique bareboating and Whitsunday holiday. Ask our friendly staff for other suggested anchorages for an extended charter period.
Abell Point Marina, Airlie Beach
Stock and Items Included on Bareboat Charters
The bareboat (skipper yourself) vessels with Luxury Yachts Whitsundays are fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and well stocked charter. From linen and lighters, whisks and waterhoses to tide tables and tongs, Luxury Yachts Whitsundays has you covered. Here is a comprehensive list of what you'll find on the boat and what you needn't worry about buying or going without.
* 12v to 240v Invertor
* GPS and chart plotter
* Electric anchor winch
* Dinghy and 6hp outboard
* Boat hook
* Cabin fans and air-conditioning
* Induction stove
* Boarding swim ladder
* Fenders and mooring lines
* Cockpit lights
* Electric BBQ
* Water hose
* Shore power cord
* Safety gear
What We Supply On Board
* Linen and blankets
* Pillows and pillowcases
* Bath towels (2 per person)
* Tea towels
* Fully equipped galley (Kitchen).
* Cleaning gear
* Shower/toilet.
* Deck shower
* Snorkelling gear - mask, snorkel and fins.
* Ipod connectivity, AM/FM Radio & CD Player
* Wet weather jackets
* Bimini
* VHF Radio
Safety Gear
* Flares
* Tools and spares kit
* Life rings
* Depth sounder
* EPIRB
* Torches
* VHF radio
* Binoculars
* Life jackets
* Complete vessel safety briefing
* First Aid Kit (Charterer pays for items used)
* Vinegar
* Tide tables
* '100 Magic Miles' cruising guide
* Charts
* Rule and divider
* Lead line
* Operational manual
* Salad servers
* Tongs
* Food storage containers
* Colander
* Grater
* Cork screw
* Can opener
* Egg rings
* Egg slice
* BBQ spatula
* Peeler
* Whisk
* Masher
* Measuring jug
* Mixing bowls
* Toast rack
* Clothes pegs
* Dustpan and brush
* Sink plunger
Galley (Kitchen) Supplies
* Dinner plates
* Side plates
* Desert bowls
* Cutlery
* Cutting knives
* Cutting boards
* Serving platters
* Mugs
* Tea pot
* Wine goblets
* Tumblers
* Champagne flutes
* Coffee plunger
* Kettle
* Water jug
* Frying pans
* Sauce pans
* Baking trays
* Salad bowl
*Coffee pod machine
Consumables Kit
* Sponges
* Scourer
* Detergent
* Disinfectant
* Jif - cream cleaner
* Spray and wipe
* Garbage bags x 3
* Toilet rolls x 2 per toilet
* Smart casual dress for resort visiting
* Old pair of sneakers or deck shoes
* Favourite CDs, DVDs or Ipod.
* Your lucky fishing gear!!
* Books, playing cards and games
* Insect repellant
* Travel insurance
* A sense of adventure
What You Should Bring With You
* Sunscreen
* Sunglasses (polarised)
* Hat with toggle
* Light casual clothes
* Your camera
* Beach towel and swimming costume
* Warmer gear during winter
Tenders
All vessels come with a tender fitted with a 6hp outboard engine, safety gear including oars.
Moor and Moor New Public Moorings for the Whitsundays
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) have announced an additional 60 new public moorings have been installed around the Whitsundays, and 40 new reef protection markers installed in order to protect the fringing reef better, provide convenient and sustainable access for boaties and help the area recover after Cyclone Debbie.
Prior to the cyclone, the Whitsundays already had 85 public moorings and 50 reef protection markers around the fringing reef of the islands. Now with a total of 145 public moorings and 90 reef protection markers for use by recreational boat users, bareboat charterers and the tourism industry operators, the reef is in a better position now to recover and regenerate.
Moorings are designed so that anchors don't have to be dropped on the sea floor and reef protection markers guide operators where it is safe to drop an anchor without it landing on coral bommies. The Environmental Management Charge (EMC) that charterers are charged, go towards the upkeep, maintenance and installation of moorings around the Whitsunday islands.
Different coloured moorings allow operators to easily identify the vessel size limit and maximum wind speed allowed for that particular mooring and is in the best interest of the 'captain' and the crew to adhere to these guidelines when picking up moorings for the safety of all on board as well as the protection of the reef. The Zoning Map will also help you understand where you can go and what activities you can undertake in each area of the islands.
If you follow Cumberland Charter Yachts' (Luxury Yachts Whitsundays parent company) 'Reef Protection Practices' while on charter and become a Citizen of the Great Barrier Reef, we can all do our little part in nurturing the Great Barrier Reef.
Christmas and New Year Trading Hours
Don't get caught out by the Christmas and New Year trading hours when ordering your provisioning for your luxury yacht charter. You wouldn't want to spend Christmas Day or New Years Day without the prawns and champagne, would you? Here are supplier opening hours over the Christmas New Year period so you don't miss out.
Opening hours between 25 December 2017 & 1 January 2018
Luxury Yachts Whitsundays
- CLOSED Christmas Day
- 8:30am - 12:00pm (midday) Boxing Day and New Years Day
- 8:30am - 5:00pm every other day
Catering and Provisioning
- CLOSED Christmas Day (No deliveries to bareboats and no ordering)
- Open 7am - 4pm every other day
Slice of Nature - CLOSED Christmas Day (No deliveries to bareboats and no ordering)
- 7am - 4pm every other da
The Kiosk Cafe Abell Point Marina
- CLOSED Christmas Day
- Open 8am - 5pm every other day
- CLOSED Christmas Day
- 9:00am - 6:00pm Boxing Day and New Years Day
- 8:00am - 9:00pm Weekdays
- 8:00am - 6:00pm Saturday
- 9:00am - 6:00pm Sunday
Woolworths Airlie Beach & Woolworths Cannonvale
- CLOSED Christmas Day
- 9:00am - 6:00pm Boxing Day
BWS - Whitsunday Village (Airlie Beach Main Street)
- CLOSED Christmas Day
- 9:00am - 10:00pm every other day
BWS - Cannonvale (Whitsunday Shopping Centre)
- CLOSED Christmas Day
- 9:00am - 9:00pm every other day
BWS - Cannonvale (Corner Shute Harbour Rd and Paluma Road)
- CLOSED Christmas Day
- 9:00am - 9:00pm every other day
Airlie Beach Hotel Bottle Shop
- CLOSED Christmas Day
- 9:00am - 7:00pm every other day
Supplier
- CLOSED Christmas Day
- Boxing Day, New Years Eve Day and New Years Day 8:00am - 12:30pm
- 7:30am - 5:30pm every other day
- CLOSED Christmas Day
- 8:00am - 4:00pm every other day
NOTE:
Supplier Opening Hours correct at the time of submission. Please check directly for any changes or updates.
The Most Amazing Bushwalks and Lookouts in the Whitsundays
Visiting the Whitsundays and doing a bareboat charter will be an experience to remember. Discovering secluded beaches and bays, ancient Indigenous rock art, white as white sand on beaches, towering hoop pines with resident Sea Eagles circling above and coral reefs are only scratching the surface of what you'll find.
Explore a little further and you will find a number of bushwalks both on the mainland as well as the Whitsunday Islands with most of them offering amazing and gobsmacking views that only a photo can describe. Walk a little or a lot - choose from easy short walks to longer more difficult walks but the reward, in the end, is worth it. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have a comprehensive 'Visitor Guide' that covers all of the bushwalks and lookouts across the various National Parks and State Forests in the Whitsundays with a copy provided on board your bareboat. Here are Luxury Yachts Whitsundays favourite bushwalks and lookouts of all time.
#1 - Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Islands National Park
It's best to anchor or moor your vessel in Tongue Bay; the northern bay to world famous Whitehaven Beach. Take your tender ashore and follow the marked winding walking track 630m uphill through bushland and shrub. As you near the two lookouts and start to see glimpses of azure blue and shifting white swirling sands of Hill Inlet, listen to all the 'ooo's' and 'ahh's' you hear from other people. You'll stand there for a while taking in the vista and not wanting to leave. Be sure to take your camera! Grade: Moderate; Time: 15 minutes
#2 - Spion Kop, South Molle Island - Molle Islands National Park
Access to South Molle Island's tracks is accessible from Sandy Bay, Paddle Bay or the resort side of the island at Bauer Bay. The longest walk by far is from Sandy Bay (4.2km one way), however, the views and different aspects of the Whitsundays along this walk change at every turn and are just as spectacular as the last. Once at the lookout you literally feel on top of the world! Grade: moderate; Time: Allow 4 hours total
#3 - Whitsunday Peak, Whitsunday Islands National Park
The Whitsunday Peak is one of the Whitsundays' most challenging as it is a steep track and reaches an elevation of 437m. While only 2.5km long, it is quite a deceptive walk starting with an initial climb along a creek bed, through vine trees before reaching a lush rainforest at its peak offering stunning views over the Whitsunday islands and surrounding mainland. Grade: Difficult; Time: Allow at least 4 hours depending on your level of fitness
#4 - Honeyeater Lookout, Conway National Park
Starting from Kara Cresent in Airlie Beach, this walk will take you UP until you reach the lookout, so there is little to no reprieve from the climb until you come back down the same track to exit the walk. A popular walk for a morning workout, you'll pass locals and visitors along the way. You don't see much but bush along the track, but the view, which looks back down on the town of Airlie Beach and out of the islands makes the walk worthwhile. Grade: Moderate; Time: Allow 3 - 4 hours total
#5 - Kingfisher Circuit, Conway National Park
You'll need to have your own car for this walk, as it starts from the Forestry Road car park at Brandy Creek, approximately a 10-minute drive from Airlie Beach towards Proserpine. Pick up a self-guided brochure from the stand at the start of the track. It will guide you through the rainforest teaching you all about the wildlife and various trees you see along the way. You'll descend down to a freshwater creek where you can ponder on a log seat for while before making your way back up to the old logging road and back to the car park. Grade: Easy; Time: 25 minutes.
How to Access Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays
It's true. The Whitsunday region is blessed to have two domestic airports; the Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) and the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island. You can fly into one airport and out of the other, or choose to catch a return flight from the same airport. When deciding how to navigate your choices of access into the region, there are a few things to consider first.
Whitsunday Coast Airport Proserpine (PPP)
Located approximately 14 minutes from Proserpine along the Bruce Highway, or 25 minutes from Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Coast Airport is serviced by Jetstar with direct daily flights to/from Brisbane and Sydney with connecting flights to Melbourne Virgin Australia flies direct from Brisbane with connecting flights from Sydney and Melbourne. Tigerair has direct flights from Sydney.
If you are boarding your bareboat charter from Abell Point Marina in Airlie Beach, it is better to fly into Whitsunday Coast Airport. While you may find (sometimes) flights are cheaper into the Great Barrier Reef Airport, the cost of a ferry from Hamilton Island to Port of Airlie ($53.50 one way for an adult OR a child up to the age of 14), and then a taxi to Abell Point Marina makes it a hefty transfer as opposed to a $22 shuttle and 25 minutes ride from Whitsunday Coast Airport.
Great Barrer Reef Airport Hamilton Island (HTI)
Flying into Hamilton Island is a memorable experience. The plane cruises the Australian coastline and out over the Whitsunday islands on its approach to the run, making for some great holiday snaps as you come into land of the beautiful scenery and islands that you'll be sailing around. It has direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane with Virgin Australia, direct flights from Sydney and Cairns Qantas and Cairns and connecting flights from Melbourne and Brisbane with Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar. Sometimes you can find a great flight deal into 'Hammo', but as mentioned above, if you're picking up your bareboat from Abell Point Marina, take into consideration the cost to get to it at Abell Point.
If you are picking up your bareboat from Hamilton Island marina, then, of course, it's a no-brainer to fly into the Great Barrier Reef Airport. It does cost $415 each way for the bareboat to be delivered by Luxury Yachts Whitsundays to Hamilton Island for you, and $415 to be picked up again after your charter and brought back to Abell Point Marina. Weigh these costs up with the cost of a flight into Proserpine and a ferry from Port of Airlie to Hamilton Island instead. Are you still with me? Or are you confused?
Depending on where you live and are flying from, you may be dictated by the airline from your nearest airport as to which of the two airports in the Whitsundays you have no choice but to fly in to. But, if you have a carrier that flies into both airports, take into consideration where you are picking the bareboat up from, and the time of your flight arrival and departure times, as your briefing on the boat starts at 8:30am sharp at Abell Point Marina, or by 11am at the latest at Hamilton Island.
Happy flying!
