Birkenhead Point Marina: Update

The redeveloped Birkenhead Point Marina was launched in September, 2015, with 201 berths, up from 180 previously, but the big gain was in the sizing. The biggest boat previously able to berth permanently here used to sit in an 18m berth. Thanks to new 45m berths, superyachts are now calling the inner-city Sydney marina home in the high season.

Understandably, the redevelopment was driven largely by the big-boat market, with new 18m, 20m and 22m berths coming online to cater for the owner/driver 50-65 foot ‘yachts’ that seem to be popular in Sydney these days.

Back down the pecking order, there’s a big win for would-be marina customers. Marina vacancies now exist at Birkenhead Point Marina for boats up to 28ft or 4300kg in weight. These limitations stem from the fact that Birkenhead Point Marina is throwing in a free AirBerth for these new small-boat tenants.

Given the attraction of day boating and boats in the sub-30ft class, this new deal has great appeal, especially as it's available going into the Sydney boat show from July 28 to August 1. You also get shorepower for your fridge and dock water for easy boat cleans and tank top-ups.

During our visit, we saw a big RIB, a Chris-Craft bowrider and a Haines Signature bowrider in an AirBerth, but boats like the Euro 7-8m cabin cruisers, big American runabouts and centre console sportfishers would be equally at home.

Birkenhead Point Marina has ordered six new AirBerths — it has space to put in a dozen or more — and has launched the special free deal with a complimentary AirBerth to coincide with the 2016 Sydney boat show.

On the Sunday, July 31, of the Sydney boat show, Birkenhead Point Marina is having an open day with on-water/on-marina demonstrations of how the AirBerths work.  There are no lift charges for tenants, as per some hardstand and rack-and-stack boating arrangements, and the marina attendants can  launch your boat in advance following a phone call.

FREE SYDNEY BOAT SHOW BERTH
But wait, there’s more, Birkenhead Point Marina is giving away six months free berthing for a boat up to 20m in length simply by signing up for its quarterly E-news. You have to do this at its booth promoting this deal at the Sydney boat show. Head to the Darling Harbour on-water marina display, Stand 102, to sign up and go in the running.

FULLY SERVICED AND SHOPPING BERTHS
Meantime, your author took on 900 litres of diesel in our 42-footer during our visit to Birkenhead Point Marina. A couple of things stood out here, not least being the full service at the fuel wharf lined with Super Fender and located in a no-wash zone. You can basically slip in and let the boys fill you up at very competitive rates.

The new on-water kiosk has a great range of bait, fishing gear, ice and drinks, hot pies on weekends, and basic provisions. The staff are also trained baristas and the coffee was excellent, enjoyed in the sun around the timber tables on the dock.

The 70m-long fully fendered fuel wharf, with three new pumps from high to low flow, is joined by another 70m of outside marina arm where you can buy a three-hour shopping berth for $20-$30 depending on the size of your boat.

Of course, Birkenhead Point shopping centre is home to Coles, Aldi, grog shops and an absolute bazaar of factory outlets with all the top fashion labels. There is no better marina to provision your boat and upgrade your wardrobe for the boating season ahead.

Birkenhead Point Marina is a full service amenity with a wide range of marina customers from Pittwater to Port Hacking and Penrith and interstate. Tenants get free undercover parking for a car, there is a valet parking service, park and trolley area and 24-hour onsite security. There are hot showers and private toilets.

Sunseeker is the exclusive onsite broker and boat dealer, while the management team is run by ex-water police who know boats. Occupancy is running at about 80 per cent and 90 per cent for larger craft. But with the new deals there could be less availability heading into the summer of 2017.

Having been fuelled, fed and shopped one sunny Sunday, this boating enthusiast rates Birkenhead Point Marina very highly among a handful of friendly and professional marina destinations on Sydney Harbour. More at www.birkenheadpointmarina.com.au.