Charter Chatter

Whitsunday Rent A Yacht has expanded its fleet of bareboats to increase the level of luxury couples, families, and groups can experience on their own sailing holiday. Two brand new designs, the Beneteau Lagoon 380 and a Hyland 35ft motor cruiser, as well as more of the popular Beneteau Lagoon 420 and Perry 43 and two more Seawind 1160s have recently been added to the fleet. Renta Yacht.com.au.

The Sealegs amphibious craft is the newest way to explore Mission Beach's islands, beaches, and waterways without getting your feet wet. The rigid, inflatable power boat eliminates the need for boat ramps and jetties by lowering its wheels into the water and driving straight up onto the beach.
The boat can be hired for private charters for up to seven people from Calypso Adventures at Mission Beach, a two-hour drive south of Cairns.

P&O Cruises' Pacific Sun will be the first cruise ship to visit Christmas Island on December 23, bringing with it a year's worth of tourists in one hit. The Federal Government is investing $3.5 million to upgrade the mooring and passenger landing facilities for cruise ships. Passengers will have the chance to explore the new destination, located in the Indian Ocean about 640 kilometres northwest of Broome, independently or through organised tours. Offered activities are likely to include scuba diving, nature walks, bird watching, snorkelling and witnessing the famous red crab migration. Cruiseweekly.com.au.

Non spinnaker twilight racing on Sydney Harbour starts in early October.

During summer you can race on the harbour every evening of the week in a twilight series, and places on yachts are provided by several sailing schools. It's a great way for locals to unwind from a day at the office and for visitors to experience the Sydney lifestyle. See Boating Oz for more.

John Dyson, skipper of Fantasea Adventure Cruising vessel 'Wonder' sighted Migaloo, the albino humpback whale, east of the Whitsunday Islands at approximately 4pm on August 25 on the way home to Shute Harbour from Hardy Reef. He and the 113 guests on board spent around half an hour observing Migaloo. This was a very rare sighting and is believed to be the first sighting of Migaloo in the Whitsunday waters this season.

For the first time, Sydney Harbour's iconic islands will be open to explore, discover and share with an Island Hopper ferry ticket. Sydney Harbour Island Hopping on Saturdays and Sundays between 3-18 October will offer unique and exciting experiences for all ages on four islands, including fine food on historic Fort Denison, fantastic prehistoric and mythical creatures roaming among the picnickers on Shark Island, Aboriginal art and culture on Clark Island, and Sydney's naval history and beautiful gardens on Garden Island.

For a more laid-back day out, grab your mates for the Perfect Picnic on Clark Island on 25 October. Or the Rodd Island Tea Dances on 21 and 22 October will be perfect for lovers of the music and dances of the 20's, 30's and 40's. More details.

Captain Cook Cruises 'Pink Ribbon Cruises' will help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). Money from each weekend cruise departing October 9, 16 and 30 will go to breast cancer research. To help get the party started every booking of four or more adults will get a free bottle of champagne per cabin. More information.

An exploratory cruise along the wild and beautiful Kimberley coast is Coral Princess Cruises' most popular voyage. The company is offering an unprecedented 36 departures in 2010 and an early bird discount of 15 per cent on voyages departing between April 01 and May 17, with a choice of vessels: the 48-passenger Coral Princess or the luxurious 72-passenger Oceanic Discoverer.

Voyages to the deep Antarctic this summer are still available. Usually they are booked out by this time of year. These cruises are for hardy adventurers only as they cross the wild Southern Ocean, but the rewards are great, even life changing. Shop around but expect the cost to start from $18,000 per person.

Photograph: Whitsunday Rent A Yacht's Highland 35