Charter Chatter

Whitsunday Sailing Adventures offers a free upgrade to private double accommodation on the Derwent Hunter or Alexander Stewart Eco Tallship Adventure on three day, two night cruises until January 31, 2010.

Whitsunday Rent a Yacht offers Cruise and Stay packages for two, four and six people, sailing the Whitsunday Islands for five nights and then relaxing on land for three nights at Daydream Island Resort and Spa. A Cruise and Stay Family Fun package is also available for two adults and two children spending five nights sailing on a Beneteau 30 sailing yacht and three nights with accommodation (kids share with parents) at Daydream Island Resort and Spa. These offers are valid from January 6 - March 31, 2010. RentaYacht.com.au.

Orion and True North were voted first and second respectively in the Cruise Passenger magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Small Ship (under 500 passengers), Best Ship Cuisine (main dining room) and Best Adventure Cruise Ship. The Kimberley was voted the Best Cruise Region and Sydney the Best Cruise Port.

Passions of Paradise, a 25 meter custom designed sailing catamaran, won two awards for Major Tour &/or Transport Operators and Adventure Tourism in the 2009 Queensland Tourism Awards. The vessel departs Cairns daily to Michaelmas Cay and Paradise Reef, giving passengers the choice of two destinations where they can soak up the sun, snorkel with the fish, scuba dive, glass bottom boat ride or simply enjoy the sailing.

Sea World Islands in the Sun cruise is a two hour calm water cruise amongst the Gold Coast's newest and most expensive waterfront homes with grandstand views from the three viewing decks of a luxury $3.5M cruiser. Discover the wildlife rich islands of the marine park. As evening falls over the Gold Coast, the Sea World Sunset City Lights cruise departs for a slow cruise of the Broadwater.

The following events are an ideal time to entertain business associates or get together with friends on a charter boat on Sydney Harbour.

- Dec 26 - Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race start – People line the shores of Sydney Harbour, others watch it on TV, but you can be on the harbour watching the start of this iconic event. Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

- Dec 31 - New Year’s Eve - Spectacular fireworks are fired off the Sydney Harbour Bridge, barges, and city skyscrapers at 9pm and midnight. Over 50 charter vessels will participate in a themed parade following the 9pm fireworks. A special area is set aside for charter vessels in the Harbour. The theme this year is ‘Awaken the Spirit’ – igniting Sydney’s spirit and all our spirits for the year ahead. Everyone is asked to celebrate Sydney’s spirit by wearing a touch of blue on the night, representing the stunning blue harbour and blue summer sky. City of Sydney.nsw.gov.au.

- Jan 26 – Australia Day – Events on Sydney Harbour include a Ferrython, Awesome Forces displays, best dressed vessels competition, tall ships race, 174th Australia Day Regatta, Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water Concert. For details see Australia Day.com.au.

Fifteen Eastsail yachts have been selected to be part of the 2010 Australia Day evening celebrations on 26 January. The yachts will perform Dancing with Sails within the exclusion zone at Cockle Bay just before the fireworks. The sails will be lit up with a rainbow of changing colours with crews and skippers keeping the boats in formation. Four crew places are available on each yacht.

Photographs: Whitsunday Sailing Adventures’ Alexander Stewart