Charter Chatter

One & All will sail from Adelaide on 10 February, arriving in Portland on 13 February. The South Australian tall ship will then leave Portland on 15 February arriving in Melbourne on 18 February. Each leg costs $860 per person all-inclusive, or $1,500 for the eight day voyage including accommodation aboard while in Portland. One & All will return from Melbourne to Portland from 23 March to 26 March, and from Portland to Adelaide from 29 March to 2 April. See more at SATallShips.com.au

The JJ Giltinan International Championship, known as the 18 footer world championship, will be held on Sydney Harbour from 13-22 February. The spectator ferry will leave from Double Bay Wharf at 2.30pm each day with the exception of February 13 and 20, when it will leave at 3.30pm. Adults cost $15 and children under 14 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the office on race day. For further information, contact the club on (02) 9363 2995 or visit 18footers.com.au.

The Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney is commemorating the 240th anniversary of James Cook's landing in Botany Bay with a series of sailing adventures aboard HMB Endeavour - a replica of James Cook's vessel of discovery.

- The Endeavour Harbour adventure is ideal for families wanting to sail on Sydney Harbour and have an interactive tour of the ship above and below deck.

- On the Endeavour Overnight Experience guests enjoy a sunset tour of Sydney Harbour, eat a hearty 18th century dinner, learn about astronomy, history, navigation and botany, and sleep on board.

- Or learn to sail and live just like Cook and his crew did, on an Endeavour High Sea Adventure for five or six days as a crew member or gentleman passenger. Learn about navigation, meteorology and tall ship sailing. More details.

Port Macquarie NSW offers visitors a range of water activities offshore and on the rivers, estuaries and lakes, including fishing, whale watching, dolphin watching, fast coastal cruises on a jet boat and cruises up the shallow sections of the rivers to the National Park and Wauchope/Timbertown. Sailing catamarans, windsurfers, fishing dinghies and barbecue pontoons are available for hire. Check out 52things2do.com.au.

Skipper yourself and crewed charters are available for Sail Port Stephens on 12-19 April in non-spinnaker divisions. The sailing and socialising at the event are structured so that participants can join in for a few days or for the whole program. Visit SailPortStephens.com.au for more info.

A romantic overnight boat charter on Sydney Harbour is a popular Valentine's Day indulgence. Skipper a boat yourself or hire a skipper for a twilight cruise before being left alone at anchor overnight with a gourmet dinner. The skipper will return in the morning to take you back to the charter base. Other on water options for February 14 include dining while cruising the Harbour or Pittwater, chartering a boat to take you to a picnic spot or to a restaurant.

The holiday low season in the Whitsundays is from 9 January to 31 March. During this time most bareboat charter companies offer extra free nights if chartering a yacht or motor cruiser for five or more nights.

Captain Cook Cruises is celebrating its 40th birthday in 2010 with a massive sale offering up to 40 per cent off Sydney Harbour, Murray River and Fiji Islands discovery cruises. The sale is valid to 28 February 2010 and valid for travel to 31 March 2011.

Photograph: Australian 18ft Skiff action on Sydney Harbour -  Frank Quealey © /Australian 18 Footers League