Charter Chatter

The Whitsundays region has sustained little damage in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Ului. Bareboat and crewed charter boat operators have visitors out on the water and almost all the major day tours are running. Ferries are operating between the islands and the two airports are open. Check out  Queensland Holidays.com.au for more details.

Two new routes have been introduced for Sunsail Sailing School’s unique rallies around the Whitsundays. Designed to improve sailing skills in a fun, sociable environment, the rallies combine expert supervision with enjoyable sailing. The Northern Route will head north from Sunsail’s base on Hamilton Island to the unspoilt Cape Gloucester, then on to Edgcumbe Bay and the Cape Gloucester Eco Resort. The Southern Route will take in Brampton and Goldsmith Islands, off Mackay, as well as a stop at the Ocean Resort on Long Island.

Coral Princess has dropped its single supplement charge for solo passengers cruising on its three, four and seven-night Great Barrier Reef voyages aboard Coral Princess II, which accommodates 44 guests and 12 crew. Passengers who are cruising alone can now have their own private cabin at no extra cost.

Captain Cook Cruises is running a special three, four and seven night cruise for art lovers on 27 and 30 August, featuring guest artist Tony Smith. Art lovers can book now and receive 25 per cent off the cruise fare.

The largest fish in the ocean – the mighty whale shark – has made an early appearance at Ningaloo Reef on Western Australia’s Coral Coast. These extraordinary marine creatures, which can grow up to 16 metres long, usually visit the pristine waters of Ningaloo Reef between early April and July each year following the mass spawning of coral in the area. Easily accessible from shore, Ningaloo Reef is the largest fringing reef in the world and one of the most biodiverse. Visitors can swim with the harmless gentle giants by joining one of the specialist whale shark tour boats that operate out of the small coastal towns of Exmouth and Coral Bay. Western Australia.com.

Dolphin Swim Australia, DolphCom Solutions and Imagine Cruises now offer an interactive experience with dolphins in Port Stephens NSW. The Aquatic Marine Viewing Experience (AMVE) is a breakthrough in dolphin/human interaction. Using specific approach techniques and relying on the dolphin’s intelligence and inherent interest in humans, guests can have an open water, in-water, dolphin experience, connected safely to the boat at all times but in the water right next to the dolphins. The cruise is also part of the most comprehensive migratory and distribution study of the “common” dolphin ever held.

Reef Sprinter offers time poor visitors to Port Douglas a reef snorkelling experience aboard a 500 horsepower enviro speed boat with speeds of more than 40 knots. The two-and-a-half hour tour travels to the Low Isles’ official green zone, a protected World Heritage site only a handful of operators are permitted to explore because of its vast coral gardens and abundant fish life.

Hervey Bay luxury catamaran Freedom III has introduced a new cruise offering guests a behind the scenes look at pearl farming and the chance to harvest their own oyster shell. The cruise travels across to the western side of Fraser Island to the Fraser Island Pearls, producers of Australian Akoya Cultured Pearls for a demonstration of the art of seeding and opening oysters.

Cunard Line announces that Queen Mary 2 will be based in Australia in 2012 for a history-making circumnavigation, which will see her visit five states and the Northern Territory.

Photograph: Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island – courtesy of Tourism Queensland