Charter Chatter

- Captain Cook Cruises has released cabins for their seven-night Renmark cruise on the Murray River aboard the PS Murray Princess, departing 22 November, 2010. The two 2010 Renmark cruises are over 420kms of the Murray River, passing through five locks from Mannum to Renmark, which is near the Victorian border. Following in the wake of the great 19th Century pioneers, the PS Murray Princess negotiates massive sandbars, hidden reefs and submerged forests on a unique journey that takes months to prepare.

- After a long winter layoff Dolphin Swim Australia’s A.M.V.E is up and running again in Port Stephens. After four years of development, two years and two full applications, Dolphin Swim Australia is now the only licensed dolphin swim in New South Wales. Combining a world-class system of dolphin swim procedures with a long-term study of the Short Beaked Common Dolphin, D.delphis, the expert team are committed to providing participants with a dolphin adventure unlike any other in Australia.

- Adventure tourism specialist Life's An Adventure offer a Sydney Harbour Bridge kayaking tour including lunch. Starting in the inner harbour, guests are given an introductory session on the finer points of paddling before taking to the water. After passing pretty coves and beaches it is not long before the Harbour Bridge comes into view. Later, the tour stops at a picturesque beach for a gourmet smorgasbord lunch before the return journey.

- Sunsail Australia's base on Hamilton Island, in the heart of the Whitsundays, has welcomed the first new Sunsail 53 monohull to its fleet. The arrival marks the first of a worldwide rollout that will see the Jeanneau-built vessel available in Sunsail's fleets in the British Virgin Islands, Greece and Turkey, commencing early 2011. The Sunsail 53 is the largest vessel to be introduced into the global Sunsail fleet.

- DescadA, operating in the Whitsundays, has spent $40,000 to install Cruisair air conditioning units to all four cabins in time for summer. Refitted in 2008, the 70ft luxury motor yacht has accommodation for eight passengers in two double ensuites, a private double cabin and a twin-share bunk room, as well as crew quarters for four. The onboard lounge was already air-conditioned.

- Riverlife’s guided kayaking adventure sessions allow first-timers or experienced paddlers to discover Brisbane by day or night from a unique angle while gliding along the meandering Brisbane River.

- Continuing royal tradition, Her Majesty The Queen officially named Cunard Line's newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, on 11 October.

- New Sunshine Coast adventure operator, Liquid Getaway, offers a mix of boat tours including scenic rides, surfing and snorkeling safaris, and whale watching tours. Based at Mooloolaba Wharf, Liquid Getaway’s custom designed twelve-seater boat provides a thrilling way to get close to marine life, including a pod of resident dolphins, turtles, rays and other wildlife during the ride.

- The 18 footers are back racing on Sydney Harbour for the 2010/2011 season. The Australian 18 Footers League charters a licensed spectator ferry to follow each race. This ferry leaves Double Bay Wharf at 2.15pm. Tickets can be purchased at the office on race day for $20 per adult. Children under 14 are free. For race schedules and more information see www.18footers.com.au

- The Moorings sponsored Expedition Biosphere Fakarava, a marine mammal research and conservation initiative, is studying whales and dolphins in the South Pacific. The Moorings provided the research team with a Moorings 4600 four-cabin/four-head catamaran from their charter base in Raiatea, French Polynesia, which was used as a mobile operations base for investigation and reporting during a period of research in September.

- Travel bookings on Kangaroo Island boomed over winter, helped by a package sold by SeaLink that entitled visitors booking two nights' accommodation or more to a $10 ferry fare. SeaLink offers more than 120 accommodation properties and activities on Kangaroo Island, including marine tours and scuba diving.

- Book your charter boat early for Queensland's Season of Sailing 2011. Proposed race event dates include:
Brisbane to Gladstone: 22-24 April
Brisbane to Keppel: 30 July-3 August
Airlie Beach Race Week: 12-18 August
Hamilton Island Race Week: 19-27 August
Magnetic Island Race Week: 3-6 September