Charter Chatter

CHARTER CHATTER

- Australia's largest luxury private yacht, Southern Cloud returns to Sydney for the summer charter season, after a successful six months on the Great Barrier Reef. The fully refurbished 130ft sailing charter yacht comfortably sleeps 12 in luxurious surroundings with electric en-suite facilities for all seven bedrooms, full internet access, climate control, modern entertainment, laundry and six crew.

- Quality tourism experiences with ECO, Respecting Our Culture (ROC) and Climate Action certification have dominated the winners at State and Territory Tourism Awards held around Australia over the past month. These winners are now finalists in the Australian Tourism Awards in February 2011 and include Fantasea Cruises in Queensland, Adventure Bay Charters in South Australia, Bruny Island Cruises in Tasmania and Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises and Ningaloo Reef Dreaming in Western Australia.

- Sarina Bratton, Founder and Managing Director of Orion Expedition Cruises, recently returned from a scouting expedition to Borneo in preparation for the inaugural visit in 2011 by Orion II. One such expedition was venturing in local boats up the Kinabatangan River, one of the oldest jungle eco-systems remaining on earth and one of two places on the planet where you can see ten species of primate.

- EastSail in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, will hold a Sails and Ales event on Monday 6 December at 5.45pm, starting with sailing in their regular Monday night twilight series with an instructor aboard followed by a barbecue and some drinks. The cost is $75 and new sailors receive a $15 rebate for booking a course. Future dates are 17 January and 21 February.

- Better known for cruises in the Kimberley, the adventure-cruise ship True North also visits Sydney each year during the Christmas/New Year period, offering two four-night cruises. The first cruise departs on Christmas night ensuring that everybody onboard has a 'ringside’ seat for the start to the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Cruise two embarks on New Year's Eve and features uncompromised views of the Harbour Bridge fireworks.

- Whitsunday Rent A Yacht has opened an on-line holiday auction site where you can bid for a skipper-yourself cruise. On offer are four, five and seven-night holidays aboard the Perry 43 and Lagoon 400 catamarans and the Jeanneau 35 and Beneteau 43.4 yachts.

- Local environmental crusaders Eco Barge Services run a Marine Debris Removal Program to remove unwanted waste from Whitsundays beaches and islands. Local volunteers join travelers, backpackers and other volunteers on trips out to the islands on the small barge to remove marine debris cluttering the beaches and threatening local marine life. Since July 2009, 52,551kg has been collected. From December, they will also be selling marine debris collection bags made from bamboo that are large, lightweight, durable and 100 per cent biodegradable.
 

Dec 26 -- Rolex Sydney Hobart starts on Sydney Harbour at 1.00pm on Boxing Day. Charter boats of all shapes and sizes and a variety of costs are available to watch the start of this iconic event. http://rolexsydneyhobart.com

Dec 31 -- New Year’s Eve. Spectacular pyrotechnics are fired off the Sydney Harbour Bridge, barges, and city skyscrapers at 9.00pm and midnight. Charter vessels participate in a themed parade following the 9.00pm fireworks. A special area is set aside for charter vessels in the Harbour. www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/

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 www.australiaday.com.au