Charter Chatter

- The flooding in Queensland is south of the Whitsundays, which is dry, sunny, and open for business. Celebrate Valentine's Day on 14 February with someone special on a scenic flight over the naturally formed Heart Reef, write a message of love into the white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach or picnic in a secluded bay on your own deserted island.

- Many areas within the Bundaberg region have been impacted by recent flooding but most local tourism icons, including the Mon Repos Turtle Experience, Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands, are open for business as usual. Importantly, the number of breeding turtles returning to lay their eggs at Mon Repos have not been affected and numbers are growing with some 239 of the ancient mariners having already returned to the largest loggerhead rookery on the east coast since the start of the current season.

- The prices for North Star’s Kimberley Cruises have been reduced and four options are now available. North Star's flagship adventure is a two-week soirée along the Kimberley coast. Other options are a seven-night cruise of the northern half of the Kimberly or a six-night cruise of the southern half. For those pressed for time or perhaps considering the budget -- the Kimberley Snapshot is the flagship adventure itinerary condensed into a single week.

- Celebrating the launch of The Whitsundays’ new tourism brand, The Whitsundays 74 Island Wonders, Tourism Queensland decided the timing was right to partner with Merit and put some Whitsundays wind into the Sydney to Hobart racer's sail. Merit, the Volvo 60 round-the-world racing yacht owned by Whitsundays locals Leo Rodriguez and Ian Bishop, sailed in this year's Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race with a sail that said they'd rather be in The Whitsundays. Merit was the 18th boat to finish in Hobart.

- Australia Day’s events on Sydney Harbour on 26 January include a Ferrython, Awesome Forces displays, best-dressed vessels competition, tall ships race, Australia Day Regatta, Jazz on the Water Concert and fireworks. Charter boats are available for individual or group bookings. For details on events see www.australiaday.com.au

- Captain Cook Cruises offers a five- or seven-night cruise and land package, including a Murray River cruise aboard its only paddlewheeler, the Murray Princess, one night in Adelaide and two full days on Kangaroo Island.

- Captain Cook Cruises and Bass & Flinders Cruises, in conjunction with National Parks & Wildlife Service, have launched the Harbour Hopper which allows passengers to hop on and off at ten of Sydney Harbour’s main attractions. Available throughout December 2010 and January 2011, the Harbour Hopper pass will enable passengers over one or two days to visit and explore Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo/Athol Bay, Shark Island, Watsons Bay, Luna Park, Manly Quarantine Station and Chowder Bay/Clifton Gardens.