Ten Amazing Places Around Australia to Visit by Boat

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If you take Australia as an island, rather than a continental landmass, it’s regarded as the largest in the world.

And that makes seeing our incredible country from the deck of a boat ideal! Golden beaches and myriad natural wonders line Australia’s 34,000 kilometres of coastline, and much of the time you’re likely to have the best bits all to yourself.

Ready to put yourself in the hands of the captain and stews (stewards), and raise the anchor? There are lots of ways to do it. Booking a circumnavigational cruise is one option; chartering a yacht with a company like Yachtzoo is another. And of course, you can break it down into affordable bite size pieces on day cruises and sailing safaris from various ports.

Here are ten amazing places around Australia to visit by boat.

1. Sydney (New South Wales)

Any story about the highlights of exploring Australia by water begins and ends in the New South Wales capital Sydney. The Harbour City’s glittering namesake waterway is crisscrossed by endless watercraft on a daily basis — from tiny tinnies and modest fishing boats, to ocean-going yachts and huge cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers. Sailing in or out of the harbour heads is always a memorable experience — either as the vastness of the Pacific Ocean envelops you, or as the city’s world-renowned landmarks reveal themselves for the very first time. This is the wonder of sailing at its best!

2. Port Stephens (New South Wales)

Cruising north past Newcastle — NSW’s second largest city — reveals the entrance to spectacular Port Stephens — a protected aquatic landscape double the size of Sydney Harbour. Navigating your way through the heads takes skill and expertise, but once you’re inside the Port it’s smooth sailing all the way. Keep your eyes peeled for resident bottlenose dolphins; better still, transfer onto a dedicated dolphin spotting cruise boat and prepare to be amazed! On land, the vast system of sand dunes in Worimi National Park are a must-visit. Go quad biking or 4WD-ing, or hit the dunes face first on a sandboard.

3. Fraser Island (Queensland)

Just under 400 kilometres north of Queensland’s capital Brisbane lies the largest sand island in the world — which bodes well if you love the beach! Welcome to stunning K’gari Fraser Island — the land of the Butchulla First People. The 1,800 square-kilometre island is almost entirely designated national park, and is separated from the mainland by a 70-kilometre-long channel called the Great Sandy Strait. Extending from Inskip to the south, up to Hervey Bay at its northern end, this stretch of water is another favoured by creatures of the deep: migrating humpbacks rest here annually with their newborns. Protected by Fraser, the water is generally calm and features a horizontal tidal movement. Go ashore on the island to explore 250 kilometres of unspoilt beachfront, thick remnant rainforest, and a system of shimmering dune lakes.

4. Whitsunday Islands (Queensland)

Sailing between the 74 islands that make up Queensland’s wondrous Whitsundays is an on-water experience like no other. There simply is no comparable way to see this part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park at its iridescent best. The water is impossibly blue, the beaches whiter than you can imagine, and endless bays and coves beckon with paradisical promise.

Spend time soaking up the cosmopolitan vibe on Hamilton Island, listen to the silica sand squelch underfoot as you wander along iconic Whitehaven Beach (named in the top five of the 50 best beaches in the world in 2023), and gaze in awe at Hill Inlet — a swirling melange of blue water and white sand. Mother Nature outdid herself on this one!

5. Lizard Island (Queensland)

It’s a place most of us have heard of, but few get to visit; if you get the opportunity to go there by boat, take it! Lizard Island sits on the Great Barrier Reef — 259 kilometres north of Cairns in the Coral Sea. There are actually six islands that make up Lizard Island National Park, with Lizard Island proper being the largest. It hosts the luxurious Lizard Island Resort — Australia’s northern-most beach retreat. It’s popular with A-listers wanting to holiday well away from the public eye — but anchoring a yacht off any of the island’s secluded beaches provides an even more exclusive experience!

6. Torres Strait

Linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea is dotted with clusters of small islands — many of which sustain vibrant Indigenous communities. The Strait features narrow navigable channels, strong currents, and large stretches of warm shallow water that support sea grass meadows and a wide variety of marine animals. It’s a busy shipping route and safety is paramount — both to protect transiting vessels and the environment. Those who plan to stop enroute through the Torres Strait must register their plans with Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

7. The Kimberley (Western Australia)

Cruising the coastline of Western Australia’s far north-west Kimberley region has exploded in popularity in recent years, and it’s not hard to work out why! This part of Australia is incredibly remote but endowed with extraordinary scenic beauty. Every daybreak reveals yet another breathtaking vista of ancient red land framed by azure water. Most expeditions begin in the Northern Territory capital Darwin and wrap up in the characterful pearling township of Broome. Between the two, you can marvel at the might of King George River and its twin falls, try and hook the catch of the day off Cape Bougainville, learn about the extreme ecological diversity of Montgomery Reef, and see the foaming Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay.

8. Perth (Western Australia)

Located just under a thousand nautical miles south of Broome and famously home to the syndicate that wrestled the America’s Cup (the oldest sporting trophy in the world) from the hands of the USA back in 1983, Western Australia’s capital Perth knows a thing or two about sailing. Berth in the neighbouring port city of Fremantle, then head up the magnificent Swan River on a ferry or day cruise to spend some time exploring the CBD. Back in ‘Freo’, as it’s known locally, leave time to check out the fascinating WA Maritime Museum. It displays the America’s Cup winning yacht Australia II.

9. Kangaroo Island (South Australia)

Sitting pretty 14 kilometres off the southern coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is often referred to colloquially as the ‘Galapagos of Australia’ due to its phenomenal wildlife viewing opportunities. Walk amongst Australian sea lions at Seal Bay, see colonies of New Zealand fur seals, and spot dolphins, Kangaroo island kangaroos, Tammar wallabies, koalas, echidnas, and more than 250 species of birdlife. There are sheltered anchorages at Kingscote and American River on the island’s northern side.

10. Hobart (Tasmania)

Every year maxi yachts vie for line honours in the gripping Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, and you’ll get an inkling of how it feels to take part as you enter the Derwent River and sail towards Constitution Dock in the Tasmanian capital Hobart. Berth at the deep-water Port of Hobart and step straight into the heart of Australia’s second oldest city, which dates back to 1804 and boasts a rich seafaring tradition.

This post was published thanks to Yachtzoo.

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The information contained in this story is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice in any way. We make every effort to ensure this content is accurate, but we do not guarantee it. You should do your own research and seek the advice of professionals before acting or relying on any of the information provided in this story.

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