Located halfway between Brisbane and Cairns on the northeast Queensland coast of eastern Australia, the Whitsunday archipelago is comprised of 74 islands created when sea levels rose in ancient times and drowned the coastal mountain range.
This Travel Notes page provides useful information about Australia and the Whitsunday Islands. From airport procedures to currency exchange, it will tell you what to expect to make your vacation smooth and worry free.
Base Manager
Graham Black
Address
Hamilton Island
Queensland
Australia
Phone: 011-61-749-469900
Fax: 011-61-749-469393
Hours of Operation
Monday to Sunday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Base Facilities
The base provides you with access to a laundromat, diving equipment, restaurants, hotel, bank, buggy rental, shopping and all resort amenities.
How to Get There
International connections can be made through Cairns, Brisbane or Sydney with direct flights to Hamilton Island departing from these major centers.
Fantasea Ferries operate daily services between Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island; we can arrange transfers on these services either one way, or return, at a discounted price. At the southern end of our cruising area is the city of Mackay, which hosts a second major airprot for the Whitsundays. Transfers can be made by rental car, bus or light aircraft.
We can also arrange for your yacht to be relocated to a mainland location such as Able Point Marina where chart and boat briefings can be undertaken. A one-way relocation fee applies for this service. Please advise at the time of booking, if this service is required.
Servicing Airlines
Qantas
Virgin Blue
Airport Transfers
Our courtesy bus will pick you up from the airport or ferry terminal on Hamilton Island and deliver you to your yacht.
For those guests arriving in the Whitsundays via Proserpine airport, it is a 30 minute drive to Shute Harbour, which is the departure point for all ferries servicing the island resorts. Those who drive the highway to the Whitsundays will find secure parking at Shute Harbour, only minutes from the jetty.
Arrival / Departure Procedure
Your charter starts and ends at noon.
Late Arrival Procedure
The Whitsundays is the perfect place to take advantage of an evening start option, and ease into your cruising vacation. It is often considered a convenient opportunity for guests arriving late in the day to familiarize themselves with the yacht prior to an early departure the next morning. Your charter briefings are scheduled for that evening, or should you prefer, the following morning.
One-Ways
Charter Starts and Ends are available at the following locations: Hayman Island, Able Point Marina, Laguna Quays and Mackay.
Main Language: English
Facilities on Hamilton Island:
10 restuarants, 6 bars, 1 night club
7 pools (beach towels are supplied in your room and at each hotel reception)
General Store, Newsagent, Video Store
Medical Center, National Australia Bank and ATMs
Post Office, Pharamacy, Florist, Chapel
Accomodation:
Make the most of your time away; combine your boating vacation with a resort stay prior to, or following your charter. There are many different styles of accomodation on Hamilton Island to suit all budgets and tastes.
Electricity:
Australia's power supply is 240V 50mz. Few places, if any, offer shore power while on charter. Every yacht has a cigarette lighter-type 12V outlet on the main domestic power panel. An Australian plug adapter is necessary for non-Australian appliances.
National Australia Bank
Location: Marina Village
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am - 11:30am, 12:30pm - 3:30pm. FLeix-teller machines are open 24 hours a day and are located in the Marina Village and Resort Center.
Currencies / Money Exchange
Travelers Checks and all major credit cards are accepted.
Currency: Australian Dollar (A$)
Exchange rate valid as of 9/25/2009
$1 = 1.16 Australia Dollar
Flights to the Reef
View the Great Barrier Reef from the air on a trip of a lifetime. We can arrange for a seaplane flight to meet you at a selected anchorage and fly you direct to reef. Other island flights are available.
Dive Equipment
If you think the Whitsunday waters look spectacular from above, wait until you see them from below! Fringing coral reefs provide a vast array of marine life and coral formations, which will have you gazing for hours. We can arrange for dive equipment to be put on board your yacht. For those wishing to scuba dive outside of the cruising area, we can arrange a rendezvous dive with a local operator. Moorings snorkeling equipment is complimentary and can be chosen on arrival.
Recreation
For further relaxation on the Whitsunday waters, we can arrange paddle boards and windsurfing gear.
The Whitsunday Islands are among the finest cruising grounds in the world, they are tucked between the North Queensland Coastal town of Airlie Beach, and the Great Barrier Reef. There are over 70 islands offering a very broad range of activities for you to choose from while you cruise these majestic waters.
Enjoy tropical sunsets from an array of secluded anchorages, and indulge in a feeling of true escape. Discover the amazing underwater world pulsating with colorful coral and marine life. Walk along five kilometers of spectacular pure white silica sand, known as Whitehaven Beach. Explore bush tracks and Aboriginal art in ancient caves, or simply kick back, relax and and take in the scenery.
As we are situated in the heart of the Whitsunday cruising grounds, you will not have far to sail to your first anchorage. Alternative charter start and finish destinations can be chosen to best suit your travel arrangements. Options include Mackay, Laguna Quays, Ale Point Marina and Hayman Island.
Moorings Provisioning
Cruising can build up a healthy appetite, so let us do the shopping for you! Provisioning options include our standard full provisioning and beverage packages enabling you be totally self sufficient while cruising.
Alternatively you can opt for the partial provisioning package which provides all meals and snacks with the exception of three evening meals that allows you the freedom to dine at one of the many islands. Special dietary requirements can be catered for as well as packages with menus for children. A comprehensive a la carte provisioning and beverage option is also available.
Travel Insurance
Moorings offers 'Charter Care' which is a comprehensive travel insurance scheme for your complete peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, please make sure that it covers all of the destinations and activities of your Moorings vacation.
There is NO risk of contracting malaria, yellow fever, cholera or other common tropical diseases in Australia. No vaccinations are require.
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