Australia is the largest island in the world, but the smallest continent in the world.  With that said, Australia is a stable, culturally diverse and democratic society.  A first world country offering a coastline with smaller outer lying islands to explore and discover when cruising in the luxury of a charter yacht.

The best known yacht charter areas in Australia are the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland and the Pittwater or Hawkesbury waterways in the New South Wales, near Sydney.  These are not however, the only charter locations in Australia.  Australia’s islands offer the warmth and beauty of the South Pacific.

Australia the home of the Great Barrier Reef, also offers fantastic sailing, beautiful scenery, ideal climate, stunning beaches, great diving and snorkeling, incredible coral reefs that protect the numerous islands and bays from ocean swells.  Tropical waters are warm and teeming with sea life.  Enjoy protected anchorages and islands within a short distance from one another.

New Zealand is truly one of the most stunning countries on earth.  Being a country of seasons and change, New Zealand always has something to offer.  The Luxury Charter Yacht season in New Zealand is year round.  This land holds an ancient mystic, worthy of countries far older.  It’s beauty can be rugged or intoxicatingly tranquil.

With more boats per capita than any other country, New Zealanders are particularly at home in and on the water.  With incredible cruising grounds the best way to see the land is from the comfort of a luxury charter yacht.

The Bay of Islands boasts a unique coastline sheltering over 150 small islands.  Once a seafaring and whaling town; the Bay of Islands is today a popular destination.  Small towns are scattered along the coastline, all offering their own unique and different traits.

The tranquility of the Bay of Islands offers Charter Yachts beautiful bays for overnight anchorages, incredible water-sport activities including kayaking, swimming with dolphins, game fishing and diving.  Crystal clear waters lap the pure white fine sand beaches, offering a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation, or a great place to relax and unwind.

7 Days in the Marlborough Sounds

Day 1:  Picton / Tawa Bay

Picton, a small harbor-side township at the top of the South Island is appropriately termed “the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds”.  This is the ideal spot for a yacht to provision and pick up guests who can fly in directly from the Mainlands.   An amazing fusion of land, sheltered waterways and bush in the sunniest climate of the country, this coastline is the perfect vacation destination.

After departing Picton Marina, cruise down Queen Charlotte Sounds, exploring the numberous bays and inlets before anchoring in Tawa ay in the Endeavour Inlet.  A great place to explore the waters by kayak, many of the place names in this region reveal a connection to Captain Cook, who discovered New Zealand and used the Sound as a base from which to explore the Southern Ocean.

Day 2:  Ships Cove / Ketu Bay

Whilst savoring a delectable lunch in Ships Cove, your guests can enjoy the vast array of local birds from Oyster Catchers, Paradise Shell Ducks to Pied Shags.   An afternoon of cruising will have you anchored and settled in Ketu Bay for the night where dinning under the stars is a treat for everyone.

Day 3:  Tennyson Inlet

Cruising down the Pelorus Sounds, which is 31 miles inland and home to a vast amount of mussel farms as well as schools of Dolphins.  Head to Tennyson Inlet and an area called “Worlds End” , where 3 inlets terminate.  At the head of the inlet is a well-kept trail that provides an invigorating climb through the forest to a ridge overlooking Nydia Bay to the south.  Beautiful views and a beautiful place for taking photographs.

Day 4:  Stephens Island / D’Urville Island

After a good breakfast continue up the Popoure Reach to the Waitata Reach in the Pelorus Sound, passing wildlife sanctuaries of the Chetwood Islands and the Tiro Islands.

Anchor for the night in Port Hardy, a natural harbor on D’Urville Island, which is the eighth largest island in New Zealand and is named after a french explorer who was a specialist in botany and linguistics.

Day 5:  Grevill Harbour / Guard’s Bay

After leaving the spectacular Port Hardy, cruise down the rugged coastline of D’Urville Island, perhaps enjoying a little lunch in Grevill Harbour before continuing on the Current Basin and passing through the narrows of French Pass.

Cruise on around Clay Point, then Culdaff Point into Guard’s Bay to anchor in what is locally known as the “Punt Rails”.   An excellent spot for water toys and lots of water fun.

Day 6:  Motuara Island / Bay of Many Coves

For those that are scuba divers you may want to retrace your course back around Alligator Head, and call into Port Gore where Mikhail Lermontov, the biggest cruise ship to sink since Titanic, is open for diving.  After a fantastic dive continue your course past Cape Jackson and into the Queen Charlotte Sound where you will find a gorgeous anchorage at Motuara Island, famous for it’s native birds and wild penguins.  This is also a marine reserve with awesome diving and snorkeling.

The Bay of Many Coves which has an excellent resort / restaurant if the guests choose, is a wonderful overnight anchorage.

Day 7:  Brothers Island / Tory Channel / Lochmara Bay

Cruise to the head of the Queen Charlotte Sound to Cape Koamaru into Cook Strait and past the Brothers Islands, another wildlife sanctuary.  The islands are very rugged with a prominent lighthouse on top and buildings that used to house the families who ran the light before it was automated.  A great place to fish for one of New Zealand’s best fish – the blue cod.

Continue back down the sound to Lochmara Bay, where the yacht can moor for guest departure and transport to Picton Marina.