Brisbane - Docking
The city of Brisbane provides a unique opportunity for visiting yachts to anchor or moor in the heart of a major urban centre. The Brisbane River is navigable by deep-draft vessels the 12 miles upriver to the city. Low bridge clearances there restrict further upstream excursions by masted yachts. Note that the river can run at 3kn at times.
Anchorages in the Brisbane River
There are anchorages along the eastern shore of the river opposite Eagle Street Pier, just upstream of the Gateway Bridge on the right-hand side of the river, or along the western shore south of the pile moorings at the Botanic Gardens. All anchorages and marinas are affected by ferry wakes throughout the day; however commercial traffic ceases overnight.
It is also possible to anchor on the south bank near Colmslie Reserve, just past the Gateway Bridge. This anchorage is popular with liveaboards and the area has recently been revamped with fresh water taps, public toilets, and a dinghy wharf. There is also a swimming pool within walking distance where hot showers can be had for $2.00 and supermarkets are about 2km away. Take care leaving your dinghy for extended periods here as security can be a problem.
Moorings in the Brisbane River
Brisbane City Council Council has 42 pile moorings at Breakfast Creek, 16 mid-stream and 26 river-bank. The 16 mid-stream berths are usually close to 100% occupied at Breakfast Creek, although the tidal berths on the banks usually have vacancies.
Mooring spots cannot be booked at Breakfast Creek. A vacant mooring is indicated by no lines tied between piles. If a vessel is temporarily absent from the moorings, it is necessary to reserve its place by tying a rope with centre float(s) between the piles. If you want to moor your vessel here, download the appropriate forms from the Brisbane City Council website or contact them by phone on (+64) 07 3403 8888.
Moreton Bay
Brisbane lies in the Moreton Bay area and anchoring and mooring restrictions were implemented in 2019 as part of the Marina Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan.
Restrictions states: A person must not anchor or moor a vessel or aircraft in the marine park for more than 120 days in any 12-month period.
For more information read:
Marinas around Brisbane
Brisbane is a very popular port and finding a berth can be quite a challenge. It is advisable to plan ahead if possible. Dockside Marina is a reasonable place to stay if you want to be downtown.
An alternative is to use a marina further from the city, such as those at Manly (to the south) or Scarborough or Bribie Island to the north.
While Rivergate Marina is the official clearance station, many cruising boats move on after clearing into a marina/anchorage closer to the city and facilities.
Security Note – In the past, there have been dinghy thefts reported by boats at the Garden Point Moorings adjacent to downtown Brisbane. Be sure to secure your dinghy and engine at all times.
Last updated: May 2024
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Hi Craig
We have updated our Brisbane information with input from Dockside Marina and Rivergate Marina. Brisbane is still a great place to visit with lots of amazing sailing experiences to be had up and down the Queensland/NSW coasts.
Good luck.
Although I do appreciate Ceilydhs’ blog is there any more recent information for Brisbane? 2011 was a long time ago and I’m sure that a lot has changed in 13 years. SV Russula is considering arriving in Australia November of 2024 from Fiji but we will need recent information to base our decision on. I know a few boats that are giving Australia a pass and continuing on to Indonesia but I really want to stop and explore this amazing country. I sailed into Brisbane myself in 2000 and found it to be a lovely place.
Couple of notes on Brisbane, March 2018:
As of July 1, 2017, Southport is now also a foreign vessel entry port. This is a temporary 1-year situation to cater to the Commonwealth Games in April 2018. Our Border Force inspector told us it had been very popular and would likely be extended. Call Border Force to inquire, but this may be easier for some folks compared with coming up the river to Rivergate.
Dockside marina was largely rebuilt after the 2011 floods. The A dock (25 short berths) is a separate lease and still (2018) fully silted in. The remainder of the marina (76 berths to 30m) was dredged in 2014/2015 and is now back in full operation. Shower facilities are OK, laundry machines marginal. A reasonable place to stay if you want to be downtown.
The Garden Point moorings are now City operated (formerly Port of Brisbane). In theory, at least they require AUD 10 million in third-party liability insurance in order to use.
Mooring is also possible on the south bank near Colmslie Reserve, just past the Gateway Bridge. This area has just been revamped and it contains fresh water taps, public toilets, and a dinghy wharf.
There is also a swimming pool within walking distance where hot showers can be had for $2.00 and supermarkets are about 2km away, which can be walked if you have the time. Dinghies should not be left here for more than a few days at a time, I had one stolen even though it was chained to a solid railing.
Hey Sue, As always you share some great info for those in your wake. We like most other Aussies have been both surprised & shocked by the appearance of Irukandji & Box Jellyfish in our southern Queensland waters this year.
We do hope that this is an anomaly and that these visitors will not return to our waters in future years. I would also like to thank you for putting this in perspective and not sensationalizing the situation. Cheers John H . Director Down Under Rally.
Irukandji, box jellyfish, and bluebottles have been responsible for stings along the Queensland coast this summer with several beaches closed at various times. The box jellyfish contain “one of the most powerful toxins known to man”.
Off Fraser Island, a spate of stings saw 10 people hospitalized and sparked fears of a southern Irukandji migration.
Putting it all in perspective, the actual danger to sailors in the greater Moreton Bay remains very low. The sightings are isolated incidents at this stage and if water temperatures return to normal in future summers, the migration south will cease or even reverse. But it is as well to be aware of the symptoms and seek treatment immediately if an Irukandji sting is suspected.
http://irukandjijellyfish.com/